The Cafe Sportster Project

[Patrick]

It's been in my mind the last few years to build a cafe bike out of a v-twin air cooled motorcycle. At one point I was very close to picking up a Ducati 900SS for a really low price, but it didn't work out.
I've always liked HD's and have owned a few over the years. They were mostly stripped down roadsters/muscle bikes, so when this Nightster came available I decided to make it the basis for my build.
My criteria is making the bike run stronger, and handle / stop better while integrating a combination of a retro cafe look with some modern touches.

I'm doing this build on my time, so it may not move at the speed of some of my other builds, but I think it'll be fun to document it as it goes.
Hope you enjoy.

This is the bike in stock form:






The first step was to get a baseline measurement to determine the new shock length. Side view, stock:


Rear view, stock:


Took the shocks loose and raised it to where I wanted it.
This height will give much needed additional ground clearance, as well as steepen the rake and reduce trail. All of which will have a positive impact on the handling.





After spec'ing the height, I chose a set of shocks that will lift the rear of the bike and set them up with the springs and valving for my weight.
Ohlins fit the bill nicely:




Old shocks off:




New shocks on:




I also removed the rear reflector. It took longer to get the goop off the inside of the fender than to install the shocks....


Side view of the Sportster now:



The project has been on the back burner this week while I've been coordinating the remodel.
Next on the list are a set of Andrews cams and some other go fast goodies.
I may get a chance to do some on it this Sunday or Monday, watch this thread for details.

There's more pics on our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/motorcyclesunlimited

[The Bruce]

I like the potential here.

[YoDoc]

Awesome. I will look forward to seeing this move forward!

[Bob Dahringer]

This should be interesting......

[therealbigman]

In.....................

[NPHLYT]

This will be interesting. I was thinking about this as well, but decided to pick up a 48.

If you decide to get rid of your mid controls keep me in mind, I am not sure I like the forwards, but would like to keep my options open.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by NPHLYT

This will be interesting. I was thinking about this as well, but decided to pick up a 48.

If you decide to get rid of your mid controls keep me in mind, I am not sure I like the forwards, but would like to keep my options open.

I'm going to keep the mids, and fab up some brackets to move them back 3-4" or so.

[Gravel Guy]

thanks for sharing!

[Mudclod]

Did you order those shocks by length or for that particular bike or both. More info please! Thanks.

[RECIT]

This looks like a fun project. I'll be watching for sure.

[cheez]

Subscribing so that I can follow along as well. When you're done, let us all know if you plan to sell it...

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Mudclod

Did you order those shocks by length or for that particular bike or both. More info please! Thanks.

Both.

[Ouroboros]

Suspension upgrade essential to any HD build up. I wish you well with your project.

[whoa]

I'll be interested in your solution for the rearsets. I've seen some nice configs for shifter linkage, but these bloody things can be so expensive. Will you modify seat height for this change?

Are you thinking of changing the reat seat, and maybe adding a cowl or hump to the tail? And on the other end, clip on or drag bars? I'm a fan of twins. I'm a fan of V-twins, and I've always liked the Sportster.

Good luck on the project, and hurry! I'm impatient on other people's mods, and move like a glacier on my own projects.

[YoDoc]

If you haven't already seen it, Lick's is an excellent place for custom sportsters.

[thepopularjock]

I think you were smart to start with the suspension.

I have seen one of these made into a cafe and they look great.

[bronco78]

It's a great project... and truly the only way a HD will ever interest me.

When I had a 883 in my garage a year or so ago... I took a hard look at it for this kind of build.. as I could have had the bike for very few $.

But with what I wanted to do to it, Shocks, Fork swap, new wheels to accommodate the bigger front twin disk brakes, and radial mount calipers, Motor mods so it made decent HP and TQ, vice no power and noise, decent head light, ditch the nasty chrome and get some decent bars, controls, pegs, ect, strengthen the frame and swing arm.. I realized I’d be in way over my limit in $$ for what I would end up with.

Very much looking forward to watching your build….as the idea itself still intrigues me greatly.

[whoa]

Originally Posted by bronco78

Shocks, Fork swap, new wheels to accommodate the bigger front twin disk brakes, and radial mount calipers, Motor mods so it made decent HP and TQ, vice no power and noise, decent ......

Please tell me what bike where this does not apply! When I bought mine, I promised to stay out of the motor until 70k or so. It's tough being cheap and wanting ........ no ...... needing these upgrades.

And how "affordable" would the 883 have been? When I lusted for a Harley again, the prices were ridiculously high. By the time the used prices came back down to earth, I'd lost interest.

But I do like this thread. It inspires me to get to work on some of the other mods I've considered. And the bike in thepopularjock's post looks great.

[ANIMALCHEN]

So far so good... can't wait to see more.
Been so long since I have bee on this forum... not really sure why always have run into good folks off of here.

[Pumper54]

Harley sporties that are a few years old can be had for real cheap if you look around. I was thinking of picking one up and making it into a dirt bike for my farm but figured I would hurt myself on it. There is a XR-1200 at Texan Harley in Conroe if anyone is looking for a "almost ready", Cafe Racer style bike. Looks good and sounds nasty in a good way.
Tom