CB400n cafe build - Uni Student - Australia

[teazer]

Check out how modern bikes like a GSXR or R1 work within those rules. They have "something" that reaches where teh rule say, but they don't really have big fenders and even then there's the fender to get through a roadworthy and that you keep in the garage for when you sell the bike and then there's the fender (or not) that you ride with.

 

[JobCran92]

ordered some clipons from victoria - should be here on monday!


looking for some mud guards and cheap rearsets - i think the perfectly obvious spot to put them is in the passenger footpeg mounts - those ugly black (should come up nice with a polish though) triangular mounts. here's what i mean.

 

[JobCran92]

got a headlight! a nice 7" chrome cafe looking one. here are some phone pics

 

[JobCran92]

got a front mudguard! too bad the one on the bike was plastic - here's the new one which i hope to cut off just in front of the forks.

 

[1976cb356]

where did u get that sweet headlight?

 

[JobCran92]

i got it from a small motorcycle spares/repair shop on the Gold Coast, QLD, Australia for $120 which I thought was very reasonable.


http://www.motorcycle-dealers.com.au/new-and-used-bikes-dealers/qld-dealers/gold-coast/gold-coast-motorcycles-southport-queensland.html

 

[1976cb356]

Probably the best headlight I have seen, Theres a lucas one thats the same basic idea, for about $50, it looks like you got your moneys worth.

 

[JobCran92]

i tried to barter a bit with him but he wouldnt budge haha - i thought i may as well spend it coz im not going to find another one i like more at a lower price. i was checking out the deus stuff and as cool as it is its so pricey.


i was thinking about it earlier and came up with a rough color scheme.


Black - Engine (as the cb400n isnt the prettiest thing out there - maybe some silver alternator/clutch covers)
- Frame (as the engine is a stressed member it would flow nicely with a frame of the same color)
- Rims (will fit nice with the tyre)


Silver - headlight
- tank
- spokes
-mufflers (i know its obvious but i really like the look of exhaust wrap)
- mudguards


Tan - Grips
- seat?


Any ideas?

 

[JobCran92]

ordered clipons!

 

[sham]

How silver is silver? Chrome silver or just polished/stripped back silver?
And in my very limited experience with bikes it seems to me like bartering doesn't work in this field lol. I tried with my bike and he wouldn't budge either, I suppose they know when you've asked about it so much that you really want it...
The parts are really nice but - especially that headlight.

 

[JobCran92]

polished silver i think. ouch thats not going to fare well with a stingy uni student like me! guess ill have to get used to paying full price! haha

Going to (hopefully) get lots done this weekend - hopefully finish the filler stage of the tank and get a primer coat on it (very excited!!!) - after that ill probably do a mock up so i can visualise roughly what she'll look like and decide what to do for a seat, and get a rought colour scheme happening because ive got most of the required parts now (well the essentials anyway) and im keen to do some seat ideas on photoshop!

not sure about cutting up the frame as here in australia the regulations are pretty stringent and im not game to just hack at the frame.

 

[JobCran92]

got a fair bit done today - got the front end together (the main components anyway) and cut up the existing headlight brackets and flipped them to get the headlight low - worked a treat. will post pics soon. sanded back the filler i put on last time ready for the final coat before primer goes on. hopefully sill get that done tomorrow.

 

[sham]

Yeh I heard any modifications to the frame will make things difficult. You'll need to prove its been 'engineered' I heard. But not 100% sure, haven't checked yet.

Sounds like you're getting a lot done

 

[peteGSX]

Should look good when you're done!

And yeah, frame modifications are a PITA here, Qld DOT rules are you've gotta get an approved engineer to say the work is safe and doesn't compromise safety etc. which = $$$. I've heard SA is a little more lenient but that's about it... At the same time, if they don't know it's been modified... :-X

That's partly why with my scrambler I made up a new tail piece with fibreglass that uses the existing frame work and allows the stock seat pan to lock in with the lock and everything.

 

[JobCran92]

pics

 

[JobCran92]

more

 

[JobCran92]

ideas for the rear mudguard - mount it on the rear swingarm so it hugs the wheel yet still conforms to regulations. Ill hopefully use a wide front mudguard from a bigger bike so its wide enough.

 

[peteGSX]

Definitely got a good stance going on there! And I like the rear guard idea too...

 

[cleeuw]

Did you fill in the badge mounts entirely with bondo? If so, did you grind out the plate first, then fill the hole? I thought that would be too deep for bondo.

 

[JobCran92]

yes i ground out the badge mounts first and then filled it with a type of lightweight body filler. had no problems so far. did it in layers - it wasnt that deep.


thanks peteGS i found a place called langford metal industries in south brisbane that will blast prime and powdercoat my frame/swingarm and a few other bits for $185! going to head up there wednesday as uni exams/assessment is catching up with me! almost finished the tank as well - going to prime it this week.