'76 CB500t Cafe racer

No not going the classic route mate she's deffo getting cafe'd alright.
That link about the re chrome looks good I only want the headlamp brackets, brake lever, gear lever, header pipes and chain adjusters doing.
It makes sense to have them re done unless like you say I can get them new for less!
Can't wait to get stuck into it, once that fat nonce in his red suit has emptied his sack its all systems go!!!

 

Re-chroming is not cheap so you could save a few quid by getting some universal headlight brackets like these which also have the advantage of letting you lower the headlight for a meaner look...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headlight-Mounting-Brackets-Universal-Side-Mount-Vintage-Cafe-Bobber-Ears-Chrome-/160659151131?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item256808191b

Brake levers are available as much cheaper pattern parts or just get the original one's polished if they're alloy.

Also some rechromers are reluctant to touch exhausts as the carbon can fook they're baths up so might be easier to paint them black and just fit some slip on period look cans, like.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Headlight-Mounting-Brackets-Universal-Side-Mount-Vintage-Cafe-Bobber-Ears-Chrome-/160659151131?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item256808191b

Somewhere in my garage I have a nice chrome gear lever from a 70's CB750 which if fits you're welcome to. I also have a new pattern set of chrome chain adjusters from a Z650 which again if fits you can have.

 

Cheers mate if they fit i'll have those off you if that's ok?
Have you had any experiance of ordering parts from the U.S.?
Iv'e seen some stuff like you linked there but iv'e heard bad stories of the prices hiking up due to customs/tax charges.

 

I'll have a dig around in the garage for them and let you know....

I've had lots of parts (new an used) from the US without problem but I have heard of people being stung by customs for VAT etc, does seem a little random though.

I know the company linked below are US based but they are very well respected on the Zed forum (the owner posts on there) so might be worth going through someone like them.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ (Despite the name they do bits for all makes )

 

Nice one Gary mate, I'll probably be picking your brains quite often now then lol.
Had a look down the exhaust port today and it isn't looking good, looks like the exhaust valve is totally corroded so I've just bit the bullet and ordered this head from the same seller who I bought the pistons and barrels off.

Seems the best course of action tbh because I think the head that's on the bike will need quite a bit of work.
Ported and polished with Phil Joy race cams (never heard of the dude) but some googling reveals he's a decent tuner though.
Just ordered a full gasket set from Japan and a rebuild kit for the carbs and a verity of jets for the carbs I may have to upgrade the carbs to some flat slides if these cv's that are on the bike don't work with the bigger pistons and head mods.
So as soon as my tyre (front one came today) and my levers turn up I'll be popping those on to stabilise the bike then the work begins on the engine by removing it!!

 

Here we go.....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/J7MGX/Picture040.jpg

From memory (and it was a LONG time ago) the 500 gear lever had a little more of a dog-leg but this could be bent to suite...

,,,, and anyone why I suddenly can't post pictures direct?.... I click on the add picture icon and the screen just goes grey and nothing then works!!.

 

if you're getting something bulky/expensive then if it's getting sent by usps then parcelforce get hold of it and you will get stung for duty!!

can you get me a pic of it?

click on get media links, then click on image link, will say copied, then paste it in the reply box.

 

I will do tomorrow Carl, I just had a quick look down the port yesterday while one of my mates came for a laugh at it. There's a load of gunge the valve looks like its open and the stem is all rusty. Plus it's got a snapped plug so cba with the messing hence why I've bought this head.
Once the engine is out and stripped I'll get you to blast the cases and clean the carbs up mate, then you can blast the frame and rims

 

no worries, bring the pistons and barrels, can do them as well.

 

Will do mate cheers!!

 

Details of a chrome platers I have used several times, good quality and cheap.

Parkside metal finishers
Parkside Mill Parkside Road, Todmorden. OL14 8PF
01706 815778

 

Well just got the new tubes and hoops on mx style hoops ftw!
Lesson of the day, it's easier using 3 tyre irons instead of two lol
Scored one of them portable gas heaters so the shed is nice and toasty!
Bike is now safely stored in the centre of operations ready for engine removal, hoping to have it out of the frame by the weekend

 

ive ordered some stuff from the states..depending on wether the supplier wants the cost of parts insuring..they put the price of item on packaging so customs know how much to charge in duty..plus parcel force charge a handling fee..even tho postage and insurance is paid..wankers..i got a boost gauge for the r1..it cost about 30 quid plus 30 postage plus duty and charges it came to about 80 quid..turned out the part was made in germany...lol

 

Would love to give something like this ago. Wouldn't have a clue though

 

I'm after Mikuni 32mm slide carbs from the US but I'm bricking about ordering them incase customs get hold of 'em and sting me for tax ect.
Sod's law that Ned!!

 

Neither have I mate lol, tbh I haven't set a time scale but I'd like to be finished for the end of summer or early autumn . I'm starting the engine 1st then I'll do the frame, wheels, suspension then the electrics finishing with the tank and seat unit

 

Sounds good mate, I'll keep looking and see how ur getting on. U might tempt me to try it next year

 

its not that bad..its the postage thats the killer from the states..if you need the part and cant get it anywhere else you will sell your granny to get it..little projects like this end up taking over your life

 

Got the engine out of the bike now, glad I went with me gut on this one and ordered those pistons, barrels and head because I reckon this is well beyond saving



I think there's a piston under all this skeg...yup there it is lol


I think the only saving grace is that the rings have welded to the bore and effectively sealed the bottom end off from further damage, btw the bottom end looks pretty good but I won't know for sure until I've stripped it down proper.
Plan is now to get it all stripped ready for blasting then build it all back up with new gear