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

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

Hey guys,
New guy here. Like many of you I too am in possesion of Cb400. Mine's from '78. When I bought it, the bike was in pretty good condition, with exception of the mufflers, which I had replaced since then. I spend the past winter rebuilding the motorcycle to a good condition. I changed all the gaskets, changed filters, oil, etc. Anyway the bike is in tip top running condtion now.
here's a pic,
6015755171_836df8b9fd_z.jpg

As far as i know only the mufflers and the seat aren't stock. To be honest i kind of like the stock look, but the more I lurk on this forum the more I like the streetfighter/cafe look as well. I am still undecided if I want to do anything to the motorcycle in terms of aesthetics.
Anyway, just saying hello to all of you here.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Welcome! I am also new to the site. You have a nice looking bike there.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Poster, Glad you found the thread, Links on page 1 should keep you busy for awhile seeing what some of us have done /are doing. I gotta say yours looks very clean and original, I would probably have a hard time cutting it up. I would probably be on the hunt for an original seat (While the one on it is Nice) and original mufflers and bring it back to its Original/Stock glory. I have a CB750K1, I just can't bring myself to "Molest". I am gathering parts for a future SOHC 4 Custom/Build, but will probably start with a more needy candidate, a bike with one foot in the junk yard, so I have no problem doing what I want to it.

Both restoration and customizing can rewarding in different ways.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Poster, nice ride. I would keep the pipers you havem they look better than stock but a stock hawk seat would improve the back end for sure. They are a lot flatter. You could also glass a seat pan and due a custom seat that mounts to the factory mounts and make it returnable to stock as well.

Cheers and welcome to the site.

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

Frankenfe said:
Poster, Glad you found the thread, Links on page 1 should keep you busy for awhile seeing what some of us have done /are doing. I gotta say yours looks very clean and original, I would probably have a hard time cutting it up. I would probably be on the hunt for an original seat (While the one on it is Nice) and original mufflers and bring it back to its Original/Stock glory. I have a CB750K1, I just can't bring myself to "Molest". I am gathering parts for a future SOHC 4 Custom/Build, but will probably start with a more needy candidate, a bike with one foot in the junk yard, so I have no problem doing what I want to it.

Both restoration and customizing can rewarding in different ways.
Click to expand...
I have been drooling over the "half sack" for a few days now. For me I think, the hardest part about hacking the bike into a cafe build is probably the financial aspect of it. I am a poor college student as it is. The hawk is my first bike and I can't say that I am all that mechanically inclined, since it was my brother who was helping me a lot to restore this bike. Another factor is time. I am planning to use the bike to zip around the city, mainly to commute to school on daily basis. So the bike would be out of comission for few months if I would decide to start the modification of it. Agrhh... I will leave it as it is now, lol.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Maritime said:
Poster, nice ride. I would keep the pipers you havem they look better than stock but a stock hawk seat would improve the back end for sure. They are a lot flatter. You could also glass a seat pan and due a custom seat that mounts to the factory mounts and make it returnable to stock as well.

Cheers and welcome to the site.

Maritime
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am planning to buy some nice marine vinyl and reupholster the seat anyway. I will probably pick up a stock seat at some point too and keep it as a spare.
The only reason why i replaced the mufflers was becasue the originals were so rusted that you could stick your fingers through the rusted patches. As far as I know the bike was last ridden in '86 I think. Since then it was garaged, and maybe fired up every one in a while.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Hehe I've drooled over "half sack" a lot lately as well :D
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(45+ Build Links!)

Poster,


I wouldn't touch that thing except for maybe a seat. These bikes are a dime a dozen in rough shape. If you want to play around with one of these go get a shitbox and do whatever you want to it. I hate it when people carve up pristine examples of any bike just because they are bored.


Plus that way you have:
1) Something to ride while playing around with the other bike
2) You have a great reference to see how things go back together.


This thing is in great shape. It would be a shame to cut it up even though it's not highly collectible.
Just my .02
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

Thanks guys! Now I really feel special hehe.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

That bike is mint - I wouldn't do much too it, maybe change the handlebars etc. Easy to revert back if you ever want to.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

I didn't even realize this thread existed - nice to have a spot for all this info. I've got a 78 CB400T with an 81 engine. I stripped a lot of stuff off when I got it and did the regular maintenance, but this winter I plan on doing a lot more (pods, airbox move, actual paint job, maybe a bigger bore).

Before
IMG_0051.jpg

After
clubman2.jpg

clubman3.jpg
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

cleeuw said:
I didn't even realize this thread existed - nice to have a spot for all this info. I've got a 78 CB400T with an 81 engine. I stripped a lot of stuff off when I got it and did the regular maintenance, but this winter I plan on doing a lot more (pods, airbox move, actual paint job, maybe a bigger bore).
Click to expand...

Glad you found it, Nice start on your bike. Of all the Comstar equipped bikes your Model / Year is the best. A respectable rear sized rim not found on the CM's (Stupid 16" size)
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

Frank,

Ya know I bought a set of CM400T wheels off epay last year and I didn't know (at the time) that I could use those wheels from the CB400T on my bike. The 16" rear isn't terrible, but I would like to have the taller wheel for asthetics and to bring the back end up a bit. Oh well...
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

We live & Learn, I also like the look of the true ComStar as on the CBTs (Smoother) vs the "Reverse" ComStars of the CMs.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

I would like to swap my comstars out for some spoked wheels later on but im not sure which way to go. Or even if it would be worth the money.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

MBS said:
That bike is mint - I wouldn't do much too it, maybe change the handlebars etc. Easy to revert back if you ever want to.
Click to expand...
I think i will leave everything as it. I am too tired to start doing anything now. Summer is almost over and I would rather ride a bit more than spend time customizing the bike. I have already put too much money into it as it is.
However I do need to replace the suspension on it. What would you guys recommend? Preferably something that doesn't put me into debt ;p.
 
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)

Anyone in this thread know the tach ratio for these old bikes? Specifically an '81 CB400TII? I recall seeing a thread that had them all listed once, but I can't find it now for the life of me. I'll check out hondatwins.net also.
 
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