A few years ago I built my Cafe' bike - it has been a lot of fun and I love it.  Although the small seat and forward lean does get a bit uncomfortable after an hour or two in the saddle - I can ride all day long with some stops along the way.  The thread for this bike build was unfortunately made pretty useless when TinyPic went out of business, and all photos were lost.  I will gradually repair that thread as best I can.

This is how the bike looks now - I have about 12,000 miles on it!

This is what I have to start with.  The Savage is a theft recovery and has a salvage title.  When I bought it the fuel tank, key and a number of parts were missing - but I did get 2 engines!  The bike had been sitting outside but was not in too bad of shape.

In this photo I have already installed the Intruder rear shocks.  The seat is from a 1980 Honda CB125, the fuel tank is the same one I used on the Cafe' bike and is from a Suzuki GT380/550.  The front wheel is an 18" from my Cafe' bike - I am not exactly sure what wheels I will end up with - I may end up using the cast wheels so I can run tubeless tires.  I would like to be able to run the Michelin Commander tires so I can get a lot of mileage before I wear them out.  (I have had 3 sets of tires on the Cafe' bike in 12,000 miles).

Thanks Dave. The old posts are really hard to follow without the pics.

I’m very much looking forward to this build.

Very cool Dave , it’s great seeing a senior citizen whoops I meant senior member doing a build. Are you lowering the front end ? Changing foot peg location ? eBay has a array of aluminum tanks made in India for BSA Triumph, Royal Enfield , etc.  Not so sure about Thumpin Standard tho , maybe the SDS , the Super Dave Standard.

Ruttly:

Yep, the front end will get lowered.  I already have the top clamp that allows the fork tubes to be raised.  I do have to drill the holes for the handlebar mounts - I need to get the top clamp mounted and the handlebars I want to use.....so I know where to drill the holes for the mounts.  I am not sure yet if I am going to taper the holes to allow them to be mounted in rubber grommets like the stock handlebars.

I am going to use the GT550 tank.....it provides about 160 miles of range before reserve and 20 miles after that.

The footpegs will be up in the area near the middle of the engine.  I am not sure yet the method I am going to use to make the mounts.

I don't like the "Title" of this thread either.  My Cafe' bike was "Thumpin Special", and that fits as I even used a "650 Special" emblem from a Yamaha XS650 on the body side panels.  Since this bike is going to be in a more standard layout I thought to use that "STANDARD" term.....a previous member called his bike "Retro Standard".  So......Retro Thumper sounds better.  

Lancer:

My goal is to make a comfortable bike on this project.  My Cafe' and your Rex are fun bikes - but if I am going to try and cover 500 or more miles a day on a multi day ride and haul luggage - I need something different.  There is a group of fellows I ride with up here that has several guys who are in their 80's and they are still riding - and this may be the bike that allows me to do that.

The Savage engine is nice and smooth and relaxed in the 3,000 - 4,000 rpm range, and that is 50 - 70 mph in 5th gear with the double Kawasaki pulley conversion.  That is just perfect for cruising down the rural roads or local highways......and if necessary it will be able to get on the interstate.  When I go down to MM's house I can go all back roads and have an enjoyable and scenic ride and travel for 9 hours - but 100 miles on I-75 from my house to Mount Vernon, KY can take 2 hours off the travel time.  If I take a lot of interstate I can be there in 6 hours.....I do that route in my car or when I am in a hurry.  

Right now I’m changing rear fender, seat, risers and bars in search of the Illusive Upright Seated Position, widely known as “IUSP”.

Fifth gear is not enough of a jump in gear ratio, that is a really high on my list, too.