Okay, folks, let’s dive into my little project – turning a Honda CL175 into a cafe racer. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but hey, that’s half the fun, right?
The Hunt Begins
First things first, I needed a bike. I wasn’t looking for anything pristine; in fact, I wanted something a bit rough around the edges. That meant more room to get creative, you know? I spent weeks scouring online listings, checking out local classifieds, and even talking to some old-timers at motorcycle meetups. Finally, I found it – a beat-up 1972 CL175. It was running, sort of, but definitely needed some TLC. Perfect!
Tear Down Time
Next up, the teardown. This is where you really get to know your bike. I stripped it down to the bare frame, labeling every nut and bolt (trust me, this saves you a HUGE headache later). I used a ton of ziplock bags and a sharpie. Engine out, forks off, wheels removed – the whole nine yards. I took a bunch of photos along the way, because, let’s be honest, my memory isn’t what it used to be.
Cleaning and Dreaming
With everything in pieces, the cleaning began. Years of grime and gunk had accumulated on every part. I spent hours with degreaser, wire brushes, and good old-fashioned elbow grease. As I cleaned, I started visualizing the final product. I knew I wanted a classic cafe racer look: low handlebars, a bum-stop seat, and a stripped-down, minimalist aesthetic.
Engine Work (Fingers Crossed)
The engine was a bit of a question mark. It ran, but it sounded rough and leaked oil like a sieve. I decided to do a top-end rebuild – new piston rings, valve job, and all new gaskets. This was my first time tackling something like this, so I relied heavily on the service manual and a few online forums. I took my time, double-checked everything, and, with a bit of luck, it all went back together smoothly.
Frame Modifications
The frame needed some work to achieve that cafe racer stance. I chopped off the rear subframe and welded on a new loop to support the bum-stop seat. I also removed any unnecessary tabs and brackets to clean up the lines. Welding was another new skill I picked up along the way. It’s definitely not as easy as it looks, but with practice, I got to a point where I was pretty confident in my welds.
Bodywork and Paint
For the bodywork, I sourced a fiberglass cafe racer seat and a small front fender. I modified the seat pan to fit my frame and fabricated some custom mounting brackets. Then came the paint. I went with a classic British racing green with a gold stripe – a nod to the old-school cafe racers. I did the painting myself in my garage, using spray cans and a whole lot of patience. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.
Putting It All Back Together
Reassembly was the most rewarding part. Seeing all those cleaned, painted, and rebuilt parts come together was amazing. I installed clip-on handlebars, rear-set footpegs, and a new, smaller headlight. I rewired the entire bike, simplifying the harness and getting rid of any unnecessary wiring. I also replaced the old, worn-out tires with some new, sticky rubber.
The First Ride
Finally, the moment of truth – the first ride. I held my breath as I thumbed the starter. The engine sputtered to life, sounding much healthier than before. I took it for a spin around the block, grinning from ear to ear. The riding position was aggressive, the exhaust note was throaty, and the whole bike felt light and nimble. It was everything I had hoped for.
- It’s Done
It’s not perfect, and there are still a few things I want to tweak, but overall, I’m incredibly proud of what I accomplished. I learned a ton, developed some new skills, and ended up with a unique, head-turning motorcycle that’s a blast to ride. And that, my friends, is what it’s all about.
