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Hi from Dallas, 1975 CB400F needing "un-cafe" treatment

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kartin:
Usual story... Had a 400 Four for many years when I lived in the UK in the 70s/80s. I put 50k miles on that bike and indeed, for many years it was my only form of transport so got ridden in all weathers to work, shops, race meetings, France, you name it... The original exhaust and mudguards rusted out so it had a Yoshimura "crossover" exhaust, a plastic front mudguard from another CB model and a homebrew rear. Then we moved to Canada in 1990 and I reluctantly sold it. Fast forward to 2020s and 3 more international moves later and I started looking for a 400 Four where I now live near Dallas, USA. Of course I've hit the 70s bike "craze" so not many for sale nearby and not for sensible money. I was about to post a "WTB" on the US forum when one popped up really cheaply on local classified ads ("local" meaning it was only 200 miles away!). Of course it was rough and not running but it had correct paperwork (so many don't...) and good compression so I went for it. The bad news is that somewhere along its life it had received a poor cafe conversion attempt and was missing the original tank, mudguards, instruments, front wheel, front brakes (it has a drum brake!), muffler/silencer and lights. I want to gradually bring it back to standard - I realise that little lot will quickly undo the cheapness of the bike but I'm looking forward to the challenge plus it doesn't all have to be done to make the bike rideable. Anyway, I still have all my old maintenance notes and workshop manual so already it's like re-acquainting myself with an old friend!

So far the progress has been to clean the carbs and go through all standard service items and then it sprang to life quite nicely with no smoke or abnormal rattles - result! So now begins the hunt for some original parts - I know the tank and mudguards will be pricey (likely DSS repros).

I'm going to post this on both UK and US SOHC forums (same username). Even though I'm in the US now, my perception is that the 400s are a smaller percentage of the US SOHC population plus I'm in the UK regularly so can pick up parts if needed. Looking forward to interactions on both forums!

The original bike:
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...and the recent purchase (no laughing...):
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Cheers,
Martin

Laverdaroo:
Thats alright, what do you mean dont laugh? The last pile I dought had an upturned skateboard as a seat!!

 loving the tank but not seen a front end like that though. Possibly some of the 'Parts  Jedi's' on here will be abe to identify it.
I was over in South Carolina in July and went to a wreckers yard out there and met the owner called Jay, his details are in the thread...... USA Scrap yards....... He has a mountain of NOS parts as his late dad was a serial restorer, he had fields of bikes and a super nice chap. Have a word with him, you never know.

Welcome to the forum, loving the red n yellow 400, all been there!

Laverdaroo:
It's in the 500/550 section

kartin:
Thanks for the reply and the note about the USA scrap yards thread. I started following that thread when it was first posted but just went back and I see more has been added. I recall thinking how I admired your willingness to shlep parts back for everybody - well done! I've managed to collect a few of my missing bits but still short of lights, mudguards and side covers so will bear MIDS salvage in mind.

Just in case anyone's interested, my project thread is on the US forum under the title: 1975 CB400F "un-cafe"

Oddjob:
Tank looks to be off a CB250/360G5.

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