1981 Honda CM400 Bobber

[NWRider]

Hey all,

I bought this last week for $485. Was parked last summer running and then just wasn't ridden.

Currently we've chopped the rear off and refabbed the area where the 'shock towers' are. Also cut the OEM handlebars to get an idea of how I want to make the new ones. I like how they are now so I'm just going to mimmic the current shape.

I'll continue posting as time goes on!

Zach

Started as:

Current progress as of tonight:

 

[NWRider]

Well since nobody replied to my intro thread or my build thread, I'll assume this isn't the friendliest or most active forum. Moving on...

 

[Ichiban Moto]

tell us about that pick up truck in your pic

 

[Cuba Libre]

What are your plans for it?
You will loose the fishtail mufflers, right? Please?

 

[NWRider]

The truck in the picture is a 1937 International. It's engine is a bored out LS6 Corvette engine and the truck will be a full tube chassis. The goal is for it to have a normal bed so bikes/motorcycles can fit in the back while also being able to function as a daily driver if we want to.

Go follow Northrup Fabricators on Facebook if you'd like to see more pictures of what we do!

In regards to the bike, yes, the fishtail mufflers are gone. That was the first thing I ripped off of it haha. I'll update with some more pictures tomorrow night as I'll be working on it all day tomorrow.

 

[Scruffy]

Another WA rider... if you are on the wet side of the rock pile, make sure you have a real front fender. I'm WA born and raised, living in Dixie again (by choice). Weather, traffic and cost of living are better here, riding scenery is better out there.

As much as it pains me to say it, you can get anything and everything for that model off the shelf or out of the bins at Bent Bike. Lynnwood has more stuff, Auburn was always more user friendly. From the tires up, they'll have anything you could want for that bike, stock and/or custom parts. It'll cost a bit more than online shopping, but, if you need it same day and they have it in stock...

Find Kopcicle on this website, get to know him. Old time bike mechanic with a performance tendency and an "interesting" attitude. He lives somewhere in the Kent-Auburn region. We met when I worked at Auburn Bent and he was at a shop down the road. He knows all the hidden gems of the bike building scene out there.

Think I'll be following this one, CM builds are usually an interesting process...

 

[NWRider]

Another WA rider... if you are on the wet side of the rock pile, make sure you have a real front fender. I'm WA born and raised, living in Dixie again (by choice). Weather, traffic and cost of living are better here, riding scenery is better out there.

As much as it pains me to say it, you can get anything and everything for that model off the shelf or out of the bins at Bent Bike. Lynnwood has more stuff, Auburn was always more user friendly. From the tires up, they'll have anything you could want for that bike, stock and/or custom parts. It'll cost a bit more than online shopping, but, if you need it same day and they have it in stock...

Find Kopcicle on this website, get to know him. Old time bike mechanic with a performance tendency and an "interesting" attitude. He lives somewhere in the Kent-Auburn region. We met when I worked at Auburn Bent and he was at a shop down the road. He knows all the hidden gems of the bike building scene out there.

Think I'll be following this one, CM builds are usually an interesting process...

Funnily enough, I actually went to Bent Bike in Lynnwood for my first time today and found a bunch of stuff that I've been looking for. Pretty well priced on everything. I picked up a Harley Sportster rear fender and ended up cutting it/getting some of the mounting done. The tail light for it is on the way. I also snagged a pair of handlebars and grips that I ripped the padding off of and am getting reupholstered in the same material I'm doing my seat in. Additionally I picked up the proper air filters for the carbs as I'm ditching the stock air box. Also snagged a new clutch and brake lever.

Here's progress as of today. I'm super stoked on how well the bars worked out. For $25, I'm happy. The fender looks a lot better when my full weight is on the bike but you can get an idea of where I'm doing with the bike. I've still got quite a bit of work left but I'm happy with the progress I've made in just a couple of weeks.

Next up is gauges. I'm on the hunt for a much smaller tach/speedo to do something cool with. I hate the look of them being mounted on the handlebars so I'm trying to figure out what route I want to go with that. Exhaust is also next.

 

[NWRider]

Made some more progress. Got the seat all the way cut down and mounted. We're gonna build a cross support so the seat doesn't flex. Gotta get that dialed before my upholstery guy works his magic. Decided I'm ditching the gauges. Much cleaner and it's not like this bike hauls ass anyways. Definitely a go with the flow of traffic cruiser. Posting pics of what we did with the rear frame area. Most people just cut it but I wanted to create a 'body line' per say that looked better.

 

[kopcicle]

I eat single digit noobs for a light before lunch snack .
I hate comstars almost as much as I hate tree huggers .
I've set fire to failed bobber projects
I've done my best to ignore the CM's
I haven't owned a Honda in 15 years

but hey , I'm here to help :

~kop

 

[kopcicle]

~oh snap ...
Find Kopcicle on this website, get to know him. Old time bike mechanic with a performance tendency and an "interesting" attitude. He lives somewhere in the Kent-Auburn region. We met when I worked at Auburn Bent and he was at a shop down the road. He knows all the hidden gems of the bike building scene out there.

Think I'll be following this one, CM builds are usually an interesting process...

I know where you live and have your # around here somewhere . You will pay .

~kop

 

[Scruffy]

I know where you live and have your # around here somewhere . You will pay .

~kop

Not hard to find me... 666 Hell's Outhouse Lane... do you still take stock Savage handlebars and mufflers as payment?

 

[NWRider]

I eat single digit noobs for a light before lunch snack .
I hate comstars almost as much as I hate tree huggers .
I've set fire to failed bobber projects
I've done my best to ignore the CM's
I haven't owned a Honda in 15 years

but hey , I'm here to help :

~kop

-I'm not a fan of Comstars either. Good thing they aren't here to stay.
-No failed bobber project will be present under my supervision, I finish what I start.
-I actually like the CM. It forces you to do things differently and think outside the box a little more in comparison to every other XJ/S 650 'bobber' that exists.
-Thanks for the support.

No progress will be made this weekend. Starting up again on Monday, I'll update accordingly!

 

[NWRider]

Haven't been on in a while. Bikes almost finished. It'll be done next week. I'll post up all the small details that make this bike unique at that point. For now...

 

[NWRider]

Got the air filters and carbs all buttoned up. Fabbed up the new headlight mount and got the wiring dialed in. Still have the new tail light to wire up and new chain to get on. I'm happy with how it's turning out. I REALLY need to get spoked wheels for it. I know it would look 100x better.

 

[bcvickers]

How'd this project turn out? What did you end up going with for a tail light and license plate holder? Do you plan on mounting a fork brace or don't these require one?