Author Topic: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project/ UPDATED  (Read 15679 times)

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Offline GK

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GK's 75 CB400f cafe project/ UPDATED
« on: March 25, 2009, 11:46:26 PM »
Hey guys this is the start of my cafe project on the 400 in my shed, I found this under a tarpaulin when i went to pick up my race leathers from the upholstery guy in my town.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2012, 01:19:04 AM by GK »
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2009, 11:54:09 PM »
Sorry about the pics being all over the shop, this forum works a little differently than im used to, but as you can see i quickly had the old girl pulled down and got my trusty grinder out , havent finished grinding yet either ;D all the old stuff on the box is into the parts bin.
and it's in with the new here. ;D
also sent the rims and lower triple for powder coating in candy blue, hehe i like to stand out  ::)
« Last Edit: March 25, 2009, 11:59:33 PM by GK »
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2009, 12:15:42 AM »
whipped up an engine stand from a cut down old clothes line, does the trick even if it looks a little daggy, the headers are looking a little worse for wear, which is a shame coz the 400 super sport headers were some of the sexiest ever produced, so its ceramic coating or wrap for those buggers, the rearsets are yoshimura specials from Nasurin, they were a one off set so were dirt cheap coz no-one wanted to try and fit them i spose :-\
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline DollarBill

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2009, 04:37:58 AM »
Welcome aboard GK!  I know I am going to like keeping up with this project.  The 400 is the next bike I want to rebuild.  The candy blue is going to rock!
1975 CB750F Project Yellow Jacket - CBR600rr Swinger GSXR 600 Forks
1955 BMW R25/3, 1966 Honda CA160, 1975 CB400f, 1975 CB550, 1976 CB550

Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2009, 08:48:18 AM »
Keep the pics comin'

Offline silver fox

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2009, 09:47:03 AM »
Hi there GK

I love the tank and rear sets. Can't wait to see it finished, it's gonna be one cool bike.

Keep the pics coming in!

Offline Owned

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2009, 07:17:15 AM »
GK,

Looks like you and I are going in the same direction.  Same Benelli tank...hell, even the seat section is the same as what I started with (noticed your in AU...ordered mine from a guy in AU)..then decided to go to a handmade section for fitment.

Lookin good my friend.


« Last Edit: March 28, 2009, 07:22:47 AM by Owned »
'01 Ducati 900ssie
'74 Honda CB350F
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indyrider/sets/72157619944545142/show/
'73 Honda CB350/400F Hybrid
http://s1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee520/indyrider2/?albumview=slideshow
'64 Honda CB160 Soon to be unveiled!

Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2009, 08:55:56 AM »
Did you guys here the Yoshi 466cc kit is discontinued? I was just inquiring about purchasing and was told they don't make them any more and they doubled the price on remaining stock. I guess Wiseco has a 458cc kit, I think that's the one I'm going to get. It's around $500.

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2009, 03:29:16 PM »
It was only after seeing the Benelli tank on your build i decided to go with it owned, cheers mate will be good to see them both finished.
IMO Rat400f , the 466 kit is really not needed for these bikes, for my road bikes i prefer reliability over outright grunt or speed, (I have a 1340 big tyre drag bike for that) this motor will be standard apart from dyna ign, pods and jetting , oh and as much weight gone as possible ;), but then I never say never if the motor ever has to come apart a kit will more than likely go in.
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline Industrial Rat400f Killer

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2009, 09:38:11 AM »
It was only after seeing the Benelli tank on your build i decided to go with it owned, cheers mate will be good to see them both finished.
IMO Rat400f , the 466 kit is really not needed for these bikes, for my road bikes i prefer reliability over outright grunt or speed, (I have a 1340 big tyre drag bike for that) this motor will be standard apart from dyna ign, pods and jetting , oh and as much weight gone as possible ;), but then I never say never if the motor ever has to come apart a kit will more than likely go in.

I here ya, it's just that my 400 is my only bike and I'm obsessed with tinkering, even if it's unnecessary, money wasting or just pointless. ;D 

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2009, 12:26:57 AM »
Well the frame is finished as far as the grinding is concerned and i have welded on the rearset mounts and tank and seat brackets so it's off to the powder coaters and the wheels are back from the coaters, polished the hubs today and laced up the rims, the frame will be back next week and i can start rebuilding this thing, the tank had a couple of small dents in it, so i gave it to a racing mate at the drags last week, he runs a company called "Ausdent" which is a paintless and bondoless dent removal company, works with suction cups or something ???
Got a couple of offbeat ideas for the handle bars and headlights, be interested in what you guys think once ive posted the pics.
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline silver fox

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2009, 02:03:30 AM »
Hi there GK
Dont take too long updating more pics, i'm on the edge of my seat!!!

Best Regards
SF

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2009, 04:00:03 AM »
Ok sorry i took so long between posts, but life gets in the way (nephew had a lung transplant), the frame is back from the coaters and i shaped an old street sign to fill in between the seat rails, burnished it to a matt style finish, too lazy for polishing, the battery will sit there on its side (sealed gel & fibreglass matt type).   
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2009, 04:06:24 AM »
welded a plate on the tank for bolting to the frame will insert a couple of rubber feet on this plate for vibration protection, was thinking of filling this end of the tank like "Owned" did on his tank, but i want access to this area as i will be using this space for some of the electrics, a specially designed seat will cover the hole ( i Just have to design it, lol) the idea is there in my head and hopefully will come out this weekend.

Inserted some rubber mounts on the underside of the seat base that sit on the frame rails, next is a fibreglass seat pad that will be shaped to cover the back end of the tank, this will have clevis pins fibreglassed in to it that will go thru the seat base and seat rails i welded in earlier and be secured with clips making the whole shebang very quick and easy to take off for access to battery or elecrics.
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2009, 04:13:17 AM »
polished up the top part of the tree and coated the bottom half same as frame, tapered bearings fitted of course, now i just need to fabricate a mount for the guages and twin spotties i will use for lights, the neutral and oil warning lights will be relocated into the guage faces (no indicator lights) getting rid of the idiot light set up will make for a much cleaner look im hoping, will also be looking to clean up the bars by having my ignition as my starter button , so should only be the throttle and brake lever on the right side.
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline BlindJoe

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #15 on: May 01, 2009, 09:51:13 AM »
Top notch mate!

Offline Owned

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #16 on: May 01, 2009, 05:18:32 PM »
Lookin good GK.  Keep the pictures coming...
'01 Ducati 900ssie
'74 Honda CB350F
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indyrider/sets/72157619944545142/show/
'73 Honda CB350/400F Hybrid
http://s1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee520/indyrider2/?albumview=slideshow
'64 Honda CB160 Soon to be unveiled!

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2009, 01:20:47 AM »
Got the seat pad done today, will get some padding fitted this week along with the clevis pins and it should be ready for covering, i was thinking of doing the covering myself but the upholsterer I bought the bike off does owe me so ;), I like the fit, it plonks in nicely and doesnt shift around at all, which is a bonus when you have a knee scraping the bitumen :o
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2009, 02:34:20 AM »
Ok bloody postman is takin his time, I'm waiting on fork seals and boots so I can put this front end together
so while I was waiting i did some polishing of the lower legs, and brazed up the upper rebound dampening hole
and redrilled at a smaller diameter 1/16.
A mate lathed up some you beaut hard as #$%* nylon  bushes for the swingarm but ive got a feeling they may
be a bit too snug, they took some getting in , cmon postie 
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline dave400

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2009, 03:19:33 AM »
I just bought some Bronze items for the swing arm.

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #20 on: June 13, 2009, 02:38:07 AM »
been a while i know, life gets in the way sometimes  anyways i foamed the seat and got a nice shape to it so
it's at the upholsterers now I was going to make it a white seat but decided to just go with the basic black
would have looked too much like a show pony otherwise, fashioned up a new alloy guage bracket to bring the guages closer together i will drill some holes in it and polish it up now that i have it right, (the idiot lights will go in the guage faces).

drilled the front rotor to lighten it up and make it look the bomb  turned out ok i reckon only used one drill bit for the whole job too, started with a small panel drill bit then finished off with a 1/4 drill bit nice and slow is the go oh yeah thats my cutting lubricant in the pic it works a treat that stuff, a quick clean up with the bead blaster and "bobs yer uncle"
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline GK

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #21 on: June 13, 2009, 02:41:00 AM »
polished up the front brake components today, repolished the chainguard i folded up, wasn't happy with the first effort and fitted the boots to the front forks and swingarm, shocks and rearsets to the arse end, now if only the tyre bloke would ring and tell me my rubbers are here i would have a rolling chassis. 
hold it flat!

CB 400F cafe build/ http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=48734.0

Offline Owned

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #22 on: June 13, 2009, 04:39:06 AM »
Lookin good GK.  Did you polish your front brake caliper bits?  What ever you've done, they look nice.

'01 Ducati 900ssie
'74 Honda CB350F
http://www.flickr.com/photos/indyrider/sets/72157619944545142/show/
'73 Honda CB350/400F Hybrid
http://s1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee520/indyrider2/?albumview=slideshow
'64 Honda CB160 Soon to be unveiled!

Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #23 on: June 13, 2009, 12:50:42 PM »
Rad!
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline kghost

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Re: GK's 75 CB400f cafe project
« Reply #24 on: June 13, 2009, 12:57:36 PM »
I like the Blue frame.

Its looking good
Stranger in a strange land