Inspire me

[KidVermicious]

So I've been staring at this thing trying to decide what I'm going to do with it once I get the Bastard to a stable place, and I can't decide.

1980 Honda CM400, in all it's unglory:



I think it's got the potential to be a sweet little commuter, but it can't stay stock. I don't know what I want to do with it though?

Some ideas:

I dunno. There's some sweet modded Hondas out there. I like the idea of a cafe racer style build, but I know for sure I'm going to need some more space between my seat and the foot controls, because sitting on it now my knees are in my chin. So I really like the idea of bobbing or stretching it, which would make for a more comfortable cruiser assuming it doesn't beat my tailbone to death...

I can't make up my mind. Help me out here, guys, inspire me. What should I turn this bike into?

 

[hikenbike]

Not to be an a**hole (although I sometimes can't help it), but if that's your backyard then I say put the bike away for now and turn your energy to tending to your property in a big way. You asked.

 

[NoDak]

restore it back to original, but that would be me though.

and add the rear seat backpad.

 

[02SE]

If you actually want to ride it anywhere, I'd fix it up as close to stock as possible. The carbs will need some love, as well as the brakes, and most likely any rubber parts like fuel lines, intake boots, tires, etc.

All of the 'Bobbers' pictured, would be uncomfortable for me to ride for any distance. Not to mention annoyingly loud, with very little muffling.

Now I can't say too much, as my bike will really howl if it's revved-up. But at lower engine speeds, it's just a fairly innocuous low rumble. I don't ride through populated areas making as much noise as possible, like some jackasses do.

Some people seem to like the feet-forward cruiser riding position. For me, I find it to be very uncomfortable in short order. As you alluded to, the tailbone takes all of the abuse.

The CM400 just isn't a very large bike, so it's going to be a bit cramped for a guy your size. I'd ride it for awhile, then decide if Motorcycling is something you want to pursue further. If you decide it is, there are much more comfortable bikes out there, for tall people.

 

[KidVermicious]

Not to be an a**hole (although I sometimes can't help it), but if that's your backyard then I say put the bike away for now and turn your energy to tending to your property in a big way. You asked.

Yeah, that's pretty much you being an assh@le, and no, I didn't ask. You wanna explain to me why the f*ck you care what my back yard looks like or what you think it has to do with this thread? Here's a newsflash, douchebucket - that's my property. If I choose not to spend time making it all pretty so I can impress superficial twatwaffles like you, what business is that of yours?

 

[KidVermicious]

"Hurr durr sometimes I can't help being an assh@le", you know what? I believe you. I believe you really can't help being a giant supersized gaping cockholster, and that says a bunch more about you than my tiny little worthless back yard says about me. Stick your tampon back up your ass and GTFO of my thread

 

[KidVermicious]

Some people seem to like the feet-forward cruiser riding position. For me, I find it to be very uncomfortable in short order. As you alluded to, the tailbone takes all of the abuse.

The CM400 just isn't a very large bike, so it's going to be a bit cramped for a guy your size.

Yeah, that's the other thing. It is small, which is why I know I'm not going to leave it stock, I can't. I don't fit . I'm just not sure what I want to do with it. I know I'm going to do something, because it was free to me and I'm out nothing if I screw it up, so it'll be a fun project regardless. If I don't like it when I'm done, I'll sell it on and try something else.

As you know, I'm new to bikes. I'll get the motor running and ride it around for a bit, but I already know that's not going to work for long.

 

[MyHigh]

:hail:

Oh god that was great!!....LMAO!

I say keep it stock or close to stock, those 80's honda rock!

Edit: changed my mind, those handlebars have to go, I can't stand those angled close grips on a bike

 

[snivilous]

That second picture you posted is sweet! I like the cafe ricer look and if you stretched it that would be boss!

Not to be an a**hole (although I sometimes can't help it), but if that's your backyard then I say put the bike away for now and turn your energy to tending to your property in a big way. You asked.

What do you know about his property? For all you know he has 600 acres and that 15 foot patch that has some dirt on it that is next to his personal motocross track. I think lawns are nice, but they're pretty damn useless and waste lots of money (time) and water.

 

[nevada]

different bars, and a single, or even dual seats. then just a general freshening up. shocks, forks, chain etc.


or, trade it for a nice dual sport bike.

 

[wallytoo]

I don't ride through populated areas making as much noise as possible, like some jackasses do.

some? from what i see/hear, it's more like most bikers are jackasses, not some. and a bunch of them with death wishes. idiots.


i'd think some of the bikes in the pictures would be exceptionally uncomfortable to ride any longer than about 20 minutes, but that's probably the point. seems like with (kidv's) size, he'd be better off with a larger/longer bike to start with, and mod that.

it's like my cj. it's a 5, and the driver's seat doesn't move. if you can't fit behind the wheel, it isn't for you. buy a 7 instead. and if you are 6-5 (like the kid i bought it from 20-some years ago) it's downright comical to see you trying to drive it with your knees rubbing the steering wheel, and having to fold yourself up to get in and out of it.



and really, who gives a rat's ass about your lawn? i surely don't care about mine, nor anyone else's. you don't like it? don't look at it.

 

[beverly]

Please don't hack the bike, sell it or return to OEM. You'll weld it all up and get it "cafe'd" and then realize it rides and handles like shit, lose interest, and sell it for a loss. Look at craigslist now, there are a lot of unfinished/"got bored"/hack job cafe style bikes on there. Just don't do it. In 15 years people are going to look back at these abominations and regret hacking on these classic motorcycles. Sell it and buy a modern dual sport, motard, or UJM.

You're looking for a comfortable cruiser/commuter, but then post photos of RIGID bikes with metal spring seats. Seriously? I guarantee none of those bikes get ridden for more than a few miles. The noise pollution alone, I'd want to ride into oncoming traffic after 15 miles.

 

[KidVermicious]

some? from what i see/hear, it's more like most bikers are jackasses, not some. and a bunch of them with death wishes. idiots.

I wouldn't say most are jackasses. You don't notice the polite ones, you know?

The ones that ARE jackasses are surely annoying though. I don't plan on running open pipes or glasspacks or any of that nonsense. I'll have a nice quiet bike please, like my nice quiet truck.

You're looking for a comfortable cruiser/commuter, but then post photos of RIGID bikes with metal spring seats. Seriously? I guarantee none of those bikes get ridden for more than a few miles. The noise pollution alone, I'd want to ride into oncoming traffic after 15 miles.

I hear you. I keep coming back to the second pic I posted, but there's no way I could tolerate the hardtail with that seat. I'll confess to chasing an aesthetic at the expense of function here (which is the complete opposite of how I build my truck ), but I think I could retain a rear suspension of some sort on that style without sacrificing the "rat-bike" appearance. I've got some ideas on that, and I've got time to chew on them before I do anything because I'm still a couple projects away from tearing into this one.

It'd be literally impossible for me to sell this at a loss , and I hear the calls to keep it stock, but honestly it's not in good enough shape for that. The thing is ratty and busted and a pile of junk and is just dying for a hack fabricator like me to do something ridiculous to it. I do appreciate the input from everybody though, keep it coming!

 

[slapdappy]

cafe style with stock pipes. keep it quiet. don't be one of those twats whose bike incessantly screams "HEY, LOOK AT ME!!!"
stealth trumps all.

 

[NoDak]

cafe style with stock pipes. keep it quiet. don't be one of those twats whose bike incessantly screams "HEY, LOOK AT ME!!!"
stealth trumps all.
View attachment 128095

man that looks great.

 

[ndcent]

Easy! Go scrambler!

Pro Taper mid rise ATV bars. Delete that rear fender, new seat, new signals all around and some semi knobby dual sport tires.

Think this with knobbys and more subdued paint.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5A73nrSZ64I/T8F5hBlEVrI/AAAAAAAAAyU/2SqKaJ7cEy4/s640/CM450side.jpg

 

[1engineer]

Easy! Go scrambler!

Pro Taper mid rise ATV bars. Delete that rear fender, new seat, new signals all around and some semi knobby dual sport tires.

Think this with knobbys and more subdued paint.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5A73nrSZ64I/T8F5hBlEVrI/AAAAAAAAAyU/2SqKaJ7cEy4/s640/CM450side.jpg

Absolutely this. Turn it into old school enduro. That way you can ride it around town or out on the trail.

 

[KidVermicious]

A buddy suggested I go street tracker style with it. That'd be silly, because it was never a dirt bike to begin with, but it's got me thinking. I can't make it a trail bike, but something with the chops for a rough dirt would not be amiss. That's something to consider for sure.

 

[1engineer]

A buddy suggested I go street tracker style with it. That'd be silly, because it was never a dirt bike to begin with, but it's got me thinking. I can't make it a trail bike, but something with the chops for a rough dirt would not be amiss. That's something to consider for sure.

Kevin I rode a Honda 360 Scrambler over hundreds of miles of trails back in the late '70's. Rode it on street, trail and everywhere. Those old bikes were built to take serious punishment. With today's shock technology you could really make it a "go anywhere" bike. Would cost you a bit though!

 

[02SE]

I can't make it a trail bike, but something with the chops for a rough dirt would not be amiss. That's something to consider for sure.

Keep in mind that those Comstar wheels wouldn't take much in the way of off-road abuse, which they would get on a rough dirt road. Basically they would be a bent wheel, looking for a place to happen.

If you go that route, I'd look for some off-road oriented wire spoke wheels that can handle more abuse, without leaving you stranded with a bent wheel, and a flat tire.