Following with great interest. Doing one at the moment and opted for GSXR forks. Here's a breakdown of costs so far (in US$).....07 GSXR600 forks with bottom clamp $320.......but offset in GSXR clamp not correct for CX500.....so new custom top and bottom triples with a new stem $ 700........07 tokiko calipers $78........then you can choose to buy a GSXR wheel and hub....but I elected to have a spoked wheel, so a new custom hub rim and rotors bearings spacers bolts etc etc around $1000.
I agree but I'm committed to it now. Next time I do one, I'm going to stick to the "cafe racer" principles....so don't feel that you are shortchanging yourself by using stock items. They worked well enough. We can get carried away sometimes with these obsessions.
I guess it all depends what we're going to be doing with the bikes as you say. I'm not selling them or anything so I'd never make that money back. Good luck with yours.
Yup, especially when it's out of your control. Waiting for other people etc, it's when my builds slow down. In fact, you've just reminded me to order some silicone water hose so they get here in time
Hello from Indonesia. Love your videos. Very inspiring. And for that, I wanna buy you a beer, if you ever get to Indonesia that is :) I'm going to do a CB400 soon, gonna be my first. Keep it up man. Cheers!!
Hey there bud. Love your videos. I would like my cx to have its front end lowered but at the same time I don’t want to go through all the hassle of cutting etc. I was wondering if it instead of cutting I couldn’t just lift the fork tubes up 5cm above the top triple tree. Wouldn’t that have the same visual affect? Cheers mate.
Great video. I've finally decided on a Yamaha rx 100 as a donor bike for my project as it's a cheap and easier project for me as I've got only this summer for it and need some updated tools. A quick question, is widening the rear swing arm and widening the front forks a good idea or would it weaken the structure too much?
Amazing, good choice. I've seen some amazing scramblers from that. It wouldn't weaken the structure, only affect the handling from the original. Would this be to fit wider tyres?
CX500 forks are notoriously soft. Even worse now that they're 35 years old. There's two springs in them, a small top spring, and the main spring. Best improvement is to get a set of Progressive springs to replace them. Next cheap alternative is to take out the top spring and replace it with a longer piece of heavy PVC pipe, or a stack of washers/coins. That's why you found coins in your shocks.
Also, cutting out an inch of effective travel will be super dangerous with these soft springs. If you want to cut an inch of the shocks, you have to shorten the sanchions themselves and get them re-threaded. Not trying to be too critical, but what you're doing will be super dangerous unless you're making the bike to look good in a shop window.
What this is essentially doing it reducing the length of the stanchions without having to go to the effort of cutting and re-threading them. By adding the spacer at the bottom your holding the stanchion inside more. The actual travel isn't affected as it still has total freedom to move with nothing stopping it. It's a tricky one to make sense of with a spacer there. It's just basically shortening the length of the fork piston.
Ah, sorry, I should put this in the description. ruclips.net/video/3A0RF87ly6E/видео.html I made an in-depth video when I did the same to the GS550, but I cut the springs on that also, I hope this helps.
How can I test the forks, if they compress and return properly? I changed the seals and used 20w oil - 160ml, but they are pretty soft. I'm not sure if that is how forks from 80s work or this is some kind of malfunktion :)
A local CX500 deluxe just popped up for sale for $450 and I'm itching to buy it haha I've never done a build before though and idk if it's even running.
That's really really cheap for a CX500. But yeah, depends if it runs etc. I guess that's the risk for that price. Any way of finding out if it turns over at all?
For The Bold - dreegez I just asked the guy, now I'm just waiting on a response. He said he got it a few years ago but never got around to fixing it up.
What about rake etc when changing/shortening forks? I have got a cx500 in the garage and about to start stripping it soon, so doing my research on possibilities with the build, I see many have GSXR 1100 fronts or CBR 600 fronts, but I also keep seeing posts about speed wobble, tank slappers and dangerous instability when shortening the forks and adjusting the rake etc... what's your thoughts? I'm interested.
I guess the rake is changing ever so slightly if shortening but only slightly. I've seen plenty of GSXR conversions and people say they they're pleased with them. With my builds I'm in contact with MOT service people and if anything I intend to do is unsafe they'll inform me if it'll fail an MOT test. So far fork conversions haven't raised any issues with them.
I will be watching the GS550 vid you linked after work for more info. However do you know how much you can lower a fork? I need to drop mine 3 inches and I would prefer not to have 2" sticking up above the triples.
For The Bold - dreegez ok good to know. My factory forks are 33mm, the CB900f forks are 39mm, but are at least 30mm longer. So trying to figure it all out. But have been to busy for hands on work for awhile.
Hopefully in these next few weeks when the frame is powder coated and the bike is re-assembled it'll be worth while. These prepping stages are always the slowest.
because your lengthening the internals at the dampeners, by doing this you're shortening the amount the piston that screws into the bottom of the fork sticks out
Problem is once you've bought forks, brakes, discs, wheels etc, you're looking at a small fortune, in the UK it would be about £600 for second hand USD forks from like a GSXR. Aprilia forks might fit a 125, but you'll need to replace the steering tube and bearings.
Thanks for the quick reaction, it's very helpfull. Since i'm just a beginner I think I might save changing the fork and such for later and start with something a bit more manageable and affordable.
For The Bold - dreegez nope and I mean yesterday. I got them stupidly cheap but couldn't sit on then for to long. was forks, calipers, fixings(minus top yoke) and new clip ons
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
For a more in-depth video on how to shorten your forks... Here's one on the GS550
ruclips.net/video/3A0RF87ly6E/видео.html
Following with great interest. Doing one at the moment and opted for GSXR forks. Here's a breakdown of costs so far (in US$).....07 GSXR600 forks with bottom clamp $320.......but offset in GSXR clamp not correct for CX500.....so new custom top and bottom triples with a new stem $ 700........07 tokiko calipers $78........then you can choose to buy a GSXR wheel and hub....but I elected to have a spoked wheel, so a new custom hub rim and rotors bearings spacers bolts etc etc around $1000.
Flip, it's a lot of money.
I agree but I'm committed to it now. Next time I do one, I'm going to stick to the "cafe racer" principles....so don't feel that you are shortchanging yourself by using stock items. They worked well enough. We can get carried away sometimes with these obsessions.
I guess it all depends what we're going to be doing with the bikes as you say. I'm not selling them or anything so I'd never make that money back. Good luck with yours.
I won't to see both come on more video please can't wait to see them you do good stuff bud
Thanks. I think the coming videos will be more interesting as the bike starts to take shape with colour.
In my opinion, the hardest part of any of this is waiting for parts to arrive. Either the tank or frame segment will be great.
Yup, especially when it's out of your control. Waiting for other people etc, it's when my builds slow down. In fact, you've just reminded me to order some silicone water hose so they get here in time
Hello from Indonesia. Love your videos. Very inspiring.
And for that, I wanna buy you a beer, if you ever get to Indonesia that is :)
I'm going to do a CB400 soon, gonna be my first.
Keep it up man.
Cheers!!
+I Alvin Wijono beillliant. All the best on your first CB project.
Another great video. I am learning a lot! thank you thank you.
Thanks for watching, I'm glad the videos help.
Hey there bud. Love your videos. I would like my cx to have its front end lowered but at the same time I don’t want to go through all the hassle of cutting etc. I was wondering if it instead of cutting I couldn’t just lift the fork tubes up 5cm above the top triple tree. Wouldn’t that have the same visual affect? Cheers mate.
Great video. I've finally decided on a Yamaha rx 100 as a donor bike for my project as it's a cheap and easier project for me as I've got only this summer for it and need some updated tools. A quick question, is widening the rear swing arm and widening the front forks a good idea or would it weaken the structure too much?
Amazing, good choice. I've seen some amazing scramblers from that. It wouldn't weaken the structure, only affect the handling from the original. Would this be to fit wider tyres?
CX500 forks are notoriously soft. Even worse now that they're 35 years old.
There's two springs in them, a small top spring, and the main spring.
Best improvement is to get a set of Progressive springs to replace them.
Next cheap alternative is to take out the top spring and replace it with a longer piece of heavy PVC pipe, or a stack of washers/coins.
That's why you found coins in your shocks.
Also, cutting out an inch of effective travel will be super dangerous with these soft springs. If you want to cut an inch of the shocks, you have to shorten the sanchions themselves and get them re-threaded.
Not trying to be too critical, but what you're doing will be super dangerous unless you're making the bike to look good in a shop window.
What this is essentially doing it reducing the length of the stanchions without having to go to the effort of cutting and re-threading them. By adding the spacer at the bottom your holding the stanchion inside more. The actual travel isn't affected as it still has total freedom to move with nothing stopping it. It's a tricky one to make sense of with a spacer there. It's just basically shortening the length of the fork piston.
So how does adding a spacer shorten the fork? I of course believe you but Im just wondering how that works. Im pretty new to all of this.
like your vids but would like to have seen in depth how to cut forks and springs down etc as always wondered how difficult a job it was to do myself.
Ah, sorry, I should put this in the description.
ruclips.net/video/3A0RF87ly6E/видео.html
I made an in-depth video when I did the same to the GS550, but I cut the springs on that also, I hope this helps.
How can I test the forks, if they compress and return properly? I changed the seals and used 20w oil - 160ml, but they are pretty soft. I'm not sure if that is how forks from 80s work or this is some kind of malfunktion :)
how possible would it be to adapt some showa-style forks/headset to this frame?
easy as long as you had a front wheel and brakes to go with it
A local CX500 deluxe just popped up for sale for $450 and I'm itching to buy it haha I've never done a build before though and idk if it's even running.
That's really really cheap for a CX500. But yeah, depends if it runs etc. I guess that's the risk for that price. Any way of finding out if it turns over at all?
For The Bold - dreegez I just asked the guy, now I'm just waiting on a response. He said he got it a few years ago but never got around to fixing it up.
What about rake etc when changing/shortening forks? I have got a cx500 in the garage and about to start stripping it soon, so doing my research on possibilities with the build, I see many have GSXR 1100 fronts or CBR 600 fronts, but I also keep seeing posts about speed wobble, tank slappers and dangerous instability when shortening the forks and adjusting the rake etc... what's your thoughts? I'm interested.
I guess the rake is changing ever so slightly if shortening but only slightly. I've seen plenty of GSXR conversions and people say they they're pleased with them. With my builds I'm in contact with MOT service people and if anything I intend to do is unsafe they'll inform me if it'll fail an MOT test. So far fork conversions haven't raised any issues with them.
I will be watching the GS550 vid you linked after work for more info. However do you know how much you can lower a fork? I need to drop mine 3 inches and I would prefer not to have 2" sticking up above the triples.
Personally I wouldn't go any more than 50mm, but that's a push even.
For The Bold - dreegez ok good to know. My factory forks are 33mm, the CB900f forks are 39mm, but are at least 30mm longer. So trying to figure it all out. But have been to busy for hands on work for awhile.
coming right along!
Hopefully in these next few weeks when the frame is powder coated and the bike is re-assembled it'll be worth while. These prepping stages are always the slowest.
How does adding a spacer make the fork shorter?
because your lengthening the internals at the dampeners, by doing this you're shortening the amount the piston that screws into the bottom of the fork sticks out
@@forthebold exactly where does the 25mm spacer go? Over the dampening tube?
Yeah that’s it so that the rod doesn’t stick out as much
why do you use those old original springs instead of some new progressive ones? O_o
All down to cost to be honest, I've spent a lot on the bike elsewhere, and I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to keep the shocks yet.
i paid like ~€100 for mine and they are a big plus for the handling. the argument that you're not sure if keeping it makes it undertandable :)
We'll see how it goes. If I don't find some decent GSXR forks I'll probably look at that.
Hey buddy, who do you use for media blasting and powder coating?
I usually go to Potteries coating in Stoke On Trent.
Cheers! are they local to you or do you post stuff in?
They're not local to me, but I drive everything there.
Is there much electrical work to be done on the CX?
Luckily not as much as the GS had. I have a lot of parts which I can test to see if they need replacing, if not, then I'm good.
I would prefer buying new forks, but How do I know What forks Will fit my Honda cg 125?
Problem is once you've bought forks, brakes, discs, wheels etc, you're looking at a small fortune, in the UK it would be about £600 for second hand USD forks from like a GSXR. Aprilia forks might fit a 125, but you'll need to replace the steering tube and bearings.
Thanks for the quick reaction, it's very helpfull. Since i'm just a beginner I think I might save changing the fork and such for later and start with something a bit more manageable and affordable.
I GOT THE FIRST STICKER EVER! Thanks dreegez!
Amazing. I'd love to see what you do with it. If you're on Instagram feel free to tag me.
How Tall are you? And is it comfortable to ride a cafe racer?
I'm 6'4, Not as comfortable as a tourer as your bak is arched.
Ok thanks
You should start doing motovlogs.
As soon as one of these bike are up on the road I will. Lots of people asking for those.
shame I've litrally just sold a gsxr
600 k6 front end for cheap. only thing needed was the top yoke.
You're joking! gutted.
For The Bold - dreegez nope and I mean yesterday. I got them stupidly cheap but couldn't sit on then for to long. was forks, calipers, fixings(minus top yoke) and new clip ons
If only I knew
For The Bold - dreegez yep, were only on eBay for 2 days, thought it would have sold quicker tbh and only had a couple of people message me
hey i like your video and its useful
but i thank background is a little bit loud
a fans from Taiwan
Thanks for watching.
unless you are swimming in money ,, why would you change them,,,??????
True, they do cost a heck of a lot, and this is a personal project and I'll never sell for profit.
please trash music . trying to pay attn.
Ha, I was expecting to hear that, I realised it was a little too loud after uploading.
silence , when not speaking is good. remember ''less is more''