cb400f cafe racer build

[prospeed]

Thought i'd share this 400/4 cafe build we are doing at my shop . Always fancied one of these but never seemed to get around to buying one . I stumbled across 2 for $300 so thought i'd try my hand at a cafe racer .
<a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0615.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0615.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0618.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0618.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0705.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0705.jpg" border="0" alt="cafe1"></a> <a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0706.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0706.jpg" border="0" alt="cafe1"></a> <a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0708.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0708.jpg" border="0" alt="cafe1"></a> <a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0707.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0707.jpg" border="0" alt="cafe1"></a>

[avgas]

I came!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[prospeed]

Yeah - that blue is really nice !!!. I first used it on a shifter kart and now use it on everything - it's a bit of a joke around here .
Here are a couple of pics of the engine teardown .
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[NinjaNanna]

don't stop, keep this thread coming, watching with great interest

[cave weta]

You an me - we have to talk....
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This was what I bought on TM for $1200-

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This was it a week later! loving it.

[HenryDorsetCase]

oh yeah please keep this coming. I love CB400F's and that is off to a great start.

[prospeed]

:drool::first::rolleyes:I am jazzed that you guys and gals like the build !!!. Back to the shop tomorrow and will get some more done and post some more pics . I would like to see more pics cave weta . i tried to click on your pics but my computer freeks out !!:. Maybe it's because i live in the states - i do'nt know . Looks like a 500 v-twin ascot ?. I like that bike . By the way - love the icons you guys have - "tugger" really cracks me up - it's been 20 years since i lived in God'sown and -OH how i miss it .
cheers .

[SPman]

Looks like it's going to be very.........Blue!

Looking good.....

[cave weta]

:drool::first::rolleyes:I am jazzed that you guys and gals like the build !!!. Back to the shop tomorrow and will get some more done and post some more pics . I would like to see more pics cave weta . i tried to click on your pics but my computer freeks out !!:. Maybe it's because i live in the states - i do'nt know . Looks like a 500 v-twin ascot ?. I like that bike . By the way - love the icons you guys have - "tugger" really cracks me up - it's been 20 years since i lived in God'sown and -OH how i miss it .
cheers .

Yes its an Ascot 1984.

There are not a lot of photos because it all happened in 5 days!
I will take it into town and leave it somewhere though, because if I hide close by and not look like the owner I will be able to get some good photos of people scratching their heads.
last weekend I took it to an event with nearly 1000 entrants. Before my bum was off the seat, people were asking what it was.

rebadge a scarce bike and younguns dont stand a chance! :innocent::innocent:

[prospeed]

Started the re-assembly process and starting to get a little excited :cool:.
I will try and get the engine in today and order the pipe .
<a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0710.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0710.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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[roadracingoldfart]

Back a few years ago i built one of these and raced the ring off it.
Kaz Yashima inspired me with his Daytona wins an a big bore engine against 750 turbo suzukis. I think he got to a max of about 500cc.

Mine was a 455 , Yoshi cam , braced frame and swingarm , CB400n forks and twin rotors, cdi from Cb650 f , Z1000 carbs and more i cant think of just now lol.

Good luck with the build and i will watch with interest.

Paul.

[prospeed]

Got any pics Paul ?. Kaz is still in business 60 miles up the road in Ontario , CA . He makes traction control stuff i think . He built some rocket ships - real giant killers !!. Yours sounds like it was no slouch either - did you race it in NZ ?.
Motor is in - couple of pics .
<a href="http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0723.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/imcadam/IMG_0723.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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[98tls]

Very tasty indeed.Whats the plan with the exhaust 4/1?

[bogan]

looking like a bloody nice build there, prospeed :first: reckon that's something kb is missing, epic build threads :yes:

[prospeed]

The pipe is a bit of sore spot right now . I had a nice 4-1 lined up - kind of a Yoshimura crossed with a Yashima but as i was about to go and get it i was informed it was out of stock - bummer !.
I might just have to build my own . Maybe if it comes out alright i can make some extras and offer them up for sale .
I am taking out my frustration by furiously polishing the engine covers . I did not realise just how bloody diffcult that is . OH well - it should look good when i'm done .

[98tls]

Am sure it will,what are you polishing them with?Re the pipe something in Black and a little more upswept at rear would look sweet imho.

[shafty]

Well done Mate, what an icon to refurbish.

What did you do to the engine cases/fins to make them look so good? Media blast and respray? If so, do you use high temp paint?

Lookin forward to watching progress - awesome work Mate


Shafty
Touring the USA from July 2011

[Taz]

Nice job so far. The CB400F Supersport was the first "real" bike I owned. Loved it.

[cave weta]

Started the re-assembly process and starting to get a little excited :cool:.
I will try and get the engine in today and order the pipe .


Looking very sharp- Hey Im about to do my pipes- and Im going to get them ceramic coated- does anyone have a clue where to go and what it costs?

Prospeed, Im looking at your seatbase, I think we used the same seatmould.
I wanted something more Norton or triton but it wouldnt go with my squared off line on my tank.
Its a shame you are not local- would love to do your upholstery - Ive done dozens of seats, I realy enjoy stretching the old vinyl!
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/91952-Repair-rebuild-or-recover-your-seat-at-home!?highlight=recover+seat

[roadracingoldfart]

Got any pics Paul ?. Kaz is still in business 60 miles up the road in Ontario , CA . He makes traction control stuff i think . He built some rocket ships - real giant killers !!. Yours sounds like it was no slouch either - did you race it in NZ ?.
Motor is in - couple of pics .


Yip , raced it lots lol . won a few series in F2 and thrashed the crap out of it in F1 as well. It was very nimble at the likes of Baypark and the street circuits and that was handy. Std the model i had (1976F1) put out 32 hp claimed and i had mine on a dyno after the carb fitment and measured 55 RWHP .
You talk about the pipe ..... i have tried a few diff types of pipe and fo rthe track you MUST use a 4-2-1 with fairly short headers. Kaz will be able to offer you specs based on his 460 cc engine and thats what i used. Harrier in the U.K. also did a cafe racer and that was a cool little bike looking quite standard apart from a small bar mount fairing and a low set bars convertion. Big tip is the pointless ign system , CB650 f base plate is 3 mm larger diam and if you turn it down the 3 x holes to lock it in place are perfect alignment. Get the coils and off you go lol . No more balance act with the points and breakdown at 10500 rpm on, mine went to 13500 .
The one thing i dont have is pics , i do have 1 when i put it back on the street but its not computor based so i cant post it , i never had a camera in those days so missed out i guess.
Good luck with the build and if i can help just ask. If you see Kaz say hi from me and wish him well.
Paul.

[roadracingoldfart]

Looking very sharp- Hey Im about to do my pipes- and Im going to get them ceramic coated- does anyone have a clue where to go and what it costs?

Prospeed, Im looking at your seatbase, I think we used the same seatmould.
I wanted something more Norton or triton but it wouldnt go with my squared off line on my tank.
Its a shame you are not local- would love to do your upholstery - Ive done dozens of seats, I realy enjoy stretching the old vinyl!
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/91952-Repair-rebuild-or-recover-your-seat-at-home!?highlight=recover+seat

HPC mate , somewhere in Jaffaville.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yip , raced it lots lol . won a few series in F2 and thrashed the crap out of it in F1 as well. It was very nimble at the likes of Baypark and the street circuits and that was handy. Std the model i had (1976F1) put out 32 hp claimed and i had mine on a dyno after the carb fitment and measured 55 RWHP .
You talk about the pipe ..... i have tried a few diff types of pipe and fo rthe track you MUST use a 4-2-1 with fairly short headers. Kaz will be able to offer you specs based on his 460 cc engine and thats what i used. Harrier in the U.K. also did a cafe racer and that was a cool little bike looking quite standard apart from a small bar mount fairing and a low set bars convertion. Big tip is the pointless ign system , CB650 f base plate is 3 mm larger diam and if you turn it down the 3 x holes to lock it in place are perfect alignment. Get the coils and off you go lol . No more balance act with the points and breakdown at 10500 rpm on, mine went to 13500 .
The one thing i dont have is pics , i do have 1 when i put it back on the street but its not computor based so i cant post it , i never had a camera in those days so missed out i guess.
Good luck with the build and if i can help just ask. If you see Kaz say hi from me and wish him well.
Paul.

that is absolute genius. I love old Hondas but I always said the next one I got would have a Boyer Brandsen electronic ignition on it. I hate fidding with points, and of course on all of these now the bloody adjuster screws are munted and the marks hard to read.....

I am (just to hijack the thread a bit) quite tempted by this at present, but have zero dollars due to the stupid earthquake. He FPO'ed it at $4500 last time round and this time its $4k start is reserve.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=363102240

[prospeed]

The cases and everything i bead blasted and then ultrasonically cleaned - best tool i ever bought was the ultrasonic cleaner . I painted the engine with aluminium heat sensitive engine paint . I have a full stainless engine bolt kit which will sharpen it up a bit . The covers i found out have to be sanded down by hand to remove all the dings accumulated over the years before polishing . Pain in the arse - should have painted them .
When the motor was apart i installed a 450 big bore kit and if i can find the shekels i would like some CR26's - but that is going to be a little pricey .
The bike came with a Marteck 440 electronic ignition which was cool .
I'm not looking forward to the wiring as it's gonna have to be a custom jobby .
I wish i could open a trademe account but you ca'nt from overseas .
Also i want to buy a couple of patches and stickers from the Kiwi Biker forum but can not see who to contact to do so from here - any ideas ?.
Hey Shafty - make sure you visit when you're here !.
Paul , you're 400 sounds the mutts nuts ! . I raced in NZ F3 on a GSXR400 the first couple of years and did a few meetings also on a TZ350G in F2 in the late 80's - we may have crossed paths .

[roadracingoldfart]

.
Paul , you're 400 sounds the mutts nuts ! . I raced in NZ F3 on a GSXR400 the first couple of years and did a few meetings also on a TZ350G in F2 in the late 80's - we may have crossed paths .

P.M me your real name lol , if you were on a TZ i imagine you were in front , but as for the GSXR lol , sorry but i ate them for breaky (except for Rob H )

Paul.

[prospeed]

Real name is Mick Doohan - haha!! - no actually Ian McAdam. The TZ spent most of it's time on the side of the track sieized or the electronic ignition went bad or something . It looked good but ran shitty - i was pretty clueless back then . The gsxr400 was actually pretty good. First year they had F3 as a national championship i usually ran top 10 - best of 3rd i think . Tony Mcmurdo on a pink gsxr and some guy from Invercargill on an EX500 were top dogs . 1988 i think . I had sponsorship from Rocket Batteries and i wrote a monthly column for KIWI RIDER called the Rocketman Report . I have to laugh now when i think back!!. I was'nt particularly quick but was a fearless self promotor . Hey - you do what you gotta do !.
Good times .:yes:

[Grumph]

I remember the fearless self promoter bit....particularly on your SI visits...LOL

I was helping Tony at the time while looking after kirby's 1100.

Nice to see you're still tinkering happily.

[prospeed]

Hey Grumph - you have to expound !!!. Tony was cool - that gsxr400 was bent like a pretzel but he was always on the main jet !!!. Not only was he fast but he was a nice guy too !!. What's he doing these days?. If you see him and in the unlikely event he remembers me - please say "hi" .:love:

[Paul in NZ]

Bloody nice bikes those hondas - my brother had one and it was a gem! I looked at buying one myself recently but the cost of things like rings / valves etc in nz is just eye watering...

[prospeed]

Hey Paul - you need parts?- email me - i can help . Any make - any model . Check my profile for info .:yes:

[NinjaNanna]

more pics - less reminiscing :shutup:

[SPman]

more pics - less reminiscing :shutup:More pics - MORE reminiscing!

[prospeed]

Hey GD66 from Western OZ - got your message then promptly deleted it :angry::facepalm::blink:- send again with email address and ph# plus year of bike - i'll see what i can do .
I made a little money this week so will make some more progress and post the results - stay tuned !!.:yes:

[Paul in NZ]

Hey Paul - you need parts?- email me - i can help . Any make - any model . Check my profile for info .:yes:

Ha - thankfully I dont need any today but I've definately been thinking about another project. Brit bikes (my #1 vice) have just got so expensive now that building specials out of them makes little sense.

When I do - I'll definately be looking globally for parts as I found with the FZR, there were some major savings to be made.

[Grumph]

[QUOTE=Paul in NZ;1130024213]Ha - thankfully I dont need any today but I've definately been thinking about another project. Brit bikes (my #1 vice) have just got so expensive now that building specials out of them makes little sense.

It makes sense if you can't find a complete bike at reasonable cost....

[Paul in NZ]

[QUOTE=Paul in NZ;1130024213]Ha - thankfully I dont need any today but I've definately been thinking about another project. Brit bikes (my #1 vice) have just got so expensive now that building specials out of them makes little sense.

It makes sense if you can't find a complete bike at reasonable cost....

Yes and no - a 'quality' rebuild of a 650 / 750 Triumph unit engine can top $5K in parts....

[prospeed]

Sorry folks - things have stalled out a little recently - car repairs and the need to actually make a living .:violin: I've been doing some of polishing , getting the carbs finished and lately trying to make the rear sets work properly . I got screwed on the 4-1 exhaust so i will have to make one from scratch - i can't find anything worth buying . Going to get some stuff done this week and hopefully will have some good progress to post soon .:yes::woohoo:

[Bender]

What is the rear seat-end, looks almost like Yammie TZ.

[HenryDorsetCase]

bump (ten characters)

[ratfink]

Thats looking awesome. Cafe Racers rule.:yes:I Always loved the stock curly pipes on 400S it was my favorite bit of the bike.