Topic: '77 CB 400F "Gracy" : NOW WITH FORK BRACE!

[Greggo]

Where can I find one of those oil filter adapters?

[MasterChief750]

i nabbed one on ebay

[TPColgett]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300529554768

$58 shipped in the US. Having looked at the adapter when I got it, some one skilled with a lathe could run one up for the price of the aluminum and threaded stock. Either way I am very happy with it!

[TPColgett]

Carb synch complete!





Pulls much better through the top end, small burbles and pops around 7.5K and still getting used to where she wants to idle. I am pleased to report a nearly suspicious lack of cam chain noise even down around a 1K idle. Idles much happier around 1500 though.

Today's progress also included locating a slip on muffler designed for the bike and placing an order for a custom fork brace. I went to change plugs and was genuinely surprised to find brand spanking new Champion R6's in there. Guess Ill hang on to my stock pile of R6 G's a little longer >_<

I talked to a local contact who said he had molds for a fiber glass tank... Laying glass is a new skill I would have to pick up but one that sounds like it has interesting possibilities. Now I just have to estimate cost and weigh that against attempting to keep repairing the tank I have...

[TPColgett]

I have the bike back now!

With a shiny new fork brace:



This style of brace wont allow me to run a front fender, although the machinist said he could make one that would. That would be a 7 piece clamp vs the 3 piece though increasing cost and weight. Weight is nothing! The X piece itself weighs something like 3 ounces 

The slip on Mac muffler is on, but to dark for photos. I confirmed the headlight bulb was good, and that there was power at the fuse box, nothing at the connector in the bucket though... back to the wiring diagram 

[SanDogDewey]

Get those carbs cleaned and she'll idle nicely.

[socalenduro]

sweet brace....where did you get it? how much did you pay?

[TPColgett]

I stumbled across TKat and his work on an XS650Forum, but he was up to the challenge of making a one off for my little SOHC4. You can check out his work and contact him through his site:

 http://www.tkat.com/forkbrace.html

He kept the drawings from my brace so it could easily be reproduced and I know he has a one piece race designed brace for the 550 as well on file. A great guy to work with!

As far as price, you'd have to negotiate with him, he's retired and I was local so I brought the bike to his shop. He only charged me $125 for the three piece "special" design (which wont allow a front fender) and I think it was a steal for the workmanship!

[socalenduro]

ohhhh its even got a little lip to put the dust wipers back on.... pretty slick...
is the front end noticeably stiffer?

[TPColgett]

With no tank still, I haven't been able to "thoroughly" test it yet  but It is very very trick and as the machinist said, as long as im not throwing her side ways at sears point, it will do just fine lol

[TPColgett]

Well when all looked dim, a ray of light has broken through in the area of my tank! A local radiator shop wants my parents shops business and asked for a piece to demonstrate there capabilities on... oh man am I excited to see what they make of that rusted out colander like POS!

[TPColgett]

So it has been a while...TOO Long sadly. Got the tank back. Multiple patches had to be welded into the hump area and over my original soldered repairs and a full liner was done by my local radiator shop. Tank needs minor body work to clean up the "lead " slug they used to patch a whole in the top but is otherwise now 100%

Only pic I have, appears to pass feline inspection!

I have a small mountain of additional parts...

Tapered steering stem bearings

New DSS side covers

Solid front race axle  Part # 400-022 from ttr400

Tach blanking plug Part # 400-032 from from ttr400

New MAC slip on muffler (actually on the bike)

Generic fork ears and LED blinkers with a Roc city Spitfire headlight bucket with a 90%
completed HID conversion (housing and retaining ring with DDM 35/55w hi lo kit)

Carpy "Cafe Racer Front Fairing"

Fully "bolt on" ( from a modified seat pan, IE hinge and plunger lock still work) "cafe" seat with LED brake light

2 Full carb rebuild kits

... And that is just what I can remember right now...

The future of this project is now uncertain however. I already have my fathers 550 and several other bikes. I will be posting a link to this thread in the Classifieds soon and entertaining offers...

[Free Booter]

Nice Brace! Tkat made the one for my CB750k5 too. He does top notch work. Fit like a glove.