• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Kawasaki 550 Cafe' bike build

AH! I get it

& I now know much more about your aesthetic sensibilities as well

back in the day, the rumor 'round the Campbell, CA tuning-fork dealership
was that different industrial design [NOT engineering] teams were responsible
for each cast wheel Yamaha model's 'look' -

hence the similar-but-different motos - XJ550, XJ650, Seca 900, Vision 550, Virago, etc., & then the Radian & related versions which followed -
wheels, brakes, F axle locations, etc. were unique & most parts didn't interchange

this approach differed significantly from the previous, modular, wire-wheeled RD lineup
& 500/650/750 twins' parts & styling - many more identical parts
 
Some final tweaks going on - its been a long time since I updated the build.
I've finalized the fitting of the seat and hump. All that remains is to paint the hump to match the tank.
I'm well into the short punch list of mechanical stuff that I want to happen before the bike hits the sales block - dyno tune, brake bleeding, oil change, nut 'n bolt, detailing.

The seat is back and I love how it looks. Very period correct.

DSCF8209.JPG


Even the Dos Labradores like it -

DSCF8215.JPG


From the 'other' side - the best view of the work done by Don Weber at MrEdsMoto.com

DSCF8214.JPG


The next post I make to this thread will be the last one. Hard to believe.
 
Ya'll probably thought I'd given up..quit...said "enough!". Ya bunch of pansy naysayers.

Bah.

Ladies and Gennlemenz!

I present for your wonder and amazement the finished project in all its gory glory:

DSCF8287.JPG


I stripped and refinished the tank and cowl when I decided my original paint effort just wasn't good enough.

DSCF8282.JPG


The bike has received a freshly rebuilt and re-jetted set of carbies too.

I think it looks...good.

DSCF8274.JPG


DSCF8279.JPG


It's for sale - I was going to ask a bazillion dollars...but you might think that was too much to pay for a hand built custom cafe' bike.

If you're interested - pm me and we can talk.
 
Ok...let me rephrase...the work is done, the fun - is just beginning. Better? Sheesh. Buncha wankers.
 
Very nice ending. I wasn't digging the paint you had before, but this finished piece really feels finished to me.

It looks like a ton of fun.
 
Man, Michael. i want to buy you a beer or 3 for your efforts. The white paint job reveal... yeah... its where its at. nice work.
 
Goddamn, man. Congrats on a brilliant build, and thanks so much for documenting the entire damn build for us! It's been great to watch. You know, and I know, how much fun you just had, regardless of the headaches.

She's BEAUTIFUL!

PM me with what you want for it and I'll put me feelers out.
 
just...wow :drool

islemann said:
Ya'll probably thought I'd given up..quit...said "enough!". Ya bunch of pansy naysayers.

Bah.

Ladies and Gennlemenz!

I present for your wonder and amazement the finished project in all its gory glory:

DSCF8287.JPG


I stripped and refinished the tank and cowl when I decided my original paint effort just wasn't good enough.

DSCF8282.JPG


The bike has received a freshly rebuilt and re-jetted set of carbies too.

I think it looks...good.

DSCF8274.JPG


DSCF8279.JPG


It's for sale - I was going to ask a bazillion dollars...but you might think that was too much to pay for a hand built custom cafe' bike.

If you're interested - pm me and we can talk.
Click to expand...
 
VERY nice:applause

It doesn't look like a "cafe racer" to me...more like a dirt tracker...but I love it!:thumbup
 
Are those Dunstall Exhaust Pipes ? Where are you getting the rear shocks from?
 
LtDan said:
Are those Dunstall Exhaust Pipes ? Where are you getting the rear shocks from?
Click to expand...

The cans are Dunstall repops.

The rear shocks are custom valved Progressive. I opted for the OE spring rate for a GPz1000.

Thanks for asking.
 
This is a perfect candidate for our new City Bike feature: "Classy-Fieds." Please PM or email me: gabe@citybike.com.

That seat tail is teh sexy.

You'll deliver to the Bay Area?
 
dOGHAIR said:
please just post the askin' price yo'
nice work
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment - I feel all...toasty. :)

As to the asking price? Huh...I really don't know. I'm open to both input on what I should ask and offers.

If you've followed the build, you know how much effort went into it.
Basically it is a 'new' remanufactured motorcycle.

What IS it worth?
 
Gabe has invited the Cafe' 550 to appear in CityBike as a Classy-fied. (Thanks Gabe!)

I'll listen to any offer (other than a trade).

Cash talks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top