kinda jonezing for a ninja500 cafe project bike

subxero · April 3rd, 2014, 12:11 PM

Could be a streetfigher café racer cross as well.
Been thinking this would be a super fun project bike and with all the possible swap mods that can be done, with gsxr front ends, shocks. ect... I feel like you could end up with a pretty bad ass looking bike in the end that performs fairly decent all at a decent cost given you put the time in.

Where is this idea flawed?

I figure I could get a decent ninja500 for around $1500 bucks maybe less if I shop around for one with some damage in areas I plan on dumping anyway

Ducati999 · April 3rd, 2014, 08:24 PM

The only thing I see as a low (not the best) is the Ninja 500s small aftermarket support. There are a few things available but not as much as some of the more "popular" models. Since you said you are planning on using parts from other bikes also this should not matter too much. Good luck and post lots of pics. My father has one of the 500s and the one big thing holding them back is a heavy fly wheel which slows how fast it can build RPMs. Find a nice lightened flywheel and you will have plenty of power to match you look!

jcgss77 · April 3rd, 2014, 09:21 PM

When I lived in PA, 500's popped up on Craigslist all the time in Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg. Hopefully that is not too far for you.

kdogg2077 · April 4th, 2014, 06:54 AM

Makes sense as a project. Fast enough for that style of bike and cheap too.

Wonder about replacing the headlights though. You'd have to find one you could wire in.

subxero · April 4th, 2014, 06:56 AM

easy peazy, getting brackets and mounts for things would most likely be the tricky part. I could probably make most my self to save some cash, but it needs to look good at the same time.

InvisiBill · April 4th, 2014, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati999

The only thing I see as a low (not the best) is the Ninja 500s small aftermarket support. There are a few things available but not as much as some of the more "popular" models.

This. I'm filling mine up with 250 parts...
<-------

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdogg2077

Wonder about replacing the headlights though. You'd have to find one you could wire in.

The stock headlight is a single high/low H4 bulb. Most of the 7" round headlights are a direct-plug replacement, and can be mounted to the forks with a generic kit.

ZeroG · April 4th, 2014, 07:17 PM

I'm doing a similar thing with my Ninja 600R right now (see build thread here). Be prepared to fab a lot of your own stuff and figure out how to do everything from scratch. Cafe'ing a non-traditional bike is a lot of fun, and it's been a great experience for me so far. It's definitely not for the feint of heart, though...

April 3rd, 2014, 12:11 PM	#1
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	kinda jonezing for a ninja500 cafe project bike Could be a streetfigher café racer cross as well. Been thinking this would be a super fun project bike and with all the possible swap mods that can be done, with gsxr front ends, shocks. ect... I feel like you could end up with a pretty bad ass looking bike in the end that performs fairly decent all at a decent cost given you put the time in. Where is this idea flawed? I figure I could get a decent ninja500 for around $1500 bucks maybe less if I shop around for one with some damage in areas I plan on dumping anyway __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

April 4th, 2014, 06:54 AM	#4
kdogg2077 ninjette.org sage Name: Alex Location: Ebensburg, PA Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Yamaha FZ07, Ninja 250r 2012 Limited Edition (Sold) Posts: 529	Makes sense as a project. Fast enough for that style of bike and cheap too. Wonder about replacing the headlights though. You'd have to find one you could wire in. __________________________________________________ "Take it easy driving. The life you might save might be mine."

April 4th, 2014, 06:56 AM	#5
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	easy peazy, getting brackets and mounts for things would most likely be the tricky part. I could probably make most my self to save some cash, but it needs to look good at the same time. __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

April 4th, 2014, 07:17 PM	#7
ZeroG ninjette.org member Name: Erik Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): '93 Ninja 600 (project) Posts: 53	I'm doing a similar thing with my Ninja 600R right now (see build thread here). Be prepared to fab a lot of your own stuff and figure out how to do everything from scratch. Cafe'ing a non-traditional bike is a lot of fun, and it's been a great experience for me so far. It's definitely not for the feint of heart, though... __________________________________________________ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

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April 3rd, 2014, 08:24 PM	#2
Ducati999 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ant Location: Wooster Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	The only thing I see as a low (not the best) is the Ninja 500s small aftermarket support. There are a few things available but not as much as some of the more "popular" models. Since you said you are planning on using parts from other bikes also this should not matter too much. Good luck and post lots of pics. My father has one of the 500s and the one big thing holding them back is a heavy fly wheel which slows how fast it can build RPMs. Find a nice lightened flywheel and you will have plenty of power to match you look!

April 3rd, 2014, 09:21 PM	#3
jcgss77 Its not a 250,its a Ninja Name: Shaun Location: Little Rock, AR Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): '11 CBR250R, '22 CFMOTO 300NK Posts: 278	When I lived in PA, 500's popped up on Craigslist all the time in Cumberland Valley and Harrisburg. Hopefully that is not too far for you.