79 Special Cafe Custom Build Progress

[Nightengale]

keep it up

looking good. there is something about doing it yourself. the funny thing that i found out is that the things that take the longest as far as fab work goes, often if done right, don't even get noticed. people know that something is different but if done right it ends up looking like it was always that way not just something that someone added. keep up the good work.

[jrobertfox]

Exhaust updates

Progress is slowing down a little, got a lot going on on the job front. (If any one needs custom php/opensource software dev or consulting, well here is the shameless plug :P)

Spent some time building out the exhaust this past weekend, made a lot of progress, and now just need to get the primary pipes in place, which will likely be an undertaking.





Trying my hand at some PVC mockup

[daveyg]

I'm excited to see the rest of your exhaust fab. The primary design reminds me a lot of my old cb750 Mac system, it all came to one side like your cad drawing, not the optimum flow design, but with most bikes the exhaust design is fit>function anyway. And the very unequal primaries should give off a unique sound... Definitely will need a video when finished.

[Petersg_99]

yeah, but won't the PVC melt

[Schming]

IMHO a SuperTrapp muffler would give the adjustability that will be needed to properly tune with all the mods your adding

[jrobertfox]

with luck, buy pulling the longer primaries in first and having the shorter ones "go around" them to get to the collector i'll attempt to make them as equal length as possible.

[WMarshy]

Trying my hand at some PVC mockup

HOLY CRAP BATMAN, there's nothing left of your front rotor! I'd personally be a little worried about the amount of material removed from that rotor.

[jrobertfox]

you mean because of the holes? not that it is worn down?

I'm guessing that is not stock. I had no problems stopping before, and that was with shot pads.

[WMarshy]

you mean because of the holes? not that it is worn down?

I'm guessing that is not stock. I had no problems stopping before, and that was with shot pads.

Yes, I am talking about the exuberant amount of holes in the rotor...

[jrobertfox]

More exhaust work

Got the first two primary tubes tacked together recently. It was not as hard as I thought it might be. I'm really excited about how this exhaust is coming together. It's going to look badass all cleaned up, with silver high heat paint and the primaries wrapped in header wrap.

[T99Ford]

Looks awesome man! Way to think outside the box. The only thing I would suggest is to not use high temp silver paint on it...I did that on my VTR exhaust and it just wouldn't stay right. I ended up going for the chrome-like ceramic coating before I even got the build on the road, and I was extremely happy with that. It's not that expensive, comparatively, and with all the work you are doing on that exhaust, a poor finish wouldn't do it justice... Here is a pic of the chrome ceramic coating:

[daveyg]

Definitely liking what I am seeing so far! Just remember to make it so it can still be taken off (without a grinder) so it can be coated or so other parts of the bike can be serviced in the future.

[jrobertfox]

Thanks for the tips, wow yeah that does look really good. how much did the coating cost? I assume I should coat the whole thing even if half is going to be under header wrap.

Does the coating go "inside" too? how would that effect the muffler packing? Or is it a spray on and bake type of deal.

Should have no problems getting it off, there is one bolt to the stock location so it should rock forward and out. Should know this weekend or so.

[jrobertfox]

Lots mor progress on fabrication and exhaust.

So I recently had to move my project from my buddies place in the city to the burbs at my grandpap's:


The downside is it is a trek to get there. The upside is it is right near various industrial parks with welding gas, paint, etc.

Last week I dropped serious bills on a bunch of different vendors and have the majority of the parts needed to finish the project enroute. Most of the stuff is from Dime City, Lowbrow, MikesXS, McMaster-Carr, Amazon and so fourth.

I also set out the seat pan to Keith's Custom Seats which is starting to sound like it will be an amazing addition to the project.

Fab work is nearing completion. Here is that exhaust that I was building:


Still needs a light sanding and second coat. I decided to go with high temp paint, because the coating was crazy expensive and half is going to be under exhaust wrap anyway.

Also mostly built the license plate braket:


Gonna look good:


More to come.

[Intro2pete]

Looks great - well done! Don't be shy with the pics!