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Thread: XB12R cafe conversion

  1. #1
    Senior Member nicholas900's Avatar
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    Hello all. New member. Thought I'd share my cafe build. I'm still in the beginning stages. I stripped down the bike and removed everything that wasn't needed. Then planned the wiring. I am moving all the bulky stuff, fuse boxes, relays, ecm, horn sect under the air box cowl.

    To do this I built a steel plate cut out to fit the top of the frame and welded on brackets for all the items. I also cut out a hole for the air filter. Then the splicing began. A lot of marking, measuring and soldering. I also had to reroute the breathers and used some 3/8" steel line bent to fit inside the frame between engine and welded a stud to it to mount to the oil cooler frame. I also mounted a catch can there.

    The guages also needed a new mount, so I made up a gauge bracket and welded it all together. It attaches to the old ignition switch mounting holes. I'll relocate the switch in the tail section.

    Next is a seat subframe. Just waiting on 1" dies for my bender. I'll be going with a traditional cafe racer type seat and locate the battery under the seat cowl. Then I need to make an air box cover.

    I'll add to this as I get further along. Some pics of where I'm at now....






  2. #2
    Senior Member Cooter's Avatar
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    I going to keep an eye on this! Buell's lend themselves to the Cafe look quite well IMO.

    I like the pulley cover

  3. #3
    Senior Member 08herobolt's Avatar
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    Great start. I'm also pretty interested in seeing how it turns out.

  4. #4
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    I was going to say the same about the pulley cover - any more pics? Custom piece?

  5. #5
    Senior Member thrstrmech's Avatar
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    ASB use to sell those pulley covers, although you can still get the colored cover inserts from them

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    I like how he strategically positioned the Duc :D No qualifiers necassary 900, all are welcome. If I had a Duc I would show it off too

  7. #7
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    Looks good.. I'm gonna keep an eye on this for sure

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    nice job, really clean so far.

  9. #9
    Awesome start, definitely keeping an eye on this one. I love cafe racers, my other bike is an '81 XS400 that's a cafe-bobber-chopper mutant thing. That's my project bike, my Buell is my daily cos it's way more reliable :)

    Best of luck on your cafe conversion project!

  10. #10
    Senior Member nicholas900's Avatar
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    Thanks for the kind comments. The pulley cover is from American sport bike. You can get the inspection cover (black circle) in several colors. He had all in stock except natural.



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