Author Topic: CB400F1 Supersport 1977 - Cafe Racer Project (Read 5334 times)

robnobrakes · « **on:** December 22, 2012, 04:34:14 AM »

I did start a post elsewhere but thought this might be a more suitable place to record the build progress. A more lively thread as to whether I should be undertaking such a project

can be found in the Open Forum - Cafe Racers, Touchy Subject

Bought at the beginning of November this year, my new project is progressing well. My aim is to reduce kerb weight and modestly increase power to improve the power to weight ratio.

As bought, the bike was fitted with an aftermarket exhaust said by the vendor to be a Yoshimura (some here think it may not be a Yoshi but who cares anyway

), non standard seat and rear suspension. The bike runs pretty well and is in fairly good condition. Bought for the sole intention of converting it into a Cafe Racer following the sale of my Triumph Thruxton Cafe Racer.

Strip down begins with the rear pegs, mounts and subframe already removed.

Centre stand removed, airbox removed

New flanged alloy rims with stainless steel spokes laced to the original refurbished hubs

Surface rust removed from frame and primer applied

Exhaust bead blasted and powder coated

New front wheel first fit and new Hagon rear suspension installed

Fibreglass mudguard cut and trimmed to fit

Modified cafe racer seat offered up to check out mounting points

Tank and bodywork taken to the painter

The late and great Jim Clark in his Team Lotus GP car at Brands Hatch gave me the inspiration for the colour scheme.

Paint colours used are the actual Lotus colours

This period Cibie headlight was a nice find

The stock handle bars are being replaced with alloy clip-ons. Once the tank and seat are back on I'll see if the footpegs need to be replaced with resets. The direction indicators have been removed.

I have just found out that my exhaust weighs half that of the stock exhaust, so weight savings achived so far amount to 17.690 Kg (amended due to extra weight of seat cushon) with a little more to come. With a projected modest power increase of say 10% and the weight savings, the power to weight ratio will improve by about 20%

Updated photos will be posted as and when works are carried out if peeps are interested

Kwality · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2012, 05:36:22 AM »

Fantastic. Subscribed here too!

Randawg77 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2012, 06:16:33 AM »

too cool. Can I ask what those alloy rims are off of? or are they new? my 400f's wheels are rusted and scratched up, would love some alloy bits. That exhaust looks cool too.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2012, 06:23:55 AM »

Quote from: Randawg77 on December 22, 2012, 06:16:33 AM

too cool. Can I ask what those alloy rims are off of? or are they new? my 400f's wheels are rusted and scratched up, would love some alloy bits. That exhaust looks cool too.

The flanged alloy rims are new, along with the stainless steel spokes, laced to my original refurbished hubs. The exhaust is said to be a Yoshimura, although there is some doubt by some peeps on here. On balance, more peeps think it is a Yoshi (including the guy I bought the bike from) than those who think it isn't.

hondalav · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2012, 06:36:36 AM »

Good move to start a new thread, now we can watch as your project progresses on.

All the best
Gerald

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2012, 07:19:48 AM »

Great project, like the 400F's. The seat appears to be standard, why do you think it's not?
And was the engine in running cond, was it rideable when purchased from the vender?

robnobrakes · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2012, 07:30:33 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on December 22, 2012, 07:19:48 AM

Great project, like the 400F's. The seat appears to be standard, why do you think it's not?
And was the engine in running cond, was it rideable when purchased from the vender?

The seat was an exact copy of the stock seat, but the base was fibreglass. It still sold for £89.00 on Ebay though

The bike was a good runner, with a full year's MOT (mandatory UK annual mechanical check)

Apexxn · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2012, 07:57:19 AM »

Can't say I'd ever shoot green and yellow on one of my bikes but considering it's a "nod" to Jim Clark gotta give you a thumbs up.

Now if only you were closer I'd start making offers on your stock parts.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2012, 08:20:57 AM »

Quote from: Apexxn on December 22, 2012, 07:57:19 AM

Can't say I'd ever shoot green and yellow on one of my bikes but considering it's a "nod" to Jim Clark gotta give you a thumbs up.

Now if only you were closer I'd start making offers on your stock parts.

The stock parts have already been sold on Ebay

robnobrakes · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2012, 08:35:20 AM »

Seat collected this afternoon. Sorry for the poor colour quality, my camara can't cope with difficult lighting conditions.

Mugen_Stumpo · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2012, 10:50:52 AM »

whoa! nice project!!!

refurbish the paioli shock they're good suspension!

i really love the exhaust no mater what brand it is

robnobrakes · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2012, 10:58:34 AM »

I have bought Hagon to replace the Paioli shocks. I'll probably list them on Ebay, but they are leaking and require a full rebuild.

I agree, the exhaust rocks

Mugen_Stumpo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2012, 11:00:39 AM »

where do you got the spokes set?

do you used 1.85 front nd 2.15 rear alu rims? stock size spokes?

thanks

robnobrakes · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2012, 11:32:29 AM »

Here

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/

My rims are also stock size 1.60 front, 1.85 rear.

kyre · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2012, 12:11:50 PM »

Nice one man! Looking forward to the progress. I'm in the middle of a 400f (466) build too but am slowly updating my thread on here. Where do you get the rims laced with stainless? Buchanans? After adding everything up from my research a set of alloy shouldered wheels from buchanans would be close to $1k if they build.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2012, 01:37:47 PM »

£404.00 in the UK by http://www.anglia-wheels.co.uk/

MRieck · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2012, 02:10:42 PM »

Interesting cut outs on the front rotor

robnobrakes · « **Reply #17 on:** December 25, 2012, 12:10:07 AM »

Quote from: MRieck on December 24, 2012, 02:10:42 PM

Interesting cut outs on the front rotor

It remains to be seen as to whether the mod will improve braking performance or be detrimental to it

Blackandsilver · « **Reply #18 on:** December 25, 2012, 08:16:13 PM »

Quote from: robnobrakes on December 25, 2012, 12:10:07 AM

Quote from: MRieck on December 24, 2012, 02:10:42 PM
Interesting cut outs on the front rotor

It remains to be seen as to whether the mod will improve braking performance or be detrimental to it

I like your attitude.

Win some lose some, it's all the same to me.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2013, 06:16:39 AM »

First fit before seat is upholstered.

ivanhoew · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2013, 06:47:06 AM »

like!

gjunkie · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2013, 08:04:03 AM »

Awesome build! didn't waste any time

What's the difference between the CB400F and the CB400F1 I wonder.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2013, 08:16:42 AM »

Quote from: gjunkie on January 03, 2013, 08:04:03 AM

Awesome build! didn't waste any time What's the difference between the CB400F and the CB400F1 I wonder.

The F1's were the earlier bikes with no pinstriping on the tank. The F2's had pinstrips and, I believe, the US bikes had higher bars and repositioned footpegs.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2013, 09:13:59 AM »

Clip=ons, clipped on

Seat ribbing hand stitched

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2013, 06:21:24 PM »

Seat looks fantastic.

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Author Topic: CB400F1 Supersport 1977 - Cafe Racer Project (Read 5334 times)