Frame hoop & battery relocation install for your Cafe Racer
Our donor bike is a Honda CB350F that we are making into a Cafe Racer with a solo Ducati SS type seat. When opening up the center of the bike, you have to relocate all your electrics and of course the battery. We solved this issue by using a dry cell battery that can be mounted in any position. Then we can hide it up under the tail section with the battery laying flat. Most people just hack off the ends of the frame or just leave it alone. We like to finish off the ends of the frame with a hoop that follows the curve of the solo seat, it is not structural it is more for looks and to finish off the frame nicely.
Check out the pictures below to follow along with the install.
Stock frame with the seat hinges, latch and frame ends cut off.
7/8″ hoop bent with seat tabs and gussets
Prep frame ends for hoop install
Weld Hoop to frame
Bend brackets to support the battery
After all is welded, clean up the welds and frame.
Finished product
NOTE: We used 1/4″ angle for the battery base and welded it on. Mock up battery where it will go under the seat hump to make sure you will have battery and tire clearance when the seat is installed. We use factory OEM Honda battery straps too.
With final seat cowl fitted.
Now just weld in the seat tabs to the frame to bolt your seat down
Special thanks to:
Lincoln Electrics for the best welders
Woodward Fabrication for their metal forming and shaping tools
Install and parts supplied by Lossa Engineering