Topic: lowering a 78 cb400t2?

[noza]

I picked up a 78 cb400tII recently, and would like to lower the rear around an inch.  Anyone have experience with these bikes?  I has a clevis to clevis shock, so I am having problems with finding an aftermarket shock that is a shorter length.  My only hope is to change out the top mount from a different shock, hoping that they are the same diameter.

This is also assuming I can lower the front easily.  I has a strange upper triple tree.

any help appreciated
thanks 

[ProTeal55]

Push the triple trees down over the fork tubes to lower the front, and get yourself a set of short shocks from http://HTTP://WWW.CRC2ONLINECATALOG.COM to lower the rear (They sell both eye to eye AND eye to clevis versions) The short shocks are 11'', so they will drop the rear a decent amount. I did the exact thing to my 74 CB450, and it is now sitting nice and low --->

[bill440cars]

         I didn't know what kind of setup you had on that 400 until I checked a parts listing to see. Then I realized that you can't just slide the tubes up through the trees. Actually, I kinda figured that if it was that easy, you'd have already done it. Only thing I can offer is too consider swapping out the front ends. I definitely wouldn't attempt cutting fork springs to drop it cause you start messing with spring rates then. Somebody here might be able to offer suggestions on forks that might fit w/o much modification. I'll also do some research, if you want to go that way. Just let us know what you think about that. For those who don't know what THAT 400 front end looks like, here's the upper part of the tree.
                                                   Later on, Bill
         

[chrisf]

Doesn't this effect the lean angle?

[ProTeal55]

Could always slug it/internally lower the front-end...

[noza]

It's looking like I will have to just hack the seat lower and call it good.  Probably make one out of fiberglass.  Bought the bike on a whim, and really like it so far.  Just need to tweak a few things to make it look better.  Thanks for the help so far.

Proteal- Where did you get those indicators?  I really like the work you have done to your bike.  Copper accents are sick with the green

[ProTeal55]

Proteal- Where did you get those indicators?  I really like the work you have done to your bike.  Copper accents are sick with the green

Thanks for the kind words on the CB450 project. I still have lots to do the bike, mainly a dual disc front-end, re paint the tank and seat
factory green, etc..The lights I got outta the drag specialties catalogue (they are intended as accent lights for baggers).
1157 Bulb - comes with red & amber lenses - and are bright as hell. I have them on both my CB750 & the 450..

[KB02]

I have a T1 that I am trying to lower. Right now it is looking like cutting the seat down is about the only viable (Pronounced "cost effect") way of doing it.

The more expensive option would be to get shorter spring for the front (Standard springs, so some from other bikes (SOHC??) might fit) and find SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE that make Clevis to Clevis mount shocks that are shorter.

MY wife says she's getting used to it being taller, though...