Author Topic: Project CB400F/RC172 about done  (Read 8780 times)

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Offline CharlieT

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Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« on: June 02, 2008, 09:04:54 AM »
Well, it's 98% done. Just waiting on a couple of small items to get here. Been working on this all winter. Here's quick review of some of the project

This is one of the my inspiratons for the build:




Started out as a $200 Ebay special 1976 Honda CB400F, looks better in the photo than it was in real life. But hey what should you expect for a $200 bike:




stripped it down:



Replaced stock steel rims with some NOS aluminum alloy rims:




( replaced front disc with more correct twin leading show)


Frame stiffeners added, preliminary fitting of tank, seat, pipes. Front fairing bracket nearing completion:

A good bike mechanic only needs two tools, WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but should, use the WD40. If it does move but shouldn't use the duct tape.

Offline CharlieT

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2008, 09:07:57 AM »
A few weekends, a few layers of paint and its now about 98% done. Just waiting for a few more little pieces:








Getting it ready for the big Vintage bike show at the Gilmore Auto Museum near here next Sunday.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2008, 10:20:07 AM by CharlieT »
A good bike mechanic only needs two tools, WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but should, use the WD40. If it does move but shouldn't use the duct tape.

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2008, 11:12:07 AM »
WOW!!! I would LOVE to have something like that someday. Any chance f you getting a video of it so we can hear it??
1972 CB350F (Back from the Dead!)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=20822.0
1965? S65 - Coming Eventually!
1972 CB750K2 (father-son project)
1976 CB750K6- (sold) http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96859.0
1976 CB750K6 (sold)- http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=62569.0

Offline kghost

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2008, 12:01:04 PM »
Awesome...just awesome.

Well done!
Stranger in a strange land

Offline cleveland

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2008, 01:11:27 PM »
Very nice! 

Offline andy750

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2008, 01:21:43 PM »
Great job!! Well done!! Yes we need video next  ;)

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline cleveland

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2008, 01:26:25 PM »
BTW  Where did you get your racing fairing from, and how badly did it hit the wallet? 

Yes, video!  Have your wife film it, so you can claim she is involved too.   ;)

Offline Klark Kent

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2008, 01:29:48 PM »
all that with duct tape and WD?  wow. 

very impressive work.  my hat is off to you and I am off to ride.
-KK

75 CB550k
76 Moto Guzzi 850T-3FB LAPD- sold
95 KLR650
www.blindpilotmovie.com

download the shop manual:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0
you'll feel better.

listen to your spark plugs:
http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html

Offline JAG

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2008, 04:14:44 PM »
Wow very cool.. INterested as well as to the price of things..


I think I have that same exact helmet, has the gray stripe down the middle, but mine has black on the sides..

Don't like the way it fits, make me looks like an egg head, but still a cool helmet.
Cafe Racing is mainly a matter of taste. It is an atavistic mentality, a peculiar mix of low style, high speed, pure dumbness, and overweening commitment to the Cafe Life and all its dangerous pleasures. I am a Cafe Racer myself, on some days - and it is one of my finest addictions. ~H. S. Thompson~

Offline CharlieT

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2008, 07:46:53 PM »
Video? Video??  I've just now learned to program my VCR?? I do have a camcorder, but its a VCR that weighs about 47lbs and you balance it on your shoulder.

Well, I probably shouldn't do this. I usually don't keep to close of tabs on costs, but here goes:

'76 CB400f bike off of ebay                                    $200
NOS aluminum alloy rims off ebay                               80
CB350 front wheel BikeBoneyard Salavage yard             50
AirTech gas tank                                                   500
HotWingsglass seat                                                200
Fairing Hansen                                                       350
Exhaust Jemco                                                       200
CLip-ons ebay                                                         75
Rear Sets GSXR pedals/linkage, ebay                           45
Windscreen, BikeScreen                                           100



That's $1800. Probaby throw in another $200 for nust, bolts, steel tubing, paint, etc. SO pretty much right around $2000 for a ball park.







Of course, I don't pay myself anything for labor.
A good bike mechanic only needs two tools, WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but should, use the WD40. If it does move but shouldn't use the duct tape.

Offline Klark Kent

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2008, 07:50:14 PM »
that was very brave of you.  worth every penny and drop of sweat and then some.  and remember the labor pays you with skill and wisdom.
-KK

75 CB550k
76 Moto Guzzi 850T-3FB LAPD- sold
95 KLR650
www.blindpilotmovie.com

download the shop manual:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0
you'll feel better.

listen to your spark plugs:
http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html

Offline JAG

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #11 on: June 02, 2008, 07:53:31 PM »
that was very brave of you.  worth every penny and drop of sweat and then some.  and remember the labor pays you with skill and wisdom.

+1.. I'll also add the occasional F-Bombs, and other random curse words that may fly out.. Worth every penny..

Looks great!!
Cafe Racing is mainly a matter of taste. It is an atavistic mentality, a peculiar mix of low style, high speed, pure dumbness, and overweening commitment to the Cafe Life and all its dangerous pleasures. I am a Cafe Racer myself, on some days - and it is one of my finest addictions. ~H. S. Thompson~

Offline Shenanigans

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #12 on: June 02, 2008, 08:04:26 PM »
you got anymore info on those pipes. lookin' good.
   This pretty much sums it up.   76' CB592 cafe. 69 750 project, 03 CBR954, 75 750 super sport.

Offline CharlieT

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2008, 09:19:46 PM »
you got anymore info on those pipes. lookin' good.

http://www.jemcoexhaust.com/

Have had them make several custom exhaust over the yrs. These, just told him what the rough dimensions appeared to be, the he asked engine displacement, # of cylinders, rpm range, etc. He then makes the final size/length based on the performance/displacement. Can pretty much make whatever you may want.



Oh, the helmet. It was originally the silver/black one like yors. I just repainted it same as the bike and added the wing decals. And you are right about the fit. ALmost like it sits "on" your head.
A good bike mechanic only needs two tools, WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but should, use the WD40. If it does move but shouldn't use the duct tape.

Offline silver fox

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2008, 10:40:28 PM »
Well done
Looking gooood

Got any pics of the frame mods you had to do???????
My 400 is going for a similar look??? Spoke to www.wbo-racing.de for a tank, and he'll make an ally one for 440 euro!


Offline dagersh

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #15 on: June 03, 2008, 12:03:29 PM »
Charlie -

Wow, that is stunning!  Gorgeous work!

Gersh
1962 CA95
1966 Black Bomber
1966 CA77 Dream
1967 Superhawk
1970 CB750K0
1972 CL350
1972 CB450/500 Custom
1972 CB500K1
1975 CB550F
1976 CB400F
1975 CB750 Future Restoration
1976 CB750K6
1976 CB750F
1976 GL1000


1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
1990 BMW K1
2001 'Busa
2003 RC 51
Bunch of Guzzi's

http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/members/personal/dagersh/

Offline CharlieT

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #16 on: June 03, 2008, 02:31:41 PM »
Got any pics of the frame mods you had to do???????
My 400 is going for a similar look??? Spoke to www.wbo-racing.de for a tank, and he'll make an ally one for 440 euro!


Here you can see the frame stiffeners added between the steering head and the downtubes:



If you look close under the seat in this picture, you can see the rear frame loop that was added. Cot off the stock frame extensions just behind the stock upper shock supports and added this loop, used to support the battery and electronics under the seat:



If you look at the rearsets in this pic, look at the tubular frame mounts for the pegs. They are actually a set of rear passenger peg mounts that had been cut off a CB750 chassis. I just cut the arms to the length I needed to get the pegs where I want them and then welded them on.



This is the base of the support for the front fairing:



The rest of the front fairing and tach support welded on:




Other than that, the other frame mods were performed with a swazall and just entailed cutting off everything not needed.

A good bike mechanic only needs two tools, WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but should, use the WD40. If it does move but shouldn't use the duct tape.

TedT

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #17 on: June 03, 2008, 03:13:22 PM »
Ahem...you forgot to mention the source of those CB750 passenger pegs, and the skilled craftsman that removed them.  ;D

Just kidding Godfather.  The pictures really do not do the amount of work justice.  The tubing for the fairing is very well done.  I have a good camcorder for this too.  Once he gets it running I'll get a little video done up and post it online.

Offline greenjeans

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2008, 02:53:34 PM »
Those pipes were only $200 ???   What a deal - they look great !   So does the rest of it.  Well done.
Yep, I'm the kid that figured out how to put things back together...eventually.

Offline Klark Kent

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2008, 10:33:25 PM »
i can;t believe you butchered a cb400 like that.  you should be ashamed of yourself. 


if you cover shipping to baltimore i will dispose of it properly.
-KK

75 CB550k
76 Moto Guzzi 850T-3FB LAPD- sold
95 KLR650
www.blindpilotmovie.com

download the shop manual:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0
you'll feel better.

listen to your spark plugs:
http://www.4secondsflat.com/Spark_plug_reading.html

Offline Hush

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #20 on: June 13, 2008, 04:19:26 AM »
Sorry Clark Kent but such a terrible crime of passion would require a full Maori send off so strap it into a crate and send it here to God zone and I'll have my Maori brothers perform the rites. ;D
I was sure that front wheel was going to be a Suzuki T350 but same vintage as CB350 so I was close. ;)
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline CharlieT

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Re: Project CB400F/RC172 about done
« Reply #21 on: June 13, 2008, 05:49:02 AM »
Ok Klark, isn't there a phone booth somewhere you should be???

Being of Irish Catholic decent, after the show, I went to confession to ask for forgiveness for my sins. THe young preist ( have a hard time calling someon "Father" that's young enough to be my son) instructed me to say 10 Hail Mary's and a dozen Our Fathers. He also suggested I donate the bike to the Church. I became a tad bit suspicious, however, when he said, "BTW, what size is that helmet now??".



Now hUSH......I realy would have to go to confession if I had put a Suzuki front brake on a HONDA factory racebike replica.  ::) ;D
« Last Edit: June 13, 2008, 05:51:12 AM by CharlieT »
A good bike mechanic only needs two tools, WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move, but should, use the WD40. If it does move but shouldn't use the duct tape.