shaggycb750c
Active Member
Looks great! That exhaust is killer, too.
1977 cb400f project getting underway.
- Thread starter Rydog400f
- Start date
lukeglasso
Active Member
Hey Rydog400f. Project looks mighty cool. Are you able to tell me what product and procedure you used to paint the frame and engine. Also your opinion of self painting vs powder coating?
Powderfinger
Been Around the Block
Rydog400f said:
Yeah, it's not ideal. They may be alright, maybe not. It's not likely to destroy anything, your motor will smoke if they are bad. You may be able to pull your caps off and see them, see if they look singed.
Rydog400f
Been Around the Block
Yeah I don't think 200 degrees is gonna hurt it. Although this is my first time so I can't be sure. I'm just gonna press on. I finished trimming the bracket for the exhaust today. The MotoGP werks clears the kick starter just fine. I'll have to make a bracket to attach it to the frame. Also got my 16 tooth sprocket in today. Next week my carbs and upholstered seat are done. Now I just have to try and get the rearsets figured out. Denoosp is filling his waiting list, once he has 10 he makes a batch, and TTR400 is on vacation for the next couple months. Anyone wanna add their email to Denoosps waiting list?
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Rydog400f
Been Around the Block
Painting is just that, a process. Before I started to paint my self I got a quote for $450 to get everything that you see I painted on the bike powdercoated. I think my next project will definitely be powdercoated. I realized from this project that I am completely anal when it comes to painting. I literally got nervous about it, wondering if I'm doing it right, or if the paint will turn out well, what colors to use. So here's basically how the process went.lukeglasso said:
Frame: Mine wasn't too rusty luckily. I used a wire brush, both steel and brass, then went to town using a red scotch bright (i used this a LOT), then sandpapered ( i think 600 grit) then washed it with dish soap, then sweated it with a propane torch, then used Duplicolor prep spray, then I used a sealing primer for the little bit of rust I couldn't get to, then followed the instructions on the VHT roll bar paint can, 2 light, one medium coat. Then I waited a week for the paint to cure, sanded it with 1500 grit, re-cleaned with dish soap, let dry, then paint again, followed with 3 coats of Duplicolor automotive clearcoat.
Now doesn't that sound super fun!? Then when I scratched the frame putting the engine back in I just about crapped myself.
Engine: I had my parts walnut shell blasted which makes the metal very porous. Just about the same process with these except cut out the initial sanding, and add a bake in the oven.
With all the money I spent on paint and materials, and the time it took, it's probably close to that initial $450 powder coating charge.
lukeglasso
Active Member
Awesome mate thankyou. Im a tad behind you in progress but close enough to be thinking about what im going to do. Powdercoating is probably beneficial for me as time is an issue. your paint job looks extremely anal but it shows in quality.
Really looking forward to seeing how everything turns out.
Another question. did you toy up the idea of alloy rims vs steel?
Really looking forward to seeing how everything turns out.
Another question. did you toy up the idea of alloy rims vs steel?
Rydog400f
Been Around the Block
lukeglasso said:
I didn't until after the rims were done. I found some black powdercoated 18" for a honda cb400f on ebay. Union Cycle or something? My rims were cherry until i put the tyres on and now I have to touch up a couple spots. I don't know if you can touch up powdercoating when it chips. Maybe something to consider? I've been trying to fit the bike with as many new lightweight aluminum parts as I can. I scooped up as many ttr400 parts before they went out of stock. I think the bike is gonna drop ~60lbs? And I'm a jockey basically (5'6, 140lbs) So I think it's gonna be pretty sweet. Plus the new seat and clipons make you feel like your attatched to a friggin rocket!
lukeglasso
Active Member
Haha I know the feeling.
Im thinking alloy to. Interesting you mention the chipping though. Might see how my bro's cb100 turns out when we puts tyres on his newly powder coated rims!
Will be very interesting to see the start weight vs the new. Thanks again for sharing your steps so far. Will be keeping a close eye on your build
Im thinking alloy to. Interesting you mention the chipping though. Might see how my bro's cb100 turns out when we puts tyres on his newly powder coated rims!
Will be very interesting to see the start weight vs the new. Thanks again for sharing your steps so far. Will be keeping a close eye on your build
Rydog400f
Been Around the Block
Got a lot of parts in this weekend. Bike is coming along nicely. Ran into a few issues though. The clutch isn't taking it out of gear so I'm going to take it apart and see if I might have put something together wrong. I'll probably end up putting new springs and plates in once I have it apart. Also possibly ruined the front brake caliper while putting in a new brake pad. It wasn't going in easily and with me being impatient I sort of smashed it in there thinking the brake pressure would move the pad. Well now it's stuck in there and I cant move it or get it out. Tried the grease gun trick and tried to cut it in half with a dremel with no luck.
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Rydog400f
Been Around the Block
Fixed the issues with clutch and front brake so I'm moving right along again. Got the tank back from my friend and now I'm gonna treat the inside and get the bike running before sending it and the seat off for paint. I had originally thought I wanted to buy new 2.5" gauges but seeing how the original 4" look I'm thinking I might rebuild them now. The bike has large features like the tank and headlight and I think the larger gauges fill in the space nicely. It's tough finding parts for the gauges. They're shape is good but I need glass, a needle and new faces. I also want to make a new bracket to bring them down and closer together. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Rydog400f
Been Around the Block
Couple more updates. I sent the man I bought the bike from a picture of the build so far and he was very pleasantly surprised by the progress. I had him send me a picture of how it looked when I picked it up because i stripped it apart so quick I forgot to take before pics. Cleaned the inside of the tank with the Kreem kit off 4into1.com which worked really well. Also got my new shocks on. New gauges come in tomorrow and wiring harness from Spark Moto come on Wednesday. Then a set off TTR400 road race rearsets and paint/ seat upholstery and she'll be done!... for now.
