(Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T
- Thread starter Alchemist
- Start date
boomshakalaka
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
just going to be honest.. I hate that tank. Tear droppish tanks on cafes just look awful to me. Sometimes thats what you have to start with, so thats what you have... but if youre already thinking of changing up the tins, I saw start by finding a tank you like and scrapping that one. Also Id avoid glassing an extension on the tank.. I looked into this and everywhere I found info it pretty much said "it can be done, but even the best glasser will end up with a finished product that separates from the metal sooner or later (normally sooner)." And finally I cant tell for sure from the pics, but it looks like theres a gap between the seat and where the cowl goes? This really kills your lines, your seat has to close that gap.
just going to be honest.. I hate that tank. Tear droppish tanks on cafes just look awful to me. Sometimes thats what you have to start with, so thats what you have... but if youre already thinking of changing up the tins, I saw start by finding a tank you like and scrapping that one. Also Id avoid glassing an extension on the tank.. I looked into this and everywhere I found info it pretty much said "it can be done, but even the best glasser will end up with a finished product that separates from the metal sooner or later (normally sooner)." And finally I cant tell for sure from the pics, but it looks like theres a gap between the seat and where the cowl goes? This really kills your lines, your seat has to close that gap.
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
So I got bored today, took out my soldering iron and fixed all my wiring at the back...Yes, I know the bike needs a wash... pictures:
Soldering iron:
Old wire shielding was corroded and torn, so I just replaced it with this instead:
Shortened the wire to this box (whatever it does):
Shortened all the wires that go to the back:
New electronics pan:
Decided to mount it all differently, here's the mock up:
Drilled holes and bent:
Everything is mounted - top side:
Underside:
Another angle:
Put a clear tube around the edges to protect the frame:
On the bike:
For anyone building this, please note that you don't want to make it go too far forward. My original pan used mounting holes near the tank, but that really made it difficult to manage the wires around. This time around I made the front a lot shorter and used 4 zipties to hold it in place in the front/middle.
Still unsure about the tank/seat... will keep thinking.
So I got bored today, took out my soldering iron and fixed all my wiring at the back...Yes, I know the bike needs a wash... pictures:
Soldering iron:
Old wire shielding was corroded and torn, so I just replaced it with this instead:
Shortened the wire to this box (whatever it does):
Shortened all the wires that go to the back:
New electronics pan:
Decided to mount it all differently, here's the mock up:
Drilled holes and bent:
Everything is mounted - top side:
Underside:
Another angle:
Put a clear tube around the edges to protect the frame:
On the bike:
For anyone building this, please note that you don't want to make it go too far forward. My original pan used mounting holes near the tank, but that really made it difficult to manage the wires around. This time around I made the front a lot shorter and used 4 zipties to hold it in place in the front/middle.
Still unsure about the tank/seat... will keep thinking.
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
Sorry for being away from the forum for so long, first, to answer dcwp's question: no it doesn't show from the side except for the rectifier.
Updates:
I'm now running a 2008 GSXR front end on the bike. All the controls have been wired in and work (except for mode - but I think i'll make that into a custom adjustable steering dampener eventually). Front end is amazing, responsive, great braking power, looks good. Yes the wheel is blue, I might paint it eventually, can't be bothered at this time.
Old front end is for sale here:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=17239.0
I let my friend ride the bike in the beginning of the summer and he dropped it, damaging the tank and the rear cowl. I am working on a new tank to put on (it'll be nice).
Then I did something to the motor by over-revving it when getting on the highway, it's now in pieces and I hope to rebuild it. In the meantime I just picked up a new motor yesterday and installed it. Runs great. I just need the bike to be able to get around until the end of the summer, so I really don't care about looks, as long as I can get around.
Other than that, big changes are coming to the bike soon, single shock swing arm, new gas tank, new rear seat, relocated rear-sets, proper exhaust, etc etc. - when I get more time.
Pics:
Sorry for being away from the forum for so long, first, to answer dcwp's question: no it doesn't show from the side except for the rectifier.
Updates:
I'm now running a 2008 GSXR front end on the bike. All the controls have been wired in and work (except for mode - but I think i'll make that into a custom adjustable steering dampener eventually). Front end is amazing, responsive, great braking power, looks good. Yes the wheel is blue, I might paint it eventually, can't be bothered at this time.
Old front end is for sale here:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=17239.0
I let my friend ride the bike in the beginning of the summer and he dropped it, damaging the tank and the rear cowl. I am working on a new tank to put on (it'll be nice).
Then I did something to the motor by over-revving it when getting on the highway, it's now in pieces and I hope to rebuild it. In the meantime I just picked up a new motor yesterday and installed it. Runs great. I just need the bike to be able to get around until the end of the summer, so I really don't care about looks, as long as I can get around.
Other than that, big changes are coming to the bike soon, single shock swing arm, new gas tank, new rear seat, relocated rear-sets, proper exhaust, etc etc. - when I get more time.
Pics:
baconpocket
eating bacon
i saw the front end for sale, so i thought i'd pop over to see what you put in its place. do you have more details on the front end swap, it looks tits!
Sure.
The swap itself was pretty simple. The bottom bearing is the same 30x50, the new top bearing is 30x48.5. I ordered 2 new sets of bearings for a CM400, and machined the 30x50 down to 30x48.5. It's hardened steel, so you'll need a hardened bit to machine it down.
Once the front end was on, I had to wire in all the controls. That's just back and forth between the two wiring diagrams.
For throttle, I only used one of the cables that came with the GSXR, I was planning to use both cables but I broke one of the tabs on my carb...
The swap itself was pretty simple. The bottom bearing is the same 30x50, the new top bearing is 30x48.5. I ordered 2 new sets of bearings for a CM400, and machined the 30x50 down to 30x48.5. It's hardened steel, so you'll need a hardened bit to machine it down.
Once the front end was on, I had to wire in all the controls. That's just back and forth between the two wiring diagrams.
For throttle, I only used one of the cables that came with the GSXR, I was planning to use both cables but I broke one of the tabs on my carb...
baconpocket
eating bacon
Thanks! How did you know that's what you needed to do? Just by measuring the bearings or did you do some parts ficheing to find out?
Customfighters.com has a great thread that lists all the steering bearing sizes for various bikes:
http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22068
CM400 stock bearings are:
Upper: 26 x 48.5 x 15.2
Lower: 30 x 50 x 14.4
2008 GSXR are:
Upper:30 x 55 x 17
Lower: 30 x 55 x 17
So... now I knew that the inner diameter is the same on both bikes for the lower bearing. Great, that means that I can use the CM400 lower steering bearing. For the upper, there is absolutely no other bike with a 48.5 outer diameter, so I was SOL on that one... BUT since the lower is 30x50 and I needed 30mm upper as well, I decided to buy an additional set of CM400 bearings and machine it down to 48.5. The size of the stock unit wasn't actually 48.5 as listed, it's more like 48.6. I took the stock upper one off and brought it into a shop with a new one and they did it all for me to the exact size.
That's pretty much all there is to it =) You can use that resource to figure out pretty much any front-end swap.
http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22068
CM400 stock bearings are:
Upper: 26 x 48.5 x 15.2
Lower: 30 x 50 x 14.4
2008 GSXR are:
Upper:30 x 55 x 17
Lower: 30 x 55 x 17
So... now I knew that the inner diameter is the same on both bikes for the lower bearing. Great, that means that I can use the CM400 lower steering bearing. For the upper, there is absolutely no other bike with a 48.5 outer diameter, so I was SOL on that one... BUT since the lower is 30x50 and I needed 30mm upper as well, I decided to buy an additional set of CM400 bearings and machine it down to 48.5. The size of the stock unit wasn't actually 48.5 as listed, it's more like 48.6. I took the stock upper one off and brought it into a shop with a new one and they did it all for me to the exact size.
That's pretty much all there is to it =) You can use that resource to figure out pretty much any front-end swap.
baconpocket
eating bacon
awesome. great info here. i've been thinking about doing a swap, but whenever i find a probable donor, i get stuck on the research end of things
Buddy .. YOU ARE THE MAN !!! I have a cb400t I've been cafeing and got an 00 R1 front end for it .. I've been scratching my head about bearings for ages and just read your thread .... all of my sizes are identical to yours ... I'm off to get a couple of bearings tomorrow and find a machine shop to modify them ..... once again .. YOU ARE THE MAN ..... nice bike too by the way ;D ....
Frankenfe
Coast to Coast
Big points! for the Front End Swap.
Hope you don't mind I included you in my CM400 / CB400T List:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=26184.0
Anything new on your bike?
Hope you don't mind I included you in my CM400 / CB400T List:
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=26184.0
Anything new on your bike?
Sorry to raise this thread from the dead, but apparently my website got hacked a while ago. I switched all the pictures to my new host.
Some updates: Bike didn't go on the road last summer because I was working out of California, where I picked up my new toy (back in Toronto now).
I started doing some work with carbon fiber (which turned out to be surprisingly easy), so I'll be making some parts for the p-car.
Planning to put my bike back on the road this summer, planning to change the seating position to make it more comfortable, move the rear-sets forward A LOT (almost back to the stock position). Just too bad I destroyed so many parts while I was making this, now there is no re-course.
Anyway, PM me if you have any questions and I'll be glad to answer them.
Some updates: Bike didn't go on the road last summer because I was working out of California, where I picked up my new toy (back in Toronto now).
I started doing some work with carbon fiber (which turned out to be surprisingly easy), so I'll be making some parts for the p-car.
Planning to put my bike back on the road this summer, planning to change the seating position to make it more comfortable, move the rear-sets forward A LOT (almost back to the stock position). Just too bad I destroyed so many parts while I was making this, now there is no re-course.
Anyway, PM me if you have any questions and I'll be glad to answer them.
MBS
Live, breath, sleep HONDA!
Alchemist said:Sorry to raise this thread from the dead, but apparently my website got hacked a while ago. I switched all the pictures to my new host.
Some updates: Bike didn't go on the road last summer because I was working out of California, where I picked up my new toy (back in Toronto now).
I started doing some work with carbon fiber (which turned out to be surprisingly easy), so I'll be making some parts for the p-car.
Planning to put my bike back on the road this summer, planning to change the seating position to make it more comfortable, move the rear-sets forward A LOT (almost back to the stock position). Just too bad I destroyed so many parts while I was making this, now there is no re-course.
Anyway, PM me if you have any questions and I'll be glad to answer them.
Nice Car! What the heck do you do for a living? Obviously I am doing something wrong.
