cm450 more of a project than a build

[strat]

your bike is looking better all the time! I wanted to thank you for the cm400 links a while back, they have kinda put a foot to my ass to get busy on mine! Ive had other shit to contend with and havent been around. thanks again.

[kodiak]

looks great so far! the CM's aren't exactly the ideal medium for this type of build but with a little creativity, they can turn out pretty damn nice. logged over 15k miles on mine since my build. Just keep at it and ask lots of questions. i knew nothing when i started and now have 2 beautiful bikes.... do a google search for videos on how to shorten your cables. i was a bit apprehensive at first, but it turned out to be pretty easy....

[rattpunk]

Thanks Strat, welcome back man    and no problem with the links. Gotta try to help when I can.  I totally feel you on not having enough time to work on the bike, I only get a couple hours most weeks to fuck around on it.


Kodiak - Thanks.  I think I've come to terms with the quirks of the cm/brokebacks. There is no way I'm gonna try all out cafe with this one.  I'm really just using it as a platform to learn how to work on and modify bikes in general.  Like you said, ask questions... I've got a wiring thread that's on hold while I follow up on the responses I got and read up on electronics     I've seen a ton of threads here on shortening your own cables, so I know I can do it.  I'm still getting over the "be safe have a pro do it" mentality most of my friends and family have always taken.  Switching gears to "Be safe and do it the right fucking way". 


Man, I'm itching to finally get my bike back on the road for a few hundred miles, wicked jealous.

[rattpunk]

Well not much to update.  Took the front end all apart and put it back in a lightly different configuration, twice. Think one more time and I'll have it just right.  Throttle cables under lamp.  One of the times I was playing around my wife came out and snapped a few pics for a series she's doing.

I'll probably post the rest in the member's art thread as a shameless plug for her and to brag about how awesome she  is    hahaha

anyway, pics





Now I've gotta need to drain and refill the forks, plus the 10psi for the air-assist.  The only working front suspension components at this point are two 30yo springs     And there's that short I've been trying to ignore...
Later,
T

[hossler]

the bike looks great! i like how you deleted the cluster, and just put a speedo..Im in the process of doin the same on mine, im also tryin to switch out the headlight at the same time. But the headlight i got is to small to hold all the wires, got any ideas on what to do with the wires or where to hide them?

[rattpunk]

Thanks man.


I'm a hack when it comes to wiring so, don't take what I say for granted...  Check out some wiring threads. 


My first thought is to suggest you rewire the bike.  Eventually that's what I'll be doing.  If you want to keep the front clean and simple that is really the only way to go.  Those massive plastic connectors are a huge pain.  I assume those are what you are having a hard time figuring out how to hide right?  One or two of them are just left flopping around after you get rid of the cluster, so once you pull the leftover wires back down the harness you might have enough room in the new light for what you need power to.

[hossler]

thats a thought, i really didnt want to rewire the entire bike, but after looking at yours. I might just keep the stock headlight. and just get different brackets that lower the light like you did
what do you plan on doing with the front fender?

[rattpunk]

For this bike, I'm leaving all the bodywork as it sits.  The PO apparently chopped about 2-3" off that front fender and I like the way it looks.  Serve's it's purpose.  Pretty much everything on here should serve a purpose, and I ride this all year round so need good fender coverage. 


If I could take this more bobber/brat than I am able to right now, I think I'd either just use the fork brace with the whole fender pulled off or cut it down shorter and slimmer, without that edging it has. 

[onetruepunk87]

Looking real good. That mini speedo looks awesome with the lowered headlight and clip ons. Really mean looking front end.

[rattpunk]

Yeah, the whole flow of the bike is more aggressive somehow.  Dropping the lamp and bars like that seem to work with the lines of the rear fender and the tank. 

I would like to make a better mount for the speedo and ignition.  It's kinda fun how high they sit up there with the choke.  All three just popping up, almost steampunk...  Still think I may try to rig them up a little lower and tighter now.

[rattpunk]

It was nice out,



so after an extended hiatus I got back to troubleshooting the tail light wiring issue.  I think it's a short but could actually just be a bad light unit.  I'm not entirely convinced the cheap Chinese thing on the back isn't actually the location of the short that keeps the light lit up.


Here we are is she sits and runs before I start gettin all up in there - I'm starting to really consider a new seat. Wonder if a Biltwell banana would fit her curves... 



Gotta get the wires all out and exposed and drain the tank so I can remove it and track the wires down the back



Shop dog guarding my jacket and drink, he thinks the tie makes him look official.



Ready for some invasive diagnostics



and then I had to get back to all the other things in life... So just stored everything away - nice way to spend a morning though

[rattpunk]

So, had to do a little storm prep


Have a hurricane but no garage?  Tarp and a rope.





See ya in the spring guys.
Tyler