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08-06-2009, 8:17 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Ratty Cafe build Its a work in progress at the moment, bought a runner for $425AUD (cheap for a running bike) drove 600miles to pick it up and 600miles back home again (picked up 2 bikes and a Dana 44 diff for my Jeep to make the trip worthwhile) Anyway, it's going to be a cafe racer when it's done.  A Ratty Cafe to start with..... As it was when it arrived home Mechanically sound but missing and backfiring.  On the upside it had a rewound stator, new battery, spin on filter conversion and the tyres are in good condition.  I fixed the miss with a good carb clean and now mechanically she's pretty good. Since then I've pulled the back end off so I can make a fibreglass single seat for it, that'll happen next week.  Also taken the handlebars, light and guages etc off and replaced with a 6" headlight, Acewell guage (on its way as I type) and clubman bars. Also changed the rear shocks for Enfiled Bullet gas shocks.  The bullet is about the same weight as the CX and the shocks are a little shorter which suits me as the whole bike will be lowered for the 'look' So as it is now.  Once the basics are all done it will get it's plates and then be stripped down for paint, dent fixes, polishing and chrome :) Cheers Steve    Report

08-06-2009, 11:59 PM BearCX Joined on 03-11-2008 Roseworthy, Sth Aust Posts 525 Re: Ratty Cafe build G'day from SA. Welcome. If you're still in control...You're not going fast enough.    Report

08-07-2009, 12:43 AM Clumzi Joined on 01-26-2009 Olympia Washington Posts 636 Re: Ratty Cafe build Pods, open up the sides, 2in1, sealed battery, flat black most of it... my kind of bike :). I need a sealed battery :(. Stupid school induced poverty. -nick 1979 CX Rat Sport (EMGO pods, wrapped MAC 2in1, 90/130 re-jet, 18" rear wheel, 50 cal ammo cans, Viper cafe faring, $.97 rattle can flat black) 1987 Toyota Van (Whitey) 2002 Subaru Legacy GT (Spiffy) Motorcycles should be black and dirty :)    Report

08-09-2009, 7:59 PM Waldorf Joined on 07-20-2009 Calgary, Alberta Posts 18 Re: Ratty Cafe build Hey Steve, any plans for rearsets yet? There's alot of ideas on the site, but I can't decide which route would be best. '79 Honda cx500 deluxe '81 Kawasaki kz440 ltd    Report

08-09-2009, 8:09 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build No plans yet, depends how it all feels with the new seat, about to start on that this afternoon so hopefully I'll have an idea on where to place the pegs at the end of the week.  I expected it to be much more uncomfortable with the clubmans and no rearsets than it is, pretty comfy actually Cheers Steve    Report

08-10-2009, 2:40 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build So spent some time mocking up the seat today with polystyrene sheet etc, nothing to really see yet but I hope to have it looking something like this tomorrow. The rear of the frame will be cut behind the rear seat mount section, once I cut it I'll bend the section of frame in so I can taper the tail in.  This section of frame actually tapers out and is a real pain when making a seat.  I could cut this section off altogether but wont for now as may need it to mount other stuff to like rear indicators etc. Also got my Acewell gauge so hope to have some proper pics tomorrow. Cheers Steve    Report

08-10-2009, 9:24 AM Clumzi Joined on 01-26-2009 Olympia Washington Posts 636 Re: Ratty Cafe build I think the flap on the front fender can come off :) -nick 1979 CX Rat Sport (EMGO pods, wrapped MAC 2in1, 90/130 re-jet, 18" rear wheel, 50 cal ammo cans, Viper cafe faring, $.97 rattle can flat black) 1987 Toyota Van (Whitey) 2002 Subaru Legacy GT (Spiffy) Motorcycles should be black and dirty :)    Report

08-11-2009, 1:15 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Mounted the Acewell gauge today, I was going to work on the seat but it rained all day I didn't feel like working on the seat in the garage so back onto it tomorrow.  Also removed the speedo cable, fixed up the wiring that was causing the headlight to come on when the brake lever was pulled and basically redid a lot of dodgey wiring that was just twisted together by one of the previous owners.  Went through quite a bit of heat shrink and solder. Not much of a pic but better than nothing Cheers Steve    Report

08-11-2009, 9:17 AM stormtrooper784 Joined on 08-22-2007 Idaho Posts 329 Re: Ratty Cafe build Great prodject.  Tell us more about that neat gauge set up you have!  Were did it come from, and how hard was the instal? 81' CX500D 80' CX500C parts all over the place!!!!    Report

08-11-2009, 5:58 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  stormtrooper784 wrote: Great prodject.  Tell us more about that neat gauge set up you have!  Were did it come from, and how hard was the instal? I got it from Electrosport by far the cheapest I could find and over $100AUD cheaper than I could get it here in Australia (including shipping etc) I haven't wired it up yet but it uses a magnet sender for the speedo and the tacho connects to the CDI for its signal so it should be easy.  It also has all the standard indicators like oil light, high beam, indicators etc along with a digital speedo and tacho as well as a bar graph tacho and of course its water proof.  Also has two trip meters, odometer, a clock that is on all the time and backlighting.  Once I get it hooked up I'll take some more pics.  I got one with a hazard light indicator as well which I'll use for the water temp warning instead of a temp gauge, at least that's the plan currently. Cheers Steve    Report

08-11-2009, 7:16 PM BearCX Joined on 03-11-2008 Roseworthy, Sth Aust Posts 525 Re: Ratty Cafe build Let us know how it all works M8, that looks fantastic. If you're still in control...You're not going fast enough.    Report

08-12-2009, 4:29 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Decided not to make a seat after looking at the cost of fibreglass and the time it will take etc, I'm going to order one from Roc City Cafe in the US.  Cheaper and good quality. So today I'll be spending all day wiring up the gauge instead and should have some pics of it working later on. Cheers Steve    Report

08-13-2009, 12:21 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Got the gauge all wired up.  Currently I have the tacho wire wrapped around one of the plug leads for the signal but when I pull it down for paint etc I'll hook it up to the CDI instead.  I also need to mount the speedo sensor, I know how I'm going to do it just need to make a small bracket that goes on the bottom of the right front fork. Anyway, here's a vid of it. Acwell in action Cheers Steve    Report

08-13-2009, 1:39 AM BearCX Joined on 03-11-2008 Roseworthy, Sth Aust Posts 525 Re: Ratty Cafe build That looks COOL. Might have to get one. If you're still in control...You're not going fast enough.    Report

08-13-2009, 3:31 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  BearCX wrote: That looks COOL. Might have to get one. Certainly worth it, just don't buy one locally Cheers Steve    Report

08-13-2009, 6:04 AM midgtmn Joined on 02-19-2009 Rochester, NY - USA Posts 285 Re: Ratty Cafe build Nice! '78 CX500 - Back from the brink! '81 CX500C- Finally Running thanks to Ignitech!    Report

08-13-2009, 1:19 PM sven Joined on 08-13-2009 Germany; Colonia Posts 8 Re: Ratty Cafe build Nice - you are on the best way.    Report

08-15-2009, 2:01 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Did a little more today while I was home alone for an hour :)  Made a basic bracket for the sender for the speedo and took one of the bolts out that mounts the right brake disk and epoxied a magnet to the head of it.  I tested it first with just the magnet but I was worried it might fly off so went with the epoxy as well. When I pull the bike down I'll make a better bracket with nicer bends and paint it black to blend it in but this is fine for now. The speedo works great so all is good. Cheers Steve    Report

08-15-2009, 8:49 AM Zach_Godel Joined on 04-16-2008 Lester Prairie, MN Posts 180 Re: Ratty Cafe build Very slick.  That new gauge is mighty interesting.  Keep us updated! 1979 CX500 Deluxe 1981 SR185 Exciter    Report

08-16-2009, 1:04 PM nollid51 Joined on 07-19-2008 New Jersey Posts 114 Re: Ratty Cafe build Steve, great bike. I had a question about your turn signals. In another post you told me they we're emgos, and I seem to have bought them under another brand here in the states as they are exactly the same as in the pics. Did you have to use a different flasher? Or did you just plug them in and go? 1978 CX500    Report

08-17-2009, 3:24 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  nollid51 wrote: Steve, great bike. I had a question about your turn signals. In another post you told me they we're emgos, and I seem to have bought them under another brand here in the states as they are exactly the same as in the pics. Did you have to use a different flasher? Or did you just plug them in and go? Just plugged them in, mine aren't LED ones, I cheaped out Cheers Steve    Report

08-25-2009, 4:41 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Got my seat from RockCityCafe, took 10 days to Australia from when it was shipped so pretty happy with that. In the pics the seat is sitting high, I will drill out the spot welds holding the original seat clamps on and then the rear pod will slip over everything and should look nice.  I'll bend the rear frame in a mm or two either side but wont cut it, I think the seat may even fit without bending those horns in.  Anyway, the pics with the seat propped on for now.  Hope to fit it Saturday morning. You can see it sits way to high with the seat clips on there, it clears everything else though. I hope to get the new mufflers on Saturday and then I should get to see how it's going to look at least. Cheers Steve    Report

08-26-2009, 8:16 AM MxRacerCam Joined on 08-18-2009 Posts 5 Re: Ratty Cafe build looks good! which seat is that? the long round cafe seat?    Report

08-26-2009, 1:34 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Yep, that's the one. Cheers Steve    Report

08-30-2009, 11:27 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Frame modified to allow the seat to fit.  To do this I drilled out the welds holding on the seat clips and then slotted the rear of the frame vertically so I could bend the two horns in slightly.  I was reluctant to chop them off completley and will probably add a hoop between the two to mount the taillight on. I also trimmed the rubber off of the top of the tank mount, this is the section the seat rests on, this let me get the front of the seat lower and I'll use the bolt that holds the rear of the tank on to hold the front of the seat down as well.  I'll put a metal sleeve through the fibreglass on the seat so there is no direct load from the bolt on it.  Much like the sleeve through the tank rubber. Next I need to make up a simple frame to weld on top of the bike frame in the dip to support the seat base from my heft arse If you compare to the pics above it's quite a bit lower now and looking pretty good I think. Cheers Steve    Report

09-04-2009, 6:05 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Got my mufflers today.  The first local bit I've bought and 4 weeks to arrive.  Anyway, they are the EMGO 17" reverse cone mufflers.  The cone can be taken off and the baffle removed, this means I can tune the noise for the bluslip (plates) and then re tune them for the right 'sound'.  Just a shame I dont get to work on the bike this weekend with a Wedding on Saturday and Fathers day on Sunday so I'll have to wait until I get to hear it with its new voice. Cheers Steve    Report

09-06-2009, 1:36 AM ROne Joined on 01-17-2008 Melbourne, Australia Posts 118 Re: Ratty Cafe build Hey Steve, just a note on those mufflers....... They look to be the same ones I bought, Emgo 17" Reverse Cones, they look great and trust me....they sound great too. However, firstly I didn't realise that you could remove the cone to remove the baffles, but secondly, I would wait until you hear it with the baffles in.....it's a whole lot louder and more rumble than the original Megaphones as you had on before (the same ones I also had previously). I ride it daily and as they are, worry about the noise level and they do get to after awhile on longer rides (thinking of using disposable earplugs....hehehe) but they do sound great and I like the attention it receives but I don't think I'd ever need to remove the baffles, I think it would probably be too load then for me. But I like your build so far, keep at it as we are keen to see the progress. Cheers, Rone (Melbourne, VIC)    Report

09-06-2009, 2:27 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build I was thinking I might have to remove the baffles so I could add some additional packing to quieten them down for the blueslip and then take the extra packing out again afterward when it's ready for the road Cheers Steve    Report

09-06-2009, 3:04 AM ROne Joined on 01-17-2008 Melbourne, Australia Posts 118 Re: Ratty Cafe build Hahaha...... :D Oops, sorry mate....guess I was thinking the 'other way round'. hehehe. Yep, good idea though, might pay to quieten those 'barking dogs' down for roadworthy. Cheers, Rone    Report

09-06-2009, 3:52 AM Spacetiger Joined on 05-16-2009 Chantilly, VA Posts 1,353 Re: Ratty Cafe build Thanks for keeps us posted on the progress + the pics. Only suggestion is on the creative guage set up. Instead of the bracket you have for the magnetic pic-up, you might consider running a straight brace down from your bottom bolt holding the caliper bracket parallel to the fork tube. It might keep the magnetic pick up sensor tucked up safely behind the fork and hidden a bit. What color will you paint the bike? Jerry 90 PC 800 (commuting steed) 82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike) 66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP) 80 CX500C (Loved this bike) 74 CB360 (Fun; but too small) 79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years) 76 CB550 (step up from 200cc) 74 KZ200 (1st bike!)    Report

09-06-2009, 6:16 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Yep, thought about that setup too, when it's pulled down for paint I'm going to redo the bracket and spend some more time looking into the location. Not sure on colour yet, currently I'm think a deep orange/burnt orange for the tank and seat and the frame and wheels black with the engine silver etc.  But I really need to muck about in photoshop as straight black is appealing with gunmetal strips on the tank and seat and silver also looks good but might be too much with the chrome and silver engine etc. Cheers Steve    Report

09-06-2009, 9:44 AM Tstewart IL Joined on 07-19-2008 Illinois Posts 148 Re: Ratty Cafe build Got any plans for that air-box and stock filter set up? A re-jet and set of pods? It really changes the look, and gets more of the plastic crap off. Good job so far!  As stated best by Matthew B. Crawford: "You can't hammer a nail over the internet".    Report

09-06-2009, 10:08 AM mtrbyk Joined on 09-04-2009 Posts 10 Re: Ratty Cafe build I like the direction your going. Keep up the great work! 82' CX500C    Report

09-06-2009, 8:40 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  Tstewart IL wrote: Got any plans for that air-box and stock filter set up? A re-jet and set of pods? It really changes the look, and gets more of the plastic crap off. Good job so far!  It will go at some point but I want to get the basics done and get it on the road so that will be stage 2, which should start in about 2 months. Cut my old mufflers off of the homemade 'H' box that a previous owner had put together at some point.  I need to modify this to allow me to fit my new mufflers as the last set were welded to it (making it a real pain to remove).  Anyway, I ran it with just the headers and the 'H' box and it sounds like a drag car  , I have no idea how anyone gets away with straight pipes on these things.  Next is to get some pipe that fits in the 'H' box and in my mufflers to make the adapter to join them as the current 'H' box outlet is the same size as the Muffler inlet. Cheers Steve    Report

09-08-2009, 11:25 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Welded some pipe to the old H box substitute so I could slip my new mufflers on, louder than I thought and a bit tinny so I'll baffle them a little more and see how it goes. Some pics with the new mufflers, the nice clean bit of exhaust between pipe and muffler is the new section I welded in.  It kicks the mufflers out and up a bit which I think gives it a nice line. Cheers Steve    Report

09-09-2009, 4:54 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Uploaded the vid with the Emgo's on, the wind noise kinda mucked it up a bit so it doesn't sound as deep as in the flesh, or as loud. EMGO Reverse cones on CX500 Cheers Steve    Report

09-09-2009, 2:28 PM ROne Joined on 01-17-2008 Melbourne, Australia Posts 118 Re: Ratty Cafe build Looking and sounding good Steve. :) I hope to look into my CX this Saturday to work out why mine's not running. Got to go pick up a Honda Spark Plug remover from the store Sat morning so I can remove the plugs before I can diagnose any further. On a positive.....the wife just bought me a new custom rego plate for my birthday yesterday, should have it in about another week or so.....it will say "CAFED" (as in, the CX has been 'Cafe'd) hehehehe Rone    Report

09-09-2009, 3:24 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  ROne wrote: Looking and sounding good Steve. :) I hope to look into my CX this Saturday to work out why mine's not running. Got to go pick up a Honda Spark Plug remover from the store Sat morning so I can remove the plugs before I can diagnose any further. On a positive.....the wife just bought me a new custom rego plate for my birthday yesterday, should have it in about another week or so.....it will say "CAFED" (as in, the CX has been 'Cafe'd) hehehehe Rone I'm hoping to get a heap done this weekend, need to tweak the carbs for the exhaust, weld up a frame for the seat to mount on and touch up one of the welds on the adapters I made for the mufflers as I must have missed a spot and have a small leak in the weld.  I think while I have the exhaust off I'll paint it all and seal it up properly but wont wrap it until I've done the full strip down and paint of the rest of the bike. Hopefully getting yours up and running again wont be too hard :) get some pics with the new plates.  Oh and Happy Birthday. Cheers Steve    Report

09-09-2009, 8:01 PM gregoryjewell Joined on 07-02-2008 joplin, mo Posts 523 Re: Ratty Cafe build steve that gauge is pretty slick i like it 79 cx500 custom on the road once again 78 standard (parts bike) 79 cx500 custom (parts bike sitting 1500 miles away)lol cant nobody hold me down oh no i got to keep on moving    Report

09-12-2009, 9:52 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Welded up my frame for the fibreglass seat to mount onto, then tested it.  No flex and all feels solid  Here's the pics, the frame will be removable and the seat will bolt to the frame, just need to weld some tabs on to it to mount the seat onto.  The front of the frame will have a plate on it that will slip under the tank mount like the stock seat does, the rear will have tabs welded to it that will bolt to some stock nuts on the bike frame.  Another step almost done. Once the seat is padded I'll look at moving the pegs if I need to. And without me, I'll need to figure out something to fill the gap between seat and frame but it's waaaaaay down the list at the moment. Cheers Steve    Report

09-14-2009, 11:19 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build Took the bike down the culdesac and back again, didn't take it out of first as I had no gear on but being a dead end street didn't worry too much, I could have ridden the pushy faster   This is the first time it's moved more than a few meters since I took it off the trailer when I brought it home.  I'll have to gear up on the weekend and take it for a proper spin up the street, it sounds too nice to just have it idle in the driveway... The seat is just stuck to the frame with double sided tape until I'm sure of positioning and have the tabs welded on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEcb5WwCYgc Cheers Steve    Report

09-15-2009, 12:34 PM gregoryjewell Joined on 07-02-2008 joplin, mo Posts 523 Re: Ratty Cafe build wow steve she sounds really good with those new mufflers keep it up shes really starting to come together 79 cx500 custom on the road once again 78 standard (parts bike) 79 cx500 custom (parts bike sitting 1500 miles away)lol cant nobody hold me down oh no i got to keep on moving    Report

09-15-2009, 3:30 PM gary50 Joined on 09-02-2008 Posts 250 Re: Ratty Cafe build I agree, very nice sound. good job. Cheers, 50gary    Report

09-28-2009, 8:58 PM Zach_Godel Joined on 04-16-2008 Lester Prairie, MN Posts 180 Re: Ratty Cafe build Steve, I just got one of those Acewell's after seeing yours, and I got it all hooked up but I don't know how to set the odometer.  Can this indeed be done?  1979 CX500 Deluxe 1981 SR185 Exciter    Report

09-28-2009, 10:11 PM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  Zach_Godel wrote: Steve, I just got one of those Acewell's after seeing yours, and I got it all hooked up but I don't know how to set the odometer.  Can this indeed be done?  I was told it could but it cant The currently unreleased 4000 model has this function but none of the current ones.  Up until you mentioned it I still thought it could be set but looking through the manual and searching online it seems it cant, I was going to set mine when I got the plates on it and had it on the road. Cheers Steve    Report

09-28-2009, 10:18 PM gregoryjewell Joined on 07-02-2008 joplin, mo Posts 523 Re: Ratty Cafe build well think of it like this at least you now have a very low milage bike lol 79 cx500 custom on the road once again 78 standard (parts bike) 79 cx500 custom (parts bike sitting 1500 miles away)lol cant nobody hold me down oh no i got to keep on moving    Report

09-29-2009, 5:44 PM Zach_Godel Joined on 04-16-2008 Lester Prairie, MN Posts 180 Re: Ratty Cafe build :( 1979 CX500 Deluxe 1981 SR185 Exciter    Report

09-29-2009, 8:12 PM BearCX Joined on 03-11-2008 Roseworthy, Sth Aust Posts 525 Re: Ratty Cafe build Good work MonsterBus. Sounds great, looks cool. If you're still in control...You're not going fast enough.    Report

09-30-2009, 12:26 AM Steve F Joined on 06-25-2009 Sydney, Australia Posts 174 Re: Ratty Cafe build  BearCX wrote: Good work MonsterBus. Sounds great, looks cool. Ha Ha, that was a forum name when I built up my lifted V8 (Leyland P76) powered Kombi Cheers Steve    Report

09-30-2009, 1:18 AM BearCX Joined on 03-11-2008 Roseworthy, Sth Aust Posts 525 Re: Ratty Cafe build Not sure whether to cheer ya, or laugh at ya!! Got any photos?? If you're still in control...You're not going fast enough.    Report

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