(Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T
- Thread starter Alchemist
- Start date
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - on the road!
Thinking of a new tank and tail. Need advice.
What do you guys think about these?
1. Stock tank - as it sits right now:
2. What if I fiberglassed the tank to give it edgier look?
3. What if I went with a GS750 tank, and made a new, rounder tail?
In another colour
Thinking of a new tank and tail. Need advice.
What do you guys think about these?
1. Stock tank - as it sits right now:
2. What if I fiberglassed the tank to give it edgier look?
3. What if I went with a GS750 tank, and made a new, rounder tail?
In another colour
brainrush
Active Member
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
IMHO, I think that the GS tank and re-shaped seat would sort of throw the bike somewhere between cafe and fighter. Re glassing the stock tank might give the bike some weird lines in person. I do agree that the tank and tail lack a connection because the tank tapers down towards the rear axle while the tale tapers towards the sky.
I personally see cafe bikes as an elongated spiral. The focus of the eye dances in a circular fashion towards a central point, starting at the headlight, working its way across the top of the bike while falling inwards to a central point. When I see this, my eyes get wound up with energy, and then they relax as they unravel outwards again. As it sits right now, my eye goes from the light to the tank to the frame to the exhaust to the engine to the carbs, slowing to a stop at the air filter, perfect! But when I go outwards again, it is as though the tail conflicts with the spiral so it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
I'm probably full of BS, so don't read into it too much.
IMHO, I think that the GS tank and re-shaped seat would sort of throw the bike somewhere between cafe and fighter. Re glassing the stock tank might give the bike some weird lines in person. I do agree that the tank and tail lack a connection because the tank tapers down towards the rear axle while the tale tapers towards the sky.
I personally see cafe bikes as an elongated spiral. The focus of the eye dances in a circular fashion towards a central point, starting at the headlight, working its way across the top of the bike while falling inwards to a central point. When I see this, my eyes get wound up with energy, and then they relax as they unravel outwards again. As it sits right now, my eye goes from the light to the tank to the frame to the exhaust to the engine to the carbs, slowing to a stop at the air filter, perfect! But when I go outwards again, it is as though the tail conflicts with the spiral so it doesn't get the attention it deserves.
I'm probably full of BS, so don't read into it too much.
Staffy
It's not yours 'til you cut it up.
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
Just an idea champ. Get into photoshop with that first picture. Now take off the rear cowl and cut and paste a section of the tank as if you were gonna use the back half as if you were gonna do the tank-for-a-cowl trick. Here's the twist... flip that sucker upside down. Se i'm really diggin that first pick but there's too many angles goin on. She's got curves in the frame dude, embrace em
Just an idea champ. Get into photoshop with that first picture. Now take off the rear cowl and cut and paste a section of the tank as if you were gonna use the back half as if you were gonna do the tank-for-a-cowl trick. Here's the twist... flip that sucker upside down. Se i'm really diggin that first pick but there's too many angles goin on. She's got curves in the frame dude, embrace em
xulf13
West of Tennessee
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
I agree with Staffy, In your case, you're trying to mod the tank to fit your tail, and it should be the other way around. That seat cowl looks nice, but just not on your bike. Your bie has lots of curves, and that tail is too square/shar[ edged. it needs something smoother and rounder to flow with not only the tank, but the frame as well. Don't try to make the bike flow into something it's not supposed to, I've been there and the results can be disastrous.
I agree with Staffy, In your case, you're trying to mod the tank to fit your tail, and it should be the other way around. That seat cowl looks nice, but just not on your bike. Your bie has lots of curves, and that tail is too square/shar[ edged. it needs something smoother and rounder to flow with not only the tank, but the frame as well. Don't try to make the bike flow into something it's not supposed to, I've been there and the results can be disastrous.
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
You know... I have an extra CM400 tank with plenty of rust inside. I was thinking of cleaning it out and putting it on ebay, but if you want to use it to cut down for a seat, I'll make you a special DTT deal.
No pressure either way, it's just sitting in the shed for now.
Dan
You know... I have an extra CM400 tank with plenty of rust inside. I was thinking of cleaning it out and putting it on ebay, but if you want to use it to cut down for a seat, I'll make you a special DTT deal.
No pressure either way, it's just sitting in the shed for now.
Dan
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
Thank you all for your opinions, Dan, I might have to take you up on that offer!
In the meantime, I'll try a lot more photoshops. I only had time to do 1 this morning, but I'll get a few more done during lunch.
Here's the tail based on someone's suggestion:
Thank you all for your opinions, Dan, I might have to take you up on that offer!
In the meantime, I'll try a lot more photoshops. I only had time to do 1 this morning, but I'll get a few more done during lunch.
Here's the tail based on someone's suggestion:
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
I like this one better, but you might think about either bringing the lip of the bump down like Staffy suggests so that it starts at the top of the seat or cutting the foam on the seat down if you go with it to make the bump more distinct. I ended up using a $9 camp pad from KMart to get my seat as thin as possible.
Dan
I like this one better, but you might think about either bringing the lip of the bump down like Staffy suggests so that it starts at the top of the seat or cutting the foam on the seat down if you go with it to make the bump more distinct. I ended up using a $9 camp pad from KMart to get my seat as thin as possible.
Dan
rjz5400
grummble grumble
Re: (Not really) The slowest project ever - CM400T - OPINIONS WANTED ON P13!
there are two tanks that have the shape you have in the fiberglass addition one.
a cb200 with the big leatherish strap in the middle
and one of the cx tanks i cant remember which one. there is a CX tank that is smooth and one that is mpre square with build in knee dents and a few cxs on this board.
i agree with making the seat a little lower to emphasis the hump
congrats on getting road worthy
there are two tanks that have the shape you have in the fiberglass addition one.
a cb200 with the big leatherish strap in the middle
and one of the cx tanks i cant remember which one. there is a CX tank that is smooth and one that is mpre square with build in knee dents and a few cxs on this board.
i agree with making the seat a little lower to emphasis the hump
congrats on getting road worthy
