Last summer I bought my first bike, a 1980 CB400T. My wife had been driving scooter for a couple years and she really wanted me to join in on the fun. I was into the idea but it was after I really started looking at café racers that I became sold. I’m into vintage anything, I need to stay busy with projects, and of course, I wanted to try riding.
So I found a 1980 CB400T with under 5,000 miles. Last summer was about fixing it up and laying plans for my café…needless to say I’ve learned a lot so far. The first thing I realized was that this sub-5,000 miler was not fresh off the showroom floor as I convinced myself it was. Second, it was not going to be a bolt-on café conversion. Rude awakening.
After seriously, seriously considering eating my losses and getting something else, I decided to stick with it. That brings us to today and this thread. The beginning of my build. I have appreciated all the detailed threads on this forum and I hope my thread can help someone else.
First up: new tank, new seat, new wheels, new tires. The need for tires and wheels is mechanical and unfortunately not going to be cosmetic.
Without further ado, I bring you my fugly CB400T. Looking forward to your feedback and suggestions along the way.
AJP
So I found a 1980 CB400T with under 5,000 miles. Last summer was about fixing it up and laying plans for my café…needless to say I’ve learned a lot so far. The first thing I realized was that this sub-5,000 miler was not fresh off the showroom floor as I convinced myself it was. Second, it was not going to be a bolt-on café conversion. Rude awakening.
After seriously, seriously considering eating my losses and getting something else, I decided to stick with it. That brings us to today and this thread. The beginning of my build. I have appreciated all the detailed threads on this forum and I hope my thread can help someone else.
First up: new tank, new seat, new wheels, new tires. The need for tires and wheels is mechanical and unfortunately not going to be cosmetic.
Without further ado, I bring you my fugly CB400T. Looking forward to your feedback and suggestions along the way.
AJP