oldboy
Training Wheels
Posts: 16 
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Post by oldboy on Jul 6, 2014 15:46:36 GMT -4
I'm new here and just wanted to say hi and pick everyone's brain for a minute. Picked up a 1978 Honda cb400a(I have read a lot if hate about these bikes) and want to modify it to a cafe racer style. I don't plan on anything fancy or spending a lot of money on it, just want something fun to ride around on and thought this would be a good starter bike to work with especially since I only paid $300 for it.
The first thing I was wanting to do was lower it for a more aggressive stance but the style of triple trees on it don't allow you to slide the forks up through them. Is there a similar Honda that has the right kind of triple trees that could easily be swapped out?
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Post by felkman on Jul 7, 2014 21:58:26 GMT -4
Do you have a picture of the top tree. Why cant you raise the fork tubes. Is it because the handle bars are in the way? If so, easy solution, clip on bars. I think you need to post some pictures, we can get something figured out.
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oldboy
Training Wheels
Posts: 16
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Post by oldboy on Jul 8, 2014 8:47:01 GMT -4
The top yoke is a cup style that doesn't allow the forks to slide thru. Wasn't sure if it would be easier to modify the springs or if there is a triple tree from another Honda I can swap out with.
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Post by leadkrm on Jul 8, 2014 8:58:06 GMT -4
Yo I sent you a message old boy. Since the seating section of the bike drops down lower than the tank it is going to be more cafe to just get longer shocks to raise the rear end up instead of lowering the front. That way the bike isn't so low to the ground that you look to cumbersome for it.
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oldboy
Training Wheels
Posts: 16
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Post by oldboy on Jul 8, 2014 16:45:16 GMT -4
I am working nonstop right now, day 6 of a 12 stretch. Tried posting a photo but for some reason I can't do it from my phone. I will try later on when I get a chance. I will reach out to you later on in the week when I get a day off finally.
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Post by leadkrm on Jul 8, 2014 17:42:08 GMT -4
Alright man. I sent my number so just text me about it
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oldboy
Training Wheels
Posts: 16
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Post by oldboy on Jul 8, 2014 20:22:57 GMT -4
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oldboy
Training Wheels
Posts: 16
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Post by oldboy on Jul 8, 2014 20:28:32 GMT -4
Trying to post pics from my phone at work is a pain in the ass. The top of the triple trees cups the fork instead of clamping it. I have seen pics of bikes that have swapped out the whole front end but that is a little more than what I want to do for this bike.
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Post by leadkrm on Jul 8, 2014 20:41:29 GMT -4
Yea I'd just go with longer shocks to raise the back end instead of lowering the front
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Post by felkman on Jul 9, 2014 6:55:07 GMT -4
After looking at your picture, you may need to install a complete triple tree from another bike with has the same tube diameter and distance apart. If you were to just replace the top tree with a much thicker aluminum one, you may not have enough threads to tighten it to your center steering tube. From the rust I see, you are going to want to repack that grease anyway and that would be a good time to do the swap. Karl posted about longer shocks in the back, if you go that route, and you use your center stand, it may easily tip over depending on how long of shocks you use, if you use a side stand, you should be fine.
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oldboy
Training Wheels
Posts: 16
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Post by oldboy on Jul 9, 2014 9:30:53 GMT -4
I found on another site a guy listed all the specs for triple trees on most motorcycles so you could see which ones matched and swap out. I'm not sure if it was as simple as that.
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