The Beast Update

So it's now going into November here and I've been busy finding the right parts for the bike, making the modifications, finalizing the DMV paperwork for the title, and completing motorcycle basic rider class so I can get my license. So I've been busy. Here are some pics.

The Beast Broken Down & Forks Off

So far I was able to lower the front forks using a spacer in the lower. Got this trick from the Ryca videos on YouTube. Not sure if it's going to work out or not; probably won't know until I take the bike for a test ride, we'll see how the  front end performs. While I had the forks off the bike, I was able to get the fork gaiters, clip-on handle bars, new halogen headlight, and the headlight ears installed. The gaiters are a little too long since I lowered the forks, but they will do for now.

Online videos and online forums have been very helpful in pointing me in the right directions, however they usually do not provide enough detail to avoid pitfalls, not sure that they could.



The Clymer manual was the best money I spent so far. Also looking to find and purchase the original product brochure and owners manual.

Also had fun fabricating a mounting bracket for the gauges out of some aluminum sheet I purchased at ACE Hardware. Not great considering I was using a jig saw with a metal cutting blade and a Dremel Tool. Serves its purpose for now, will reproduce a better one based on this when I replace the fork gaiters and the front wheel goes to paint.

I sorted out some of the electrical while replacing the rear tail/brake light. The electric has been the most challenging part of the project, but I have a friend pointing me in the right direction as I go along. Also replaced the winkers, front and back.

Nice Looking Seat

Next items to complete will be the chopping and modifying the seat pan, and also replacing the rear shocks. Here's the seat look I am going for. Probably more of a bobber/rat bike seat type than cafe. It looks like my old  broke in catchers mitt.

Found the foam I need online, and also found a British company online that manufactures replacement seat cover spikes for under the seat. You basically pop-rivet the strips on the underside if the seat and then you you hook the seat cover material to it to tighten the cover over the foam. In concept it works like tackless does with  carpet. P & K Classic Bikes

I also spent time fixing the left light controls and I am in the process of rebuilding the front disc brake caliper and replacing the front brake master cylinder.

Introducing "The Beast from The East"

So...I picked up this bike from a family friend for free. The catch? No title! It is a 1978 Honda CB400TII that starts easily, only has about 7,000 original miles,  has some leaks, and probably needs a good tune-up. I removed the chrome trimmings - grab bar, luggage rack, and highway bars. I have also replaced the engine oil and spark plugs, and ran some carburetor cleaner through the fuel tank. Running a little rough right now. My next steps are to remove the valve cover, torque the head bolts, and adjust the intake and exhaust valves. Right now I am waiting for a replacement headlight bucket. Once I receive this part, I'll start the front end part of the project. This will include lowering the front forks, replacing the handle bars with clip-on handle bars, bolting on new headlight ears, and the the replacement headlight. I will also replace the front end blinkers as well. I don't want to get much further than that until I figure out whether or not I am going to be able to the title for the bike. A lot of people are telling me to part the bike on eBay, but I am going bang forward on trying to get the title first. It would be a shame to chop this bike up. Other than a few dents and dings, it's pretty clean for a 30+ year cycle. Click here to take a video walk around of the bike here on YouTube.