Author Topic: Jessezm's CB400F cafe (Read 49123 times)

RickB · « **Reply #50 on:** June 25, 2010, 08:27:43 AM »

Yeah the DSS spokes I have are that goldy/yellowy zinc plated kind of color. I emailed DSS to ask is they're stainless. I'm just a little concerned that the color will look strange in the beautiful new chrome rims.

RickB · « **Reply #51 on:** June 25, 2010, 08:30:10 AM »

Yep, just got this from DSS:

The spokes were never chromed from honda but were mild steel. The same ones as what we have supplied you.

So does that mean they're not stainless steel? Perhaps I should get a chrome set then? Or polished stainless steel.

jessezm · « **Reply #52 on:** August 12, 2010, 05:16:03 PM »

It has been a long time coming, but my tank and seat from Roc City Cafe has finally arrived, and I am....THRILLED! what do you think?

jessezm · « **Reply #53 on:** August 12, 2010, 05:38:07 PM »

Once I throw the pipes and the carbs/pods on there I think it will come out looking perfectly proportionate. I am really impressed with Sean's craftsmanship. Now I have to brace up the rear of the frame where I cut it previously, weld on a bracket for the battery, and then tear it all down for powdercoating.

I know I asked this before, but can I get opinions on the frame color? I was thinking it is best to go with semi-gloss black, but there is a little bug buzzing around my ear telling me to paint it turquoise like the that retro ducati frame. Somebody please talk me out of that!

I've also got to re-route some electrics, but that should be pretty simple.

Salad · « **Reply #54 on:** August 12, 2010, 08:04:30 PM »

Wow! Tank and seat look amazing. Just stumbled on to your build thread and won't look at my stock 400f quite the same way!
As for the frame....Turquoise! J/k. Whatever you go with, the bike is going to break necks where ever you go.

jessezm · « **Reply #55 on:** August 13, 2010, 05:10:15 AM »

Thanks! See, the turquoise idea is catching, isn't it?

FT20BAS · « **Reply #56 on:** August 13, 2010, 06:35:10 AM »

that tank is gorgeous!

looks like theres not much left to do on it. congratulations.

Greggo · « **Reply #57 on:** August 13, 2010, 07:04:18 AM »

Quote from: jessezm on August 12, 2010, 05:38:07 PM

I know I asked this before, but can I get opinions on the frame color? I was thinking it is best to go with semi-gloss black, but there is a little bug buzzing around my ear telling me to paint it turquoise like the that retro ducati frame. Somebody please talk me out of that!

Okay...

While I think that a turquoise frame could look frickin amazing on the right bike, I can't really picture it looking good with all that polished metal. Just my .02 Cents.

Bike looks awesome tho! I'm liking these li'l 400's.

Little_Horse · « **Reply #58 on:** August 13, 2010, 07:20:57 AM »

Well also Honda frames are not known for their beauty so if you do the turquoise frame I would suggest grinding a few welds a little to make them look nicer.

jessezm · « **Reply #59 on:** August 13, 2010, 08:07:30 AM »

I've ground and smoothed a bunch on the frame, and will probably do even more before taking it out for powder coat, but I agree, turquoise is probably still too loud, and I am 99.9% leaning toward black. At one point I was thinking copper, but I don't want to look like I'm riding around on a two-wheeled espresso machine...

Any other last-ditch color ideas before I go with black?

Joel · « **Reply #60 on:** August 13, 2010, 09:50:40 AM »

The engine looks fantastic. I like the black cylinders with the silver fin tips.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #61 on:** August 13, 2010, 12:52:27 PM »

If you are leaving the tail and tank polished then a copper colored frame would be interesting.
Red would stand out.
Gunmetal gray would provide a subdued contrast to the black.
Personally I think Black is overdone.

How about a bright yellow to really pop!

Gold frames aren't my thing but they look nice on some bikes.
Your copper idea has merit as long as it doesn't clash with the current looks you have going.

You have red piping on the seat welt and red plug wires.

What do you want? You only have to please yourself, not others. It is your bike to ride and love...

David

jessezm · « **Reply #62 on:** August 13, 2010, 01:31:38 PM »

That's my problem, I don't know what I want!!! Life would be so much simpler if I did, but that's the subject of a longer, more personal post. But you're right, it's time to "Man-Up", as they say!

I guess I share your sentiment that black is overdone, but coming up with a viable alternative is proving difficult!

RAFster122s · « **Reply #63 on:** August 13, 2010, 02:22:26 PM »

Bright yellow looks good with polished aluminum and chrome and provides nice high contrast to black or dark engine parts.
Times like this you need to be good with Photoshop to import a picture and then change the color on the frame to various shades like you can get powder coated to see what you like.
Or, you take a good print of your bike and cut the frame out of the picture and hold it over a page with the color you are thinking about showing through the holes...

Just a thought...
You do have to like bright yellow to deal with it though.

There is a yellow framed (tank etc) bike photo floating around that has a good bit of chrome & polished aluminum and it looks really nice. The yellow complements the polished bits very nicely.

David

HondaNorway · « **Reply #64 on:** August 13, 2010, 02:24:28 PM »

This is the best looking 400F café I've seen. I want one too! The exhaust system on these bikes is a good enough reason to buy one in my opinion!

-Stian

P_Camps · « **Reply #65 on:** August 13, 2010, 02:41:33 PM »

a PEWTER frame looks bad-ass and contrast nicely against pretty much anything.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #66 on:** August 13, 2010, 06:03:54 PM »

You know you can get a very bright almost reflective silver that mimics chrome to a certain degree. Something like that which is a bright nickel would look good as well.

Pewter does look very nice on a frame or the copper would be interesting look as well...

Here's a pic I found of a Yamaha Cafe Racer with part of its frame in pewter...
http://www.bikeexif.com/xt600

David

jessezm · « **Reply #67 on:** August 16, 2010, 01:18:06 PM »

Oooh, now that, I like! I think it would blend well with the dark motor, too, and contrast nicely with the polished parts of the cases and the tank.

-CB-Jamie- · « **Reply #68 on:** August 16, 2010, 02:37:40 PM »

Not really a fan of cafe racers in general but have to say this build looks fantastic, I love the black engine with the polished fins and covers. gonna be starting work on a 400 soon and i think i might do the engine pretty similar.

Gcolgett · « **Reply #69 on:** August 16, 2010, 05:00:00 PM »

Hi Jess: I am in need of a seat and front ans rear fenders as well as turn signals are your any of your old parts you are not using up for sale? George C.

RickB · « **Reply #70 on:** August 16, 2010, 06:17:21 PM »

Jesse,

It's looking great! For the frame, I think the pewter that RAF and Camps suggested is the way to go. It kinda' matches the engine casings and the breather cover.

Rick.

jessezm · « **Reply #71 on:** August 17, 2010, 12:19:33 PM »

Quote from: Gcolgett on August 16, 2010, 05:00:00 PM

Hi Jess: I am in need of a seat and front ans rear fenders as well as turn signals are your any of your old parts you are not using up for sale? George C.

Yeah, I've got the rear fender and turn signals, I'll shoot you a PM.

Gcolgett · « **Reply #72 on:** August 17, 2010, 01:26:58 PM »

Hi Jess By the way the bike is looking real nice looks like you will have a lot of fun riding your new build

Gcolgett@aol.com

Syscrush · « **Reply #73 on:** August 17, 2010, 02:00:40 PM »

Oh man, turquoise would look awesome. All you have to do is add some small accents in the same color somewhere else on the bike - a pinstripe here and there on the tank and seat, maybe your brake & clutch levers, etc. It's a great idea. That tank and tail are too special to be bolted up to a black or grey frame.

Beautiful work so far, watching with MUCH interest!

Gcolgett · « **Reply #74 on:** August 17, 2010, 03:47:09 PM »

Hi Jesse: the file did not come through. I did not get any pictures can you send me one shot of the rear fender and then send me one shot of the turn signals. I also need a seat if you have one so one shot of a seat if you have one. I only have a modem and it takes foe ever to down load pictures Thanks George Colgett

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Author Topic: Jessezm's CB400F cafe (Read 49123 times)