SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School - SV650.org

gt alex · 15-10-21, 10:46 AM

I was looking for a motorcycle to build into a cafe racer. My job takes me to many automotive workshops and after discussing my plans I was offered this SV650 for $500.
It wasn't starting (rusted choke cable). noise from front hub and leaking fork seals.
It wasn't a style I had thought about but upon thinking about it a doing a few sketches I went for it.
The plan is to build a classic style cafe racer with this "modern" bike.
My experience is more with vintage bikes e.g. xs650.
I fixed it up for road worthy without any problems except the clutch needed sorting.
My first ride on the sv all I can say is wow. it is so good compared to the bikes I had ridden.
Its still undergoing transformation I am currently making a combined tank/air box to top off my single carb conversion and the Dunstall style fairing has arrived today.
The bike has so many mods feel free to ask and I will tell what's been done

gt alex · 16-10-21, 07:27 AM

Since I had been doing some plumbing using silicone sealant I didn't want to handle painted parts so today I decided to do removal of parts in preparation and sit the main fairing bracket on despite being made for another bike.
At first glance it appears to be about the correct height but need setting forward a bit which is goo as I need change the mounting to go over the brake lines not under.

gt alex · 17-10-21, 08:56 AM

another picture

gt alex · 25-10-21, 06:46 AM

what do others think this position seems good but I need drop the bars below the top clamp?

gt alex · 26-10-21, 06:11 AM

Today I moved the clip-on bars to the underside of the top clamp making the bar ends too low for me especially with the seating position 40mm further back due to the tank I'm building. But I had a "cunning plan" because I made the handle bar tubes from a recycled Harley drag bar, I new using the slight bend in the drag bar would give a huge amount of adjustment by rotating them and that has saved the day.

It can be seen buy the bar end mirror position how rotating the bar has raised the grip to approximately the same high as before.

gt alex · 27-10-21, 10:43 AM

I adjusted the other bar to be the same and did some more welding on the tank. Unfortunately the wind picked up and the gas ran out so I didn't get as much done as planned, but for only the 3rd time tig welding I'm happy and learning as I go.

Geodude · 28-10-21, 06:05 AM

Looks good to me but then i'm hardly qualified to comment and i struggle with colouring in books

Thanks for sharing with us

manxgully · 10-04-22, 03:23 PM

can i ask where you have moved your battery to???

redtrummy · 10-04-22, 05:47 PM

Nice job but being on the small butt size that seat looks hard!

gt alex · 10-04-22, 11:50 PM

yes it's a lithium battery under the hump. if you look at my first post picture of the bike on the dyno you can see the battery position. It feels like a empty plastic box it's so light.

25-10-21, 06:46 AM	#4
gt alex Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 95	Re: SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School what do others think this position seems good but I need drop the bars below the top clamp? Last edited by gt alex; 27-10-21 at 10:53 AM.

26-10-21, 06:11 AM	#5
gt alex Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 95	Re: SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School Today I moved the clip-on bars to the underside of the top clamp making the bar ends too low for me especially with the seating position 40mm further back due to the tank I'm building. But I had a "cunning plan" because I made the handle bar tubes from a recycled Harley drag bar, I new using the slight bend in the drag bar would give a huge amount of adjustment by rotating them and that has saved the day. It can be seen buy the bar end mirror position how rotating the bar has raised the grip to approximately the same high as before. Last edited by gt alex; 27-10-21 at 10:53 AM.

28-10-21, 06:05 AM	#7
Geodude Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Durham Posts: 2,669	Re: SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School Looks good to me but then i'm hardly qualified to comment and i struggle with colouring in books Thanks for sharing with us __________________ Black naked 1999 sv650 which im trying to keep happy Custom paintwork *Saragon Customs* Spray painting *Electrical fault finding guide* and *Regulator rectifier test* Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

10-04-22, 03:23 PM	#8
manxgully Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 1	Re: SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School can i ask where you have moved your battery to???

10-04-22, 05:47 PM	#9
redtrummy Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: N W Leicestershire Posts: 247	Re: SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School Nice job but being on the small butt size that seat looks hard!

10-04-22, 11:50 PM	#10
gt alex Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 95	Re: SV 650 Cafe Racer Old School yes it's a lithium battery under the hump. if you look at my first post picture of the bike on the dyno you can see the battery position. It feels like a empty plastic box it's so light.

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