Author Topic: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project  (Read 42729 times)

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #180 on: November 13, 2016, 09:40:40 PM »
I do agree, but there is just no point trying to make this standard, it would cost so much to get it there.

Much thinking and listening to the opinions of those who have done it before to do. Might cut a bit of old tubing to length and mock up some straight bars to test feel. Not sure how to mock up clip on's.  ???
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

Offline Chris400F

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #181 on: November 13, 2016, 09:43:54 PM »
I had clip-on-type bars on the CB-1 I had and they were too low for me, I ended up fitting adaptors and flat bars.
As Julie says the standard UK bars are pretty straight anyway.
Clubman bars are what quite a few people fitted to various bikes back in the days when the 400 was current - I think you could even have them as an option on things like the Suzuki GT185 and 250 - usually without tank fouling issues or rearsets, so that would be more of a period modification.
I suspect rearsets would probably interfere with the requirement for pillion footrests for Jess.
Also hope that frame damage shown earlier doesn't prove too serious.
Oh, and another +1 from me for keeping up with all these  updates.

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #182 on: November 13, 2016, 09:47:32 PM »
Good idea but, it still wont tell you what you really need to know because your static, it's only by riding the bike out on the roads that will give you what you want. I know this from experience, at home here sitting on a CB750 the bike does not feel to heavy for me but I know from experience it's like riding a bloody chieftain tank.
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Offline Green1

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #183 on: November 13, 2016, 09:58:46 PM »
I'm not a fan of clubmans but at least you still have the option to try a few different bars as nothing is ground away.
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Offline Green1

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #184 on: November 13, 2016, 10:04:55 PM »
Bodd has straight bars on his bike.He has plenty of pictures in the gallery to give you an idea.
Current bikes
Honda CB750k1 Valley Green Metallic
Honda CB750k1 Candy Gold
Honda CB550k Candy Jade Green
Honda CG125
Aprilia Pegaso 650
Moto guzzi 1200 sport
Kawasaki EX650R (Mine until dave pays for it)
Kawasaki ZXR400 J

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #185 on: November 13, 2016, 10:07:43 PM »
Chris, yes, I had wondered about the rear sets interfering with the rear pegs, still trying to figure that one out. Maybe I should revisit clubman bars.  ???

Julie, you have me wondering if I have the right bars now. The ones I took off are a million miles off straight or low. I need to find a way to check. When I say straight bars, I do mean literally straight, not even slight angles in there. Wonder if that may be too aggressive / Street fighter though. Not what I am going for at all.

Take your point on mock ups and not knowing until ridden, but hoping I can at least get a feel for pressure on wrists and back. I suffer with my lower back and legs due to the insane amount of miles I do a year, for a lot of years, so should be able to tell pretty quickly if it's a definite no-go. At least I can discount the howlers then and then take time to find out by riding.

All working on the heroic assumption I can get it going, of course.  ;D

Chris, yes I am worried about the frame damage too now.
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #186 on: November 13, 2016, 10:09:00 PM »
Bodd has straight bars on his bike.He has plenty of pictures in the gallery to give you an idea.

Superb lead, thank you.  8)
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #187 on: November 13, 2016, 11:11:27 PM »

All working on the heroic assumption I can get it going, of course.  ;D

Oh yea of little faith. We're not going through all this with you and Jess to not have a running bike at the end of it all.......we wouldn't let that happen  ;D ;D ;D
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #188 on: November 14, 2016, 06:09:04 AM »
 ;D ;D ;D

I'm sure I'll get there. Just get the odd day when I look at it and wonder what the hell I'm doing, it's so far gone.
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

Offline Trigger

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #189 on: November 14, 2016, 06:13:39 AM »
;D ;D ;D

I'm sure I'll get there. Just get the odd day when I look at it and wonder what the hell I'm doing, it's so far gone.

I think that every day  ;D And I do it for a living ;)

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #190 on: November 14, 2016, 06:22:48 AM »
 ;D

I just keep plugging away until I get a day when lots of progress happens, that gives me enough lift to take me through a few more crap ones.
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

Offline Trigger

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #191 on: November 14, 2016, 06:29:29 AM »
;D

I just keep plugging away until I get a day when lots of progress happens, that gives me enough lift to take me through a few more crap ones.

Just focus on the frame and engine. Once this is done, everything else just basically bolts on.

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #192 on: November 14, 2016, 06:41:15 AM »
Frame is looking like quite a problem, but the engine I'm flummoxed by what to do. It did actually turn over and sounded OK, albeit briefly. Semi-tempted to try and clean it up without pulling it apart, but kind of know that's asking for trouble.

Kind of know that pulling it apart is asking for trouble too, though. And probably a load of money I don't have.  :o ::)
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

Offline mike the bike

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #193 on: November 14, 2016, 07:42:29 AM »
Instead of going down the clip ons route, have you considered ace bars?  Best of both in my opinion.
Where's that 10mm socket got to?

Offline Pops400

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Re: 75 CB400 "Dad's old bike" project
« Reply #194 on: November 14, 2016, 09:14:05 AM »
Hi Mike. Considering any and all at the moment. Happy to put the time into planning, so I know what I'm aiming at.

'scuse my ignorance, though, I thought Ace / Clubman were different terms for the same thing?
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know.

 

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