Author Topic: My K1100 Cafe Racer (Read 16749 times)

Sarge · « **on:** October 06, 2016, 10:23:02 AM »

Like I said previously bought this Bike for $1000.00 US.
The OP was travelling from Capetown to Johannesburg and hit a Kudu (local type of Deer) in the Karoo (Semi Desert area)
Everything on the right side was damaged. Bike was stripped for rebuild and it never got done.

I sold everything I wasn't going to use for $500.00 US

I didn't like the shape of the frame at the rear as it makes it difficult to fit a seat. It was chopped off.

Front forks were shortened 40mm to and rear shock mount was moved to give it the low look.
Rear wheel was widened 20mm. Yes I know I could have fitted the wider rim from the K1100RS but those things are scarcer that Rocking Horse doo doo.
Anyway here's some photos to look at.

herseyb · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2016, 10:34:27 AM »

Daaammmnnnnn, that is killer diller.

Probably the best I've ever seen. Highlights the orignal's brutalist architecture, has the extra work to actually transform the look of the bike.

How's it riding for you? How is the air filtered?

Sarge · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2016, 10:48:54 AM »

Hi, Thanks for the questions

It handles like it is on rails.
I'm not going to filter it, the air is pure here in Africa :mbird :hehehe

Seriously, I'm not too worried about filtering too much, it will only be used once or twice a month for short rides to the bar.
I am going to make some fine gauze covers when I get around to it.

The Carbs on it are from an R1 Yamaha. I like to make thing very simple so throw off all the stuff it don't need.

duckytran · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2016, 10:53:26 AM »

Outstanding build Sarge. You shed quite a bit of weight. Did you build the tank from scratch?

racket · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2016, 11:16:00 AM »

The purists are not gonna be happy about this one! This is awesome

Quote from: Sarge on October 06, 2016, 10:48:54 AM

The Carbs on it are from an R1 Yamaha. I like to make thing very simple so throw off all the stuff it don't need.

I knew it! I figured a carb conversion could be done. Using the R1 carbs is a great idea! Do you notice any loss of performance?

Also, did you make an intake manifold as well? You really went all out!

Sarge · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2016, 11:38:47 AM »

Thanks a mil for the good comments.
Yup, I know the purist guys are gonna freak, but some body has to annoy them.

This was just a project to see if it could be done.

As far as the inlets are concerned, I had the Flanges water jetted out of stainless, used 90 degree (Can't get 45) stainless dairy tube cut in half to give me the correct angle for the Carbs.

I still have to get it on a dyno to tune it and will let you all know the figures.

Tank and seat were hand made out of mild steel.

jakgieger · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2016, 12:05:27 PM »

I am one of those purists :dunno...no offense here. The work/quality speaks for itself. I would venture to say that after the accident your usage was the best possible outcome. The form perfectly fits the unique german minds that built all bmw bikes. BTW do you have german ancestry??

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2016, 12:20:47 PM »

This purist likes it as well. Nice job on what would otherwise be a salvage bike. Has a very dark Gothic/Teutonic look to it. Looks like it would be fun to be seen on, but I'm not sure I could ever get used to the exhaust note.

Laitch · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2016, 12:24:15 PM »

Quote from: jackgeiger on October 06, 2016, 12:05:27 PM

The form perfectly fits the unique german minds . . .

Speaking as somebody with the experience of operating Beetles and VW Buses in frigid climates I never warmed up to the idea of their engineering perfection. :hehehe

Sarge · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2016, 01:20:08 PM »

Hi All.
Jack, no German heritage I'm afraid. I do admire them greatly as a nation. I was brought up in a little Steel village called Sheffield in Yorkshire. .

I was just joking when I said I had to annoy the purists :yes

Yes it was the best outcome for this bike. Basically we gave it a new lease on life. It was probably destined for the scrapyard to be parted out.

Thanks again for the comments...

Kevin.

The Mighty Gryphon · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2016, 01:39:20 PM »

Quote from: Laitch on October 06, 2016, 12:24:15 PM

Speaking as somebody with the experience of operating Beetles and VW Buses in frigid climates I never warmed up to the idea of their engineering perfection. :hehehe

Those heaters were intended to toughen up the German population for the next invasion of Russia. The engineers in Wolfsburg met the design goals perfectly.

jakgieger · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2016, 02:44:52 PM »

Quote from: The Mighty Gryphon on October 06, 2016, 01:39:20 PM

Those heaters were intended to toughen up the German population for the next invasion of Russia. The engineers in Wolfsburg met the design goals perfectly.

:hehehe :hehehe :hehehe

"Jack, no German heritage I'm afraid. I do admire them greatly as a nation. I was brought up in a little Steel village called Sheffield in Yorkshire. ."

I still search for Sheffield steel t-posts for use on the farm and at sales!!! Some of the best steel ever made came from there, and their foundries in the US.

I am 5/8 German. We have a family joke...I married up (she is 7/8).

F14CRAZY · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2016, 05:40:55 PM »

Excellent work. That's what a cafe racer is supposed to be.

Cutting the frame, clip ons and a round headlight don't magically make a bike a "cafe racer"

Elipten · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2016, 07:04:53 PM »

As a purist my hat is off, I bend my knee and bow to you Sarge. This is by far the best build. Quality design and workmanship.

I would like to see it run more than one or twice a month.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

jaxon · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2016, 08:02:17 PM »

I'm a purist too but that's just good skilled work, with great execution. It definitely isn't a "I chopped the rear off slapped a seat cushion on and made a cafe bike."

Vespa no more · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2016, 06:20:38 AM »

As a luddite ... i'm confused
As a tinkerer... I'm full of admiration
As an owner of too many tatty bikes ... I'm jealous
As a "gunna" ... I'm inspired
As an owner of a welder and a few hammers... boner

Well done

racket · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:02:48 AM »

Quote from: F14CRAZY on October 06, 2016, 05:40:55 PM

Cutting the frame, clip ons and a round headlight don't magically make a bike a "cafe racer"

Isn't that exactly what a traditional cafe racer is though? That is to say, you can't afford a super bike or expensive upgrades, so remove all weight, put on strap-ons for an aero position, cut unnecessary frame pieces, and throw a headlight on so you can see at night.

Anyways, I love the carbs on this bike. I bet it sounds incredible

jakgieger · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:15:29 AM »

Cafe Racer--Wikipedia:
The term developed among British motorcycle enthusiasts of the early 1960s, specifically the Rocker or "Ton-Up Boys" subculture, where the bikes were used for short, quick rides between cafés – in other words, drinking establishments.[4][3][5][6]

Writing in 2005, motorcycle journalist Peter Egan suggested the genesis of the term to the 1960s.[7] In 1973, American freelance writer Wallace Wyss, contributing to Popular Mechanics magazine, wrote that the term café racer was originally used derogatorily in Europe to describe a "motorcyclist who played at being an Isle of Man road racer" and was, in fact, "someone who owned a racy machine but merely parked it near his table at the local outdoor cafe."[8]

The original cafe motorcycles, 500-750 cc...you really did need to shed weight! But drinking/driving on a 1000cc machine, while exhilarating, may be hazardous :hehehe.

TrueAce · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2016, 10:38:02 AM »

Fantastic work! And maybe breaking fresh ground with that carb conversion. How does the Motronic deal with carbs instead of injectors........and is syncing difficult? Congratulations on a beautiful build. :euro

Sarge · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2016, 05:03:51 PM »

Quote from: TrueAce on October 12, 2016, 10:38:02 AM

Fantastic work! And maybe breaking fresh ground with that carb conversion. How does the Motronic deal with carbs instead of injectors........and is syncing difficult? Congratulations on a beautiful build. :euro

We threw off all the original wiring, injectors and computer. The unit we have fitted is a locally made ECU by the name of Dicktator. The software on the unit can be tuned for optimum performance at 500 rpm intervals. The ECU controls the injectors and ignition timing. Only in my case with the carb setup, I only use the ECU for timing and spark...... to tidy up the exterior of the engine I have used VW coil over plugs that are hidden under the cover on the cylinder head.

TrueAce · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2016, 05:18:36 PM »

So you have tunable ignition timing, and does the carb set-up give you more c.f. airflow? Has the motor been on the dyno........theoretically, seems you should have more power over f.l.

sj2000 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2016, 03:33:54 PM »

Sarge, what is the diameter of the exhaust pipe that is going to the right? I am trying to do the same like that.

jc55 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2016, 09:21:19 AM »

Incredible work. Man, that is inspiring!!! :2thumbup:

Sarge · « **Reply #23 on:** October 16, 2016, 05:43:01 AM »

Quote from: sj2000 on October 14, 2016, 03:33:54 PM

Sarge, what is the diameter of the exhaust pipe that is going to the right? I am trying to do the same like that.

The standard Exhaust was cut up to get the headres I made collector and used 50mm pipe for the tail pipe. All the pieces I used were Stainless Dairy Piping.

Sarge · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2016, 05:46:43 AM »

Quote from: sj2000 on October 14, 2016, 03:33:54 PM

Sarge, what is the diameter of the exhaust pipe that is going to the right? I am trying to do the same like that.

The standard Exhaust was cut up to get the headers, I made collector and used 50mm pipe for the tail pipe. All the pieces I used were Stainless Dairy Piping.

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Author Topic: My K1100 Cafe Racer (Read 16749 times)