Finishing up the Cabracer360.

 Even though this bike has been through a reveal in December 2017, and the OG Moto Show and Handbuilt Show in April 2018, it was still receiving finishing touches in between and after. If you look at the progression of the bike in photos of those events, changes like a seat cover, Honda wing emblems on the tank, an oil cooler, new air filters, another steering damper, a shortened front fairing after the OG Moto Show, and then extensive lock-wiring of the engine and chassis in this last go-around. Heidenau K-44 tires replaced the IRC's seen on the bike in the first two shows. The bike has been tested with a total loss ignition system and runs well, but the electronic pit-bike style batteryless Ignition system is still being worked out. A complete tear-down and inspection was done on the engine following the test runs, and it is now going back together again.

 The morning after the December 2017 reveal. The bike would be completely broken down to add new larger pistons, cylinders, valve springs with titanium retainers, oil cooler, and the cosmetic touches.

 At the Outlier's Guild Moto Show in early April 2018. The coil location has been moved, the tank wings painted, leather seat cover made, an oil cooler added, K&N cone filters replaced the UNI's, and the engine work done minus the ignition. A speedometer was also mounted and a custom work/display stand was also made.

The Michael Lichter photo of the Cabracer360 at Revival Cycles Handbuilt Show, late April 2018. Notice the front fairing tails have been cut down. There are other refinements like a rock shield for the oil cooler, and a tether for the seat release screw. 

 The second rear fairing mount is missing in this picture, but it was cut off and moved forward to fit the new shorter fairing tails.

 After the Handbuilt Show, the bike was broken down one last time to address an oil leak, inspect and clean the engine, and drill the bolts and nuts for lock wire. All the sidecover screws have been replaced with drilled socket head screws.

 The clutch screw and oil pump retainer nut are lock-wired internally. The Cappellini chain-drive oil pump up close. The cases have to be machined out to mount it, the oil slinger and one primary drive gear removed,  and one of the heavy clutch basket drive gears has to be replaced with an aluminum spacer. The result is a lighter clutch basket and crank, and hella oil flow. Barnett Kevlar clutch disks and plates were used. 

Third time this engine has been out of the bike, one last check of the cam degree, and it is ready for full assembly. Thanks to Tucker Rocky and Motion Pro for the degree wheel and throttle on the bike.

The engine was given a good inspection with no major problems detected. The Highwayman race ignition plate can be seen in the background.

Test fitting the 5 speed tranny and crank one last time.

 Sticky Heidenau K-44 tires were put on following the OG Moto show.

The battery tray for the total loss ignition used in testing and available as a back-up.

 The tether for the seat release screw attached to the panl that houses the total loss ignition system main power disconnect switch.

  The final piece on the bike will be the Shitame Repousse brass signature plaque. This brass is pretty thin and has been worked with small tools to get this effect.

Busy As Usual

 Hard to believe a whole year has gone by since the last post. Since then, the MT250 Elsinore was completed and dubbed "The Brother Bike," the 1969 CL175 AHRMA-spec "Cabracer 360" track bike was built for skateboard legend Steve Caballero, with a reveal of both in Denton, Texas December of 2017, and at the OG Moto show in L.A. , and the Cabracer solo at the Revival Cycles Handbuilt Show in Austin, in early 2018.

 The Suzuki GS750 custom and 1968 CL350 restoration were completed as well as a 1978 Suzuki GS550 with a GS750 engine that underwent a mild make-over. Revived and rebuilt a few 1970's CT70's, and recently a CB125. There are new pages in the "The Bikes" section of the site for some of these bikes and a little more info on them.

The Brother Bike MT250 Elsinore.

The Cabracer 360 at the OG Moto show in L.A. in 2018.

The Suzuki GS750 project completed.

The before and after pics are in the bikes section, but hard to believe the original paint is on the headlight ears and tank (with a good buff-out and touch-up.) Most of the hardware was re-plated, with either chrome, cadmium, or white and yellow zinc. Much of the chrome is original with extensive cleaning, with NOS and quality used pieces where necessary.

The 1978 GS550 was given a new rear loop, custom tail light/ license bracket, and seat. The front and rear fenders shortened, new bars, controls, instruments, and  some new signals. The original paint was buffed out and the exhaust was ceramic coated.

A rare 1971 ST70 Export model revival. 533 original miles, two owners( a father and son.) The guy I bought it from was the son of the original owner, an airman who bought it at Curly's Honda of Tokyo for his son in the US. He took exceptionally good care of it, getting it titled in Maine, but not logging many miles. Everything is original except for the battery. It is also for sale.

A CT90 revival/sympathetic restoration. The original air filter assembly had been crushed, the tranny range selector assembly was missing, and it had been sitting up a long time and needed the tank and carb cleaned out

  A 1971 Honda CT70-H 4 speed in mostly original condition. I did a seat cover, new light bucket, rebuilt the brakes, and re-plated most of the hardware. This picture was before the headlight bucket and some of the hardware replacement was done.  This one ended up going to a new owner in Virginia.

This sweetheart was named "Priscilla," and is a gentle ride. 5 speed, easy starting, and good looks...what's not to like? This one sold recently.

 A 1973 Honda CT70 given an 88cc upgrade. Left mostly original and restored mechanically. A friend bought this one recently and has been enjoying it as it is.

The beat goes on.

Been busy building a number of bikes: A 1993 Honda CB750 Nighthawk custom, a 1980 Suzuki GS750 custom,  and a 1968 Honda CL350 restoration. All these bikes are nearing completion. A 1975 Honda Elsinore MT250 being converted to a tracker bike is in the middle of its build. A 1957 Triumph T6 Thunderbird custom that I have been slowly putting together since 2013 is getting closer. Some of the parts have been cadmium plated like the rear rack, headlight mount, tank rack, and fender stays.

 The CB160 vintage racer dubbed "The 7" was revealed at the end of October, 2016 and was shown at The Progressive International Motorcycle show in Dallas, Texas in January, and at the event "Caffeine and Octane at the Beach" at Jekyl Island, Georgia in March. The 1977 Honda CT117 went to the Revival Cycles Handbuilt Show in Austin, Texas in April 2017. In February 2017, a Ducati 748 was customized with a new rear sub-frame being fabricated, extensive wire harness and electronic component relocation and modification, and a body kit including a front fairing was mounted. I didn't paint this one, which ended up being the Vintage Gulf GT40 blue and orange.