Yamaha Triple Cafe Racer

Triple · 14-07-2008, 09:01 PM

My Yamaha Triple, a 1979 XS750SF 'Special' was originally bought by my Dad in 1992 to use as spare parts for the 1978 XS750E he had at the time.

I started rebuilding it when I was 16-17 as a project, which finished when I had just turned 19, not long after getting my open class licence.

I needed to chase up numerous parts from the USA as I just couldnt find the parts in Australia - many wreckers had just thrown everything out.

Had it rebored using pistons from an XS850 Triple, and started putting things together.

And waited for parts from USA including a seat and headlight, instruments etc etc...

(background is Dad's old XS750E which was resleeved with pistons to make it 900cc)

I originally planned the bike to have big handlebars and sissy bar etc - cruiser style...

But I soon realised that was a horrible idea and painted it black with 'sports' bars, polished engine covers and wheels -

Would have been good to have a pic of it when I first got it running and registered and looked nice and clean - oh well.

Since then, I broke and repaired 2nd gear numerous times, replaced the clutch etc etc

Had an oil leak which I couldnt sort out so I got fed up and pulled out the motor and put in a spare which came from my grandad's '77 XS750E

Wheels painted, forks polished

Rebuilt my 850 motor (again) this time Crank linished, rods resized and rebushed with new crank/rod bearings, new primary chain, XS850 transmission and new clutch, bores honed, new rings, head ported, polished and shaved, new gasket kit. Also had it painted again and the covers polished up...

Put it back in the frame ran it in etc, and decided I now want to rebuild the bike as a Cafe racer... Have plans for new paint, powder coat etc. Bought some clubman bars and put them on for the hell of it...

So now - again the bike has been pulled apart -
Wheels and fuel tank were soda blasted by Taylor and Mike @ Western Soda Blasters. Frame is getting blasted and powdercoated black. Fenders, fuel tank, side covers and rims are away getting painted in 2pak with some custom stripes I've 'designed'

Next on the list is to replace all the old bolts with stainless hex bolts, and I'm trying to find out if I can get a custom 3-2-1 Exhaust made up. Few things rechromed and lastly different Indicators and tail light.

Wheels soda blasted

Starting to pull it apart again - preparing to replace the clutch again here as I actually bought the wrong clutch friction plates (luckily can use them in another Triple motor I'm rebuilding at the moment...)

(Check the YAMAHA POWER technology!!)

So anyways I'll put up some more pics and updates as this progresses - I'll probably put it in the show and shine at the MAD Ride this year

Cheers

perdition · 14-07-2008, 09:54 PM

looking forward to seeing the finished product - the cafe racers thread awaits you :-)

Weapon_X · 15-07-2008, 04:27 PM

i like it man!

Triple · 31-08-2008, 06:08 PM

Its hard to do much work on a project when you work away, but I finally got the frame completely stripped to take to the powder coaters - but again, I ran out of time, as I had to go away for work - Hopefully I can get it all to the powdercoaters next week!

perdition · 31-08-2008, 08:25 PM

looking forward to the next update

Triple · 22-09-2008, 11:09 AM

Powder coat job back -
Pretty happy with it

.....until I saw this...

nath · 22-09-2008, 11:11 AM

Damn

Who sandblasted it... Seriously sub par.

BigTim · 22-09-2008, 02:51 PM

That the VIN tag?

nath · 22-09-2008, 02:52 PM

AKA.. Compliance plate..

BigTim · 22-09-2008, 02:57 PM

Yeah, that's what I meant, cheers

Bugger hey mate? What's involved in getting a new one, or that one re-attached?
And do you think it could be done at the expense of the blaster?

Triple · 22-09-2008, 03:33 PM

Yeah its the compliance tag. Im not going to defame the shop because it was a silly mistake that was explained to me, and they've done a top job with the powder coating and have helped me on the price and are looking after me on some other parts I need to be done.

They've rung around and given me a contact for someone that can help out with making a new tag.

nath · 22-09-2008, 03:39 PM

Lesson there I guess is... Take it off yourself if you are getting your frame done, don't trust someone to do it for you.

I had a situation recently where mine was taken off by the people who sandblasted the frame but it was not returned to me with the frame. Luckily a couple of months later when I called them they had it sitting there waiting for me but didn't have my contact details.

Triple · 23-09-2008, 06:08 PM

Went to A&M Bolts and Nuts in Bassendean today and grabbed a bunch of stainless fasteners to go with some of the newly powder coated parts!

Sprint · 23-09-2008, 06:58 PM

Very nice, looking forward to seeing it reassembled!

Love the sound of a triple...

S.

Billywhizz · 23-09-2008, 07:14 PM

Sweet

You gotta love a good build

El Skitzo · 25-09-2008, 10:46 AM

Wow nice work!!

Triple · 28-10-2008, 06:11 PM

Finally found some time to put the engine back into the newly powdercoated frame, but unfortunately this is the only pic I've got of current progess, although I've done heaps

rossguzzi · 28-10-2008, 07:40 PM

Cool project ! And Im usually only keen on Ital bikes !!

NoDs · 28-10-2008, 09:20 PM

love the japanese work boots

smokeymatt · 01-11-2008, 09:32 PM

I have always taken of compliance plates before coating and put them back on with brass rivits, always looks classy. I have some here if you want a couple when you get your new plates, unless you find a licensed wreck of the same model you can swap.