Topic: First time project CB400f Super Sport 1975

[redlabel]

Hi guys!
I have bought a nice Honda cb400f 1975 in good technical condition. Engine has been rebuilt and most seals, nuts and bolts has been replaced. It was a great starting point for my dream of a Cafe racer.
I live way up in Northern Norway so the season for riding bikes are very short. This means I have plenty of time to work on the bike Only "problem" is I got one 7months old son and one that's 5 years so my spare time is limited. So.....in advance sorry if the progress isn't the best.
The starting point:




The first thing I did was to rip of the LARGE rear fender, blinkers and the seat. Just by doing that it changed the look of the bike completely:


How do you like my beautiful flower.......


Took her outside and removed the exhaust just to hear the pure raw tone from the beautiful four:


Love this pic:




Next I removed the rest of the mambo jumbo:



The wires was a mess so they have to be replaced:



A little bonus in the Koni shock. I guess they need a rebuild.....Any tips on where to get parts for these?


Another bonus! Dyna ignition mounted by previous owner:


Removed the wireloom and all those damn powerthief connectors! Also did some touch up on the frame with Hammerite. Worked great and matched the color on the frame very well! :




Bought some nice gauges and a dragbar from Dimecity. They got some nice stuff over there!:



Ordered a seat from a nice fellow I meet on eBay. It's not mounted yet so it will come lower:







Mounted some small tinted blinkers. Liked the look:


My son wanted to come to the garage with me......I couldn't deny him:



My friend working on his Suzuki SR500 and his fathers Norton Commander 750:


This is what I am planing on making her look. It's just a quick fix in artweaver, but you get the idea. The tank is a twisted cb750 tank, but it was just to see what the color scheme would look. The number will be 75 like the production year.


I'll keep you updated as soon as I get a chance to work on her again. Also....please correct me if my english is bad 

[Bankerdanny]

It's coming along. Too bad someone replaced the original header with an aftermarket.

[redlabel]

I know.....a shame! Doesn't have the same nice flow as the original.
Does anyone know what header I have?

[Timmy]

Welcome!
Nice little bike you've got there. Doing a cb400f myself, or "soon". When the snow hits the ground it'll go into the garage. Gonna ride stock this summer.

Nice to see someone from the Nordic countries here for a change

[redlabel]

Hi Timmy!
Glad to hear there will be others starting up projects this winter
Have you started a build-tread?

[Timmy]

Yeah I have, sort of. But I will do a more proper one later on, when I get more things done.

[redlabel]

Nice. Good luck. Will be following your progress

[redlabel]

So I got quoted a price for painting the tank and the side covers.....915$!!! That was incl filling and primer, but still!
Guess it will be the old rattle can on this then. Will be using the Auto-K Multona in Dolphin gray and their Spraymax 2K clearcoat.
Was thinking about doing the following:
- Propper cleaning
- Wetsanding with 240grid and cleaning
- 1 coat primer
- Wetsanding with 1500grid and cleaning
- 3 coats base of Dolphin gray.
- 3 coats 2k clear

Does this sound ok?

[nvr2old]

As a painter myself, I'd be curious as to what you believe a professionally prepped and painted set of tins should go for?  Was that estimate for a single color base coat and clear, or was it with striping, too?  When you consider how expensive quality materials costs, alone, plus labor..$900 sounds very fair to me with all due respect. 

[Scubasteev]

Personally with kids and bills and grok, I could never justify 900 on a paint job. Sounds like a good operatunity to learn how to do it yourself. More rewarding too. 

[redlabel]

As a painter myself, I'd be curious as to what you believe a professionally prepped and painted set of tins should go for?  Was that estimate for a single color base coat and clear, or was it with striping, too?  When you consider how expensive quality materials costs, alone, plus labor..$900 sounds very fair to me with all due respect.

Hi!
With all due respect for you and your profession I think the quote was a little high compared to my previous cost working on cars. The price was for a single color base and clear. Tank is glassblasted and primed ready for paint.
This was a guy doing the job in his spare time at his workplace...........
I have started the path to paint Scuba It's a long road!
I sanded and put filler on the sidepanels yesterday.
Had these decals made for the sidepanels. 75 for the build year:

[redlabel]

Did a little jobb on the bike yesterday.
Cut the rear fender and made new mounts. Trial mount of the RFY-shocks and the Shorty Slashcut muffler from Dime City Cycles(will be painting the red)! I also changed the ignition switch with a new one from 4into1.

[jude0007]

subscribed! I have the same bike, looking for inspiration.  The PO did a hackjob on a few things but a fun little bike to ride.

[Greggo]

I have to rebuild a similar set of KONI shocks.  I was told by a man who rebuilds them as a side business that the seals can usually be cleaned up enough to reuse.  So, you shouldn't need any parts as long as they aren't too far gone.  The seals are hard to find if you need them.  He was the only source I found, and he doesn't like to sell them.

Nice little 400 by the way!

[redlabel]

subscribed! I have the same bike, looking for inspiration.  The PO did a hackjob on a few things but a fun little bike to ride.

Nice! It's a fun timestealer! Do you have a build thread?

[redlabel]

I have to rebuild a similar set of KONI shocks.  I was told by a man who rebuilds them as a side business that the seals can usually be cleaned up enough to reuse.  So, you shouldn't need any parts as long as they aren't too far gone.  The seals are hard to find if you need them.  He was the only source I found, and he doesn't like to sell them.

Nice little 400 by the way!

Thanks I have been in contact with Ikon and this is the respons I got:
Dear Eirik,

We have similar part numbers to many of the Koni’s but we do not have rebuild kits. We sell seal kits for late model 7610 series shocks which include: 2 body o-rings, 2 rod deals and 2 small o-rings for the top eye assembly.
Hope this helps.

Warm regards,

Stephanie Lowe
(02) 6040 9955
Ikon Suspension

www.ikonsuspension.com

[redlabel]

Had some time in the garrage yesterday....The kids finally went to sleep.
Got the RFY-shocks mounted. Had to make a bushing of a 10x1 pipe to put in the oem lower bushing to make the bolt tight. Perfect fit. I am not sure about the ride height, but that I have to test when I get the bike rolling.


never mind the crocked rear fender...work in progress.


I also got the drag bar mounted.


Bought a combined Regulator\Rectifier, but as you can see the cables was mixed up. Green and red had to switch place. Kind if a big deal since red goes to + and green to ground :p

I also replaced the Solenoid switch with a new one from 4into1



Removed the carbs for rejeting for cone-filter and the slash-cut exhaust.


That really cleaned up the look! Any way to run without carbs?!?!

[redlabel]

Work in progress.
The fork seal\rubber was all cracked so I decided on replacing them with a oldschool rubberseal. Had to drop the forks, but it was a pretty straight forward job.




Have bought both of the handlebar switches new. Right side is a replica and lef is original. Bought from David Silverparts. Originally they are delivered without a cable passthrough for internal wiring in the handlebar. I didn't want to go through the hassle of drilling and pulling cables for only 2 inches inside the bars so I drilled a hole in the bottom of the switches.
OEM:

Drilled:



Did most of the rear wiring as well. Removed the old regulator and cut the mounts. Mounted the  Regulator\rectifier combo unit where the old regulator had been.



The tank I had glassblasted was a mess! The PO had done a great job with the filler.......I regret not just sanding it down..well well...because of the outcome I decided to keep the tank in bare metall and go with a rat look on it. Maybe put some por-15 on it to keep the rust away.


with seat and tank

[mono]

nice progress so far!  too bad about the tank, but you can probably get those dents pulled out without spending a fortune.

[redlabel]

Thanks Mono....my plan is to keep the Rat-look of the tank and buy a new replica tank from David Silverparts so I can have a Church-sunday tank as well 

[4bangin]

I bought that same style seat for my CB500, I love it although I have not mounted yet. I will need to modify the holes where the seat lock goes. I'd love the see any pic's on how yours mounts up. Thanks.

Here is my underside of the seat.

[redlabel]

Hi!
My seat had studs placed on the same position as the oem seat. My seat is not fully mounted yet, but I think it will fit ok with the original mounts.

[redlabel]

Long time no hear......... :p
Man is it exhausting having 2 kids!!
Anyhow..
Got the sidecovers primed and painted With Plastidip flat black. Came out great:




These are the decals I got custom made for the sidecovers:


I Also got around to laying on the DuraCoat flat clearcoat on the tank. Like I said the tank will be a brat\rat tank so I haven't paid any notice to details on it. The "Clear" looks great, but was hard to work With. Did get runs very easy! That small container let me lay 7 coats of Clear...... made my head spin at the end...
Before:


After:




Now to find out what kind of decals I'll use. HAve to be something that matches the tank. Thinking oldschool Honda or Pinup........


Also re jetted the carbs to run pods and slashcut. Went With Slow jet #38: 99124-076-0380 and Main #90:

[redlabel]

Long time since posting.
Bike is "done" and on the road! She feels GREAT!!Will post more pics when I get home from my vacation

[redlabel]

Just did a quick oil change. Fresh Valvoline 10W\40 and a new K&N filter(KN-401). Runs real smooth now.
 

[redlabel]

Can't wait for summer!!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Great job!

[redlabel]

Great job!

Thanks

[Tezrhc]

I wasn't sure how it was going to look but it's turned out really good.
I like it a lot 

[redlabel]

I wasn't sure how it was going to look but it's turned out really good.
I like it a lot 

Thanks. You never know before it's finished. There are a few things I would like to change, but I have also bought a Transalp that needs my attention now...