1975 Honda CB400 Cafe Racer

This is one of the more modified cafe racers to come up on eBay in a long time. Whether you love or hate the seat, the rest of the bike is built to the hilt. The seller claims the bike “runs super strong”, and from the spec list we have no reason to doubt him. Check out some of the modifications…

Yoshimura Racing 466cc pistons and rings
A.P.E. Racing block and ported heads
Race camshaft
Titanium valve spring retainers
Keihin 26mm smooth bore
Dyna ignition
Triple clamps from 1979 CBX
35mm CB550F forks, clear powder coated, 10 wt oil, new seals
Works Suspension front dual spring kit (#230XH)
Daytona aluminum front fork brace
B900F Koni shocks NOS, #7610, 14″ (+1.5″ of std)
Dual CB550F rotors and calipers, trailing mounted (as opposed to stock forward mounted)
Baker Precision stainless steel brake lines
CBR900RR master cylinder and adjustable level
stretched aluminum tank custom made in England
Pro Flo 35mm clip-ons
CBR900RR footpegs and linkages

So what’s the good? Lots of cool modifications that should make this one of the fastest CB400’s around. And what’s the bad? That seat. Oh yeah. The bike ain’t cheap, either. With about a day and a half left in the auction, there are no bidders and the starting price is $3,900. However, there is no reserve, so if there’s one bid, the bike will sell.

1975 Ducati 860GT Cafe Racer

Sometimes, an easy litmus test can decide whether something is cool or lame. In the case of this Ducati, just think about riding up to your favorite local hangout. What’s the reaction going to be? Personally, I think this bike would garner looks as being an authentic cafe racer that is no trailer queen. A lot of the Ducatis you might see on Ducati Island at Laguna Seca aren’t going to have this many miles on the clock, nor this much road grime and wear-and-tear. But that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

There isn’t much that hasn’t been done to this bike cafe-wise. It has adjustable clip-ons, shocks, seat, tank, good brakes, and a big-bore kit. What it really needs is (and the seller backs this up) a bit of maintenance come this winter. And maybe a bath and some scrubbing, too.

The price on this bike is still very reasonable at under $2K with less than a day left in the auction (reserve hans’t been met, though). I wish it was on the west coast (it’s in Connecticut), because this may be a chance to get a good deal on a classic bevelhead.

1975 Yamaha XS650 Cafe Racer

Sometimes, bikes on eBay seem to come in waves. Yesterday, it was the guy dumping Moto Guzzi’s on the auction world. Today is apparently XS650 day. This Yamaha is a very clean example of a cafe racer build that has just about everything done right. Clubman bars, rear-sets, a cafe seat, an exhaust, and classic paint all complete an overall look that is just right. Is the fairing too much for you? You can always take it off the bike if you win the auction.

From the listing, the following items are new on the bike: WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, TIRES, TUBES, SPOKES AND BRAKES, PROGRESSIVE SHOCKS, SWING ARM BEARINGS, REGINA CHAIN, SUNSTAR SPROCKETS, 2.9 GALLON FUEL TANK, CAFE STYLE SEAT, REAR SETS, MINI FAIRING, FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHT, CLUBMAN BARS. It also has XS750 dual discs, rebuilt carbs, and a partially rebuilt motor (gaskets and valves).

Currently, the auction is at $2,500 with only 1 bidder and about a day and a half left. However, reserve hasn’t been met yet, so the price will have to go a bit higher before there is a winner. This is a nice example of the Yamaha XS650, so it should go higher and hopefully the seller doesn’t lower reserve.

1975 Honda CB750 (Good Project Bike)

If you’re looking for a good starting point for a cafe racer project, this might be just the ticket. It’s being auctioned on eBay, although the price is a bit high. However, the seller is stating what needs to be done to it (wheel and steering bearings), so if you were to utilize the Best Offer function, you might be able to get the bike for well less than the $2,900 asking price. Ask questions of this 100% Feedback seller ahead of time if you have questions about anything not mentioned in the listing…

1975 Honda CB200T Cafe Racer

When I first saw this bike on eBay, I was instantly drawn to it. The picture was kind of small, and the bike definitely passed the 10 foot test. But the more I think about it, and the more I look at all of the pictures, the less impressed I am. I’m not a huge fan of the seat-sitting-on-top-of-the-subframe-rails look, and the clip-on area is quite busy, but not much is accomplished there. However, it does come pre-numbered if track days are your thing.

Interestingly enough, the seller will combo-pack this bike with a CB350 cafe racer done up in a similar manner if the buyer wants (see the last picture I posted). Overall, it is a somewhat decent cafe racer that just needs some finishing up to be, well, better than its current state. And maybe the protuding pod filters could be ditched in favor of something that looks a little less street-tracker.

1975 Honda CB750 Cafe Racer

I’ve been debating whether or not to post this CB750 cafe racer because of a couple of things. First off, this bike has been lowered front and rear. This would seem to make the bike handle worse than a bike that had been raised from the original ride height. Secondly, it is somewhat of a self-proclaimed showbike with a high Buy-It-Now price. The current bid with 24 hours left is reasonable at around $3K, but it hasn’t met reserve yet.

What’s good about this bike? It’s beautiful! Just take a look!!! And it’s nicely built by what appears to be a good team of builders.

However, like I said earlier, it’s been lowered. Take that for what it’s worth. My 2 cents only.

Good luck with this auction. Overall, it looks like an awesome buy regardless of the closing price (within reason of course). It’s a beautiful, well built bike that should make the buyer very happy.

Interesting and Cheap Project Bike

Usually I seem to post complete bikes even if they haven’t been converted into complete cafe racers. Tonight I decided to mix it up a bit. I also really like the Suzuki two-strokes, so this one caught my eye. The truth of the matter is that I almost didn’t post it because I would like to bid on this bike, so maybe I should keep it on the down-low. But I’m waiting on a paycheck and have some other expenses. C’est la vie…

What we have here is a partially dismantled Suzuki GT550 that comes with a bunch of spares and other parts to complete the bike. No idea if it will easily run or not. The seller says compression is good and it shifts through the gears. That and $4 at Starbuck’s will buy you a fancy-ass cup of coffee.

That being said, this is probably a good candidate for a cafe build. The price is right. Most (if not all) of the parts are there to complete the bike. And did I mention that the price is right? Currently, there are zero bids, and the seller has set the starting price at $500. Given the selling price if this bike is restored or converted into a cafe racer, it could end up being a steal. There are almost 4 days left in the auction, and maybe I’ll be the first bidder on this motorcycle… 🙂

1975 Honda CB750 Cafe Racer

Here’s a nice 1975 Honda CB750 cafe racer out of the mid-west for sale on eBay. It’s really clean with the exception of some flaking paint that the seller is offering to repaint if the buyer likes the current paint job. On the other hand, the seller points out the low mileage on the bike and then goes on to say: “This bike would be the perfect bike to restore or just keep as is.” Most of the mods are cosmetic, but all in all this is a very beautiful cafe conversion.

There are just under 2 days in the auction and the price is currently $1,526 with reserve not met. Good luck, and ask to have the tank repainted if you win…

1975 Honda CB750

As in the past, I don’t advocate tearing this bike to pieces. I also believe that the ending price on the auction might dictate that the buyer won’t be looking to convert this bike to a cafe racer. But…

If you spend the coin on this bike, it appears to be a great basis for a really nice cafe racer. It only has about 14.3K miles on the odometer, the seller claims it runs perfectly, and it only has a few cosmetic blemishes (cracked side covers.

On the other hand, the paint is not original, nor is it done in an original Honda color/scheme. So it’s value as a true collectible has been minimized. I guess that means that it could go one of three ways. Buyer wins auction and rides the bike as is for many more thousands of miles before reselling it as a slightly rattier bike. Or the buyer wins the auction, strips it down to the frame, and restores it into a concours winning bike. Lastly, you could win the auction, strip off all the extraneous stuff, through on some clip-ons, a nice Giuliari seat, a set of alloy rear-sets, beef up the suspension, and you’d have a great, reliable cafe racer that would be at home on Mulholland riding to Rock Store, or going up Deal’s Gap during a crisscrossing ride of the Smoky Mountains.

Bidding is currently under $900, but there is still over 6 days left in the auction. Good luck!

1975 Honda CB750 (Good, Cheap Project Starting Point)

I found this somewhat beat-upon CB750 on eBay and was noticing that although it would make a great start for a cafe racer build, the seller won’t ship. So, if you live within driving distance of St. Louis, MO, then read on…

The bike is quite ratty on the surface, but some of the important bits are not too bad. First off, seller claims clear title. Second, low miles at 12K. Third, mufflers with baffles are stock. Fourth, motor turns over. Fifth, tank is clean. (All of which are seller claims)

Only bad news is a stuck throttle and rust. The price is right with a low starting point, although there are still 6 days left and already the bike has bidding activity. The seller has 100% positive feedback score (apparently he sells used bats from MLB games), so it appears to be a pretty safe purchase. Good luck to anyone who bids!