Custom Honda Street Cub

[floridaguy]

I saw Thaiwi's thread here on his Honda Super Cub purchase and loved the thread. As that thread is now about 4 years old, I thought I would start a new thread for any one interested in my own project with a Super Cub. I have not been able to get in touch with Thaiwi for any updates, and so I have had to source all new suppliers. I will update here on shop locations or Facebook/websites if anyone is interested.

 

I plan to do all the work myself if possible. Also, this will not be a show bike, so I don't expect perfection. I am fair with body work and paint, so will also give the first go myself. If not acceptable, I will take it in to a shop for a spray. I have no definite plans to upgrade the motor. Easy to drop a Wave 100 or 125cc motor in and change it in the green book, but will ride it for a few weeks after completion before I decide. 

 

I purchased this 1982 C70 last week in Bangkok with proper green book. Front brakes do not work. Motor starts great on the first kick, but there is a hesitation with spirited throttle in any gear, so most likely a fueling issue. It has the carb from a Wave 100 on it, so if I can't easily clean out the carb and tune it to fix the stutter, I will buy a new carb for the C70.

 

Took it home and in 5 hours had it stripped down to the frame. I left the motor in for now, but will pull it for an overhaul and paint. Here are pictures of day one:

 

Love that green fur on the side covers, it was also on the knee shield as well. No accounting for taste.

 

Wiring a mess, no battery. Nothing was connected except the ignition key.

 

Plug was dirty

 

 

A bit rusty, but running. Notice the frame number has been moved by the Dept. of Land Transport to the steering stem, and updated in the green book.

 

Ready for chopping, repairing, filling, sanding and painting

 

Most of this will be replaced with new parts

 

 

Edited July 10, 2018 by floridaguy

[floridaguy]

Day 2

 

Got the frame and parts sanded and ready for paint. It has rained every day in Bangkok for me, so this has caused a serious delay. I had hoped to have this project done in a week, but I have now lost a couple of days waiting for it to dry up so that I can paint. I was able to paint some of the bits and pieces on the bike, and fill and prime the frame. I hope tonight to start painting the frame with final color. 

 

 

Like Christmas in July! New parts! I love it. Forgot to order new spokes for me wheels, and undecided on whether to reuse the old front wheel. But at least no more fur on the plastic covers!

 

Will replace the exhaust, but for now, that rust is nothing a bit of sparks and elbow grease and paint can't fix.

 

Ready for paint

 

 Ready to chop the rear fender

 

Rear fender chopped, engine dropped, ready for fill and paint

 

 

[floridaguy]

Day 3

 

Stuck inside with the rain, so trying to mock up my rear wheels. I bought a 3.50x17 rear wheel and plan to put a 130 rear tire on. I widened out the end of the fender and judging by my measurements, I should be able to fit the 130 tire on without and further modifications to that, the shock mounts, or the swing arm. I am a bit concerned with the amount of clearance at the lower fender near the swing arm pivot. I can widen that out but will mock it up with the actual wheel and tire first. I shouldn't need to modify the front end, as I do not want a fat tire. Probably a 100 or 110. 

 

Had to apply a rust inhibitor and then body filler under the fender. The inner skin was a bit rusted, but the outer skin was in great condition, very little rust.

 

 

 

[VocalNeal]

The sky is almost the limit 

 

 

Lots of stuff out there. 

 

Mine before

 

 

[floridaguy]

I want to keep mine pretty simple, not alot of bling like you see on local customs.  Here are a couple of examples of what I am after, although I may keep the original handlebars.

 

 

[moe666]

enjoy

[VocalNeal]

I was more into motor than appearance but as one can, on the modern ones, mix and match plastic colours. Most of my stuff was just a whim.

 

I started with alloy forks which your model doesn't come with.

 

The upside down ones were for the same reason as you. Also the basket. Not available in Indonesia. 

Alloy rims are relatively easy. I couldn't find Battlax for the rear so was stuck with "local" . 

 

Mine was also the wife's grocery getter.

Edited July 10, 2018 by VocalNeal

[thaiguzzi]

Seen some of the Chinese (Rykuia - spelling? or Lifan?) copies in a local m/c shop selling all the Stallion/GPX stuff.

I have to say, what with 72 spoke wheels (stunning) and gorgeous pastel and two tone paintwork, leading link forks, etc, that they are a much better looker bike than the new Honda Cubs which are ridiculously expensive compared to a Dream, let alone a Wave.

RRP around 34k. Bargain if you ask me. And great looking.

[JonnyF]

Cool project, be interesting to see how it turns out. This one is brilliantly done. 

 

 

[floridaguy]

30 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Cool project, be interesting to see how it turns out. This one is brilliantly done. 

 

 

This is Thaiwi's bike from the original thread on this forum 4 years ago. I love this look, and it is what inspired me to go for a custom Cub. 

[ktm jeff]

1 hour ago, thaiguzzi said:

Seen some of the Chinese (Rykuia - spelling? or Lifan?) copies in a local m/c shop selling all the Stallion/GPX stuff.

I have to say, what with 72 spoke wheels (stunning) and gorgeous pastel and two tone paintwork, leading link forks, etc, that they are a much better looker bike than the new Honda Cubs which are ridiculously expensive compared to a Dream, let alone a Wave.

RRP around 34k. Bargain if you ask me. And great looking.

Agree. Ryuka Classic R is 34.9K and 110cc with those multi-spoke wheels and a two person seat with 2 baskets and a rear rack. The Lifan Vintage is 31K is similar but with 2 single seats and no baskets or rack. There is also a Classic Mini with smaller wheels.

[NormanW]

Great stuff thanks for sharing ???

[VocalNeal]

The early days.

 

 

Wondered why the exhaust header was larger than the port so I bought a die grinder and made a cupful of aluminium shavings. Kawasaki Kaze piston fits with a rebore. Local motorcycle shop told me that half way through looking at all small capacity bike pistons. 

 

When I eventually sourced a big valve head I discovered why the exhaust was bigger! 

 

Most large local rural markets have a motorbike accessory stall(s). I bought the big bore carburettor and manifold in the Star Plaza market behind Tesco in Rayong. 

 

Front forks and exhaust traveled to Indonesia with clubs, in a golf bag.

Edited July 12, 2018 by VocalNeal

[floridaguy]

Time to put her back together. 

 

Cleaned the oil screen, then popped the engine back on. Dropped the damn engine and frame on my hands twice! Hurts like a son of a bitch. 

I am now lost when it comes to the wiring. I bought a brand new wiring loom as the old wires were original and had many failures.

 

This was at 1:30 this morning after I gave up. Now, I have the wiring diagrams with proper color coding and will try to tackle the wiring again tonight. 

Edited July 12, 2018 by floridaguy

[VocalNeal]

The workshop looks familiar  

 

I graduated to the front bedroom and the company TV sideboard thingy worked well as a bike bench.  

[Denim]

Nothing radical for mine. Just de -stickered it , new sprockets ( smaller final/34 ) , new ..larger than normal tyres , two tone seat and a lot of elbow grease. Kept the basket as just too useful.

 

Edited July 12, 2018 by Denim

[thaiguzzi]

Can we stay on topic please. The Cubs are classic and timeless and can be turned into attractive little custom bikes.

 No disrespect intended but the bike above is just another Wave. Identical to the other 47 million Waves running around SE Asia. Sorry, Neil, yours included. Not classy at all, unlike a nicely done or stock Cub.