Comments on: MD Project: Building a Cafe Racer, Part V (Bike Reports) (News)

By: Joe H.

Joe H. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:45:23 +0000

I was so anxious to check out Part IV and Part V after seeing all the paint, wheels, exhaust, etc., in Parts I through III.

Pretty disappointed in the final product. Those rearsets? How do you plan to keep your boots planted? The battery bracket welds are crude. And what are those flat washers welded in front of the battery for? Also can’t do hardware store fasteners; have to use genuine Honda nuts and bolts. No flat washer under the exhaust hanger bolt. What’s that cable improperly routed in front of the right fork tube?

I dig your writing though.

Nice effort at first; came up short at last.

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By: Z2

Z2 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:18:45 +0000

Yes, I agree…those bird sh*t welds could be dangerous.

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By: Rick W

Rick W — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:53:16 +0000

Those footrests should be rewelded by someone who knows what he’s doing. That welding is substandard and possibly dangerous.

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By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:44:50 +0000

I thought the same thing, but it’s actually not too bad. And my buddy Al was slavering at the chance of knurling something.

Instead, I just used a pair of unused Pro-Grip handgrips I’ve had in my garage for 10 years! They damp vibes and provide plenty of grip.

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By: Reinhart

Reinhart — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:24:39 +0000

Nice bike. I think that your rearsets may need a surface that offer more traction for you boot, especially when wet. Otherwise, looks to be a lot of fun!

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By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:52:37 +0000

The new Headlight and mounting system looks good. I’ve installed a pair of their mufflers on one of my previous bikes. I’ll have to keep them in mind for some of my future projects also.
Thanks, Tony

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By: MGNorge

MGNorge — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:59:35 +0000

I’m impressed with the looks of the new light bucket. Looks like a natural.

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By: Steveski

Steveski — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:36:48 +0000

Great job Gabe & thanks for keeping us up-to-date with the build. The bike is cool!

I love the new retro-cafe movement…. so much more cooler than f’n chop’rs….

But I’m still torn… do I wait for the new 350 KTM Duke or build a Vintage 350/450 Honda Street Tracker with wide, dirt track bars, etc…

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By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:48:23 +0000

Some of this is asthetic, some is performance/practical. Clip-ons offer more adjustment (up-down as well as forward/back), are lighter, and look better. The downside is they are more difficult to install and generally result in a less-comfy riding position.

Clubmans are easier and cheaper to fit (and I assume that’s where they got the name–easy for club racers to show up at a race, switch to the low bars for the races, then switch back for the ride home) and may give you a more comfortable riding position. And maybe that’s why I don’t like them–they don’t scream “commitment” they way clip-ons do…

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By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:43:51 +0000

It’s been rebuilt and works perfectly, but yeah, it could use a polish…I may want to just replace the whole thing.

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