CM400T Cafe >FINISHED!

[Ziggy]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Hey Frank, looking great so far! Any more details on the battery box? Perhaps a side shot to see how far the battery sinks into your mid-frame? I'm planning a battery pan in the same location as you, and was wondering how you layed yours out

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Ziggy, When I initially relocated my battery I used the orginal Steel Battery holder slightly modified and turned in the frame, but also used a slghtly smaller battery (CB7L-B). I would have prefered to have it in the seat Bump/Stop, but the way I made my seat (attaches to stock points) therejust wasn't room. On page 2 are some pics of the modified old battery holder. The alluminum Tray/Box will be slightly higher and closer to the rear tire in the frame. Page 4 has a pic of howI layed out the components. On Final assembly I will claen up wiring a routing of wires.

 

[49erRider]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Any update to this?

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Any update to this?

Thanks for asking.....I got a little distracted with another build I am starting on a CB750 but have been making progress on Frankenfe. I finally finished the frame modifications, so it is ready for powdercoat. Seat and Tank are with my painter but to keep my costs down he works on it between other jobs so progress has been slow. In the next few weeks I hope to have something to photo & Post.

 

[49erRider]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Cool, what filters did you go with? And did you have to do anything else to the carbs to get it to run well. I've always heard POD filters and CM400's don't mix well.

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

I am running pods with baffled straight pipes. It seemed to run fine, but I didn't have it tagged so i haven't really put it through it's paces, only a few bonzai runs through the neighborhood.

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

IT LIVES..... or at least I have made more progress.
Frame is powdercoated Dark Metalic Grey. Put alot back together including the Suzuki T500 Helper Springs on the Forks Powder Coated Black, Powder Coated Black Springs on the '81 CB750F Rear Shocks.

I think The Filler Panels on the side came out pretty good. I can't wait to get the Tins Painted, they will be Gloss Black with a Metalic Grey Stripe down the middle to match the frame.

Also got the reworked alloy Upper Triple on.

I have started a new Build as well on a 74 CB750, for those of you interested her is a link:

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=34509.0

 

[marla_do]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

The face plate graphics of those gauges is really awesome. What bike are they from?

and what about the blue tank? I've got a kz, hondas are foreign to me

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Gauge Headlight Bucket is a CB450 "Black Bomber" The face plate on this one is a bit faded / color changed but I kinda like the patina. I have another gauge that has a more original face plate (Black White & Red see earlier pics) but has some dust on the inside of the glass so while this one is faded I like it best of the 2.

The tank is a CM400A tank (seat bump made from one too)

 

[marla_do]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Cool.

Some more q's.. can you link a source to those headlight brackets and how do you plan on lowering the front?

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

The Headlight Brackets are the Cheepo Chrome "Cafe" ones off ebay (available in black also). I then cut pieces from aluminum sheet to cover the outside, using the bolts that hold the headlight and clamp to the tube, to hold the pieces in place. I'm not big on the holes in them the way they come. I think if you look closely at pics you will find pics before they were covered and if you look closely in others see the original brackets on the inside.

Lowering the front is simply sliding the tubes through the upper triple. If yours has a steel plate type upper, you will need to get an alloy one, and perhaps the smaller fork tube caps used with the alloy upper. Again if you look at pics early and late in build you will see me transition from the Steel Upper Tripl to an Alloy one I cleaned and smoothed.

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

I need to finish the engine up. I had it running with a different engine, but I pulled this one from the 79 parts Bike I had and want to put it back in instead. It has a kick start, the 80 did not (Strange they evidently dropped the Kick in from 79 to 80 on the CM400T) I pulled the starter and want a kick only bike. It also showed fewer mile on it. It did however look wet arount the head area so I will at a minimum be putting a New head gasket in.

 

[gr_yamm]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

frankenfe,

I love your bike, and I'm new to all these types of customizing and conversions. I just picked up a 1981 honda cm400t, and I love that stripped down look you have. Is it really that simple to replace the WHOLE airbox assembly with an a conical air filter? I'm really considering doing that, but do I have to make custom intake manifolds or anything? Or can I just take out that whole airbox assembly and replace it with a K&N filter??

Thanks and love the build!

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Thanks gr _yamm, progress has been slow considering I started a second build before finishing this one. I have pulled thehead and have cleaned things up, just inspecting prior to re-assembly.

Regarding you question on pods. Typically I think guys put these "pod" or "cone" filters in for a few reasons

1) In the quest for Improved Performance with exhaust modification
2) Visual Appearance - Visually open the frame up (This desired "Race" appearance was born from the quest for #1 above Better Performance)

This is not a difficult project ialone (but typically done with other modifications) the hardest part asI recall was getting the old air box out of the frame, it requires the rear tire be removed to give access to remove the air box. (It comes out through the rear of the frame and the tire will be in the way)

There is nothing to fabricate to install the pods/cones. Measure the end of your carbs & buy the correct size to clamp onto the end of the carbs.

As I mentioned before this modification (on a motorcycle) is really an attempt to improve perfeormance, and done along with a free flow / less restrictive exhaust and rejet of the carbs. theory being get "more in & more out"

On these particular bikes guys usually get rid of the big cross over muffler (Below the engine) and install straight pipes or a 2 into 1 exhaust. Since these particular carbs have very little options in rejetting, I understand this can be challenging.

Since this is your first project I would recomend you stay away from this for now, plenty of "ugly" to get off these bikes before loosing the air box. A very clean "Cafe" style bike can be had by changing:

Handlebars to Euro, Drag, Clubmans or Clip-Ons.
Seat to a cafe style or low brat style
Fenders bobbed or removed
Gauges tightened up and lowered.
Mirrors to short stem or bar end.
Loose the Center Stand
Lower Headlight

I started a thread for these post CB/CL twin bikes it currently has over 50 links to other builds of these bikes on the first page. Spend some time there I think you will get some idea. here is the link

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=26184.0

frankenfe,

I love your bike, and I'm new to all these types of customizing and conversions. I just picked up a 1981 honda cm400t, and I love that stripped down look you have. Is it really that simple to replace the WHOLE airbox assembly with an a conical air filter? I'm really considering doing that, but do I have to make custom intake manifolds or anything? Or can I just take out that whole airbox assembly and replace it with a K&N filter??

Thanks and love the build!

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

I have been distracted by CB550 and CB750 projects I have taken on since starting this, word that I am finally going to get back my tins from a buddy who was "Squeezing them in" has rekindled my interest in getting this bike done.

Painted the case Duplicolor DE1650 Silver. I plan to Scotch Brite the head and Jugs, if you look at the lower 3 fins on the left side of cylinders you can see how the fins look scotch brited.

Finally spent the time to Polish my Stator Cover, re-installed with new Gasket and Stailnlees Allen Socket Screws.

Polished the Oil Filter Cover, Installed New Oil Filter and Cover Seals.

I will Polish the Valve Cover and Clutch Cover as well.

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Out Sequence here, but I did Replace the Head Gasket Pretyy obvious it had been spitting awhile

 

[tsbigdog]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Nice work. Don't you love that Duplicolor engine paint? I used it on mine too and it came out nice. I just hope it holds up well. I tried doing some tests on it and it seems to be pretty durable. Only time will tell.

 

[ponycarman]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Wow looks great! I need to get working on my cm project. I've been slackin with the heat here. Great work!

 

[Frankenfe]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Big Dog, Yes I like the Duplicolor, goes on nice and just the right "Sheen"

Pony, it's easy to loose steam on these things, just jump back in. I feel you on the Heat, Did most of the recent wirk at 5 or 6 in the am, before it hit triple digits here in AZ, today was 111

 

[longhorn717]

Re: My CM400T Cafe Build - Now a CMB400 Frankenfe

Hi Frankenfe. Great build and I'm the one whose emailing you bout the alloy tree. I've got the 1980 cb400t with a 5 speed. Not all of the '80 models came with a 6 speed. Got a long way to go on my build and on definitely doing pods. Already took the airbox out and the carbs need rebuilding anyway. Local shop that does good work quoted me 230-300 to rebuild and jet the carbs. I'm curious about your exhaust I see you have it tucked up under the bike. is it a straight pipe or did you do a 2-2 crossover?