Titulo

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


5 comments

  1. Thank you for featuring our bike on your site, Here is a link to the full build pix: http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For up to date information on Godffery'S Garage, Here is a couple new links that have replaced my old web site:
      https://godfferysgarage.com/
      https://www.facebook.com/godfferysgarage/

      Delete
  2. Great build-up.Loved the work a lot. The garage owner looks experienced and creative as well. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete

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