Gas Tanks

I have found this to be a very expensive part of building a cafe. I wouldn't personally even try to restore a bike that doesn't have an ,at the least, okay gas tank on it. Theres always the expection that some one is looking for a gas tanks that ventures far away from the look of the stock tanks. http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/vintage/vintagetanks.htm is a website where a variety of light wieght and odd shaped tanks are sold for many different bikes. Personally ive always liked keeping the gas tank stock and building the bike around them to keep the vintage look but to each there own. But to someone looking to replicate an old race bike or trying to shed every bit of wieght they can, these gas tanks would be perfect. Ive always liked the Honda CB350 Drixton fuel tank that airtech makes.

Template bikes

http://www.lawrenceotoole.com/images/r5images/images/350_street_r5_2.jpg

Ive always thought of the year,make, and model as more of a template for a bike. Its what you start from but it seems, as far as cafes go, that the end result never ends up looking much like the stock version. Mainly because the idea of the "caferacer" type bike is based completely on the customizition done uniquely by each biulder. My favorite "templates" would have to be the late 70s model honda cbs and the early 70s yamahas. The CB and RD models are light wieght and fast and easy to work on. Even if you have no mechanical skills, theres such a large amount of information online at websites like http://www.dotheton.com/, that you can learn anything you need to know online. The frames, gas tanks, and power source of the bikes also provide the perfect setup for custimizing your own cafe.

My Background

      In May of 2009 I bought my first bike with the plans of rebuilding it. I wasn't really planning on a certain theme for the bike but after working on it for a couple months and talking to local bike enthusiasts I was sold with the cafe style. The first bike was a 1972 Yamaha R5 350 with 1973 RD350 cylinder heads. I never completely finished the project because I ran across a 1976 Honda CJ360T in Knoxville, TN. I've been constantly working on the 360 since I brought it in  December of 2010. Last year I purchased my last bike which is a 1981 Honda CB650SX.

     I own three other motored vehicles that are not motorcycles. I have a 2009 KTM 525XC, a 1987 Dodge W150 4X4, and an 18 ft center console Bentz Craft. The KTM I use for FMX, MX, and Cross-country riding. The Dodge is my everyday transportation and the Bentz for the summer when its a little hot to ride. I've always been interested in anything with a motor. This Blog is where I will post mostly about my own and other enthusiasts' bikes and ideas. Its always great to have a jumping off point and possibly this will serve as that for online enthusiasts and give a place to post their own ideas also. I will post about any motor vehicle though and encourage anyone to share your interests.