noble
New Member
So, this all started a while after my stepfather had bought a parts bike for his cm400a. When he got it most of it was already torn apart, and since his had been sitting in a barn for probably 15+ years, it was in rideable, but rough shape. Of course all of the good parts from the other bike got put on his. So, there's this pile of stuff layin around which looks like it could very well be a motorcycle (almost like those posters that you have to let your eyes go out of focus to actually see the image).
This is where I get the brilliant idea "I'm gonna build something outta this heap". Then later on I see a pic of a cafe racer come up on my instagram feed. Light bulb moment. Now my research has led me to this forum.
What I've done so far is completely disassemble down to the frame, shorten and painted both fenders, stripped the paint off and polish the top fork clamp, cut the fork lock off and repaint the lower fork clamp and primered the swing arm. I have a new steering bearing kit to be installed. The engine that came with the bike is "being rebuilt" for my step father's bike. I didn't want a hondamatic cafe anyways, so i found a donor engine on kijiji, from what i can tell, it's out of a 78 cb400t. Came complete with carbs, I also got a replacement signal/headlight/horn switch, clutch lever assembly, speedo and tach with it, all for 250$.
My list of to do's are: build a bike stand so I'm not working on the floor, de-tab and paint frame, paint swing arm and wheels, new rear shocks, clip-ons, rear sets, all new lights, shave the seat foam, seal and paint fuel tank, relocate battery and 'fuse box', plus any hiccup along the way.
My first goal is to get it back on the road as soon as possible, the upgrade from there as funds/time comes along. I will get some pics up as soon as I can, I only have a few so far, but hoping to get some time on it here soon. Any input/opinions are greatly appreciated, I've been using instagram a lot lately for inspiration.
This is where I get the brilliant idea "I'm gonna build something outta this heap". Then later on I see a pic of a cafe racer come up on my instagram feed. Light bulb moment. Now my research has led me to this forum.
What I've done so far is completely disassemble down to the frame, shorten and painted both fenders, stripped the paint off and polish the top fork clamp, cut the fork lock off and repaint the lower fork clamp and primered the swing arm. I have a new steering bearing kit to be installed. The engine that came with the bike is "being rebuilt" for my step father's bike. I didn't want a hondamatic cafe anyways, so i found a donor engine on kijiji, from what i can tell, it's out of a 78 cb400t. Came complete with carbs, I also got a replacement signal/headlight/horn switch, clutch lever assembly, speedo and tach with it, all for 250$.
My list of to do's are: build a bike stand so I'm not working on the floor, de-tab and paint frame, paint swing arm and wheels, new rear shocks, clip-ons, rear sets, all new lights, shave the seat foam, seal and paint fuel tank, relocate battery and 'fuse box', plus any hiccup along the way.
My first goal is to get it back on the road as soon as possible, the upgrade from there as funds/time comes along. I will get some pics up as soon as I can, I only have a few so far, but hoping to get some time on it here soon. Any input/opinions are greatly appreciated, I've been using instagram a lot lately for inspiration.
