Things you should know when building a Honda CB Cafe Racer.

In this video, I share firsthand experiences and valuable insights into the hurdles faced by enthusiasts, especially beginners, in the captivating world of transforming a Honda CB into a stylish cafe racer.
Choosing the Right Foundation: My First Crucial Decision
For those new to the scene, the initial challenge lies in selecting the perfect base bike. Join me as I recount my own struggles and offer insights into identifying the right Honda CB model in optimal condition. Discover how this decision profoundly influences the ease of your build and the overall success of your cafe racer project.
Navigating the Parts Maze: My Quest for Components
The journey becomes even more intriguing when faced with the growing difficulty of sourcing specific Honda CB parts. I share my encounters with scarcity and provide practical tips on finding alternatives, ensuring your project stays on course.
The Carburetor Conundrum: My Battles with Tuning
Carburetor tuning is an art I've grappled with, and I'm here to unravel the complexities. Join me in understanding the sore spot of tuning, as I share my experiences and provide a comprehensive guide to achieving optimal performance from your Honda CB cafe racer.
Rising Costs: My Reality of Increasing Expenses
As the popularity of Honda CB cafe racers rises, so does the price tag. I discuss the factors contributing to the escalating costs and share strategies to manage expenses without compromising on the quality of your build.
Our Educational Journey: Insights for Every Enthusiast
Whether you're a seasoned builder or just starting, this video offers our collective knowledge to help you navigate the challenges of building a Honda CB cafe racer. Join me on this educational journey, and together, let's unravel the intricacies of crafting a two-wheeled masterpiece.
If you resonate with my experiences and found this video helpful, remember to like, share, and subscribe. Let's build and customize Honda CB cafe racers together, forging a community passionate about the art of motorcycle transformation!

[@vickturorteez]

Hey man so I just got a CB550k 77'.... and I purchased a MotoGP Werks exhaust for it and going to run pods for the carbs ... what jetting and settings do you suggest for the carbs ?

[@kylevara]

So this is a super tricky question because it varies so much across bikes, location, other components and so on. I’ll give you some pointers that may get you close.
Let’s start with the basics:
-Make sure that all of the intake rubber boots are in a great shape. No cracks, no leaks. If they are then replace them before trying to jet.
A vacuum leak is your worst enemy.
- check your throttle linkage is working properly. When you turn the throttle wide open, insure that the slides are all the way up. When you close it make sure the slides go all the way to the bottom.
- Bench Sync the carbs before you start tuning. Screw the idle adjuster in until you can just fit the smooth side of a small drill bit into the gap between one of the slides and the bottom of the intake opening. Almost like a round thick feeler gauge. Adjust all the other slides to that gap. Then drop the idle adjustment screw so that the slides bottom out. Then turn it in so that the slides just barley lift. This is your initial idle setting. Once the bike is running you can dial this in.
Once the bike is running you need to do a proper carb vacuum synch. This is essential.
Jetting:
Set all of your air/fuel screws to 1 1/2 turns out from lightly seated. Do not tighten these in with a lot of force, it can break of the tip and ruin your carb.
Start with stock size pilot jets. This controls idle to 1/4ish throttle. You have a small range of adjustment using the air/fuel mixtures think of the air/fuel mixture screw as going up or down about one size in pilot jet.
If it’s lean it will sputter almost like a dry cough. If it’s rich it bog.
The the needles control 1/4 to 3/4 throttle or the mid range if the power. There is some overlap between fuel circuits so a change here will have some effects on the pilots and mains. Start in the middle clip position and test.
Go up on clip position (drop the needle down) will lean it out. Go down on clip position (bring the needle up) will make it richer.
ONLY USE OEM Needles: the overseas stuff I’d the wrong taper and will cause you a headache.
Same thing applys:
Lean will sputter. Rich will bog.
The mains: They control wide open throttle. This is the most about of fuel the engine can get. Picture a fire hose wide open.
With your exhaust I would bump these 3 main sizes. I may be wrong but I believe stock for a 77 cb550 is 98 or 100. Whatever the stock number jet is I would go 3 sizes bigger to start.
Same deal: lean will sputter, rich will bog.
It will take some time, trial and error but you can do it. Hopefully this info made sense and good luck!

[@vickturorteez]

@@kylevara thank you so much man, any good plug for oem jets or rebuild parts ?

[@adraanarchy5888]

One of my brothers is giving me a 74 cb125s.. only does 60-65.. but it's a fun lil bike... was gonna turn it into a cafe racer and ride it back n forth to work..

[@theblueyamaha1]

Great video! Definitely some good info with the carburetor and air filter system.

[@Scrambler695]

Honda's are the best man😭❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥👊‼️

[@scottmoto]

Cool info. Thanks for posting.

[@thephoenix7701]

Hahaha holy crap actually freaking out about this, thanks for making the video your inspiring me to make my own even more now!

[@violenthell]

I heard that larger main/secondary jets has made it easier to work with pod style filters, is that not true?

[@bryonbeebe7001]

I'm working on my cb500 cafe project and was wondering how you mounted your rear brake light

[@rattanack1413]

Custom rear subframe I think