XB12R cafe conversion

[DrogeN Omen]

Dude that is amazing.

I've always wanted to do a V-Twin cafe racer...

 

[vtech007]

Been following your thread, so thought I'd finally comment. You have my complements on your work and how you are presenting it. I appreciate the cafe racer style and all things high performance motorcycling and motorcycle racing, and thus what you are doing here, though I am not sure this is my cup of tea for an XB. No matter, what you are doing is to be commended.

I am looking forward to see what you will do custom for the air box cover. May I recommend something longish and flattish on top, recalling the old school cafe racers, coinciding with design lines of the rear.

[up][up]

 

[brightbuell]

BAD ASS!

 

[nicholas900]

@vtech007

Something like this?

 

[vtech007]

OH YEAH!!! [cool][up]

 

[nicholas900]

Now it's time to make a battery box. I'm using a Ballistic lithium ion battery. It is extremely light, pretty small, and can be mounted in any position... which is handy.

First I made a drawing and traced out another foldable box. The chicken scratch.....

Then I cut out the basic shape with a grinder and cut off wheel. To keep it accurate I use an exact knife to score the steel. It is very easy to see in the steel and much more accurate to follow with a cut off wheel than a thicker marker or grease line.

As mentioned previously, the folding grooves cut half way through. The sharpie arrows pointing to the line are which side I'll start the cut on. Gotta account for the thickness of the steel. I'm using 16 gauge steel again.

Then the folding begins. A little heat helps. To keep the bend crisp I clamp a piece of flat stock to the edge making sure it's square. Then heat and fold. I use a little 90° square to fold it perfect. This usually takes a few attempts of unclamping, checking, reclamping and adjusting.

Here it is all folded, squared and welded up. I welded all four corners from the inside. The tap sticking up on the one side will be folded over to hold the factory rubber battery hold down strap. Then I'll make a tab out of 1/8" rod to hold the other side.

On the bike. I'll also mount the shock reservoir to the side of the battery box. I will line the inside of the box with some rubberized foam after it gets powder coated.

 

[08herobolt]

You've got a lot of talent and skill my friend. I'm really enjoying following your progress. It's pretty awesome.

JP

 

[Big twin]

[up]

 

[s0dhi]

You've got a lot of talent and skill my friend. I'm really enjoying following your progress. It's pretty awesome.

+1

 

[nicholas900]

Thanks for all the kind compliments. I'm just a garage builder. As you can see I don't have all the fancy tools. I do the best I can with basic tools and creativity. When this is all said and done.... like it or not.... I think a lot of folks will be susprised what can be done with basic tools.

 

[nicholas900]

I finished up the battery box. I used the factory rubber hold down. Also finished the shock reservoir mount.

Here's the battery box with the strap attached.

Then I started on the reservoir mount. I started with an exhaust connector I picked up from auto zone.

Then I sat down and had a few cold ones thinking of a nice way to approach it. I used o-rings to squeeze it nice and snug on the reservoir. A little work with my cut off wheel, a file, and some emery cloth and we have a pretty fancy exhaust sleeve lol.

Here it all is permanently welded in....

 

[djs2k2]

Looks like your trying to make the baddest modern cafe racer ever![up]

 

[2004xb12s]

The quality of this build is remarkable. Never seen a build with such attention to details.

 

[djs2k2]

agreed[up]

 

[Big twin]

I'm looking forward to see what you're going to do for a air box cover/gas tank ! [up]

 

[djs2k2]

I think he is going to do whats at the top of the page or something similar?

 

[Big twin]

I think he is going to do whats at the top of the page or something similar?

I know that ....... I'm looking forward to see the finished product ...

 

[HMTRAN]

Amazing...simply amazing

 

[heagachongoose]

Bumpity boppity boo

 

[wolfo68]

The wiring was fairly involved. Everything had to be either lengthened or shortened.

If you're not used to electrical work this is a big headache. When I did mine to relocate the front electronics I probably stared at the mess of wires for at least two hours.