RLHphoto's 1980 Honda CM400T build

For those who want some back story, here is the link to my introduction section.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=45339.0

So been working on the bike these last couple of weeks. Got a new battery and found out the headlights do work. Well, all but one of the front ones. Seems the housing is shot. So I said time to remove them, was going to happen at some point any way, and seems legally, they are not required in my state.

I also found in these last couple of weeks that my horn was bad too. So swung by my local shop, and scooped up one for $15. Yeah, it's chrome, but it works. Not really stressing it right now. Just have to get it to pass inspection.

So the side of the headlight on my bike that the turn signal didn't work was pretty busted up. Maybe it hit something or got laid down. Not sure which, but I know shit happens.



So removed the turn signals, and when trying to remove the headlight, I broke the tab to the housing. Not happy about it, but I plan on replacing it anyway. I am going to swing by Lowes or Home Depot tomorrow to find a temporary solution to fix the housing until my tax check comes in.



Seems the mount that goes on the fork on that side was also broken. For now, I threw some RTV on it until I can replace that as well.

So today I went out and picked up some thin aluminum that I think is meant for roofing. IDK, it was like $0.50 per a sheet, so I cut it out and made it in to sort of a sleeve of sorts to hold the headlight housing together.















Seems the housing was on upside down when I took the headlight off, so I flipped it around and got that fixed. This will work until I can get a proper replacement. Going to do one that changes me over from a sealed beam to a H4.

Also swung by my bike shop, seems my clutch case gasket is coming in from Japan, so I won't be able to do my clutch replacement until this weekend. Sucks but what ever. I have to do some research anyway.

I put a 6 and 1/4 inch H4 headlight from Dime City Cycle onto mine. It swapped right in, I just had to use a 35/35w bulb.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-lighting-parts-black-6-inch-headlight-66-64313.html

Yeah, that is the plan. Just needed to do something for now because riding at night is sketchy. I actually just had my check clear so I am about to put in my order along with an HID kit. Sticking with 5000k. I am a photographer so I favor something close to natural light.

So a little update. Couple of days ago, got my package from Dime City Cycles in with some parts for the bike. Now just have to wait until my clip ons come in and I'll knock it all out in one go.





Also, my gasket from my clutch cover finally came in, so it was time to knock out my clutch and clutch cable.

At first, everything was going smoothly.



Everything looked good in the casing, short of some clutch disk materal that had worn off over time. Would explain why my clutch was slipping so bad.



Sure enough, no material was left on the things.





So got her all re-assembled with the new discs



THEN tragity struck. My manual did not give a Ft/lbs of TQ to tighten the clutch bolts to. So figured just go until they started to feel a little snug, and SNAP





So tomorrow I am going by my friend's shop and he is going to remove the bolt for me and also find some new fresh bolts for me. Thank god for my import car routes, lol

More coming soon!

Did you get it fixed today?

Yep. My friend actually was able to spin the bolt out with a bit. Like didn't need a drill. Kind of felt dumb. But went over to Lowes after that, picked up 4 6X25 grade 8 bolts. Clutch feels much better and bike is like LEAPS and bounds better. Now just need to get my chain in and I can start riding it daily. I was just going to adjust my chain today, but it is way too far gone once I looked at the adjustment bolts and how little room I had.

Welcome to the site.
If you need to replace the chain, you probably need to replace both sprockets too. Check them and if they look worn or if you're not sure, you should replace them at the same time. Front sprocket is cheap, rear one is about $35.
Good luck.

tsbigdog said:

Welcome to the site.
If you need to replace the chain, you probably need to replace both sprockets too. Check them and if they look worn or if you're not sure, you should replace them at the same time. Front sprocket is cheap, rear one is about $35.
Good luck.

Click to expand...

Thanks. yeah, I ordered a kit offline. Figured better safe than sorry, just replace both sprockets along with the chain. Changing out the front to a 15 tooth from the stock 16, but keeping with a 35 tooth in the rear. They got shipped on Monday, so just waiting for the package in the mail.

So a package arrived in the mail today!



So time to put in work. Seeing as I had tried adjusting my previous chain, most of the bolts needed were pretty much loosened up already.



Old chain come off pretty easy, and was definitely on it's last legs.

Now when I got to my front sprocket, I found this




So spent about 15 minutes cleaning it the best I could. No need to let that gunk stay up in there.




Out with the old


In with the new

Tomorrow I am picking up a chain press tool to finish things up, then aligning and adjusting the rear tire, then, for the first time since I got the bike, I can safely take it out on the streets. Too bad it is suppose to rain all weekend.

So over the weekend my clip ons came in, so it was time to go to work today.




When these popped off it scared the shit out of me. I honestly did not know that they would pop up that much.


I did not install the fork covers today. I am going to save those for when I do some more work on the front end.



And the final product




After taking it for a spin, I like it quite a bit. I feel much more in tune with the motorcycle than before, but I can tell I will need some rear sets soon, or else my back is going to kill me, lol.

Did you have to buy a new clutch cable?

Actually no, my stock one fit pretty well. It has some extra on the underside, but no more than I had with my old handle bars. The only thing I am seeing I may need a new one of is throttle cables. I have a lot more line now, and the way I have it routed at the moment, it is a little more stiff than before, but still rideable.

when I installed put my clip-ons I found the same thing, the stock clutch and tach cable could be used with the "extra" cable eaten up with some creative routing, the throttle was another thing. One way or another I will be addressing it anyway with my new carbs and a splitter.

By the way RLH gonna add you to the big list so keep up the good work, if you had asked me to put in in th past and I didn't I apologize.

Suggestion now with the clip ons.

Can't remember if they just pound out, or I had to grind them off, but remove the studs from the Gauge bracket mount points. Remount from the bottom of the triple using longer bolts and a spacer between the top of the mount bracket and the bottom of the upper triple. Use a spacer sized to drop them as much as you want.

So funds have been tight last couple of months, still job hunting. However, I did get to make one modification. One of the previous owners cut the tab off of the kick stand. This had made it very inconvenient to use the kick stand since I got the bike. The other weekend, while at Rockingham, a Mustang had total failure (I mean kaboom, done, no more, it was an ex mustang). After they had left, I stumbled on what I believed to be it's alternator bolt. I looked at it, it was the perfect length. So today I went down to my friend's shop and we put in some work.





Sure, it isn't stock, but I am kind of digging the look of it honestly. It looks more hidden on my bike than the stock tab does.

So last we left off, this is what my CM looked like



So after riding on tires that were purchased lord knows when, figured it was time for some new rubber.



So time to do some work.





Figured while the wheels were off, time to repaint these ugly things.





And put it all back togeather



Later I needed to rebuild my front forks, and since I had some paint left over, figured let's paint some other parts, and remove my front fender.

Bawse

Seeing as I can't leave well enough alone, I picked up a 1983 CM450C to Frankenstein some stuff. The plan? Ride my Cm400t for now, as it runs with little issues. Pull the Cm450 motor, and rebuild it. Put it in the CM400t to enjoy, and then start working on the CM450 frame to get it the way I want, then swap everything back to the CM450. Right now, my 400 doesn't have a title, bu the 450 does.

A kind of somber update. Wednesday I crashed my Cm. Some kid pulled out in front of me and I didn't have time to stop. I was only going 20mph but it was enough to end the CM. Not mad about the bashed up hand or the broken ribs. More upset about my bike.









I just got her back running on sunday after the CDI box died and I also did a GM coil upgrade....