Figured I'll contribute my progress so far since I'm a newb here. These are pictures of my 1975 CB400F "Cecilia", purchased back in 2003 for $800, pretty rough, but running, with Rickman bullet fairing/luggage rack and Clubman bars, a mild cafe job already.
It's been a rough go, the bike has had periods of up to 2 years sitting dormant, waiting for a comprehensive rebuild, so this is it, 95% mechanical this year, I'm trying not to spend any significant money on cosmetic things until next year. I had done a top end job in 2005, but the bike always smoked after it was together and there were some jetting issues. Eventually the 3rd cylinder lost compression and was up on blocks so to speak for two years while I was out west working.
So now it's been gone over, seized camchain adjuster replaced with an aluminium piece, gone to 0.50 oversize pistons, new rings of course, valves relapped (somehow overlooked last time), new seals and gaskets all around, carbs are set to be rebuilt and generally just cleaned up.
There are a few mods already, a previous owner had added the Clubmans and a Dyna ignition, I hacked the rusty back fender off just behind the axle, and replaced all the turn signals with mini-stem lights, the brake lights are now double-rounds and tucked up under the tail of the seat. I sold the Rickman fairing to a friend for $75 and took the headlight back to the normal position. I replaced the rear spoked wheel with a Kawi 305 mag, bolted on with minimal machining.
Future plans are for a steering damper, fork brace, and an oil cooler. NEAR future plans are for bronze swingarm bushings, disc drilled, steel brake lines and mating the front Kawi rim to my front forks.
I don't have any scans of the original Rickman kit, but here are some of the pics of the bike in various states of togetherness:
Fall 2005 shortly before the #3 cylinder quit mysteriously.
The culprit finally found a few weeks ago when I got back into the engine.
All torn down in my basement.
0.50 over pistons fitted on the rods, new camchain adjuster from KSM down below.
Built up to the valves, slotted cam sprocket came off of my '77 parts bike.
Stainless Allen bolts for the handlebars and preload adjusters in the forks.
Engine remounted.
One very sexy Metzeler.
And that's it for now! You can check all the pictures in the album here:
http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/bassrocker83/CB400F%20-%20Cecilia/Thoughts and comments more than welcome!
