Cm 400 to cafe

[Hortons Heroes]

I feel like float shims sound like a board strecher or a left handed hammer. I will take some pics to try and explain my problem.

[Hortons Heroes]

I forgot to take pics of the carb but I was putting shims on the float needle where it rests on the float to make it sit higher and thus seat sooner but it didn't fix the problem. The overflow/breather keeps pouring out gas if the bike sits idle running or the gas is just turned on.

Here are the pipes hung with care.


Here they are painted and back on. Process was not really fun and I am not thrilled with the finished product. I didn't realize the exhaust header spray paint was a powder. I painted it on then left it for an hour, went to mount it on the bike to run the bike and cure the paint and the paint would come off if you brushed it slightly. Branden mentioned that I should have roughed up the pipes more and I think that may have just been the problem but either way after painting them and trying to get them back on there was a lot of touch up. That and I fear it didn't bond that well with the pipe and I am going to end up having to redo it later in the season. Dang it... Only time will tell if it worked I guess.

With the float needle not seating I had to baby sit it and shut off the gas every 5-8 minutes then turn it back on so curing it for an hour was a real chore. It was great to have Brandan there so I had someone to talk to.


My list of jobs is now in the single digits! I am hoping to have it done by March 1. I need to
make some side panels
reshape my mirror bars so they work with my bar end mounts
mount license plate
mount a new tank or fix the dents in the one I have (considering doing knee dishing)
shorten cables if I get bored
mount new smaller horn
touch up frame paint and clean the thing

[Hortons Heroes]

Spent more of the night trying to swap carbs and parts then a little doing the bar end mirrors. Big thanks to Brandan for helping me out

I got the look I was looking for, I wasn`t really digging the bar end mirrors that go straight out from the ends. I am loving the forward and up mount...the price was right as well.

Before and after to show the amount we cut out and my terrible welds.


Here they are mounted, lots of clearance for the hands. The level clearance is fairly tight.


Mirrors mounted and the welds cleaned up a bit. Brandan is much more of a perfectionist than me. I was just happy to fuse metals together but he wanted me to clean it up a bit.

[Hortons Heroes]

Spent a fair bit of time working last night and I am proud to say.

IT'S DONE!

There will always be little paint touch ups and tweeking to make it more rideable but the goals I set out to make it rideable with a cafe look are done.

The side covers were the last major thing to do. Had I just taken out the airbox I wouldn't have had to make a different set. That being said I did have a set of side covers for it but they are very curved and swoopy and I wanted a boxier look. I made a cardboard template then cut it out in checkered aluminum.


When I cut them out I put the future 90 degreed curve on an existing 45 degree curve on the aluminum. This made getting a nicer sharper edge way easier. I put two folds in and riveted them together.


Here they are mounted. Right now it's just tie wire holding them on but I may end up welding a nut or two on the frame and running some bolts through. I like the tool free ease of tie wire for getting them off.


I am not really digging the look yet but the black paint dulls after a bit of time and that should help draw my eye away from them. They are larger than the old ones and super boxy which was the look I was shooting for but I got more box that I was expecting. The left side cover needs a rubber/plastic flat on it on the front to keep the water from getting into the fuses etc. The other side seems to fit and cover everything well. I was thinking to break up the look a bit I could paint a racing number on the side or something else to break up that big flat area. Open to suggestions.


I bled the brakes, strapped some loose cables to the body, removed the horn, put passenger pegs on, put in cotter pins, mounted the license plate and cleaned up a few spots.

I was thinking about mounting the license plate like this

 but I was unsure about the legality (I worry to much for a future cafe rider) I know you are supposed to have a light on it which would not be hard to do but does anyone know if there are any legal issues with having it low and sideways?

I need to find a little horn and mount my tool kit somewhere but man it feels good to be done. Now to get my other 3 CM 400's running well.

I will get back up there and take some non ipod quality pictures to show it off a bit better.

[Hortons Heroes]

I just realized that the first work I did to it was Nov 22 and I finished it Feb 22.

[fast1]

  Yes, it has to be the other way, yes it must be lit. No height restrictions. CHEERS and congrats on finishing......you know once you start they are never really done.

[PeggySue]

Lookin' good!
First thing I did to my 400 was switch to cafe-style bars and change the muffler to a straight line pipe with a rear bevel and no baffles    Very tidy, if loud...
Tried fitting a little viper fairing, but couldn't get it to sit 'straight' with all sorts of fiddling, and so I'm saving it for the Enfield.
I like the look you're going for, much smarter than the 'commuter' styling the stock CM 400 was designed with.

Onward!
Peg

[Dennis]

Finished? Bikes are never finished.

The Jeremy helped me move my yellow XS650 from my office to my garage on Saturday.  I built that bike more than 10 years ago.  It has been frequently modified, and is about to get butchered for parts for my XS650 flattracker.  They're all works in progress (unless you are in the purist resto camp).

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Hortons Heroes]

I only mean that I got list of things that I wanted done completed. I know that I will change it more as I ride it more. I am really tempted to take out the airbox and rejet the carbs but I want to put on 1000km before I start doing anything else major.

 I still have to get that CM400 from willow creek all fixed up before my brother inlaw gets the paper work done so I am switching projects now for sure.

[british bulldog]

A special thanks to Ted for troubleshooting and repairing my daughter's jeep.

                                                 British Bulldog and Evon

[Theo]

I'm glad it was a successful repair, Bulldog, and thanks for the public acknowledgement.
Kind regards to your daughter.

Ted

[Hortons Heroes]

How is it possible I am the first one to post this pic on here. You guys should be proud to see that a vintage bike built exclusively on this forum was showcased in Tuesdays Prince George Citizen! I had been riding to work and back when the road were dry and someone snapped a photo while it was parked! I am so thrilled to have my first project circulated around the city. I am sure after my next project I will wish noone had ever seen this bike hahaha.

[Dennis]

Congrats.  I missed it.  Too bad they didn't interview you.  You could have put in a plug for the club.

Peace & Fame, Dennis

[Hortons Heroes]

I have been plugging the club on my facebook and I posted on the Citizen facebook wall with a link to this thread. Hopefully that brings in some view. Something is bringing people here this thread has over 1500 views and is only 3 1/2 months old.

[Donovan]

Yes I saw the picture in the paper and thought it was yours.  I meant to mention it but just got too busy I guess.  You should receive an award for being the first out on the streets this year.