I rode my CBR around my schools parking lot once today and quite a few times yesterday (was the first time since the fall I had it running since I've been painting the tank and doing a few other small things to it), I can't wait to get my license and start riding on the street, have to wait for an MSF though! I'll have to get a picture of it as it sits, but I have an old picture of how it was when I got it...
(EDIT: forgot the one in the pic isn't the actual bike. If it's not in that nice of shape, then disregard this comment lol) First of all... don't kill that poor bike by making it into a cafe. It's too nice to do that do. Generally cafes are ones that aren't in that good of condition. Up to you though. Just do not go on a yamaha forum and show before and after pics, they will more than likely hunt you down...
secondly: get your permit. It's good for two years and only costs 60-70. I got my permit, applied for my license two weeks later and then two weeks after that, had test and passed. You're going to be wanting to apply for either the MSF course or permit course right now though before everyone else calls and books it. Either that, or you won't be riding this year. They will be booked solid all summer long. They generally are, but with gas prices, I can guarantee that they will be even more so.
Third: building a cafe isn't that hard. If you want to do the inverted forks and and clipons, then you need to find out what fits with your original head bearings. If nothing, then you will have some work on your hands. Look on the forums. People will have the info for you. I'm into Suzukis and the forum for older ones (thegsresources.com) is f'n amazing. Those guys know every single bit of info and I'm sure Yamaha has one like it. The rear isn't that hard. It's really all about what you're able to do. Take the seat off, cut the frame back to near the shocks. fab up some sort of fender with lights and a seat pan. Maybe replace the sidecovers with some sheet metal to give it a more industrial look instead of the plastic ones. Cut and replace megaphone style muffler with something else you like (don't straight pipe it... it sounds stupid and will require rejetting) and then the front end. Don't forget that replacing the tree and everything up front will require re-wiring a new switch and gauges if you want or don't want them and getting rid of all of the extra stuff that you don't want/need up there. And of course painting. Maybe new pegs and tires. Then you're styling. It's all about what you want it to look like and how much time you have to get it looking that way.
I only paid 3500 for my 10r....
what did you run at epping? I went once last fall for the first time and my best was a 10.55 at 145mph
Rode pretty much all afternoon today, boy was it nice out!
Well I paid less than half of what you did. Also my bike is a LOT underpowered compared to yours, and only a 5 speed, not 6 and I was still really new to riding so needless to say, I didn't get anywhere near that. I am still a relative newbe to riding. I have been riding for about 5 years now. That was actually like 3 years ago. I got 12.2 at 113. The bike (completely stock, not even lowered) can only get mid 120s that way but the time could have done another full second off easy with more experience. Geared lower and once I get the jet kit and cam, strapped front and lowered rear, (and a couple more trips to the drags since that was my first and only time) I should be able to get it around 130 in the mid 10s. But.. that is all dependent upon actually getting out there and getting more passes under my belt. I am still yet to actually pull a burnout with it. I am rather short legged so I might be putting too much pressure on the seat and not just giving it hell like I should. I've only tried once actually.
