Author Topic: 1977 CB400F Rebuild  (Read 20320 times)

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Offline marting100

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #25 on: October 07, 2016, 05:26:18 PM »
A little bit nuts! I like it ;D
Well I kepted my bike raw, so my headers are just like that, sanded and coated with clear ceramic coating. I like seeing the wear of ages, But that's me. You will probably go all in on those :o

Offline bill440cars

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #26 on: October 09, 2016, 09:01:34 AM »

     Just got in on this and I must say, Very nice work there. Totally enjoying this and might give me ideas, when I start a build. Can't wait for another round of the progress.
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Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #27 on: October 10, 2016, 09:55:40 PM »

     Just got in on this and I must say, Very nice work there. Totally enjoying this and might give me ideas, when I start a build. Can't wait for another round of the progress.

Should have a post up tomorrow....Got a few more things finished as far as i can until the frame gets back from powder coating.

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #28 on: October 11, 2016, 03:57:09 PM »
Time for an update.  Something finally came in the mail last week.  Figured we would just go all in and get a complete Deutsch pin and plug kit.  We have plans to do a few more things after this 400, so why not have extras?



Then the real fun began.....





You get the idea.  VERY time consuming, or i am just very slow.....probably a combination of the both.  Basically anything that had a bullet connector and or had an OEM plug got redone.  Spliced a few things so i could add plugs to things like the OEM speed / rpm gauges and other odd bits like that.  Also fixed some of the previous owners disasters from wiring in the LED blinkers / tail light. 

I do not claim to be any kind of wiring professional by any means.  This is honestly the first solo job i've ever done.  Had a friend of mine help me through my scooter harness, but we didn't make it anywhere near as pretty as this one.  I'm pretty much finished with it until i get the frame back and can hang the harness back up and check lengths on a few things before i add final connectors.  Not a single butt-connectgor in the whole harness now.  Everything is either soldered and heatshrinked or pinned and plugged. 










Offline marting100

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #29 on: October 11, 2016, 04:53:59 PM »
Holy F$&@! You really went all-in on that one!!
Awesome job! Your full persona is coming out on that job!!
 ;D if you can make an other one and let me know when it's ready to ship,
that would make my year :)
M

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #30 on: October 11, 2016, 05:18:37 PM »
Holy F$&@! You really went all-in on that one!!
Awesome job! Your full persona is coming out on that job!!
 ;D if you can make an other one and let me know when it's ready to ship,
that would make my year :)
M

Man i didnt even wan't to do this one.  I absolutly hate wiring.  But the one thing I hate more than wiring is electrical issues, so sadly it had to be done.  I did not plan on going as far as i did, it just sort of snowballed into a complete refresh.  Sad part is you won't even seen 75% of the harness at all.

Offline marting100

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #31 on: October 11, 2016, 05:56:04 PM »
 ;D I know what you mean, I did a full clean up with sand paper and dielectric grease
on all connectors and that was enough for me :)
Even if 20% is only visible, YOU will know you did a damm good job!
(The second one will go faster I am sure :-)
Cheers mate
M

Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #32 on: October 11, 2016, 07:51:28 PM »
You are going all out and doing a beautiful job. And I don't want to panic you but...

It appears you are reusing the stock wires where possible. Essentially removing the stock bullet or pin, stripping and installing a new Deutsch pin? If so, you may find yourself coming up short (literally) on some subharnesses.  When you add the stripping from both sides of the connection, you're actually removing a fair bit.

Just saying, you might carefully plan some of those new connections and/or re-wire some that you have had to strip on both sides. I'd hate to see you short after all the time and effort to make it gorgeous.  :-\
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Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #33 on: October 11, 2016, 08:32:36 PM »
You are going all out and doing a beautiful job. And I don't want to panic you but...

It appears you are reusing the stock wires where possible. Essentially removing the stock bullet or pin, stripping and installing a new Deutsch pin? If so, you may find yourself coming up short (literally) on some subharnesses.  When you add the stripping from both sides of the connection, you're actually removing a fair bit.

Just saying, you might carefully plan some of those new connections and/or re-wire some that you have had to strip on both sides. I'd hate to see you short after all the time and effort to make it gorgeous.  :-\

Before i removed the harness i did check for this.  Ran into this problem on my scooter harness and had to redo a few plugs.  Most of the connectors had a fair amount of "extra" legnth to them.  Worst case scenario you're 100% right and we have to redo some connections to add some wire.  Just that much more practice i'll get with them lol.  THank you very much for the heads up, good lookin out!

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #34 on: October 13, 2016, 09:49:09 PM »
Picked up some stuff from the powder coater today!!!





Now I'm not one to plug anyone's business unless i really do have a fantastic experience....I had everything powder coated by a local place here called Color FX.  I am located in Portland, Oregon and these guys were FANTASTIC.  Quoted me a fair price for media blasting and gloss black.  Told me it would be about a week to get everything done.  Dropped it all off last Thursday, picked it up today.  When i got there he told me he found some dimples on the rear fender piece that he wasn't happy with so he decided to media blast it and redo it for me.  They went above and beyond what i expected.  They even taped off every piece of thread showing as well as plugged anywhere that had threads inside a welded on nut or something of the sort.  TGhese guys are fantastic, and i can not thank them enough.



Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #35 on: October 13, 2016, 09:51:37 PM »
Dont mind all my finger prints...








Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #36 on: October 13, 2016, 09:55:35 PM »
Once i went over everything i cleared the bench and began work!!  THis is where i got to before i called it a night tonight.  (Note the sexy motorcycle in the back ground)



Sure am glad we decided to go for all new hardware....looks SO good.





Dont mind that gross tan / white wire as it will be going black like the rest of the harness.

Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #37 on: October 14, 2016, 04:20:43 AM »
Looks really top notch!
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Offline marting100

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #38 on: October 14, 2016, 05:23:42 AM »
Beautiful!!!
if budget allows and for maintenance free I would change the point plate for a Dyna S ignition, at the same time it will give you a brand new grey wire ;-)
Nice job mate!
M

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #39 on: October 14, 2016, 09:02:05 PM »
Looks really top notch!

Thanks!!! Appreciate the good words.

Beautiful!!!
if budget allows and for maintenance free I would change the point plate for a Dyna S ignition, at the same time it will give you a brand new grey wire ;-)
Nice job mate!
M

I like your style.....putting that on the list!!

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #40 on: October 22, 2016, 12:42:45 AM »
Been a little while since I was able to update.  Not a ton of progress, mostly been discussing the next piece of the puzzle which is the front end.  Been in contact with Cognito over the last week ironing out some details, but i think were close to settling on the setup were looking for.  Then we just have to pay for it, which is the scary part.

As for progress on the motorcycle...Was able to get the rear fender picked up finally and installed.   This allowed to begin to finish up the rear section of the wiring.  Got the tail light and blinkers wired up and set in place.  Began to set the rest of the harness in place and check lengths and figment.  So far so good, looks like i only have to extend one section, simply because I do not like that you can see the plug from the side.  I'd like to hide it behind one of the frame tubes.  Call it OCD but I think most of the wiring should be invisible if possible. 





Somehow managed to fit all the wiring through the small hole in the fender.  With the proper amount of lube and force, anything will fit anywhere.





Dropped off the front and rear wheel with the powder coater as well as the front and rear hub.  Getting them all done in gloss black.  Plan to go with polished spokes.  We have a spare front and rear complete wheel and hub set up so this fist one will just be a test run.  To see what it will look like, and to try my hand at spoking and then trueing the wheels.  Have not decided if I'll just lace my own wheel onto the cognito hub or go with one they provide.  Time will tell. 

Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #41 on: October 22, 2016, 03:05:22 AM »
A nitpicking observation: In an earlier picture of your front motor mounts, you have the nut on the outside of the mount. Can you not reverse those to have the head visible and the nut on the internal side? It would look more consistent and cleaner.

And be sure the ring terminals you use for grounds, hit bare metal beneath the bolts. The powder coat can create just enough shield to produce unwanted resistance and weak grounds.
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Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #42 on: October 22, 2016, 06:10:16 PM »
A nitpicking observation: In an earlier picture of your front motor mounts, you have the nut on the outside of the mount. Can you not reverse those to have the head visible and the nut on the internal side? It would look more consistent and cleaner.

And be sure the ring terminals you use for grounds, hit bare metal beneath the bolts. The powder coat can create just enough shield to produce unwanted resistance and weak grounds.

Sadly the bolts go straight through the frame, so no matter what one side is going to have to have a nut.   Thanks for the tip on the grounds. I think once I figure out where I'm going to put all of them I'll just sand a very small area to be sure good contact is mde.

Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #43 on: October 23, 2016, 01:30:10 AM »
Yeah, but moving the nuts to the other side was my point. You'd see the head of the bolt regularly as the exhaust will conceal the nut mostly. No matter though.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #44 on: October 23, 2016, 06:55:24 AM »
Yeah, but moving the nuts to the other side was my point. You'd see the head of the bolt regularly as the exhaust will conceal the nut mostly. No matter though.

Ohhhhhhh i see where you're head is at now.  Very good point.  Thanks!  Its all in the details!!!

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #45 on: October 23, 2016, 04:11:02 PM »
With the proper amount of lube and force, anything will fit anywhere.

Uh huh.  :o
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Offline calj737

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #46 on: October 24, 2016, 05:09:05 AM »
Ohhhhhhh i see where you're head is at now.
Straight up my arse by most accounts...  :-[
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline marting100

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #47 on: October 24, 2016, 05:34:20 AM »
Nice job!!!
M

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #48 on: October 28, 2016, 06:02:24 PM »
Got a bit more work done on the motorcycle over the last week or so.  Was able to get the second tank she had cleaned inside and sealed up.  That was quite the pain.  Once it dried for a few days i began to do work on the outside of the tank.







Once i got all the old paint off, which appeared to be original, it was time for a bit of bondo...body filler....puddy...whatever you want to call it.





I've got a couple time lapse videos that if they ever decide to upload i'll post them.  I dont pretend to be a fantastic body guy....my father is leaps and bounds better than i (he's been doing it for 30+ years).  I'll probably have him go over them and just make sure that everything is perfect before primer.  I spent most of my eight years in the paint booth rather than the body side of the shop.  I normally go there work after the filler was done....the easy parts   8)

Once I get this one in primer i'll gets started on the other tank. 

Offline 503400f

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Re: 1977 CB400F Rebuild
« Reply #49 on: October 28, 2016, 06:09:11 PM »
Completly unrelated to where we're at in the build so far but......

Our friend Anthoney, also known on social media as "Enginethusiast" sent this lovely gem to my girlfriend the other day.  Finally getting to some of the photos he shot a while back of her on her triumph.



This way ya'll can put a face to who will be riding the 400 once we get it finished up!!