Alright, guys, let’s talk about my latest project – turning a Honda CB900F into a cafe racer. It was a hell of a ride, and I’m stoked to share the whole messy process with you.
The Beginning
I picked up this old CB900F. It was running, but man, it was rough. Faded paint, rusty bits everywhere, and a seat that looked like it had been through a war. But hey, that’s the perfect starting point, right? More room for improvement!
Tear Down Time
First things first, I tore that bike down to the frame. I mean everything came off. Engine, wheels, wiring harness, the whole shebang. I labeled every single wire and bolt, and put stuff in ziplock bags. It made reassembly a heck of a lot easier, trust me.
- Engine out: This was a beast, but with a good engine hoist and a buddy, we got it out.
- Wheels and suspension: Off they came! I knew I wanted to upgrade these, so the old ones went into storage.
- Wiring: Oh boy, the wiring. So many wires. But labeling everything saved my sanity.
Cleaning and Painting
With the bike in pieces, I got to work cleaning everything. Years of grime and grease had to go. I used degreaser, wire brushes, and a whole lot of elbow grease. Then, I prepped the frame and other parts for paint. I went with a classic black for the frame – timeless and clean.
Engine Work
The engine needed some love. I didn’t do a full rebuild, but I did clean the carbs, replace the gaskets, and check the valve clearances. I also painted the engine block to match the frame, cause why not?
Cafe Racer Bits
Now for the fun part – making it look like a cafe racer! I ordered a bunch of parts:
- Clip-on handlebars: For that low, aggressive riding position.
- Rearsets: To move the footpegs back for a sportier feel.
- A cafe racer seat: The classic hump at the back is a must.
- New headlight and taillight: Smaller and more stylish than the stock ones.
Putting It All Back Together
Reassembly was like putting together a giant, oily puzzle. But with all those labeled bags and wires, it went pretty smoothly. I installed the new parts, routed the wiring, and slowly but surely, the bike started to look like something special.
The Final Touches
I added some bar-end mirrors, a new exhaust system (gotta make it sound good!), and some fresh tires. I also spent a good amount of time tuning the carbs to get the engine running just right.
The Result
Man, it was worth it. The bike looks amazing, rides great, and turns heads everywhere. It’s not perfect, there are always little things to tweak, but that’s part of the fun, right? It’s a raw, visceral machine, and I built it with my own two hands. Can’t beat that feeling!
