Topic: Café Project Chela (My CB400F)

[Slams77]

I just found your post and I like what you've done.

You've turned a nice bike into an even nicer one.
I like your fab work, it's giving me good ideas.

any tips on polishing aluminum?

Thanks,
Since I don’t have an electric buffer, I do all my polishing by hand.  I make sure the surface is as smooth as possible after sanding, and then I use a 0000 extra fine steel wool until even smoother and apply aluminum polish with a soft cloth.  Finally I buff with a separate soft cloth making sure I constantly flip it to ensure I’m not going back over the surface with any buffing residue that the cloth may pick up.  Not sure if it makes a difference, but I use Windex instead of water when using steel wool or wet/dry sand paper which seems to easily move most of the particles off the surface preventing it from getting scratched.  Good luck.

[kajtek]

also.. do you have a good photo with the manx seat fitted, side view so i could see the proportions, its something im considering..

thanks

ashley

Here is a side view with the Manx seat.  I have not mounted it yet, although I am thinking about going with a seat pan/base that would bolt under the seat using threaded rivets and then mount it to the frame using the existing mounting brackets; only my fabricating skills and resources are limited.  I purchased it from Clubmanracing.com: Part# A941 Manx Racing Seat Short Wideline No Cutout - 10 ¼” front widths.  They do offer a narrow version too, but I went with this one since it fits over the frame rails.  I am however considering the narrower 9” width version (due to my rather tall height, a whopping 5’6”.) and maybe bolt it up to the frame using a system that integrates Dzus fasteners for quick removal and installation.

that seat looks great, the lines of it really work. i think i may try and copy the style and make my own one. its the shape of the hump that really works for me. our of interest, with that seat is the humped section padded or is it just leather covering the fibreglass?

ashley

[Slams77]

that seat looks great, the lines of it really work. i think i may try and copy the style and make my own one. its the shape of the hump that really works for me. our of interest, with that seat is the humped section padded or is it just leather covering the fibreglass?

ashley

Thanks, I really like the look of Manx seats on the 400’s, it gives the bike a more aggressive appearance IMO.  The hump section is fiberglass and covered in faux leather.  I’ve also attached a photo for reference of the bum stop seat I was initially going to go with if anyone wanted to go this route with their build.

[Slams77]

Little bit of progress.  Cleaned and soda blasted my calipers.  Next is polish then stainless brake lines.

[Slams77]

I had a couple more inquiries about my headlight brackets so I added a couple more pics of them off of the bike for reference. 

[mrrch]

Those came out really nice, much better than the ones I saw on DTT (they may not have been fully completed)

[Syscrush]

Can we have a link to the DTT thread?  You really did great work on those.

[Slams77]

Thanks.  Here is the link for the headlight brackets.  I used the template and then played around with the design a little to to ensure the brackets wouldn't flex when installed.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=6496.410

[Joel]

Great tip on the headlight brackets.  The Manx seat looks good on there too.

[Slams77]

Thanks Joel.  They actually worked out quite well.   I also used ½” aluminum and came up with mounting brackets for my turn signals too.  It’s the same concept as the headlight brackets; they are just shorter and not as noticeable when everything is mounted up.

[Slams77]

Posted these in “What did you do to your bike today” and figured since I will be replacing my indicator light cluster with one of these, I would add them to my build post.  They are a newer version of my original but I will use a flexible adhesive to install the LED's, which I will be able to remove in the event I would ever have to replace one.

[Syscrush]

But the cluster you originally made was so f'n awesome - why are you changing it? 

[Slams77]

But the cluster you originally made was so f'n awesome - why are you changing it? 

Thanks Syscrush, I'm glad you like the first one.  I kinda wanted to stick with a certain look and I figured the dice (or die in this case) would look better on the bike.  Besides, the one I am currently using was my first run at making a cluster and there are more flaws in it and the structural integrity may not be as solid.  My son was also asking me why I was going with the newer version and insists I use the first one.  I may just keep the current cluster on for a while then swap it out and hope he doesn’t notice.

[acejcl]

Really like what you did with the top tree. I wish I had the time and tools to give it a try. Would you be interested in shaving/polishing my top tree for a fee?