Like a hole in the head...

[Guest]

Good stuff Larry, since rushing the completion of the 450 I've sort of regretted not having more attention to detail on it, but at least I'm enjoying it nearly every day.

Next project shouldn't be such a rush and I reckon I can do better with the details

Looking at builds like yours really make me take notice of that attention to detail and how it can really bring a whole project together.

 

[Flyboy]

Attention to detail is the understatement of the century, absolutely fantastic, I truly and honestly o not see how this one can be topped, ten fold the money would not buy you a nicer build.
Larry, you have most certainly out done yourself and put the bar way out of reach.
I too like the subtle nuances, like the rear sprocket guard and the minimalist style chain guard, very clever and in the spirit of what a true cafe was all about, shedding weight.
Also using black to hide a large portion of the front mudguard, it works so well.
You have successfully achieved the illusion of a light motorcycle yet kept the style.
No easy feat.

Take a well deserved bow. :clap::clap::clap:

 

[nvr2old]

Seriously, some of the nicest compliments I think I've ever had. You have no idea of how humbling it is to read your replies. I just like doing bikes, and if it can turn out like I see it in my head, then I'm a happy guy. This style 400 has been burning in my brain long before I got it. I had one back in the early 80's which had a full fairing, clip-ons, Kerker 4-into-1 pipe, rear sets, 450 Hawk tail, seat, and front fender. It was red with similar black stripes as this one. I raced it and rode it on the street for a couple of years. Great bike, and, sadly, I have no pictures of it. I sold it to get an '80 750F and every since, I've wanted to take the more subtle "what if Honda had made one of these..?" approach. It's nice after all these years to bring that to fruition. Better late then never, eh..?

Took it out for it's maiden voyage this afternoon, and everything worked as it should. The new shocks feel good, the seating position is comfortable, and it gladly zinged up to 80mph several times. These bikes aren't fast, but the way the power is delivered is just so smooth and fun to play with.

I'm glad I did this bike.

 

[steve murdoch]

They are a blast to ride with the high revs and 6 speed transmission.
As you know your left boot gets a good workout.

 

[nvr2old]

I was reveling in being done..for about 36 hrs. Then I got this Sprint fairing. A friend just gave it to me..jeez. It looks very similar to the Magni style fairing on the Ducati that the 400 has the tail section from..hmm..it even has the screen and a nice finished dash insert, too.. I held it up to the 400, and it looks pretty cool...









The interesting thing about it is that it's about 2/3 the size of the Ducati fairing. It's scaled down to look better on a smaller bike.

Maybe something to consider this winter.....:-\\\

 

[tkent02]

Got any of that blue and super duper red paint left?


I'd do it now, a fairing, even a little one like that will extend your comfortable riding a month or so in the fall.

 

[steve murdoch]

Aren't you going to need clip-ons with that fairing?

 

[tatu]

The bike is beautifully done, you are a craftsman.

 

[nvr2old]

Aren't you going to need clip-ons with that fairing?

It's got enough of a cut out that I might be able to get by with clubmans. The stock bars almost clear, surprisingly.

 

[nvr2old]

Got any of that blue and super duper red paint left?


I'd do it now, a fairing, even a little one like that will extend your comfortable riding a month or so in the fall.

Yeah, plenty of paint left over to color match it to the rest, but I'll need to come up with a mount for it. The one that came with it was designed for the Moto Guzzi it was originally on. It looks like it will fit nicely, but there's definitely some welding that'll need to be done to make it work.

 

[Guest]

Hmmmm that could certainly go well Larry! Haha... gotta show us a mock up first of course