Pee Dubs Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 My old CB500 has mostly been sitting in the garage for the last 3 years or so, and despite a bit of time put into it I haven’t really managed to get on top of the poor running issues (ignition related I think). I can’t bring myself to sell it and buy something else, so I’ve been missing out on sweet two-wheeled action all this time... I decided before Christmas last year that I needed to get an unmolested and running bike to at least get riding, even if it wasn’t properly OS. Problem is for the most part I dislike the styling of modern bikes, or the ones within a reasonable budget at least! I was looking at 80’s GB400TT’s as there were a few for sale, but they didn’t quite have the classic 70’s style I like. Then I spotted this CB400SS, basically a JDM only early 00's new build 70’s Honda. It's relatively small, relatively slow, but simple and newish and works. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pee Dubs Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 I couldn't leave it completely untouched though! First issue was hard to start (kick start only, so got a worn out leg pretty quickly!) and running like a sack of the proverbial. Diagnosed and replaced the 100% dead battery, surprised it ran at all actually! Then just got riding to remember how to! So good, something to induce a smile I then saw the Molesworth Moped Melee and thought why the hell not?! This meant getting the bike ready to tackle a bit of gravel/offroad, and also a full service to limit chances of breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Slammed some cheap new LED indicators on, borrowed a luggage solution + some wider and higher CT bars from @BLIZZO (thanks bro) to replace the flat bars on it. Biggest change was ditching the Battleax road tyres for some 80/20 Shinko 705's. These are quite a bit heavier so gave the bike a lot more steering weight and made it feel a lot less nimble, but the trade off being actually having some grip offroad. They're still ok on the road too. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pee Dubs Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 Coupla Molesworth trip pics. Bike went well, was better than the rider! I put it down a couple of times, no major damage luckily. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumrum Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 hnngghhh one of my top 5 bikes tbh! https://bikebrewers.com/honda-cb400-cafe-racer/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pee Dubs Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 8 minutes ago, rumrum said: hnngghhh one of my top 5 bikes tbh! https://bikebrewers.com/honda-cb400-cafe-racer/ That’s an original twin. I would keen for one of those, but old bike = work, and modified old bike = even more work. At the moment my SS is doing the job of actually working so I can just ride it. Some waffle about it (from a UK perspective, basically moaning about the price when new) https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2015/05/19/honda-cb400-ss-quick-look/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pee Dubs Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 If I eventually start tweaking it I imagine it could become something like this: https://bikeshedmoto.com/blogs/blog/cambodia-cb400ss-shedbuilt 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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