Cafe Racering an XBR500

[Herbalrick]

I have just become the *ahem* proud owner of a 1986 XBR500 link below.

I have not seen it yet, but it looks really clean and ready to go. Probably just need to clean up, check brakes and replace oil.

As it really is a fugly bike I have plans to cafe racer it any ideas of where I can start?

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130400814894#ht_500wt_1154
____________________
Current Bike: 98 XJ600S Diversion
Previous Rides: Piaggio Zip 50cc - Various 125cc Honda Wave/Innova things in Thailand - Yamaha YBR 125

[DrDonnyBrago]

[temeluchus]

Try and find the tank and bodywork from a gb500tt.

By the way, the micron sounds AWESOME on the XBR. Also take a tooth off the front sprocket, its geared rather tall as standard.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[doggone]

Had one for a while in about 1987.
Fun to ride but dog slow, avoid motorways, it can't keep up.

[temeluchus]

[Herbalrick]

Yeah, Ive had a look at some clipons and handlebar end mirrors

I might keep the original tank, but have a look for a hump backed seat on ebay. If I can afford it I think the colour may have to change also.

This will be my daily use during summer for a 10 mile trip through London so no motorways I have other toys for longer trips.
____________________
Current Bike: 98 XJ600S Diversion
Previous Rides: Piaggio Zip 50cc - Various 125cc Honda Wave/Innova things in Thailand - Yamaha YBR 125

[hmmmnz]

i would try and get wire wheels off a gb
https://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/4/126292504_full.jpg
possibly the seat as well,
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[kt]

Slip the standard bars under the top yoke and it will give a nicer riding position, I found that the bike never ran properly on the micron 2-1 exhaust, try to get pipes from one of the later models as they split into sections. If you want to go mad you could fit an xr600/650 motor.

[Herbalrick]

Supermono - Cheers for the advice on the exhaust. I'll have a look for some pipes on ebay.

I found this bike which has a similar paint scheme to what I would like, however I would prefer to have a white or green stripe running down the length of the bike.

https://img691.imageshack.us/f/fernando001.jpg/

I think he has kept the original tank on this one.

Anyone know how much I should expect to spend on having a tank and fairings painted?
____________________
Current Bike: 98 XJ600S Diversion
Previous Rides: Piaggio Zip 50cc - Various 125cc Honda Wave/Innova things in Thailand - Yamaha YBR 125

[kt]

Herb this is my xbr with the standard bars dropped under the top yoke, costs nothing to do and only takes a half hour, the oil tank has been increasd in size on my bike which helps it run a little cooler. These bikes MUST have an oil change every 1k miles or the top half of the engine will suffer serious damage, also check out the front engine mounting point on the front downtube as they usually rot badly here. Be wary of warped front disc on the xbr as they are very thin, they also eat front pads.

[Herbalrick]

cheers for the advice Supermono. I've bought the bike through ebay, so I am pretty much locked into the agreed price so if the front is rotten or the dixc is warped I can't really negotiate. But at least I will know what to look out for and see what needs changing.

Yours does look good! To move the bars is it just a case of removing them, then take off the yoke and reassembling with the bars below?

I will be picking the bike up next month, so I will update you all on how the project comes along.

Rich
____________________
Current Bike: 98 XJ600S Diversion
Previous Rides: Piaggio Zip 50cc - Various 125cc Honda Wave/Innova things in Thailand - Yamaha YBR 125

[kt]

Just unbolt the bars then lift the top yoke off, the forks are the same diameter the full length. The cables and wiring will all fit perfectly. I have completely rstored the xbr to as new condition since the photo was taken and have added an oil cooler. I am currently rebuilding a GB400 tt import but will be using an RS125 Aprillia tank and seat unit, will post pics when completed. PM if you need any help with your rebuild.

[Herbalrick]

I've just spoken with the seller and there are 55000 miles on the clock. He did not include this when listing the bike in the auction.

Does anyone know what the engine life is like on the XBR's? I'm a bit worried I've bought a nail now
____________________
Current Bike: 98 XJ600S Diversion
Previous Rides: Piaggio Zip 50cc - Various 125cc Honda Wave/Innova things in Thailand - Yamaha YBR 125

[kt]

Like any bike it depends how well its been looked after and how often the oil has been changed. I would expect some wear in the rocker gear at this stage as they have been known to wear the lobs of the cam and the hardened faces of the the rockers. I have never heard of any problems with the bottom half which are over engineered. Check for a rattling top half when you get it along with usual Honda faults such as timing chain tensioners. I wouldnt worry too much as the slr and dominator engines will fit straight in with only minor mods to the electrics. Xbr ang GBTT bits are less common as both bikes have become quite collectable.

[kt]

I have just looked at the ebay pic and you certainly didnt buy a nail at that money, in that condition I would have expected 700-1000 quid asking price. Check the front fork legs as I noticed they have been fitted with gaitors, the front mudguard is all wrong and if it is made of plastic will need a metal brace otherwise handling will be affected and it could also be an m.o.t failure if bracing is missing.

[Robby]

If you do mess with it, make sure you keep the standard parts and don't cut anything off the frame. Nice examples are getting harder to find.

As for the mileage, if the engine has covered that then it has been well looked after - neglected ones will wear out at around 30k. A top end rebuild with new rings can be done easily in half a day. The biggest problem will be stripping threads in the head during reassembly because the alloy is very soft, but this isn't too scary. I dropped in one of my CB250RS cylinder heads to an engineering shop today to get a lot of threads welded and/or timeserted and the whole thing vapour blasted back to clean metal, which should cost about £150.

Don't neglect those oil changes, and don't be surprised by some minor oil leaks around the top end.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[doggone]

Apart from the M25 most traffic on motorways goes 80-90mph.
It's happy enough at 75 or so I suppose.

[hondapartsman]

I seem to remember someone of the classic bike forum did such to an XBR, buggered if I can think what he had to do though and how it was achieved. Depends on your budget I guess, if you can afford it all sorts to be had, on the cheap, well be prepared for lots of work and time, depending on your own skills of course. If you want to try though go for it, there are enough immaculate XBRs around (wouldn't mind one myself) so you'll not be depriving the world of a rarity.
____________________
In the end all comes back to the beginning

[temeluchus]

[hondapartsman]

[temeluchus]

[Herbalrick]

Haha how confusing would that be with upside down gearing.

Just need to remember not to search for that elusive next gear while cruising at 80
____________________
Current Bike: 98 XJ600S Diversion
Previous Rides: Piaggio Zip 50cc - Various 125cc Honda Wave/Innova things in Thailand - Yamaha YBR 125

[moire76]

Hey Folks,
I'm new here, just got an XBR last week, it was love for the 1st sight.
It's not immaculate cosmetically and has a high mileage (76.000 km), but I got it *very* cheap (1000 USD). Otherwise it is in a really mint condition, engine, tyres, breaks, suspensions, everything works beautifully, runs smoothly, pulls great. Its a 44 HP version (not the reduced one) and year 1990.

The only thing concerns me, that it does not have a center stand, and the side stand seems a little short for me. The previous owner told me that he was so tall (actually he is) that he had to raise the rear a little, and thus the side stand became too short. It holds the bike safely, but it stands in a much sharper angle than it should, I guess about 65 degrees.

A friend of mine told me that I should measure the seat height and compare to the factory one to see if it is really raised, or just the kickstand is not original, but I could not find any info about the factory seat height. Mine is about 75cm the lowest part of the seat from ground, what about yours?

Anyway could you suggest me a place to buy a kick stand for this bike, because it is not working very well anyway, It just doesn't stay open when I kick it ahead, the spring pulls it back, I have to keep it there with my foot until the bike is down enough to push it and keep down itself. (Which is not an easy movement, or I have to get off first, and then open the kickstand and push it forward whilst canting down the bike...)

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance!


moire