CX650 "Custom" ADV bike build - Page 3

SloMo228 · 11-20-2012, 12:50 PM

The CX650 drum brake didn't work with the VT800 wheel, so I ordered a VT800 brake. It fits perfectly:

Gotta love Honda parts-bin engineering.

I have proper wheel bearings on the way to match the VT800 wheel with the CX650 rear axle, so the only remaining issue with the rear wheel is that the drum brake plate has a 20mm hole. I need it to be 17mm. But looking at parts fiches, it looks like there is a bushing pressed into that hole that rides on the axle. The 650 brake plate is the same. I should be able to press out the bushings and swap them. Then I'll be ready to send the wheel off to Buchanan to have them lace a new rim to it.

Would it be better to have a 17" rear or an 18" rear? I'm not really sure. Most of the tires I'm looking at are available in either diameter.

gkam · 11-20-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloMo228

The CX650 drum brake didn't work with the VT800 wheel, so I ordered a VT800 brake. It fits perfectly:

Would it be better to have a 17" rear or an 18" rear? I'm not really sure. Most of the tires I'm looking at are available in either diameter.

You have more choises for off road tires on the 18" rim.
Most on - off (dual sport) tires are 17".

oregoncoast · 11-21-2012, 07:55 AM

SloMo228 · 11-21-2012, 02:02 PM

I really wish I had more time to devote to this build, but I am always super busy at the end of the year (isn't everyone?) so I have only been able to work on the bike for an hour or so here and there. I want to ride this damn thing!

Anyway, I got out of work early today so I headed home and went out to the garage. I got my front wheel in the mail, so I mounted it up:

Looks nice on there. I have to make some spacers for it, it's sitting about an inch too far to the left right now. But nothing major. So then I was standing there staring at the thing and I decided it would look much nicer with an empty rear triangle. There's actually quite a bit of room between the tank and the frame, so I think I can hide most of the electronics up under there. I pulled out the airbox and battery box, and unwrapped the wiring harness looking to see where I could shorten it up. Turns out there's a nice long run of wires, about 16" or so, without any splices or connectors or anything, that I could just cut out of the harness to make it shorter. So, I took a deep breath, grabbed my wire cutters, and turned this:

Into this:

It was at this point that I discovered that I am out of solder.

Oh, well. I'll get some time to work on it later this week. The scope of this build has gotten quite a bit bigger than I originally anticipated (doesn't it always?), but I like where it's headed.

wingnut11 · 11-21-2012, 03:21 PM

Just want to say, keep up the good work. As a former cx500 owner I often have daydreams of getting another one and doing this kind of thing to it. Can't wait to see it finished.

SloMo228 · 02-26-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limeymike

keep it coming, always enjoy these types of builds and I especially like the CX motorcycle.

SloMo, remember you said: " for the most part this should be pretty straightforward." I hope you are right and you won't have to eat those words. Good luck, thousands are watching....

Well, it's been a while, and this post certainly sticks out in my memory.

Like most projects, things haven't gone quite to plan. Work, school, and purchasing a new house have really put this project on the back burner for me, but I'm hoping I can button it up before I have to leave my current place. I don't think I'm going to go "all the way" with this project anymore since I snagged a DR350 for $600 that will make a much better commuter and off-roader, but I hate leaving projects unfinished, so I'm at least going to get this back on the road, then probably sell it.

Unless someone is looking for a low-mile CX650 engine for a swap, that is.

SimpleSimon · 02-26-2013, 03:59 PM

Bummer. I thin you have a very cool project on your hands. You have done the bulk of the hard work alread!

SloMo228 · 02-26-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimpleSimon

Bummer. I thin you have a very cool project on your hands. You have done the bulk of the hard work alread!

Well, if I can manage to sneak it into the new house without my better half noticing, maybe I can finish it up this summer. Right now she's convinced that 5 motorcycles are too many, for some strange reason...

11-20-2012, 12:50 PM	#31
SloMo228 ^OP World Class Cheapass Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SE Michigan Oddometer: 255	The CX650 drum brake didn't work with the VT800 wheel, so I ordered a VT800 brake. It fits perfectly: Gotta love Honda parts-bin engineering. I have proper wheel bearings on the way to match the VT800 wheel with the CX650 rear axle, so the only remaining issue with the rear wheel is that the drum brake plate has a 20mm hole. I need it to be 17mm. But looking at parts fiches, it looks like there is a bushing pressed into that hole that rides on the axle. The 650 brake plate is the same. I should be able to press out the bushings and swap them. Then I'll be ready to send the wheel off to Buchanan to have them lace a new rim to it. Would it be better to have a 17" rear or an 18" rear? I'm not really sure. Most of the tires I'm looking at are available in either diameter. __________________ - Steve GL1000 x2 GL1500 DR350

11-21-2012, 07:55 AM	#33
oregoncoast Racing Like a Noob Joined: May 2007 Location: Duh! Oddometer: 4,280	__________________ Racing a Subaru in the 2013 Mexican 1000

11-21-2012, 02:02 PM	#34
SloMo228 ^OP World Class Cheapass Joined: Sep 2012 Location: SE Michigan Oddometer: 255	I really wish I had more time to devote to this build, but I am always super busy at the end of the year (isn't everyone?) so I have only been able to work on the bike for an hour or so here and there. I want to ride this damn thing! Anyway, I got out of work early today so I headed home and went out to the garage. I got my front wheel in the mail, so I mounted it up: Looks nice on there. I have to make some spacers for it, it's sitting about an inch too far to the left right now. But nothing major. So then I was standing there staring at the thing and I decided it would look much nicer with an empty rear triangle. There's actually quite a bit of room between the tank and the frame, so I think I can hide most of the electronics up under there. I pulled out the airbox and battery box, and unwrapped the wiring harness looking to see where I could shorten it up. Turns out there's a nice long run of wires, about 16" or so, without any splices or connectors or anything, that I could just cut out of the harness to make it shorter. So, I took a deep breath, grabbed my wire cutters, and turned this: Into this: It was at this point that I discovered that I am out of solder. Oh, well. I'll get some time to work on it later this week. The scope of this build has gotten quite a bit bigger than I originally anticipated (doesn't it always?), but I like where it's headed. __________________ - Steve GL1000 x2 GL1500 DR350

11-21-2012, 03:21 PM	#35
wingnut11 generally strange Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Twin cities mn Oddometer: 410	great stuff Just want to say, keep up the good work. As a former cx500 owner I often have daydreams of getting another one and doing this kind of thing to it. Can't wait to see it finished. __________________ If you're thinking about it your just trying to justify it to yourself.

02-26-2013, 03:59 PM	#37
SimpleSimon Aspiring advrider Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Oddometer: 3,345	Bummer. I thin you have a very cool project on your hands. You have done the bulk of the hard work alread! __________________ 5f? Is that like riding down a 90 degree cliff face into a lake of fire? I thought 4f was bad. Abdelhub "Assembled Spectator Scoring With Incriminating Photographic Evidence" or A.S.S.W.I.P.E. - Granparacer

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