I bought clip-in shoes for my bike! Wait, are mountain bikes allowed on this thread? What if it is one of those electric, pedal-assisted bikes?... What if I adapt a petrol chainsaw to power it?
Hmmm it appears that in a moment of weakness (or is it strength) I might have purchased another bike.... Soon to take up residence at my place will be a 1975 CB400F... it is a runner... it is a bit rough but it will serve as a nice project for me... once I sell off the 2 VTR's and the Across, as well as start on the SRX... I think I may have caught something from this site...
Picked up a good oem muffler for my IT200L today, the guy even gave me a new pack of packing with it. This muffler came off his IT200 that he bought secondhand 30 years ago, he replaced it with a Dep muffler not long after he bought the bike. I also ordered a genuine nos front fender for my IT ex usa which should arrive in a week or so.
Just a quick pic of the CB400F From the looks of the engine cases and rear brake drum I am goi g to need to find a vapor blaster in Sydney or take a drive to Brisbane
That should clean up nicely Andy, and there are so many parts available for them too. Even comes with some quality (and rebuildable) S&W shocks.
Thanks Murdo... yes, I am amazed at the parts available for them... As much as there are some really well done "Cafe" builds on these I think it would be a shame to spoil the classic lines and look of this model.. so maybe some hidden mods.. 466 big bore kit and electronic ignition are definitely on the cards as is a Dunstall style muffler (sound clip attached) as none of these change the look of the bike, but other than that it should be a Restore project... worth more in the long run I think as the CB400F are not plentiful on the ground..
Definitely be more valuable as a stocker/original. Some of the modern 'builders' have forgotten what a cafe bike is (built to go fast and handle good) and end up with something that is neither a good road bike or a 'cafe racer'.
Shop manual and parts list for the CB400F .... manual looks to be 72 and parts list 75 https://www.2fiftycc.com/index.php?resources/categories/non-250s.62/
Fit the ventura sports rack instead of the pack rack. No need for that ugly abomination on the rear unless I'm using the bag. I also re-balanced the carbs and tuned the pilots by ear with a work colleague, runs waaaaay better, the long-standing rattle is far reduced, the idle is stable, and it's no longer jerky at 3,000 rpm. It drops cleanly to idle and doesn't hang up anymore, and it starts easier when hot and cold... Looking forward to the Gunnedah drags and coming dyno runs in Tamworth
Oh and I adjusted the rear shock preload - it was one softer than standard (setting 3). Setting 4 is the standard position for a 68kg rider (with gear) according to the manual. Next job will be fork oil/bushings/seals. At some point I will actually ride the thing instead of working on it
Thanks Grey... I had already downloaded them from SOHC/4 Owners Club Forum and was going to upload them... but you beat me to it..
Went for a ride. Figured the national park would be empty being new years eve and weather threatening to rain. Nearly called it quits 1km after leaving home because of a kinked fuel line. Don't know how it happened as I rode home fine yesterday. The bike is performing brilliantly after tuning it and adjusting the shock preload, the rider not so much. In need of a visit to the chiropractor who is off for another week, and some more riding to get back in the swing of things. The Lixianda TCI definitely has no rev limiter but I can't speak to it's other supposed benefits just yet. The proof, if any, will be in the dyno runs and drag times. Between the time I entered the national park and turned around, the HWP had setup an RBT on either side of the road at the turn off from the highway. Weren't interested in me as I was being a good boy by the time they saw me Enjoy the picture dump. Speedo covered to protect the innocent.
Wow...must be nice! I went to meet friends this morning to have breakfast, not on the bike. The temperature was -18C.
Well it looks like I have sold one of the VTR's... $1100 is OK for what it is... now to either convince the buyer to take the spare VTR for a small sum or part it out... and then get rid of the Across... I need room for the CB400 Happy New Year everyone... hope it was safe for you all...
We have the opposite, it is so hot that you sweat just standing around in the sun - and I mean sweat from the eyeballs hot and humid! Though the storms came last night and we have a reprieve; it's 6am and I am not melted already.