CB750 Gas Tank (SOHC, I think)

This interesting gas tank appeared on eBay, and it’s had a small mod done to it that really makes it stand out. While it is a stock tank (so it will mount easily and perfectly), the seller has put two fairly good looking knee indents into the tank. They appear to be symmetrical, and the tank doesn’t show any rust in the third photo. Ask questions of the seller if you have any…

I think this is for the SOHC models of the CB750 (1969-1978?), but I would advise checking this out before purchasing.

1961 Aermacchi 250 Cafe Racer

Here’s a really nicely customized 1961 Aermacchi 250cc bike that has been fully cafe racerized. Cool, one-off details abound. My favorite touches are the widened fuel tank with the fuel gauge placed in the side, and the pretty clean custom rear-sets. Overall, this is a beautiful bike.

From the listing…
Info on bike:

32mm Ceriani forks
Flanged rims
4 leading shoe Grimica front drum brake
350 Aermacchi rear drum brake with custom drilled cooling holes with stainless mesh installed
Stainless spokes
Custom made rear sets
Custom made stainless steel muffler
Works Performance rear shocks
Custom seat with cowl
Original frame with reinforced section in back by shocks
Benelli gas tank widened 2 1/2 inches with a custom glass fuel gauge installed and custom vented with billet gas cap
sealed battery
12 volt conversion with solid state rectifier and electronic ignition
custom tach drive
Original carb
Complete motor rebuild with hot cam
Custom made steel fenders
Custom levers and clip-ons

Cafe Racer Seat for Yamaha SR500 / SR400 or ???

I’ve posted products / bikes by these guys before, but this is the first time I’ve seen this particular item. It is a nice cafe racer seat for a Yamaha SR. Their shop specializes in SR400 and SR500 bikes, but I’d have to guess that this seat would fit on other machines as well. Again, this company is located in Bangkok, the fact of which is not a problem in and of itself, but would make shipping times a bit longer.

Right now the shop doesn’t have any other items posted on eBay, but the polished aluminum tank is something they post fairly regularly. There are also a pair of rear-sets at the bottom of the page that are probably for the SR shown in the pictures. They seem to have a connection with a company in Japan that sells them items with cosmetic blems or fixes, and then they sell it on eBay. Items in the past have included other seats, a complete bike, and gas tanks that have extra welding on the under side (reason unknown, but I would assume a production error leading to a welded in patch).

Yamaha SR500 Cafe Racer Seat

Yamaha SR500 Cafe Racer Seat

Yamaha XS650 Cafe Racer

Here is a really clean build-up/restoration of a Yamaha XS650 into a cafe racer. So much about it is right, and just a few things need help (but they’re easy).

I think the overall look of the bike with the nice paint, fiberglass, and decals is really nice. It will stand out in a row of bikes at Alice’s Restaurant while not being over the top. That rear seat is particularly nice, and I like the way the CB500 tank looks on the bike. The red pin-striping/decals on the white bodywork is quite classy.

But here are two things that would change the bike radically on the cheap and easy: ditch the crazy square mirror, and get some clip-ons or clubmans. I know it is more comfortable to have the drag bars, but it is the one missing element for me. And the square mirror? Enough said…

This bike is only a little ways from my house, but finances dictate I stay away and concentrate on the SL350 cafe build-up I have coming up with my friend Paul at TheMotoWorld.com.