Free Honda CM400T!

[Da-Bubble]

Well I am now the proud owner of a 1980 Honda CM400T basket case. My friend is moving out of state so I basically hauled it off for him. He said it runs so we will see! It is missing the tank, seat, side covers, gauges, all lights, etc. Of course I will be chopping it up anyway into one of those bobbers that all of yall say are so ugly.

Anybody know anything or have any good sites for this bike? I looked on PartsNMore and they have CB400 parts but no CM400. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[fredintoon]

I can see it now - - -

Hi Scott,
with all those parts already gone you are free to do what you will with what's left with a clear conscience. You sure about doing a Bobber? How about a Rat Bike?
Oh yes! I can see it now:- the tractor headlight, the jerrycan fuel tank, the bicycle speedo, the faux sheepskin over plywood seat, the rear light salvaged from a boat trailer - - - I am so excited for you - - -

[Da-Bubble]

I'm just glad someone finally replied to my post! Thanks Fred!

Just what is a jerrycan fuel tank?

[Crazcnuk]

Those are awesome commuter bikes. Think lots of miles/gallon.

Right now, fixed up there is probably demand for them. I have started seeing CM450's, GN400's, etc coming out of wherever they were hidden.

If you're self-concious about riding one to work, get a personalized plate that says '70+mpg' or whatever!

[fredintoon]

Hi Scott,
a jerrycan? One of these things:-
http://www.hummerhub.com/Wedco_Jerrycans.html
Braze a threaded spigot into the bottom to thread in a Pingel fuel tap.
I have seen a fuel tank on a ratted-out Buell that was a pair of 2-litre plastic cola bottles but that looked like a fuel fire just waiting to happen so I wouldn't recommend it.

[Geezer]

It's been awhile since I worked at a Honda shop but the CM400 and the CB400 were pretty much the same bike.

Geezer

[Crazcnuk]

Not sure about the 400, but the CM250 has a belt drive.

[ClarkGriswald]

Sweet, I had a cm250t and a cm400t little one was awesome in town, but I remember one night on the highway about 1 foot behind a semi in the rain hahha.. tryin to get home (i know im nuts or was then) the 400 I used to ride around with a girlfriend at the time that was pushin it cause luckily she wasnt very big , but im 6'3" 215 so it was a load for that bike but I wish I still had her (the bike not the girl hehhe).. really though it was still a tad small for out here in the country.

[Montreux_Blue]

Looks like DELL82 has a shop manual for sale for a 1978 to 1981 CM400-450.
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...threadid=19181

[Pat Kelly]

I had (and raced) a 78 CB400TII. The CM was the "special" version. Most parts are interchangeable.
They made the CM400 (cruiser), CM400A (3-speed automatic), CB400A (auto), and CB400TII (standard).
The 400 used was a parallel twin, counter-balanced, 3 valve head, CDI ignition. The only real complaint I ever had about mine was lack of availbility of shocks. They are clevis mount top and bottom so not much choice there.
Mine had good power. I used to out-accellerate earlier 750's. My best 1/4 mile ET was in the low-14's (I only weighed 145 lbs at that time). XS650's were popular at that time and my 400 would eat them for lunch. Handleing was excellent (until the shocks wore out). The tighter the twisties the happier the bike was. Even with the single front disc I could do stoppies. Once I 'customized the seat it became quite comfortable.
Lots of good times on that bike.

[Da-Bubble]

Hey Pat,

Sounds cool. You got any pics of the old 400? I need to get a battery and rig up a tank and see if this thing even runs. I know all the electrical components and wiring look brand new.

Scott

[Geezer]

I made a tune up tank from a 1 gallon plastic gas can and installed a snowmobile gas tap in the bottom.

I aligned the tap with the filler hole so I could use a long pair of forceps to install the nut on the inside of the tank.

The gas can ran me 4 or 5 bucks and the tap around 12 while an off the shelf tune up tank was around $60. The cheap redneck fix works fine for a lot less...

Geezer

[Pat Kelly]

I have several poloroids of the bike in various confifurations. I had the OEM orange tank and sidecovers as well as a tank and sidecovers in the newer blue. I painted the stripe in red and outlined it in white. This matched my Freddie Spencer Arai helmet. I had the stock seat (trimmed to fit me) and another seat that I modified to be a solo cafe seat. The cowling I made for the solo seat was painted to match the orange tank. I also had a sport fairing that I would use.
It only took five minutes to completely change the look of the bike.
The two tanks made pitstops quick for me during endurance races. We had to use the OEM tank for "box-stock" and "street- production" classes I ran. I would pull off the track and pop-loose the seat and pull a pin I used to hold the tank on. The petcock would aleady be shut and the fuel line unhooked. I'd pull-up and stop, crew would remove the empty orange tank and install the full blue one. Hook-up the fuel line, petcock on, pin in, sit on the seat to re-latch it, and I was back on the track. Only at Riverside Int. Raceway (now gone) did the scorers ever complain about the bike changing colors. I pointed out that the numberplate was the same and that's what they should be looking at, not my paintjob. It was a moot point...... I never came close to winning. It was fun though.
Some day I will scan the poloroids and post them.