Project Ratfe'

[Po-Boy]

Recently picked up a 1975 CB400F w/ 6900 miles, all original and a clean title for free. Hopin to transform her into some kind of a raw, bare bones cross between a cafe/brat/chop. Initial plans call for a 3" stretched swingarm, different tank, DIY hand tooled leather seat/tail, possibly some early 80's GS mag wheels, lowered a couple inches, who knows. Not really one to get wrapped up into following the "style" tags, so I'll let the bike tell me where to go w/ the build.

 

[joeyputt]

Brother I love that you are not going to follow any certain style and just build the bike.

 

[Po-Boy]

Thanks man. I don't worry much about whether my stuff fits a mold or specifc style. Here's another one I'm finishing up currently, no rules, just build...

 

[Big R]

If you aren't going to use them, could I possibly buy the foot controls and chain guard off of you?

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

DUDE! I need a link to that Zooks build. If you don't have one... START ONE NOW!
Welcome to DDT!

 

[KrashManhatten]

Nice rides, i am in the process of doing the same with a 81 honda 750


fun to just hack at and play with ideas.






any one ever try a 4-1 intake manifold?








welcome to the ton

 

[Po-Boy]

Thanks for the encouragement fellas. 60* and sunny here today, so played around w/ it a bit more. Through on a KZ tank and removed some more dead weight. Tank seems to fit what I had in mind a bit better...

 

[Po-Boy]

Been busy traveling back and forth to Mexico w/ work and 60 hour weeks when I'm home, but finally had a few minutes last week to roll her out of te barn and grind off a few useless tabs, and throw on the potential tail piece. Still got some trimmin' to do then a seat pan and hand tooled seat by your's truly... Baby steps I guess?

 

[marla_do]

a honda with identity issues. love it and the kz tail

 

[Po-Boy]

Thanks, I think? Got a lil more work done over the weekend. Stripped the tank, through on a set of makeshift struts to establish ride height w/ shorter shocks and threw some silver rattle can on to get an idea of the overall look...

 

[VonYinzer]

Any way you could lower the back of that tank a bit? Looks crooked... Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. Its your bike.

Keep it up man.

 

[bradj]

Want. To sell me the purple honda tank

 

[Po-Boy]

Any way you could lower the back of that tank a bit? Looks crooked... Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. Its your bike.

Keep it up man.

I could, but I kinda dig the forward rake it has as it sits, makes it look a lil' different than the common "level look"? Like I mentioned early in the thread, I'm not really into following the rules, I kinda just let the bikes tell me where to take them. As a side note, I fully realize not everyone is gonna like my builds. To each their own I suppose?

 

[Po-Boy]

Want. To sell me the purple honda tank

Sorry Bro, the tank sold for $175 bones last year the second day I had it on CL, as did the seat (another$200). So far this freebie has made me $375. I wish they all worked that way!

 

[Po-Boy]

Trimmed a bit more off the tail and started hacking up the antique meat grinder that will become the tailight to be mounted over the side mount vertical plate.

 

[Po-Boy]

Playin' around w/ the side covers this morning. Stainless steel rattle can, distressed to fit the build name. Probably end up doin a distressed lookin number in keeping w/ the "old race bike theme"? Thinkin about doin the frame and swingarm in a distressed bronze maybe? Tank and tailpiece will match the side covers. Long way to go here...

 

[Po-Boy]

First side cover ready for clear...

 

[Po-Boy]

Painted up the tailpiece, started on the headlight bucket and tailight...

 

[Green199]

Looking good man!

I will say, be careful when painting a few things. I was going down the same 'old race bike', rustic look but painted a few bits and they looked too good! Couldn't bring myself to distress them so had to change the theme of the build haha

keep it up!

 

[Po-Boy]

Looking good man!

I will say, be careful when painting a few things. I was going down the same 'old race bike', rustic look but painted a few bits and they looked too good! Couldn't bring myself to distress them so had to change the theme of the build haha

keep it up!

Thanks man! I got no problem distressing the pieces when needed. Got the first coats of clear shot on the plastics today. Just gotta wet sand, couple of P.B.B. logos, then final top coat w/ Max2K...