Time to start my build, 82' Seca... officially cafe racer?

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

So I went with Sportster shocks and after spending nearly all weekend modifying them I got them to fit well, nice and snug on the frame pegs. They ended up being 13.2 inches but I don't see any binding of the drive shaft and I have a lot less worry that the tire will hit the seat pan.

Here is where I am on the seat pan. I have it all pounded out and ready to attach to the frame. I'm not 100% sure how I'm going to go about this so I am definitely open to all suggestions. I'm thinking maybe cutting the pan in half and welding the rear section in and I can leave the front half open-able so that I can get to the battery and air box.

I was going to use wood to attach the foam/upholstery to and then attach that to the metal seat pan. Now the seat pan has so many angles and contours that I don't think wood is a viable option anymore. Anyone have any suggestions for doing this? I was thinking maybe a sheet of thicker plastic that could conform to the shape of the seat pan but I don't know.

Here is a few pics of the progress, have some parts arriving Thursday so it should change front end looks this weekend.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

NICE work on that seat pan!!!

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Thanks Skillet. I think I'm going to try and rivet the upholstery directly to the metal, need to try and find some wider rivets though. Here is a rough idea of what the seat is going to look like, it will be covered in a nice looking "vintage" brown color marine vinyl.








Also a shot of the headlight repainted, it's not a good paint job but cheap and easy. It's a 9 inch headlight, everyone tries to go smaller but I'm going to see if this works, might offset the size of the tank a little bit. I like it, it gets mounted tomorrow.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Wa, that's gonna look really interesting! Can't wait to see what a larger light on a cafe will look like. I'll keep my eye on this

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Pre-drill the rivet holes in the pan first. Then you can stretch the marine vinyl over the edge, punch a hole with an awl and set the pop rivet in. Might also want to use washers on the vinyl side.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

It's been slower than I had hoped but putting off dedicated time for grad school finally caught up to me.

Here are a couple updates.
Got the HD sportster shocks on, took me way longer than it should have and a lot more modification than I thought. The shocks are 13.25 inches, I needed the extra room so the tire wouldn't hit the seat.

Tonight I made my wife jump on the back with me and we sync'd our bounces, got the rear wheel to just barely touch. The shocks are on the middle stiffness setting, I hope it doesn't touch on the firmest setting. We'll see.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Also an update on the seat. So I got most of the riveting done. I ended up buying convertible top tack strip and riveting that onto the seat. I'm hoping that gives me enough surface area to staple the fabric to. We'll see.

I pre drilled the tack strip just a touch so that the rivets would sit flush, this is right where the seat touches the frame so I'm going to have to put down some sort of rubber or something on the frame as well if it starts to wear the vinyl down quickly.







Here is how I'm attaching the seat to the frame, I'm going to drill holes in the seat pan that will line up with these gussets and then weld the bolt into the seatpan and use wing nuts or nylon lock nuts from underneath to secure it. Two here in this location and two at the rear where the U bend turns upward.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Here is the cover for the front of the seat over the tank. The foam from the seat would have filled this hole but with the seat pan extending so far under the tank to "tab" in it would have been a nightmare trying to upholster it under there. This will hopefully make that easier and also relieve some stress on the vinyl when I sit on the seat because it will pull straight back, if that makes sense.









Here is how it sits right now. I'm going to build a new dash for this speedo/tach combo that will lower them a little bit. The front fender looks off with the rear brace still on it. The handlebars still look a little out of place, I have superbike bars coming but maybe I'll try some clubmans.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

I really like your headlight and seat pan. I thinking of making my own seat also. Are you just going to cover the foam or add some padding? It looks quite firm. Also what type of bars are on the bike currently, did you change the clamps?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

That is actually just planters foam, the kind that indents really easily. Here are a few more pics of the seat, I cleaned it up quite a bit tonight. Should have it upholstered by the end of the week i hope.

The bars were on there when i bought the bike, not sure if they are the stock bars or not. I put some black superbike bars on tonight, not sure if I like them or not. I'm going to narrow them and get the new grips on and then gather a new opinion tomorrow.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Just a small update, seat gets upholstered this week.



New "Fuse box" I didn't go with a traditional box because the new seat pan sits so low I don't think it would've fit. I will build a slim plexiglass box to fit all these into


New bars and gauges on



I'm thinking about something radical. I'm considering running these Hayabusa exhaust cans on the XJ, the look huge but it would really set the bike out. I'm still unsure about it.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Those silencers would look sick as hell. I have my fuses set up the same way right now, but im looking for a cleaner way to finish them off...

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Yeah i cut them off the headers tonight for a simple mock up and they are going to fit with some modification. Im going to go for it. Thanks for the encouragement

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

IMHO with the "look" you're going for, those mufflers would look NICE...

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Looks great! I love the way you made the seat. The craftsmanship is incredible. And I, also, think those cans would REALLY balance the bike out as far as looks.

On a side note, if you're considering new turn signals at all, I'd love to get your old ones off your hands The Seca turns look much better than the maxims do

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I do have new signals, i thought the seca and maxim had the same signals though. I have no problems selling them though

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

Please don't fit those 'Busa cans, everything so far looks great, but those cans are an abortion.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I always appreciate any criticisms. Luckily it shouldn't cost too much and will be a fun little project to fit these. I need to fill my curiosity as to what it will sound like. I can always go back.

Almost time to paint the tank, I hope my spray can skills are up to par.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I'm still not sold either way here...

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca... PIC HEAVY

I think that looks pretty sweet dude. Its different. Thats for sure. but hey its your bike!