So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(50+ Build Links!)
- Thread starter Frankenfe
- Start date
ponycarman
Been Around the Block
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Deffinately would love to know more! That is an awesome bike!
Deffinately would love to know more! That is an awesome bike!
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Hey, my first time posting.. my first bike build, it's an 82 cm450c. Only a few things left to do- a few frame tabs to cut off, installing a kicker this winter... bought this and an 81 cm400c on craigslist for $300 each. Got the 400 running and laid it down, hit a mailbox the 3rd time out.
Off work for 4 weeks, I took the 450 down to the frame and sprayed it. Picked up the wheels for $30 each at a salvage yard. Rebuilt the carbs, added pod filters- runs a little lean but pretty well. 2 into 1 exhaust from ebay and emgo handlebars. Rebuilt the front caliper, replaced brake and throttle cables. Found a pretty cool headlight bucket too.
The seat is an airtech cb750 from craigslist, the tank is a junkyard 750 supersport.
$20 spray can paint job that looks like it cost at least $35!
Couple more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/travistetzlaff/sets/72157627477053973/with/6113345282/
Hey, my first time posting.. my first bike build, it's an 82 cm450c. Only a few things left to do- a few frame tabs to cut off, installing a kicker this winter... bought this and an 81 cm400c on craigslist for $300 each. Got the 400 running and laid it down, hit a mailbox the 3rd time out.
Off work for 4 weeks, I took the 450 down to the frame and sprayed it. Picked up the wheels for $30 each at a salvage yard. Rebuilt the carbs, added pod filters- runs a little lean but pretty well. 2 into 1 exhaust from ebay and emgo handlebars. Rebuilt the front caliper, replaced brake and throttle cables. Found a pretty cool headlight bucket too.
The seat is an airtech cb750 from craigslist, the tank is a junkyard 750 supersport.
$20 spray can paint job that looks like it cost at least $35!
Couple more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/travistetzlaff/sets/72157627477053973/with/6113345282/
Attachments
Frankenfe
Coast to Coast
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Wow Trav....Way to introduce yourself! Nicely done! and people think you can't make a decent Cafe out of these bikes.
What Model wheels did you use? any issues with the front disc?
What is your plan for the kick start? I have an '80 CM400T it did not have a kick, but the '70 CM400T parts bike I bought did have one. (Strange they decided to omit it in '80 I guess) My plan is to use the '79 engine When I put it back together. It had fewr miles anyway.
As I study your pics I am sure I will come up with a few more questions.
Wow Trav....Way to introduce yourself! Nicely done! and people think you can't make a decent Cafe out of these bikes.
What Model wheels did you use? any issues with the front disc?
What is your plan for the kick start? I have an '80 CM400T it did not have a kick, but the '70 CM400T parts bike I bought did have one. (Strange they decided to omit it in '80 I guess) My plan is to use the '79 engine When I put it back together. It had fewr miles anyway.
As I study your pics I am sure I will come up with a few more questions.
ponycarman
Been Around the Block
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Wow I would love to hear alot more details on that bike! First off it looks increadable! Would like more info on the wheel swap, the tank fitting, if there were any frame mods and such. I'm so amazed at how gorgeous your bike is. Great work man! I think I found another inspiration bike haha.
Wow I would love to hear alot more details on that bike! First off it looks increadable! Would like more info on the wheel swap, the tank fitting, if there were any frame mods and such. I'm so amazed at how gorgeous your bike is. Great work man! I think I found another inspiration bike haha.
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Hey, glad you guys like the bike it's been a really fun project. I'm at work today but i'll try and shoot some more photos tomorrow.
The wheel swap was interesting... they're both honda wheels but other than that I don't know much about them. I think the front is from a 70s cb750, don't quote me on that though.
I used washers to space them because they fit different than the comstars. With the speedo sending unit, the front wheel was too wide to fit, so I've only got a tach. The front wheel came with a disc that is thicker than stock, but the same diameter, and the caliper adjusted to fit it.
It was hard to find a tank that fit. I found the supersport tank for $20 at the same junkyard half the parts on the bike came from. It was stripped and sanded but had some small holes and rust on the inside. Fitting the tank meant I had to cut off most of the tank mounting studs on the frame. I left about 1/4" of stud and made some rubber mounts by cutting 1/4" slices from the stock rubber ones. I also had to cut the C shaped mounting collar things on the tank down just a bit. Then I put some earplugs in and took a hammer to the underside of the tank to make it fit. It didn't need too muchdenting reshaping to make it work.
All I've cut from the frame are those tank mounts and a few of the side cover mounts. There are a few extra pieces still that can be cut I think. Surprisingly i was able to keep the raised beam behind the shocks, and I used that as a mount for the battery.
I had to remove the center stand spring because the stock left side exhaust doubles as the stop for the center stand. Without exhaust on the left side, the stand is stopped by the chain. Right now i've got the stand cable tied out of the way, I'm going to try and find a more permanent solution though.
I havent ever heard of a kick start being added to a 400 twin, but I bought the parts on ebay (clutch cover, kick shaft with gears and spring, and kick lever) and i'm pretty sure it's possible. It's going to require getting at the bottom end though, so that's a winter project.
Sorry for the long post!
Hey, glad you guys like the bike it's been a really fun project. I'm at work today but i'll try and shoot some more photos tomorrow.
The wheel swap was interesting... they're both honda wheels but other than that I don't know much about them. I think the front is from a 70s cb750, don't quote me on that though.
I used washers to space them because they fit different than the comstars. With the speedo sending unit, the front wheel was too wide to fit, so I've only got a tach. The front wheel came with a disc that is thicker than stock, but the same diameter, and the caliper adjusted to fit it.
It was hard to find a tank that fit. I found the supersport tank for $20 at the same junkyard half the parts on the bike came from. It was stripped and sanded but had some small holes and rust on the inside. Fitting the tank meant I had to cut off most of the tank mounting studs on the frame. I left about 1/4" of stud and made some rubber mounts by cutting 1/4" slices from the stock rubber ones. I also had to cut the C shaped mounting collar things on the tank down just a bit. Then I put some earplugs in and took a hammer to the underside of the tank to make it fit. It didn't need too much
All I've cut from the frame are those tank mounts and a few of the side cover mounts. There are a few extra pieces still that can be cut I think. Surprisingly i was able to keep the raised beam behind the shocks, and I used that as a mount for the battery.
I had to remove the center stand spring because the stock left side exhaust doubles as the stop for the center stand. Without exhaust on the left side, the stand is stopped by the chain. Right now i've got the stand cable tied out of the way, I'm going to try and find a more permanent solution though.
I havent ever heard of a kick start being added to a 400 twin, but I bought the parts on ebay (clutch cover, kick shaft with gears and spring, and kick lever) and i'm pretty sure it's possible. It's going to require getting at the bottom end though, so that's a winter project.
Sorry for the long post!
ponycarman
Been Around the Block
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
awesome! Any interesting mods to get the seat to work? I keep staring at the pics haha. It really does look great!
awesome! Any interesting mods to get the seat to work? I keep staring at the pics haha. It really does look great!
Frankenfe
Coast to Coast
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
The more I look at it The more I like it. The Tank and Seat combo make the bike. Easily in the Top five I have seen for theCM/CBT Frame.
More Questions:
Any Padding on the seat?
How did you handle the gap between the frame drop and the straight line of the seat. I have tried to see in the one closer pic, looks like reverse "Gills" from what I can see.
Nice clean open frame. Can you post a pic of how you layed out the electrics/battery under the seat?
The more I look at it The more I like it. The Tank and Seat combo make the bike. Easily in the Top five I have seen for theCM/CBT Frame.
More Questions:
Any Padding on the seat?
How did you handle the gap between the frame drop and the straight line of the seat. I have tried to see in the one closer pic, looks like reverse "Gills" from what I can see.
Nice clean open frame. Can you post a pic of how you layed out the electrics/battery under the seat?
ponycarman
Been Around the Block
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Sweet looking bike!
Sweet looking bike!
cleeuw
Active Member
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Whoops - that's tach ratio (at least that's what I was told earlier in this thread). I'm not sure of the speedo ratio, but most places I've read say that 2240:60 is correct.
I just looked through both my Clymers and the HSM and I can't find this info anywhere.
Whoops - that's tach ratio (at least that's what I was told earlier in this thread). I'm not sure of the speedo ratio, but most places I've read say that 2240:60 is correct.
I just looked through both my Clymers and the HSM and I can't find this info anywhere.
ponycarman
Been Around the Block
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Those pics make it look so easy hehe. Great job man! It really looks great.
Those pics make it look so easy hehe. Great job man! It really looks great.
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
It was not that difficult to do...
(As simple as 1, 2, 3) just very time consuming waiting for layers to fully cure.
Anyone know a site that sells speedos (in Kilometers 100KPH = 2330RPM )?
I am only able to find KM from PartsNMore.
(Parts and more charge through the roof for delivery to Australia).
It was not that difficult to do...
(As simple as 1, 2, 3) just very time consuming waiting for layers to fully cure.
Anyone know a site that sells speedos (in Kilometers 100KPH = 2330RPM )?
I am only able to find KM from PartsNMore.
(Parts and more charge through the roof for delivery to Australia).
cleeuw
Active Member
Re: So you bought a CM400 / CB400T, now what...(46+ Build Links!)
Supposedly this one is for Hondas:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-parts-mini-chrome-kilometer-speedometer-27-807.html
You can call and ask them - I've had a lot of good experiences with DCC.
Supposedly this one is for Hondas:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-parts-mini-chrome-kilometer-speedometer-27-807.html
You can call and ask them - I've had a lot of good experiences with DCC.
