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I've been looking around CL and Ebay and such and CB's are EXPENSIVE! Like really expensive. So I started looking for other models around the same time period. I found a 1981 CM400c around where I live for under $800. According to the owner, it runs and he has a title. It needs the carbs synced and there is a leak in the exhaust where the pipe connects to the muffler. It has clubman bars (or at least they look like clubmans) on already. Everything else looks stock. My question is, Is it worth turning it into something like a cafe racer, or should it be turned into something like a street tracker or should I just walk away and look for a CB that has the higher frame and such? I've attached a picture of it below. Let me know what you think! Thanks guys!
I personally think the seat is hideous and if I do get it, it will be the first aesthetic thing to be replaced.
Because the rear of the CM400 doesn't have a flat frame it's harder to get the classic cafe look out of them but it isn't impossible. It all depends on how much you put into it. A lot of "bolt on" pieces won't fit right but that also lends itself to unique, one of a kind bikes. You might have to get creative and fabricate stuff yourself but there have been several great looking bikes made out of CM400'S.
Here's what I did with my CM400T:
Check out this link for several other CM400 builds: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=26184.0
With enough money anything is possible. I picked up a CM400t for $450. Ran alright, but needed a battery, clutch, and new headlight. I am fixing to redo the wiring harness, but the one you posted looks to be in AMAZING condition.
I love the bike so far. And the CM400 is DUMB reliable. All the research I've done, time and time again people have talked about how if they had the problems they did with another engine as they found on their CM, the motor would have been toast, but the CM's motor was resilient and easy to fix. I've found it to be a simple machine to work on in general.
I only have maybe another $300 invensted in my bike thus far (mostly repairs from years of siting and new tires) but I went from this
to this
And with inspirations like Junior Burrell's CM400, why not?
I was going to suggest checking out Junior's build as well, definitely motivational. There are a few people on here doing cafes out of CMs. It takes some creative thinking to get "Over the hump" of the frame, but it can be done.
I was going to suggest checking out Junior's build as well, definitely motivational. There are a few people on here doing cafes out of CMs. It takes some creative thinking to get "Over the hump" of the frame, but it can be done.
thanks guys, obviously i dig these bikes and its mainly due to the motor and the fact they're frowned upon. Do you have any fab skills? here is a more current pic,fyi i extended the swingarm 3" and it handles really well now.
Thank you. These are not pretty bikes to begin with, but once you lower the bars and drop the gauges, it starts looking better. Then start hacking on the rear fender and take a turkey carver to the seat foam and you're getting close. Mr. Punk has done a nice job of making a good looking machine without going overboard on the modifications. Just remember the bike in that first photo looked similar to the below from the factory. It is up to the owner how crazy you want to make it.
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