::: PROJECT : Honda CX650 Café Racer in Vietnam

Yeah, it is, as the thread title. A Cafe racer version of CX 650 to be built in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
First, I have to say that the modification is not done by myself as I don't have a big enough workshop.
A motorcycle workshop helps me to do the physical works.
This would be not a everyday update thread, so, let's take it easy by starting with a Vietnamese coffee

Feb 2012, after some calls to a guy in Westminster California, I have decided to take his 1983 Honda CX650 back to Vietnam for a Café project.
I gotta do that because there are very few of Honda CX here. I have heard about some GL400, I have seen only two CX400 by my eyes and never seen a single CX650.

This photo was taken by the seller in Feb 2012:


Due to some unforeseen reasons, the bike was delivered to me in Ho Chi Minh City in July 2012. Damn slow US boat .
First met the bike, let's take a round view:









10xxx miles on the clock:


I have ridden the bike for about 5km and feel really great. After some months but just two three time press the Ignition button, it starts.
Really smooth and powerful bike. Much better than what I though.

During the waiting time to the boat to arrive, I have also bought a set of front forks from a US friend in Maryland:


Right, by air is faster by boat! The upside down front forks arrive much earlier than the bike.

I have also been walking around the forums to find the ideas for my project.
Found this thread in ADV with lots of very good advices from Sparkymoto. Thank you very much Sparkymoto, now I can start with the monoshock.

I have put up the bike and my ideas to see how the thing would look like afterward:



Options and options.... create... edit.... delete... create....

Now this is a fun looking project! I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Hope you can throw in a photo of one of those lovely girls in the build! Best of luck with the project!

Viethorse you sure are have a lot of free time...........................
Will have to check her out when it done

Best of luck with your new project Mr. Horse! The CX line has a good reputation for torquiness and reliability. Two things (that for me, anyway) lead to a satisfying ownership experience.

The rear suspension ideas are interesting, but I believe you will be contending with the "dip" in the rear subframe (there to lower the seat and look "cool") that is not shown in the "original" depiction.

Looking forward to seeing your progress, especially some pictures with some of your friends, as Mista Vern says.

Thank you guys for following my project. Will update regularly if I have time to come over the shop.

@Scubalong: Welcome to ADV. Great to see you around this awesome community.
@Mista Vern: Thanks and I don't know if this CX has enough attraction to beautiful girls.

Thanks.
Almost of the bikes I have owned they all are equipped with rear monoshock. Just because of I love the monoshock set up and really would like to make it to this CX.
One of the very good reference is the Airhead modification of Sparkmoto:


He has given me lots of informative consultant with photos, links and his experiences while making this.

Hey VietHorse! Looks like you're in deep with this project.

Glad to be of inspiration but it looks like you're heading into a great direction of your own. The CX is a NEAT platform to work with. I'll be keeping up with this build for sure. Subscribed!

Haha.... toooooo deep now. You know how long from first time I asked you about your project!? Too long time for me to be deepened in to this dirty thing. Hahah....

Thanks for your subscription. It's free for you!! .
The bad thing is that I can not do all the modification myself as I am living in an apartment and don't have facility to get my hand dirty.
The good thing is that I can control all the modification, repair or anything related to the bike thru weekly visiting, discussion via phone and emails daily.
The other good thing is that the mechanics there, they know what they are working on.

Well, back to the bike - OEM front forks have been laid down, and replaced by Upside down front forks.



See the different from the original???

A quick visit and discussion with the shop in the morning.

Weather was so good for anything related to motorcycle:


First time ever I can use my camera for some close-up look to my bike - who was born in 1983:


She has not so small heart:






Her name:


5 gears:

I am trying to find the best suitable headlight and the speedometer. You have any idea to throw in?

How about this headlight?


How about this LCD speedometer tachometer?

Suscribed

Thank you guys for your patient.
Not much movement upon today.

There are couple of things to think about:
1. Headlight - Not a classic one, a bit modern, not too big.
2. Speedometer - Compact, simple.
3. Rear seat - Can ride 2-up, but still prefer the racer hump when riding alone - with removable seat hump.
4. Foot pegs - Sport type, CNC or something similar.
5. etc...

Well, that 's too much...

Acewell http://www.acewell-meter.com/ makes a similar speedo/ tach combo (looks like the pic you posted) that I used on my H1 project, it's kinda hard to see in some lighting.

Vapor http://trailtech.net/vapor.html also has a slick unit that I may change it out to.

Great info Anony. Thank you.
Take a quick view on those speedo/tachno meters, and I wonder how could I connect with the bike!? I meant I am not good in electronics so don't really know how to modify the existing conenctor to fit with this type of meters? And how to calibrate, especially the Trip meter and Odometer.

My Acewell was pretty simple to wire in, it just required 12 volts plus some wires from the signal lights, high beam, neutral light. Tach function is from wrapping their wire around your spark plug wire inductive) and speed calibration is pretty simple. Just requires to know the diameter of the wheel the magnet and sensor are installed on.

The instructions were easy to follow.

Oh, that 's good. Wasn't thinking of an attached instruction/manual.
Thank you. I think I will buy one as yours.

At the shop for around 2hrs discussing on how to make the dual front discs instead of original single disc.
After two days, they have completed the mounting with perfect air-gap from the wheel to both front forks, and also the two break calipers.

Right disc:


Left disc:


There are two shim plates have been inserted into both side of the "rim base" (well, I am not sure if I am using incorrect word!!??).

Because of the differences between two sides of the rim, so two plates have difference thickness. That was a difficult part for getting a correct measurement. Otherwise, the two discs could not fit with the two break calipers.

We used long bolts to mount the break disc and the shim plate to the "rim base".



So, here is how the front end looks like:




The wheel looks bigger than with the single disc, right??