Asian Orange

Russ Larabee, accepted the invitation to show his motorcycle, a cafe racer not very flashy but full of elegance, maintained and refined.
Russ answered some of our questions and told us about this project.

Where are you coming from?

Wilmot, Wisconsin USA (close to Milwaukee)

Who else worked with you?

I am the bike's owner. The majority of this build is the work of Jeff Stephens of Godffery's Garage (see Cafe Overkill)

How can you describe yourself (or your team)?

Godffery's Garage is a small one-man operationbased in Burlington, Wisconsin. He is responsible for all facets of this build (mechanical, tuning, bodywork, design,metal and fibreglas fabrication, wheelbuilding etc.) unless otherwise noted. I did some small part fab such as the rearset brackets, headlight ears and brakestay arm in addition to small part polishing detail work on sprocket cover and points and stator covers.

What inspired you to start building the bike?

I was inspired by the custom scene in general but specifically by Godffery's work on Cafe Overkill. I've always been more of a fan of nakeds and streetfighters than of caferacers so we tried to work some of that influence into the design.

 Where did it come from?

I bought it from my older brother when I got back into riding in 2002 after a 25+ year dry spell.

What's the donor bike, make, model, year?

1978 Honda cb750K

What was your vision/plan?

There was not a plan cut in stone. This build took place over the course of 6 years as time, money and inspiration dictated. Ultimately the long build time was a good

thing because parts, inspiration and other things became available (or considered) late in the process that were not there early on.

What did you do to the bike?

Build Components

Bodywork

• CB 500T Fuel tank, modified – flush cap setup by Roaring Toyz

• Side covers – CB 750 F

• Front fender – 1986 Yamaha 750 Maxim – re-shaped for 18" wheel

• Rear fender – shortened stock unit

• Tail section – Legendary Motorcycles Phat Tail with major modifications by Godffery's Garage

Engine

• Carbs rebuilt by Godffery's Garage

• Top End refresh by Godffery's Garage

• Modified Kerker/Vance & Hines hybrid exhaust

• Clutch cover – Joker Machine

• K&N air filters and crankcase breather filter

• Oil cooler – CB 650 unit with custom lines and adapter base by Godffery's Garage

• Zinc plated hardware by F.P.S.

Lighting and Electrical

• CB 599 headlight on custom mounts

LED Bodywork

• CB 500T Fuel tank, modified – flush cap setup by Roaring Toyz

• Side covers – CB 750 F

• Front fender – 1986 Yamaha 750 Maxim – re-shaped for 18" wheel

• Rear fender – shortened stock unit

• Tail section – Legendary Motorcycles Phat Tail with major modifications by Godffery's Garage

Engine

• Carbs rebuilt by Godffery's Garage

• Top End refresh by Godffery's Garage

• Modified Kerker/Vance & Hines hybrid exhaust

• Clutch cover – Joker Machine

• K&N air filters and crankcase breather filter

• Oil cooler – CB 650 unit with custom lines and adapter base by Godffery's Garage

• Zinc plated hardware by F.P.S.

Lighting and Electrical

• CB 599 headlight on custom mounts

• Taillight

• K&S turn signals

• Dyna S ignition, coils and plug wires

• Rick's Motorsport Electrics regulator/rectifier combo

• Headlight relay set-up by Eastern Beaver

• Lots of rewiring and rearranging to accommodate non-OEM parts

• Stock gauges with custom faces

Controls

• RSI Racing handlebars

• CB 1100F replica brake lever/master cylinder

• CRG Blindsight mirrors

• Core Moto stainless steel brake lines

Wheels and Suspension

• Wheels built by Godffery's Garage

• Front –

o Stock hub

o 18"Sun rim and S.S. spokes from Buchanan's

o Dual disc brake conversion by Godffery's Garage

o Continental Conti Go tire

• Forks –

o One inch under tubes with DLC coating

o Racetech Gold valve kit and fork springs

o Tarozzi fork brace and steering damper

o Custom fender mount by Godffery's garage and owner

o Lower triple clamp and preload adjusters by TTR 400

• Rear –

o Gazi Hyperlite shocks

o Wheel – Stock hub, 18" Sun Rim and S.S. spokes from Buchanan's

o Conti Go tire

o Supersprox sprocket

o Custom chain guard / license plate holder by Godffery's Garage

o Roller bearing swingarm pivot kit

o Tarozzi Rearsets

Frame – de-tabbed and smoothed. Top tube kit installed to allow top end work

without engine removal.

Any interesting challenges, unconfident, or mistakes?

The biggest challenge in assembly was tailoring the electrical system to fit and work with the new headlight. The one-off bracket between the fork brace and front fender was also an interesting challenge.

Tell us about the finish/logos/design?

The frame is a charcoal grey matte powdercoat. Exhaust system is ceramic coated. The paintscheme was inspired by the orange, black and white on the 1974

cb550 The colors are all 2013 car colors – Kia Techno orange metallic, Nissan Espresso black metallic (not actually black but a very dark brown) and Nissan

Aspen white pearl. Tank badges are OEM Honda . while side cover logos are from the 1980 cb750F silver model

Any unique features?

Perhaps not unique but features that I really like are the cb599 headlight,the fuel tank and tail modifications, the seat upholstery, the Diamond-like coating on fork tubes. The Yamaha Maxim front fender… I think the entire bike is rather unique

How would you describe your bike?
I like to think of it as a 2- wheeled street rod. I think the term Cafe racer is grossly overused.
How does the bike ride?
With the suspension upgrades, lighter weight and improved brakes, while not up to modern sportbike standards it is vastly improved over stock and is a joy to ride.
What will you do next? New projects?
Always looking for a new challenge