Possible winter project: cafe single

[markbvt]

I've always liked single-cylinder bikes. And I very much subscribe to the philosophy that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow -- and I live in Vermont, where most of the roads are better suited to slower speeds anyway.

Also, I love cafe racers.

I've thought for a long time that it would be cool to have a really stripped-down single in the tradition of the classic British sporting singles (Manx Norton, etc), but with more modern technology and performance. Honda came close with the GB500 of the late '80s/early '90s, but they were underpowered for their rather porky weight. Also, the suspension was less than stellar.

Last winter the news came out that Roland Sands was going to be building kits to turn 450cc MX bikes into road racers. I reread the articles the other day and started thinking, why not apply the same ideas to building a cafe single? It would actually be easier because it doesn't need bodywork, and 18" spoked wheels are traditional so the rear one wouldn't even need replacing.

Only thing is, the purist in me really wants an air-cooled single. So I've been thinking of what bikes would be the best candidates for conversion. The goal is an air/oil-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder cafe racer, under 300 pounds dry (preferably closer to 250 if possible), making at least 45hp.

The three most likely candidates I've come up with would be a Suzuki DR650, Honda XR650L, or Honda XL600R. None of these will make 45hp stock, but all should be easily capable of it with basic uncorking. I would think they should be able to do a lot better with hotter cams and a flat-slide carb.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Has anyone ever tried something like this?

--mark

PS: Please don't tell me to get/build a supermoto. That's not what I'm after. I'm talking about something like this, but of course they're not available in the US:
Company - Profile
Look at those specs. 256lbs!

[Bandit12k]

I took an 86' Kawasaki KZ440, gutted it, rebuilt the engine, open straight pipes, straight air filter (no box, nothin)
Gave it ALOT more pep. Wheelies real easy now when ya sit on the back seat
But i'm a streetfighter fan more so than cafe... but cafe's are hot.

I think u could deff do it.

[tonup]

I've gotten "permission" to take my 1970 triumph hardtail 500cc and make it the respectable bike it should be. My winter project is going to be making it into a cafe. The chopper was fun back on the southern roads but not up here. I couln't get a kidney belt tight enough if I wanted. Keep us posted on the project.

[RGVER]

suzuki savage is a 650 single, For cafe racering I'd have thought a better candidate than a dirt bike. Aftermarket seems pretty good if you look with carbs cams and the fun stuff there.

[knarlydog]

Don't forget Yamaha's SRX600. Definitely meets your weight specs, might hit your HP mark with some mods, but might be more like 40hp. There are lots of very trick parts for them available through Japan, Ohlins shocks, braced swingarms, solo seats, etc, etc. Its kick start only, which I think is great !! This bike is a blast to ride on the roads you describe.

Another thought is the MZ Scorpion. Definitely hits you HP numbers, has a bullet proof Yamaha single, I think its even the singe with the Genesis head as well. They were a popular club bike back in the 90's.


Here's a pic of my friends SRX....

[markbvt]

Good point, I'd forgotten about the SRX600. Hard to find one though, especially around here.

--mark

[RavenHawk]

Good point, I'd forgotten about the SRX600. Hard to find one though, especially around here.

--mark

I just bought a used SRX250 air cooled single from down near Hartford. apparently the registry in CT uses them for motorcycle license testing.
Pretty banged up and missing some parts.
My plan is to convert it into a cafe (or cafe-fighter) style bike this winter.

[knarlydog]

Good point, I'd forgotten about the SRX600. Hard to find one though, especially around here.

--mark

You can find them, they tend to be a bit beat if you do, but they are out there.

[knarlydog]

I just bought a used SRX250 air cooled single....

Love those little SRX250's !! That's a bike you never see anywhere as well...

[RavenHawk]

Love those little SRX250's !! That's a bike you never see anywhere as well...

That's what I'm learning. You wouldn't believe how hard it is finding parts for it, or, at least, affordable parts.
Still, it's going to be so much fun to ride when it's done...

[markbvt]

You can find them, they tend to be a bit beat if you do, but they are out there.

Few and far between though. I did nationwide searches on both eBay and Cycletrader and turned up none.

It would be cool to get one, but it would be cooler to build my own bike. The problem will be financing it. It shouldn't be too expensive, but I just bought a V-Strom half a year ago so the bike budget is pretty depleted.

--mark

[RavenHawk]

Few and far between though. I did nationwide searches on both eBay and Cycletrader and turned up none.

It would be cool to get one, but it would be cooler to build my own bike. The problem will be financing it. It shouldn't be too expensive, but I just bought a V-Strom half a year ago so the bike budget is pretty depleted.

--mark

There was an SRX600 on eBay last week, really nice one. If you look up the bike on wikipedia, the bike pictured there is the one that was for sale. The entry was pretty much written by that bikes (former) owner.
There were 2 SRX250's on eBay about 3 weeks ago. Mine I bought off of there a little over a month ago.
I'd say just check back like 2 times a week, and they do show up there every month or two. Definitely more rare than most bikes, but still, they're out there.
I've barely even started my attempt at making this bike into a cafe racer (or cafe fighter, depending on how it is looking as I work on it), so if anyone wants to compare notes or share ideas, let me know.