Well, this is the beginning of another build. It's been awhile since the last one was documented (my CB750F2), but don't worry, it hasn't just been life that's gotten in the way, there have been a fair number of bikes too. I actually made a list of 5 bikes I wanted to own one day own back in my early to mid teens. I realize now it is a function of the vintage of my father's magazines that I studied for hours and hours. The list didn't change much over the years. My 1977 CB750F2 was the first on the list, followed by the 1983 CX650T. Turns out, the last 3 bikes came to my garage over the course of last year.
Technically I made the deal on the 1979 CBX1000 back in December of 2013, but for various reasons I didn't have it in my possession until late February of last year. I'm not looking for fully restored specimens as I enjoy doing the work myself. It's the only thing nearly as good as riding these old bikes. Rather, I was looking for complete examples that already had the 1 or 2 pieces of unobtanium already acquired. The CBX came with NOS exhaust, but hasn't run for 11 years. But that's for a different forum.
I had passed up on a Black Bomber 5 years ago for a good price that I'd always regretted. Out of the blue, mid year, with my CBX safely in my garage, I found a very clean example of a 1965 CB450K0. After some shipping, some storage and a road trip to get it across the border, it was mine. Now all I had left on my list was a 1975 CB400F. Red please.
Sure enough, last fall, a red 1975 CB400F came up locally, and I pounced. The price was high, but the simplicity of the deal sold it for me. The last two bikes had come across the border, and I was well aware of the dollar amount that was added to the price tag. In addition to cash, the licensing process here in Alberta requires more money and an inspection, which means time. This was a local bike, I could plate the next day, that was a runner, and came with a bunch of spare parts. Sold.
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So it came with a pair of '76 side covers as well. Nice to have the option, but I'll run the red ones usually. That's currently a '76 engine as well. No worries, the original is complete in the bins against the wall. PO tore it down to repair a cam chain tensioner that he wrecked. He found a running '76 parts bike the he pulled the motor from to power his ride while he fixed the original motor.
My plan is to finish building the original engine to take stock of parts, then completely tear it down to check PO's work. In the process I'll fully paint, polish and detail the engine, all while I'm riding the bike. Does it get any better?
Plan is full restoration with just 2 non-stock mods. Bar end mirrors to finish the cafe racer look and LED gauge lighting ala tweakin.
Priority right now is to fix the carburetion issues (idle sucks) with a full teardown, cleaning and rebuild and fix the out of adjustment clutch.
