Well, diving into a conversion on a 98 Sprint Sport using a kit from Ian at CRK. I've owned the Sprint for 3 years and it is a great bike. Only 13k miles, and was taken pretty good care of. I've since put some money into getting brakes fixed, starter, few other odds and ends, but was never crazy about all the clunky fairing and plastic, and didn't find it particular comfortable for really long rides. I picked up a 2008 Tiger 1050 for touring, and the Sprint felt a little redundant. So instead of trying to sell it (nearly impossible here) for maybe 1500 US, I figured I'd do a Cafe Racer conversion, and discover Ian's kits. I have very little experience working on bikes (or cars), so it also felt like a good opportunity to learn my way around the motorcycle, given that I don't have to do any major work to the engine, transmission, etc., and feel confident I can figure out the conversion. Little nervous about the wiring, but I picked up a Trident instrument cluster, which should make it a little easier. And I'll just take it nice and slow. Here are some pics of the original bike and where she's at in the strip down:
Welcome to the club !!! It is a very rewarding experience and one that no doubt you will love. Dont worry I had never done anything like it before either - there will be mistakes and head scratchy moments but that just adds to the fun. Search Facebook for "CRK Owners Club" - I started a group for everyone that has been through the process - lots of help and inspiration on there!
Thanks for your message! I read your entire thread before making my CRK purchase, it was very helpful! Beautiful work and color scheme!
So glad I could help - and welcome to the group. Keep us updated with you progress and lean on us when you need to !
Thank you, I am sure the group will be a resource, and I have also joined the FB group. I have actually run into my first minor-but frustrating-hurdle in that I am having a terrible time trying to remove the two footrest assemblies. On my model at least, the inside bolt on the bottom of the assembly has very little room around it, and I need to secure that in place while loosing the outside bolt, and so far, have not been able to with any of my various wrenches. I will get it figured out though!
Yeah, not so complicated after all, just need to pick up a 12mm wrench. Just need to drain and remove the rear brake assembly and I'm done with the strip down! Now to wait for the kit, and do some cleaning in the meantime! I will not be removing the engine to repaint, and the original powder coat is in pretty good shape. Anybody have any recommendations for a good cleaner/polish for the powder coat?
Now I have run into a dilemma on the last part of the strip down that I am hoping someone can help with: removing the rear brake master cylinder. Neither the CRK manual nor the Hinkley manual have very detailed description. I have drained the reservoir, disconnected the hose, etc., but I cant figure out how to detach the master cylinder from the hose that leads to the rear brake. Am I supposed to simply unscrew the brake light switch as if it were a large bolt? I have tried a little but it is virtually unmovable, and I don't want to damage the unit. Any guidance would be much appreciated!
Finally got the brake master cylinder off. Just needed a little more elbow grease. Now to wait for the kit. And clean stuff.
I'll post some pics this afternoon. I enjoyed the whole strip down process much more than I expected.
Here is where its at now. Planning to get the pipes ceramic coated...the D&D slip ons sound great. Will also probably have the powder coat on both wheels redone, and clean up/delglaze the brake rotors. Other than than that, waiting for the goods to arrive before I cut the frame and get started on the wiring.
And I wonder how tough it would be to shorten the exhaust pipes a little...hope those giant cans don't look funky on the trimmed down bike.
Here's a better view of the bike as I've ridden it for the past couple of years (and of the length and size of the pipes and slip ons). Beautiful as is, but no way near as comfortable as my Tiger 1050 for long rides. The idea of trimming so much weight off with the conversion, plus the fun of the project, and the desire to have a cafe racer-ish bike for zipping around town convinced me to go the CRK route.
