So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(50+ Build Links!)

Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

I've finally decided on a theme for my bike. As a kid, I grew up idolizing batman, and with the popularity of the new batman movies, a new bat-bike feels appropriate. The paint scheme will be black on gunmetal grey frame, with yellow detailing and trim. I'm calling it the Dark Knight.

Instead of honda logos, I'm going to mount batman logos. What do you guys think? Go new school or old school? Here's some options I might scoop up off of ebay
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Batman-Begins-3D-Acrylic-Laser-Cut-Emblems-5-5-x2-5-/380350673831?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item588eaab3a7
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Batman-3D-Laser-Cut-Acrylic-Emblems-Size-6-75-x-3-25-/360354909125?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53e6d38bc5
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

I like the 2nd one, the "Ovalized" one. looks like it would makea better emblem.

That said, you recognize you have set your yourself up for some ribbing....

Will you have bat ears on your helmet?
Will flames shoot fom the exhaust?
Will you make the headlight into the bat light?

Funin' aside, I think you have to go for everything and I mean as much as humanly possible, SEMI-GLOSS BLACK.

I would even mold the emblems to the tank and paint them black.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

I might not use any yellow trim, and stick to a strict gunmetal and semi-gloss black scheme, in favor of new batman. The gunmetal I plan on using is very dark, similar to this
crsm0000000000.jpg
Now that you mention it.. bat ears and flame exhaust does sound sweet.. maybe i'll rig an oil slick machine and some mini ballistic missiles to her too :p ::)
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Ziggy said:
I've finally decided on a theme for my bike. As a kid, I grew up idolizing batman, and with the popularity of the new batman movies, a new bat-bike feels appropriate. The paint scheme will be black on gunmetal grey frame, with yellow detailing and trim. I'm calling it the Dark Knight.

Instead of honda logos, I'm going to mount batman logos. What do you guys think? Go new school or old school?
Click to expand...

Interesting. I'll be watching this build. I say go old school with the batman logo (assuming that's the older style if I remember right), but then again depends on the rest of the bikes looks - If it looks futuristic and angular go with the newer logo, if its more classic and rounded looking go with old school.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Thanks, MBS.

On another note, does anyone know how to set up the rear-set linkages for our parrallel twins on the shifter side? I was looking on DIME CITY and saw they had two options.. there are three to choose from, two of which are offset.. and I have no idea which to order for my 81 cm400e :S

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/cafe-racer-parts/vintage-honda-caferacer-cafe-racer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-parts/vintage-honda-caferacer-cafe-racer-motorcycle-parts/honda-caferacer-motorcycle-rearsets-linkage-kits.html
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Zig. That depends where you mount the foot control. You'll get less binding if you make the levers actuate parallel to one another. Plan where you'll put the pegs/lever then you'll know if you need an offset arm.

FYI these are parallel twin engines
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

OK guys, thought this was interesting and would be fun to watch the outcome.

Just listed on ebay, a "1981 Honda CM400C Cafe Racer Custom"

Listed with a starting price of $1,999.00 with a Buy it Now of $3,000.00.

I was excited to see what some one else had done, and what they thought it was worth and what it's "real market" value is.

Disclaimer: If this bike is someone on this board or reading this thread I mean no dis-respect. Just one mans opinion and perception.

My excitement quickly soured when I realized this was basically a stock bike with a Mass Marketed cafe seat "Stuck" on it and clubmans.

If it is true it is a "New" engine that is nice, but still in my opinion not worth the starting price. But then again I'm a cheap bastard. My prediction is ends with no bids.

Link to Listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CM400C-1981-Honda-CM400C-Cafe-Racer-Custom-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45fb9af7bdQQitemZ300573980605QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

I bought my 79 CM400T back in 94 with 3k miles on it for about $1200. The bike on ebay is in really good shape, but the clearly the seat looks like an afterthought just to brand it "Cafe" for the sale. Personally I go by the $1 per CC as a starting point for price, then work up from there based on condition, region and age. I would value that bike at $700-$1200 max, factoring in that it needs tires and some general maintenance along with a proper seat.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Definitely not worth the asking price. I agree with MBS' methods for pricing (ie a 750 cc costs $750+variables, a 400cc should cost $400+variables). I payed $400 for my 400 cc barn find lol

To add to that however, when pricing out your bike, ask yourself how much you value your own time, blood, sweat, and artistic integrity, and will the next owner value all that the same amount? Bike building is a creative process, a unique experience for each builder, and a chance to embody a part of your style and 'being' into machine.. it's a reflection of yourself, can you put a price on that? I'd have a very time pricing out a bike I built myself based on these intangibles.. but i suppose you could add up the cost invested (bike + parts) and time spent working on the bike to come up to a rough number.

It's a buyer's market so price your bike right so you attract enough buyers, but not so low you don't have room left for negotiation. You'll also have more luck if you target the cafe-enthusiest crowd vs the general population
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Agreed Ziggy. The value of time and labor is a complicated variable that should be taken into account, but that's the trouble with custom bikes, its built to suit the individual taste and that can be as much of a draw back as it is a benefit. It all depends on the individual who is potentially buying. One thing I will say about the bike in question is that its fairly stock and does not appear to have more then the basics modified, so there is still room for the buyer to really customize it. At that price though there isn't any room financially to make any modifications without grossly exceeding its value right from the start.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

your local auto parts store should have spectre mini breather filters for like 10 bucks, and i think you can get colors to match pod filters

definitely get some rearsets with your dropbars, a friend of mine wanted my clubmans so sat. i swapped him for his dirtbike bars...i didn't realize how uncomfortable i really was with mid controls and clubmans til i went for a ride with the dirtbike bars. way better around town and also pretty good in the country. i actually think these bikes are more naturally street trackers then cafes...i'm gonna keep it this way until i get rearsets.

269787_10100218116574655_22401740_48501192_204558_n.jpg
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Hi heard back from Phil Davies, the fabricator of the "Barely Recognizable" CB400T on page 1. He sent me a few picks and the following explantaion of some of his modifications.

Tank and Tailpiece-
The tank and tailpiece in the photos are still foam, fiberglass and paint. I made molds of these finished parts and from these molds I'll vacuum bagged carbon fiber parts. The electronics/battery will be located in the tailpiece.

Frame - The only major change to the frame was eliminating the original rear shock mounts and looping them together that acted as a seat support. The upper monoshock mount is a simple box tube that spanned the gap between the original shock mount loops.

Swing arm - I modified the original swing arm with a 1" tall vertical wall (1/8" plate) that wrapped around the tire and merged into the swing arm near the rear axle. This was intended to help transfer the energy from the rear axle forward to the monoshock. I plan on doing a structural test on this part to determine if I need additional support with the development of a new one.
 

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Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Hey guys, been a little busy, but found something that could be interesting. With the broke back frame I believe dealing with the gap between the seat and the frame is our biggest challenge. IMO The best builds have dealt with this by shaping the seat pan to fill this area (Unfortunately I figuired this out after I had made my seat) I ran across this on ebay and with the shape just might work nicely on a CM or a CBT.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/vintage-flat-track-tank-seat-fiberglass-cafe-racer-/180702204162?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a12b0d102
 

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Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Cool! I just bought a cm400t a few weeks ago. Its my first motorcycle and I'm starting to fix it up and get her road worthy to start learning to ride it. Been searching all over looking at different options on stuff I can do to it. Having fun so far. Can't wait to ride it.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

ponycarman said:
Cool! I just bought a cm400t a few weeks ago. Its my first motorcycle and I'm starting to fix it up and get her road worthy to start learning to ride it. Been searching all over looking at different options on stuff I can do to it. Having fun so far. Can't wait to ride it.
Click to expand...

ponycarman, welcome to the CM/CBT Club. Great choice for a first bike...simple, small enough but not a slug. What direction do you plan to take it? Cafe, Bobber, Brat, Tracker, Resto, ????. If you start a buildthread or run across something that applies to these bikes let me know.

Frankenfe
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

I've fell in love with the cafe racer style so that will be the way I go with the bike. I like the others as well but I think the cafe style fits it best. I'll keep my eyes open for neat stuff for them. I do have a question though about the starting system on the bike. It will start if the sylnoid is jumped but not when the button is used. The controls and switch have been replaced already with no change. I may have found the problem but I would like to confirm it. I tested the diode on the left side of the bike. The one with one horizontal blade and one vertical. I'm not sure what system the diode is for but it is letting power through both directions. Any help would be great. I couldn't justify starting a whole new thread for this lol.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

well, I'm done messing around with my tank. I give up on it.

Anyone know what other model tanks fit with the 400s? I heard someone used a 450 tank from the early 80s that fit perfectly. But I wasn't 100% sure on that claim and don't want to spend any extra cash as I'm a poor college student.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

YaYupp, Good try on saving the other one. I can tell you there are slight differences between the CBT and the CM. The front posts on a CB are shorter than the CBT and the Rear Mount is about an inch further back on a CM than a CBT. Why not find a tank you like and make it work? From what I can tell you are capable of it and it woould make your bike more unique.
 
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