My Custom Bike Build: Part 2

Into the workshop and down to business. The first couple of visits to the workshop were to familiarise myself with the bike and to work out if there were any major issues with it. Devin(one of the owners) and Neil(resident mechanic) were there to lend a hand and offer guidance.

Fortunately there seemed to be only running issues. It had been standing for some years(according to the previous owner)so the timing was out, value clearance needed to be looked at, carbs needed cleaning and the oil needed to be changed. Brakes seemed ok, but they were looked at further down the line.

The plan from the start was to customise the bike, so I had gathered a lot of reference of Honda's that had cafe racer or brat style modifications. What I've landed up with is something in that space. Step one was remove the back end and chop the end of the frame to make space for a tail loop.

From there I fabricated a fibre glass base, which would become the seat pan. I created a rise at the front of the seat pan, so that it would clear the end of the petrol tank. Then mocked up the cropped rear mudguard and additional tabs that need to be attached to mount both the mudguard and seat.

Bolts were mounted to the top of the seat pan which will attach to the frame after that I used a layer of chipped foam for the main body of the seat and topped it off with some high density foam(grey in colour).

A new, wider front tire was fitted which meant I had to remove the existing front mudguard. When I got the bike it only had one side cover, so I decided to make 2 new ones which kept a similar shape to old ones. Once the bike was mocked up with all the modifications added, it was time to strip down, clean, paint and reassemble.

My Custom Bike Build: Part 1

I would like to start by saying that I am not really a motorbike person. This project started out as a need to fulfil my creative urge. A little while ago I stripped down my old mountain bike and rebuilt it into a single speed - a very straight forward project compared to the one I'm getting involved in now.

This whole process kinda started when my motorbike learners license was about to expire. I currently ride around on a 1967 Vespa 90, so have only ever needed a learners to ride on the road. I decided to book to take my motorbike license and with that decided that I would like to level up on my current transport. The more conventional route would have been to take a trip to the local motorbike dealer and find a suitable steed. But I have this creative drive and an interest in vintage and dated things that need a little TLC.

After some research I found a bike that would hopefully be ideal for my skill level and enjoyment. In conjunction with the bike search I was looking around to see if there were any workshops that would have a facility for customers to tinker with their rides. I had remembered hearing something a little while ago, but hadn't really taken it in because I'm not really a motorbike person. The place I found is called the Woodstock Mancave, yes mancave! It was just the place I was looking for. They have workshop bays and the tools you need to work on your bike. You can also store your bike in one of their parking bays.

The Bike:

I had found a bike, but as things work there was a slight hurdle. I live in Cape Town and the bike was in Kimberley, some 900 odd km away. After a few phone calls and plenty of emails, the bike found its way into a transport truck bound for Cape Town. After a nervous couple of weeks I had the bike with all the documents and a road worthy certificate. I was now the owner of a 1977 Honda CB400f.