1978 Honda cb400t cafe (first build)

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

Wow finally got her back 2 1/2 ish weeks later from the fab shop who did a much better job than i could have learned to do in this short a period of time.

Not 100% perfect but ill be purchasing a welder and learning this as i no longer wish to wait 2 weeks to have my welds done.

Anyone know if this will give a good weld ?

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/mig-flux-welders/170-amp-migflux-wire-welder-22-volts-110-amps-68885.html

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

working in an industrial center has its advantages, just had the seat pan cut out by my neighbors at "Roscoe Sheet Metal" in 60 seconds and it fit like a glove. now its time to weld !!

 

[jwdmotorsports]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

That frame bears a lot of resemblance to the cx500 frame. I plan to do similar frame modifications to my cx. Looks good so far. Keep it up.

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

yeah my buddy has a cx500, the sub frame is identical to what mine was. Joon Yah really helped encourage the redesign never thought when i started this build that i would go as far as changing the frame but really happy i did. id recommend it to anyone now. My only regret is not learning to weld before i started this and doing it myself.

 

[SONICJK]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

Looking good man,

Don't regret not learning to weld on that. Re-doing the frame is really not a good first project. You'd really hate for your frame to break because you suck at welding (which you will when you start)

 

[jwdmotorsports]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

yeah my buddy has a cx500, the sub frame is identical to what mine was. Joon Yah really helped encourage the redesign never thought when i started this build that i would go as far as changing the frame but really happy i did. id recommend it to anyone now. My only regret is not learning to weld before i started this and doing it myself.

Understand where you're coming from. Kiley is responsible for talking me into hacking up my frame. I haven't done it yet but that is the plan.

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

Thanks Sonic, yeah plus if the fab shops welding breaks i can bring it back and they will redo it at no charge.

I spent the better part of last night welding in a cross member between the loop and the seat pan. I basically learned if your welding machine advises you not to use and extension cord and minimum 20 amp socket do it.. i was throwing beads everywhere on the pan making a huge mess but got it all out with a grinder and did a quick 3m abrasive disc polish ...

IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/k4yy3d.jpg[/IMG]

I should have practiced a bit more but the mock up i did welded fairly nice the only difference is i didn't use and extension cord and thus didn't throw molten beads everywhere. This is the mini mock up I practiced on

much less beads and a nicer weld... sorry to the pro's out there that may stumble on this.. when i say nice i mean first time welding nice

now to officially state i have scrapped the street fighter look as i decide not to change out the front end to a inverted forks and keep the stock ones although I am still replacing them because they are pitted beyond use i found a amazing deal on ebay for $50 !!!

i saw someone selling a cb400t fork cap alone for $40 .. hope no on ever buys that. p.s. message me if you need one i have one left over from the original forks i wont be using and after seeing the price i saw on ebay ill virtually give it to you not buy his!

so now that's off my chest.. the direction i decided to go in will be much simpler very similar to steel bent customs cb400t.

i love the seat pan they used, its proportioned perfectly with the tank. I can't find one anywhere that looks like it or even remotely close to it, so ill be visiting the metal supply shop and going at it with aluminum less i find one before i get off work that is already pre-made to my preference.

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

Still working on this seat and boy what a ride it has been to get it to this point and damn me for not using the cheese grater before the bondo glass completely cured ...basically lots o grinding/ sanding ahead. However here's the foam .. to fiberglass.. to bondo glass where i am now.

Started with floral foam and didn't use aerosol glue which i recommend everyone use .. I purchased the foam glue that is basically elmers white glue and a pain to work around.. if you use white glue never glue close to the edge that way when your sculpting you wont have to sand glue .. it doesn't sand well and always sits higher than the foam unless you pick it out... just dont use it.

After a lot of hacking and sanding (couple days to make sure i didnt leave out any small details "thanks dime city cycle youtube instructional by Herm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klcwT2IMznU )

I put it on the bike many times to make sure it fit right and to make sure the symmetry was as close to perfect as possible.

Now that i'm satisfied with the mold i'm protecting it with 3m blue painters tape ...

And now its time to start glassing, here it is curing ..

And once ive applied 4 layers .. 2 fiber cloth and 2 fiber mat the shell is ready to pop out .. well ... more like pull, rip and tear out.

some things i didnt like were that the bottom lip baccon'ed a smidge so it had no chance at sitting flush on the seat pan until i applied the bondo glass generously and filled them in.

still have to grind out the highs and refill the lows but she's almost done.

I took a break from the seat last night to start on the electronics. I had no choice due to space and height of the seat on the pan but to put everything under the hump .. battery, rectifier, solenoid, and fuse box. I welded plates to sit and hold everything in... For the rectifier i still need to drill holes in the front plate so it can breathe a little better and i will use a rubber hold strap across the top of all three except for the solenoid because it has its own holds down with it's original bracket.

That was a long post but its been a while since ive updated, next is to adjust or redo the wiring harness to fit the new location of the electronics.. If anyone has any tips or advice feel free to chime in a line.

 

[Maritime]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

Make sure your RR has air or it will cook. The reason for the heat sink on it. I mounted mine upside down under the tail. Out of site but in the air. Nice work so far, I see you have a manual so double check that for your timing issue and hopefully you get her running well agian.

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

thank you for checking that, i actually did mount it under the seat pan just havnt uploaded the pics but its nice to know you got my back because that would have fried in that position

 

[oldskool]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

The frame turned out pretty sweet !!!

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

THanks joon-yah so i happy i did it, here it is minus the motor that is currently installed and giving my inexperience alot of trouble

 

[realsugeknight]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

looks like you did a hell of a job with that seat, congrats! Did you just teach yourself to weld then do the battery box / did you buy the welder from harbor freight?

 

[Maritime]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

Seat is very nice. Good job.

 

[michaelcafefighter]

Re: 1978 Honda cb400t cafe/streetfighter build (beginning)

yeah the cheaper harbor frieght 90 amp welder.. i was using a 15 amp plug min required box says is 20 amp, it makes a huge difference but those plates while not beautiful hold well.