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CX Customization and Modifications
Started by Natrik at 08-04-2008 11:02 AM. Topic has 18 replies.
  
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 08-04-2008, 11:02 AM
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Natrik
 
Joined on 04-17-2008
Eugene, Oregon
Posts 273
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Sooooooo... I finally did it. I've got my sanity back, and here are
some pics. I was really lousy about taking good pics with this one, and
I kept changing things to make it work so it was hard to keep up with
myself.
I used Charles' design, so I'm going to save some time
and tell you to look at his page on forward controls. I had to make
mine a little different, though, because I still have my H-box and heat
shield. Just two extra bends in the arm I used for the shifter. I
loaded up on old sport bike shifter parts from Cyclepsycho. I think I
used five of those ball joints on the shifter side alone. I tried an
idea to use less joints but it didn't work at all.
Charles
said it took him several months of trial and error, and it took me well
over a month to copy his design. This is by far the trickiest
fabrication project I've taken on. Very frustrating.
Anyhow, look at the pics and ask me questions. Hopefully I can make it easier for the next fellow who tries it....
I
cut off the ends of my highway bars (see the "Highyway bars" thread),
welded bolts to heavy washers, then welded the washers to the bar ends.
I screwed on sport bike pegs with shafts that allowed the shifter and brake pedals to pivot.
Mock-up of shifter parts.
Parts welded together.
Lousy close up of the shifter arm. Charles has a better one of his.
After
my first test ride I decided to make it a heel-toe shifter. It is a
little stiffer than the stock shifter and I didn't want a bruise on my
big toe (I'm a real badass, can you tell?  )
Modified brake pedal
Final parts painted.
Finished shifter.
Finished brake.
Entire shifter.
Entire brake.
So
that's it for now. I'm going to re-do the brake inkage and make it from
hollow tubing like Charles', mine flexes a little and I can't get full
braking power out of it. The shifter works great.
After doing
this, I realize why those two German websites want $500 and $600+ for
their setups. Almost worth it if you had the means...... 
If it wasn't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.....
1980 CX500 Custom, Hondian (found someone new)
2005 Honda VTX 1800 Retro, customization in progress
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08-04-2008, 11:10 AM
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Natrik
Joined on 04-17-2008
Eugene, Oregon
Posts 273
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 Blindstitch2002 wrote: | Pretty sweet looking set up. Any chance you remember how much the total parts cost.
I
think I'm pretty sure if the german site is getting $600 you could mass
produce these for sale for $300 and im sure people would buy them. How
much time did they take to make.
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I wouldn't think I could get that much out of my setup, only because they don't look professionally done. The $600 setups are machined and engineered for production, and look amazing. Mine look like they are handmade.
I wish I would have kept a running tally for parts. I had to buy some things several times until I got the design right.
I think if I was to make another set it would take me 2-3 days to make (if I had everything sitting in front of me and nothing else to do).
I'm going to brainstorm something, and would like feedback. Look for a post from me in the buying/selling forum......
If it wasn't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.....
1980 CX500 Custom, Hondian (found someone new)
2005 Honda VTX 1800 Retro, customization in progress
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08-04-2008, 2:12 PM
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I'm going to GL
Joined on 07-16-2008
Chicagoland, IL
Posts 479
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Wow, nice job! I think you're onto something here.
I was thinking of doing my own rear sets but pondered the thought of welding a piece onto the original shift lever like you did.
At first glance, I figured the shift and brake levers were some type of high quality cast metal (am I wrong about this?)- something I would not try to weld as I lack the experince/skills to weld cast materials. What did you weld with and what is the type of material you added?
Thanks
1982 GL500 "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - Hunter S. Thompson
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08-04-2008, 11:22 PM
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Natrik
Joined on 04-17-2008
Eugene, Oregon
Posts 273
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Everything is steel, except the brake lever which is aluminum. I did everything with my Harbor Freight wire feed welder. I removed the original shift lever completely, everything on the shifter side is fabricated.
If it wasn't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.....
1980 CX500 Custom, Hondian (found someone new)
2005 Honda VTX 1800 Retro, customization in progress
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08-05-2008, 7:18 AM
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I'm going to GL
Joined on 07-16-2008
Chicagoland, IL
Posts 479
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Sorry, I had missed the comment with 7th picture showing the modified stub of the original brake lever.
If it's not too much of a bother, would you mind a little more detail
on the shift lever attachment mods? And maybe (pretty please) a close
up pic?
I think this is the part that will be
giving me the the most grief when making my own rear sets. (Please note, I understand if you wish to keep these details to yourself, you certainly deserve the opportunity to make a return on your investment).
Thanks for taking the time to post the pictorial by the way, very helpful to many I'm sure!
1982 GL500 "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" - Hunter S. Thompson
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08-05-2008, 6:25 PM
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BearCX
Joined on 03-11-2008
Roseworthy, Sth Aust
Posts 525
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Good one Natrik. Inspiring stuff, well done.
If you're still in control...You're not going fast enough.
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11-26-2008, 4:03 PM
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billyshounds
Joined on 08-04-2008
tiffin ohio
Posts 37
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how wel did these work for you this year?
1980 cx 500 custom
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08-06-2009, 8:04 AM
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ChopperCharles
Joined on 02-18-2006
Chapel Hill, NC
Posts 613
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Natrik, glad you got some ideas from my chopper project. Your controls turned out nicely.
Charles.
87 TW200 (STOLEN! Help me find it!)
93 EX500 Ninja Street Fighter Project
84 V65 Magna (daily rider)
75 GL1000 (in pieces)
79 CX500 Deluxe Street Fighter Project
81 GL500 Interstate Restoration Project
Location: Durham, NC
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08-06-2009, 2:34 PM
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PWG in Lowgap NC
Joined on 01-07-2008
Minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway
Posts 2,372
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Well done. My hat is off to you. Wait, I don't wear a hat.
06 Suzuki S50 daily ride
CX500c
Honda Magna BC
age 72
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08-06-2009, 5:40 PM
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jayhanig
Joined on 08-23-2008
Topsail Beach, NC USA
Posts 927
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Well, I'm impressed. That looks like a ton of work though.
On the off chance I win the Powerball, what are the URLs to those German sites?
Jay
82 GL500 Silverwing (naked)
Age 55
Dress for the slide.... not for the ride.
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08-06-2009, 6:48 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,838
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From memory I think Natrik bought a Shadow and sold the Cx to someone.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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08-06-2009, 7:18 PM
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Natrik
Joined on 04-17-2008
Eugene, Oregon
Posts 273
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Wow! looks like I still get some email notifications once in a while 
Thanks for the kudos. The forward controls turned out very nicely. Using hollow tubing was the key change for the brake pedal, there wasn't any flex and I had full braking control.
Unfortunately, Blindstitch is right, I did sell my CX last November to buy my fiance's ring. I bought a VTX1800R to keep myself sane, and while I love it almost as much as my soon-to-be wife, there was nothing as rewarding as building my CX into what it was. I can't wait to get my hands on my next project, and more than likely it'll be another CX. I'm building a CB750 bobber for my sister right now, and the only reason it's not a CX is because I couldn't find one locally when she wanted me to start the project....
<BR/>
<BR/>
If it wasn't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.....
1980 CX500 Custom, Hondian (found someone new)
2005 Honda VTX 1800 Retro, customization in progress
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08-06-2009, 7:25 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,838
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Nice.
Odd enough it looks exactly like the CX. Only more refined.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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08-23-2009, 3:44 PM
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tiny1400
Joined on 08-24-2009
Posts 1
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Re: Forward Controls were to mount
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hi great job on the forward controls trying to do the same but dont know were u mounted them to if u could let me know would be realy thanks
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08-23-2009, 5:07 PM
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Spacetiger
Joined on 05-16-2009
Chantilly, VA
Posts 1,353
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Re: Forward Controls were to mount
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Natrik,
Very nice. I like to see these kinds of projects.
I can't wait to see what you come up with over the winter when you have a lot more time.
Jerry
90 PC 800 (commuting steed)
82 GL500I (50+mpg, great bike)
66 BMW R 50/2 (No brakes/HP)
80 CX500C (Loved this bike)
74 CB360 (Fun; but too small)
79 CX500D (40,000+ mi in 3 years)
76 CB550 (step up from 200cc)
74 KZ200 (1st bike!)
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10-27-2009, 7:31 AM
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Joel
Joined on 08-13-2009
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts 621
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Re: Forward Controls were to mount
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Natrik, if you still receive post notifications I would like to talk with you about your forward controls. You did a great job with them.
Joel
Grand Rapids Michigan
1971 Yamaha 360
1977 Xr75
1973 Cl350
1980 cx500 custom
1983 gl650i
1969 Norton Commando Fastback 750 project (x2)
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10-27-2009, 5:49 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,838
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Re: Forward Controls were to mount
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Natrik still checks in from time to time especially when his threads pop up so he should be out there riding.
1979 CX500 Supertanker
ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier.
Quick Reference
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Report
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10-27-2009, 7:05 PM
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Natrik
Joined on 04-17-2008
Eugene, Oregon
Posts 273
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Re: Forward Controls were to mount
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Yes! I do. I'd be happy to help out however I can. I think you sent me a PM so I'll respond with my email and phone...
I'm working on opening my bike shop here in Eugene by spring, so if anyone is in Oregon and needs custom or repair work done, let me know and I'll cut a "Chopper Charles Forum" deal..... 
If it wasn't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.....
1980 CX500 Custom, Hondian (found someone new)
2005 Honda VTX 1800 Retro, customization in progress
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » CX Customizatio... » Forward Controls
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