# Maxwell's '74 cb450 cafe build. **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [January 8, 2013, 10:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067 "2013-01-08T10:35:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/41 "2013-01-11T08:07:42Z")
> [@maxwell](#): > > I also found out that my GF’s mother has a sewing machine. Oh boy, this could be funny. I scratch-sewed the seat for my bike but it beat the shit out of my mom’s sewing machine to the point where it doesn’t work well anymore… and that was only a few seams. You really need a good sewing machine to sew leather or vinyl or canvas: ![http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b63/ctnewman3/17.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/1/d155d291619189f1c55bd0084aaff724c09e6b2a.jpeg) ---------- Post added at 11:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 AM ---------- > [@focusinprogress](#): > > Did I start a fad? I’ve had my CB550 cafe racer for 6yrs now lol. Pshhh, mine had clipons in 2005 sucka. ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/42 "2013-01-11T08:08:00Z")
ive sewed a few armrests in my day…yes i have a machine:gay2: ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/43 "2013-01-11T08:24:00Z")
Hrmmm… I don’t know how nice the machine is, but I don’t see it being too high end. I was going to check it out this weekend. I was also told about a place called Richards Upholstery in Hamburg, NY. I guess I wouldn’t be opposed to having the seat professionally done, but I really want to try it myself for the experience and satisfaction. I guess if a good upholstery place won’t charge me an arm and a leg i’d consider it. Does anyone have any good recommendations for an upholstery guy? Personal experience? Also, i’m still really torn on black fabric/leather with possibly gold stitching… or brown leather. The entire bike is black/orange/gold, and while the brown would compliment the color scheme nicely, so would the black. What do you guys think? ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/44 "2013-01-11T08:37:29Z")
If you ever want to change anything brown leather is going to be a stopping point. I’d use black. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2013, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/45 "2013-01-11T08:41:21Z")
> [@newman](#): > > If you ever want to change anything brown leather is going to be a stopping point. I’d use black. Exactly. Nothing else is going to be brown. hrmm. hrmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/46 "2013-01-12T15:51:12Z")
As unproductive as today felt I guess I still got a lot done. I cleaned, de-greased, and finalized the grinding on the frame,scooped up some engine enamel for the frame in black, and some in gold for the engine mounts, and I dropped off the wheels to Lee at Empire Cycles in OP! I also placed this big order below. I bought pre-made clipons and the nice progressive shocks with the HD springs, but I think it will be well worth the extra dough. I also scooped some universal clipons since the ones focusinprogress hooked me up with from an r6 won’t work on both sides. Item EBC Rear Brake Shoes - (Fits: CB/CL 450, 500 and 550K/F) Honda CB/CL Rear Brake Rod Spring 95014-73300 Stainless Steel Tie Wraps DCC-SSTW 1/4" Translucent Brass Fuel Line 35-4200 1/8" Translucent Brass Colored Vent Line 5/16" Translucent Brass Fuel Line 35mm Chrome Clip-ons Universal 12 Volt Ignition Coil - (Fits: Single’s & Twin’s) SI-47 Vintage Cloth Spark Plug Wire Kit - (Yellow/Black) P-ELEC-PlugWire-Cloth-Y M10 x 1.25 Chrome Suspension/Engine Top End Acorn Cap Nuts Chrome Steering Stem Nut - (Fits: CB/CL360K/T, CB400F, CB450, CX500, CB500T, CB550F/K, & CB750F/K) Progressive Vintage “12 Series” 13" Eye to Clevis Gas Charged Shocks - (Black or Chrome)Select Springs Heavy Duty Black Thick Chrome Steering Stem Bolt Washer - (Fits: Most CB/CL’s) 90503-283-000 Loaded Gun Universal Cafe Racer Rearsets LGC-REARSETS DCC Originals Universal Cafe Racer Rearset Linkage Kit DCC-RSLINKAGE 8-Ball Valve Stem Cap 13-00952 I was also told today that the sewing machine I was going to borrow cannot hold up to leather, just like newman said, so I won’t be able to use that. I am really not quite sure what to do with the tail section at the moment but i’ve got some time to figure it out. I cut a chunk of the original foam and slapped in on there just for shits and giggles. ![http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/E565C9A3-8F3F-4A5C-AB74-024D1BFE311C-3385-000003DE7AB0F8C5.jpg](http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/E565C9A3-8F3F-4A5C-AB74-024D1BFE311C-3385-000003DE7AB0F8C5.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/47 "2013-01-12T18:06:43Z")
> [@maxwell](#): > > As unproductive as today felt I guess I still got a lot done. I cleaned, de-greased, and finalized the grinding on the frame,scooped up some engine enamel for the frame in black, and some in gold for the engine mounts, and I dropped off the wheels to Lee at Empire Cycles in OP! I also placed this big order below. I bought pre-made clipons and the nice progressive shocks with the HD springs, but I think it will be well worth the extra dough. I also scooped some universal clipons since the ones focusinprogress hooked me up with from an r6 won’t work on both sides. > > Item > EBC Rear Brake Shoes - (Fits: CB/CL 450, 500 and 550K/F) > Honda CB/CL Rear Brake Rod Spring 95014-73300 > Stainless Steel Tie Wraps DCC-SSTW > 1/4" Translucent Brass Fuel Line 35-4200 > 1/8" Translucent Brass Colored Vent Line > 5/16" Translucent Brass Fuel Line > 35mm Chrome Clip-ons > Universal 12 Volt Ignition Coil - (Fits: Single’s & Twin’s) SI-47 > Vintage Cloth Spark Plug Wire Kit - (Yellow/Black) P-ELEC-PlugWire-Cloth-Y > M10 x 1.25 Chrome Suspension/Engine Top End Acorn Cap Nuts > Chrome Steering Stem Nut - (Fits: CB/CL360K/T, CB400F, CB450, CX500, CB500T, CB550F/K, & CB750F/K) > Progressive Vintage “12 Series” 13" Eye to Clevis Gas Charged Shocks - (Black or Chrome)Select Springs Heavy Duty Black > Thick Chrome Steering Stem Bolt Washer - (Fits: Most CB/CL’s) 90503-283-000 > Loaded Gun Universal Cafe Racer Rearsets LGC-REARSETS > DCC Originals Universal Cafe Racer Rearset Linkage Kit DCC-RSLINKAGE > 8-Ball Valve Stem Cap 13-00952 > > I was also told today that the sewing machine I was going to borrow cannot hold up to leather, just like newman said, so I won’t be able to use that. I am really not quite sure what to do with the tail section at the moment but i’ve got some time to figure it out. I cut a chunk of the original foam and slapped in on there just for shits and giggles. > > ![http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/E565C9A3-8F3F-4A5C-AB74-024D1BFE311C-3385-000003DE7AB0F8C5.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/8/5/85bdd8d7668fb688a53a4d01d8b672cb8c8af2a7.jpeg) LOVE IT! Mind saying how much that list cost ya? ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/48 "2013-01-12T18:11:53Z")
> [@focusinprogress](#): > > Did I start a fad? I’ve had my CB550 cafe racer for 6yrs now lol. i had a cafe style xs650 in 2003…jusssayin ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/49 "2013-01-12T18:59:53Z")
I hate days where I have tons of ambition but lack the supplies to really do anything about it… ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/50 "2013-01-12T20:43:05Z")
> [@newman](#): > > I hate days where I have tons of ambition but lack the supplies to really do anything about it… even worse is being on a wild goose chase for the supplies but not finding them local AT ALL. I just need some fucking bronze inserts/bushings to make my god damn forward controls and all my fab work will be done. I finished just about everything else there is to make today… (must have been a solstice or something cause it looks like every one of us with a build thread has updates today lol) ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/51 "2013-01-12T21:02:13Z")
Just get em from mcmaster. ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/52 "2013-01-12T21:23:38Z")
> [@newman](#): > > Just get em from mcmaster. I found out Grainger carries them, but they weren’t open today. I’ll stop on my lunchbreak monday and see if I can get what I need. If I get the foot controls done this week the bike is ready for full breakdown and paint. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2013, 7:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/53 "2013-01-13T07:50:02Z")
> [@rugsr](#): > > LOVE IT! > Mind saying how much that list cost ya? Thanks man. It was just a hair over 600, but keep in mind the rear springs were almost half that. > [@newman](#): > > I hate days where I have tons of ambition but lack the supplies to really do anything about it… So true… and to top it off I had to run around for half the day to help the lady with a few things around her place. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 8:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/54 "2013-01-14T08:56:44Z")
![http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/E98177A7-BD14-47DE-9237-D8D7759BE930-894-000000EFFA55D37C.jpg](http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/E98177A7-BD14-47DE-9237-D8D7759BE930-894-000000EFFA55D37C.jpg) Prepping the frame sucks. I am in the process of sanding down some of the surface rust and cleaning everything some more. This brings up a question. So, i’ll be rattle canning the frame with duplicolor engine enamel. Right now I am hitting some of the rust spots with 220 and it’s exposing raw metal. Should I use some sort of self etching primer after I hit everything with 440 and clean it with mineral spirits? Or should I just say fuck it and hit it with the engine enamel after cleaning things the best I can? ![http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/5EF98EF7-309B-46F4-95DC-7B06262748EA-894-000000F0104767EF.jpg](http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/5EF98EF7-309B-46F4-95DC-7B06262748EA-894-000000F0104767EF.jpg) ![http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/4F8D18C4-5D19-4527-8418-4261E15088C4-894-000000F005DA41D8.jpg](http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/pmaxwellh/4F8D18C4-5D19-4527-8418-4261E15088C4-894-000000F005DA41D8.jpg) I got really sick of working on the frame and my ADD kicked in, so I started to degrease the engine a bit with some simplegreen. I need to get some decent brushes to get into some of the cracks. Any recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 9:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/55 "2013-01-14T09:00:47Z")
Sometimes those rattle cans say no primer is needed. If you do use primer make sure you use non sanding primer so you don’t have to sand the frame twice. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 9:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/56 "2013-01-14T09:07:46Z")
I’ll read the can and go from there. Good call on a no sanding primer. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 9:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/57 "2013-01-14T09:29:21Z")
Purple power + simple green + dawn dish soap. Trust me. And go to HF and get their miscellaneous brush kit. Has SS brushes, brass and nylon. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 9:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/58 "2013-01-14T09:34:09Z")
> [@Motocrossx23](#): > > Purple power + simple green + dawn dish soap. > > Trust me. > > And go to HF and get their miscellaneous brush kit. Has SS brushes, brass and nylon. Just that easy, eh? Thanks dude. So, do I mix up all three and wait for the explosion, or what? ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 9:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/59 "2013-01-14T09:59:47Z")
if you’re going to use ANY primer, I’d highly reccomend a self-etching primer on the spots that are bare frame. for brushes, I’ve had good luck using cheap toilet brushes and assorted bottle-brushes from the dollar store lol. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067/60 "2013-01-14T10:03:02Z")
> [@focusinprogress](#): > > if you’re going to use ANY primer, I’d highly reccomend a self-etching primer on the spots that are bare frame. > > for brushes, I’ve had good luck using cheap toilet brushes and assorted bottle-brushes from the dollar store lol. Yeah, i may just spot prime the frame where I have exposed bare metal, prep the surface one more time, and hit it with 2 coats of this enamel. Good call on self etching. I will look to see what the can recommends as well, when I get to that point. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/maxwells-74-cb450-cafe-build/228067.md?page=4)