CB400F

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Monday 16 September 2013

From CB400/F Frame to Chevy Camaro!




Well, that's not strictly true but there is a link, which will become clearer as you read on (although I'm sure Bumblebee can become whatever he wants (sub-bracket to explain that Bumblebee is the Chevy in Transformers)).

I like to read about your restorations, not only because I am in awe of your skills but also I like the stories behind the headlines.  For example, my last entry was about Steven from Norfolk who spent his childhood working on bikes and bulldozers with his dad.  Then there was Ian Fife whose passion for bikes goes back to 1961 when he was only 16 years old.  Lets not forget Dom, a 17 year old restoring his CB400F that he can't even ride until a few years time.

Today you are reading about Corey Chandler, a 21 year old who caught the bug from his dad who was a hot rod and motorcycle enthusiast.  Corey helped his dad restore his muscle cars (I feel another bracket coming on - you may know what a muscle car is but do you know what a pony car is?  I didn't until I looked up what muscle cars were).  When Corey was 10 he began riding dirt bikes and started to do all the maintenance needed on the bikes himself.  At 21 he is now a dab hand at working with cars, dirt bikes and motorcycles in general.

Corey has a 1976 Honda CB400/F Supersport, which he bought in 2012 from a neighbour.  It hadn't run in over 15 years and was in a bit of a state.





  

The project was for Corey and his father to turn the bike into a cafe racer.  His dad wanted to make it all original because the first motorcycle he ever bought was a ......yellow 1976 Honda CB400/F Supersport.  I think fate may have had a hand in this.  His dad bought his bike brand new when he was just 17 years old.  Between them they decided to keep some original features but with Corey getting to make the modifications that he wanted to as well.







The handlebars, tank, side-covers, headlight and most of the other parts were kept original but the seat is a custom foam seat with a leather cover giving it the appearance of a single seat just like the cafe racer style.  

Corey removed the large blinkers, tail lights and fenders and put bar-end mirrors on the back. The rear fender was simply cut down smaller and rounded.  A new, smaller tail light will be put on the bike.  

The rest of the bike was cleaned up, polished and made new again.  Corey uses the word "just" here.  "Just cleaned up".  I know from visiting Steven's workshop (and seeing the pictures above) that this in itself is a huge task.  The wheels were re-laced and painted black and new tyres were purchased.  The exhaust headers were wrapped in fibreglass wrap, and the muffler was cut down shorter and hollowed out.

So the link between the Camaro and Corey's CB400/F?





The tank was repainted as close to the factory yellow as he could find - using the yellow that is used on the 2010 newer Chevy Camaros.

Corey began tearing down the bike in December 2012 and now in September 2013 - the bike is nearly finished.  The carbs need to be fine-tuned after rebuilding.  Also the rear tail light needs to be wired in and mounted, then just a few more shake down rides and ensuring everything is safe to be riding and it will completed.

I always ask the question "will you keep the bike?".  Oh yes, it's here to stay.




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