75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project

[Pops400]

Can anyone offer any advice on my questions? 

[hairygit]

The only question I have experience of is about centre stands. Having had bikes without them for various reasons, my advice would be KEEP IT! You cannot imagine the hassle that normal routine checks and servicing is without one, try adjusting and lubing the chain without one, or checking wheel bearings or checking brakes for adjustment or binding. The reason most cafe racers don't have one is a lot of non standard exhausts mean you can't have one, and they often make changing oil filters a right pain.

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[Pops400]

That's the kind of good sound advice I'm after, thanks.

Zorst will be standard, so no need to dump it for that. Easily persuaded to keep it, I wondered if there was a reason they got taken off, or just aesthetics. My side stand bracket needs welding as it won't take any weight, also, so centre needs to stay for peace of mind. 

[hairygit]

A move you won't regret!

[MCTID]

I fully agree - keep it......a main stand is an absolute Godsend.

I don't know how manufacturers now get away with not fitting a main stand as practically every product sold nowadays has to be 'Safe in use, and fit for purpose'.

[Chris400F]

+1 from me too. Removing the main stand just seems like making life difficult when it comes to maintenance.

Re the exhaust, are you intending to try and get hold of a standard system or still thinking of using the header pipes you have to keep the costs down?
Looking back at the early pics you posted the system shown is definitely aftermarket although I can't work out what it is.

Also wondering whether you have had any joy in finding anywhere to store and work on the bike, if you could be losing your current storage.

[SteveD CB500K0]

My Tiger 800 came without a centre stand. It's a £160 option (!)

No problem, I thought, I'll get a rear paddock stand.

£100 and two paddock stands later, wished I'd stumped up for the Triumph kit in the first place.

Steve

[Pops400]

Thanks all, this is all useful. Any feedback/ suggestions on the seat situation?

£160 for a centre stand, Steve?! 

Chris, thanks for pointing that out, I thought it was a standard system, not aftermarket, so had planned to use the headers and replace the muffler, (to keep costs down as you said). This is where it's a problem not being able to see any for points of reference. How can you tell it's aftermarket?

I have managed to get someone to share the unit and costs, along with the person I was already sharing with, so space is getting tight after this weekend, but at least I can keep the project going and it won't be outside on the patio. 

Thanks for the replies, all. I need to understand as I go along to keep it going. Please keep the advice coming.

[SteveD CB500K0]

£160 for a centre stand, Steve?!

Gone up since then:

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[Chris400F]

Chris, thanks for pointing that out, I thought it was a standard system, not aftermarket, so had planned to use the headers and replace the muffler, (to keep costs down as you said). This is where it's a problem not being able to see any for points of reference. How can you tell it's aftermarket?

The standard collector is 'flat', with the four pipes entering in a line. Yours looks to be 'square', with two pipes above and two below.
Two pipes are welded to the collector and two are held in place by clamps, can't remember whether 1 & 3 or 2 & 4.
The silencer is also separate and clamped to the collector whereas yours is integral.
Motad make an aftermarket replica system which has the same shape pipes and collector with all pipes separate from the collector:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400-4-Complete-Exhaust-System-/161988706082?hash=item25b7477f22:g:QkQAAOSwzgRWvHXF
Yours could be a Motad system - certainly later ones (there was one on my bike when I got it) had the ends of the downpipes flared and used the standard clamps and collars rather than having integral collars welded to the pipes although I think some earlier ones used the integral collars scheme.

[Pops400]

£160 for a centre stand, Steve?!

Gone up since then:

 

A milk crate must be cheaper. 

[Pops400]

Yours could be a Motad system

Chris, that's all great info, thanks. I will get some good close up photos at the weekend.

I have a vague recollection of my Dad being very pleased with a micron silencer he put on it back in the early 90s, but confess I haven't even looked at it since I got it. No budget for complete system, so head scratching time now.

Thanks for the link. 

[Chris400F]

If yours is a Motad system I'm pretty sure this will be stamped on the silencer, on the outward facing side towards the outlet end.

If you are still intending to wrap the pipes then I suppose there is a chance you may be able to find a reasonably priced set of OEM pipes with poor chrome. Rechroming these is expensive so systems that are nice and shiny seem to command higher prices. If I could find a reasonably priced OEM system with good chrome for my own bike I'd have one, otherwise the replica system stays in place.

[Pops400]

I'll check it at the weekend. May just be sticking with what I have if they are salvageable, looking at costs. Not needed for a while yet, so will keep an eye out for bargains in the background whilst the build takes shape.

All good helpful info, ta.

Anyone any ideas or advice on the seat / hoop question on the previous page?

TIA.

[MCTID]

Check out Pinterest for some cool Cafe style bikes.........there are some amazing machines on the site. Nothing too technical but great for interesting ideas.