Honda NT650 rat bike project

[NeverEnds]

Hi all!
This past weekend i was able to grab this Honda NT650 ratbike project! This is my first "big bike" as i don't have my full licence yet i am not able to use it, but in the mean time i can change some of the bits i am not a huge fan of. (hopefully the photos upload)

https://i.imgur.com/LqSZ1B1.jpeg

I never saw myself getting a ratbike, but i saw this and couldn't resist, i'm pretty sure i have also seen this in my area in the past, so that was cool. When i went to view it, it was in a yard on private property so was able to give it a small go before i brought it, it will take abit of getting used too, my current 125 is a Suzuki Cruiser, so this is a different riding position.

https://i.imgur.com/3YgjbB3.jpeg

I don't currently plan to change to much as i do quite like how it looks, however the back is not to my taste, it is currently a small metal selection screw box from screwfix. That was added by the person i brought it off, when he got it it had a large metal foot-locker type box on the back.

https://i.imgur.com/3kzQ6FC.jpeg

I have an idea on what i would like to do with the back, any opinions or other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Overall i want to remove the box and replace the lights. My idea is to get a piece of sheet metal and shape a rear mud guard out of it, i was thinking a old road sign or something like that, and then buy some LED indicators and an LED brake light on a light bar of some discription. I have a pillion seat i would also like to add which is just a bolt on single seat.

https://i.imgur.com/DQMY7s7.jpeg

Other things i would like to do is change the number's on the sides to something else and a big add on would be panniers, my current 125 has box panniers and i find them very useful. I was thinking either saddlebags or make some panniers out of 2 reasonably sized old metal ammo crates.

Any ideas are welcome, i am looking forward to playing with this project.

https://i.imgur.com/W0QtKRS.jpeg

[jeffyjeff]

Cool bike! I really like the header wrap. The rear tyre looks bitchin, but the MOT inspector might think otherwise. You might try mounting your pillion seat before you proceed to fabricate a rear fender. It might just cover the subframe enough to look good. People spend good money on "tail tidies" and such nonsense; looks like you are already halfway to a custom rear end without having to spend a lot on useless farkles.

The cargo net is a nice touch. Is that for decoration or does it hold down the tank?
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[NeverEnds]

[NeverEnds]

Video of start up ( Will try and get a better one)

https://i.imgur.com/KVz6OVK.mp4

[NeverEnds]

A bit of a update on the progress

My bike now has new LED indicators front and rear, much brighter, wiring was abit of a bodge job, still better then before, recently got the connectors and bits to make it not bodge jobby.

New fork seals after sitting for a while and then me hitting a huge pot hole on an A road...

Removed the bicycle end bars and changed the brake and clutch levers to OEM ones, however for the brake this required the whole assembly to go to OEM which took a few days to source and arrive.

New wing mirrors fitted as changing the front brake assembly meant the fitting for the right side mirror was gone, wasn't a fan of riding around without one

Had a massive fuel leak when i got up one morning, turned out the side plate was putting pressure on the fuel tap causing a leak, lost half a tank of fuel, removed plate and seems to be all good for now

Over the next couple of weeks, i have some big changed planned as i have bits ready and waiting to be fitted.

Waiting for a new rear tire to arrive at the bike shop and i'll be getting that fitted.

Getting rid of the rear box, i have a full OEM seat, just waiting on the rear subframe to fit it, i also have a new brake light (with built in number plate lamp and mount) ready and waiting to go on after seat swap.

Wiring in general is a bit of a mess, so pla nto go through it and try and sort it out.

The rear brake doesn't activate the brake light, tried a new end cable and spring but that didn't work, used a multimeter to test the cable in the wiring loom, not sure about testing electrics?
Set multimeter to 20V, ignition on, it spiked at 7.10? it was fluxuating alot, and was at 0.60 for the most part. any ideas?

Fuel leak video:

https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/54858332145_67beb852df_b.jpglv_0_20251011105501

Random photos before the changes (as i haven't been able to get new photos yet):

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54856241699_3608fb695e_b.jpgCTS_5021

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54856306525_140cb7f1a6_b.jpgCTS_5401

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54856002816_446d40e70e_b.jpgCTS_5369

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54855142747_bc2f80b7c9_b.jpgCTS_5395

[NeverEnds]

Yesterday i was able to my big upgrade!

OEM seat added, turns out the frame had been cut (about 4-5 inches) so couldn't mount the rear subframe properly and had to modify it slightly but i think it worked surpisingly well!
Will be adding some panels to it as some point to make it look a little nicer, re wired some of the electrics to make it not so messy but will need to sort them out properly at some point, but its progress!

Before:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54860489877_1ef6b4fbdc_b.jpg20251017_133733

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54860490047_c1228eecb4_b.jpg20251017_133725

After:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54860488627_eb42161893_b.jpg20251017_174732

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54860488397_896bd2369e_b.jpg20251017_174727

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54862292563_ee365ff726_b.jpg20251018_065903

[NeverEnds]

Here are some nicer photos

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54864283341_f06d891755_b.jpgCTS_5594

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54864284611_f9f23b2bee_b.jpg20251019_083807

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54864284421_2927ddab87_b.jpg20251019_083922

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54864538804_940a8625db_b.jpgCTS_5600

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54864284231_c30d1f09c0_b.jpg20251019_083406

[Easy-X]

Yeah, you've definitely proved the previous "top box" was a step too far
____________________
Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter