1979 CB650z - going to change this into a Cafe Racer

[Lejaun79]

1979 CB650z - going to change this into a Cafe Racer
This will be my project for this year, hopefully it will not take me to long to complete. I want to overhaul the engine. I know I need to, either do the rings and/or valve seals, because of some smoke I get when riding at low revs.
Might also be those oil seals that are hardened and leaking because there is a bit of oil on the right hand side of the case.
New rectifier ordered & Stator is currently being rewound. The rest is all just going to be good fun, taking apart, spray, chopping, customizing & lots of beer.
Below is a giff animation of what I want to do.
Sorry, it was late, tired, hungry and really not in the mood for photoshop, but I wanted to see what the before & after would look like.

[Folsoml]

Interesting picture! Welcome to the forum!

[JorgenL]

Welcome!

Good starting point with a z-model. They are in my opinion a bit easier to "café".

Wow South Africa... cb650 owners are literally all over the globe

[Volker_P]

Welcome here!

Nice project preview.
Interesting exhaust.
This (probably non-European) Z-model does not have the typical alumina plates for the footpeg mounts.

[Fixxxated]

Welcome fellow newbie! My '79 is similar to the Euro Z's, and as far as a bit of advice goes I think you'll like the feel of the clubman bars without having to make/install rearsets. It's a little compact (and granted I'm only 5'7") but feels comfortable enough, with the stock tank you'll feel pretty snug and tucked. Lowering the instrument cluster/headlamp is a good idea as well, as the pull-down of the clubmans make them look much bigger and obstructive than the OEM bars do. Hope all goes well for your build as well!

[Lejaun79]

So I have put the clubman handlebar on with bar end mirrors. Dropped the headlight & gauges down a bit and replaced the headlight bracket with a cooler one.
Next I'll put the indicators on & the fork boots.

[Lejaun79]

Another photo of before & after.

[Lejaun79]

Ok So I finally got some time to do more work an finish the front end. Tomorrow I will spray the rear wheel and continue working on the cafe racer seat.

[Folsoml]

Looking Good!

[Lejaun79]

I think I am about 40% done with my project.
Work done so far.
Replaced 30year old stock tires with Bridgestone Spitfires.
Sprayed rims satin black and polished the lip.
Removed engine protector bars and rear bars.
Moved headlight down and fitted new brackets.
Fitted custom headlight visor.
Lowered gauges & ignition.
Replaced Stator / Rotor & rectifier/regulator.
Replaced all globes with LED globes. (helps with my charging)
Replaced indicators at front.
Replaced handle bars with Clubman handlebars.
Fitted Bar end mirrors.
Put fork boots on at front.

Next
I need to finish the fibreglass seat, replace rear shocks,stop light & indicators.
Spray petrol tank and figure out what I'm going to do with side panels.
Heat-wrap exhaust.

[Lejaun79]

I think it's safe to say I'm almost there....

[Volker_P]

Yes, great progress.
Good work!

[JorgenL]

That looks really nice!

What are those footpegs from? VFR750?

[Lejaun79]

It is actually my old passenger foot-pegs off my 200cc Chinese import motard.
I wanted something a bit more modern, but still oldschool.

[JorgenL]

Nice!
Looks almost identical to the vfr's on my café.