1978 Honda CB400T Hawk: What should I do with it?!

[calebacm]

I've posted a topic or two about some bikes that I've been thinking about getting. Well the thinking is over and now I have a 1978 Honda Hawk. So my question is, what should I do with it? I've been a real fan of the cafe style and look for quite some time and I would like to proceed in that direction. I don't know where to start though. I want to keep the stock seat or get a long flat seat (like a CB350's) so that my lady friend (aka my fiance) can ride with me when she wants to. But I would like to put lower handle bars and change out the gauges for some sleeker ones and probably redo the paint and replace most of the lighting. I've seen the post with the 50+ cb400t/cm400 builds and those all look great, I just need to know where to start.


A little bit about the bike. As it sits now, it is completely stock. Less than 8,000 miles on it as well. The only work it needs is a new choke cable and a good tune up because its been sitting for a year. It starts right up though and sounds great! I'm a little hesitant to start thinking about cutting the frame for a hoop and putting knee dents in the tank because it is an all stock bike.
So any suggestions on where to start my build would be awesome. I'm not remotely wealthy and will have to buy the parts as the money comes in, so if there's a "list" of parts that I should buy first, that would be great too.

Here are some pictures!

 

[TripleKing]

I did this with my 79 Hawk I


Before:



After:

 

[Maritime]

I rode one of these fro 3 seasons and even did 2-up 400 mile trips a couple times. It was my only bike for a while so I didn't want to loose the 2up etc. so I made a second seat and used a set of factory latches and could swap a cafe seat on and the 2 up seat. I put a tailight on each seat as well with a dissconect so I could ditch the HUGE honda one. put smaller signals, lower bars and Avon tyres and the thig was great. Your's looks to be in good shape too,

Cheers.

 

[calebacm]

Nice! I've decided that I'm going to use superbike bars and repaint the gas tank a side covers first. I like the 400 badges the you used.

 

[TripleKing]

I found the chrome numbers by accident while I was at an Advance Auto store buying miscellaneous parts and oil. They were about $1.50 each and have an adhesive backing. The paint is Chrysler Plum Crazy Purple which I sprayed myself using a Husky HVLP gun.

 

[calebacm]

That's cool, it looks good.

Maritime, that's a good idea. I might be borrowing that from you. Thanks guys!

 

[TripleKing]

I would be interested in finding a flat seat pan.

 

[calebacm]

There is a company the sells modified seat pans with cafe-ish looking seats on ebay. They're expensive though, like almost $325 after shipping. Search "CB400t cafe seat" and they're on the first page somewhere

 

[calebacm]

Also, what turn signals did you use on the back of yours?

 

[TripleKing]

I have seen those Vietnam seats. I would rather have a pan and let a local shop do the work.


I used black and amber mini-ovals from DCC. Have them on the front now too

 

[calebacm]

I agree completely, I don't feel comfortable paying that much for something so far away.

And cool, they look good. I'm debating between something like those or small circles like the bullet ones

 

[TripleKing]

If you want to keep the front running lights you need dual filament lights.

 

[calebacm]

Got it.

I will be ordering parts soon. I'll post pictures of the bike as I work on it