Can someone make my CB400 look like a CB600?

[Samhain]

Hey all,

Ok, I am sure this is the kinda post a whole lot of people are going to baulk at, but I am going to fire it up anyway... (tried to put it in the custom part section but I am being prompted for a password that I cannot seem to find anywehere in "the members section" as the msg instructs??)

I am new to road bikes and havn't touched anything for about 10 years or so, so pretty well calss myself as a complete nube and certainly know nothing about the ins and outs of bikes or modding them.

I am getting my L's in a couple of weeks so am in the market for my first LEGAL road bike and LOVE the street fighter look.

Under the new VIC LAMS scheme I have pretty well narrowed my options down to a Hyosung 650 OR a Honda CB400 - I will be buying new.

Before I go on, can I jsut say that what got me back to thinking about road bikes again was when I drove past the Honda CB600 in the window of my local bike shop... I love the look. Clean, matte blacks, big but not over stated or too bulky, head light unit and a nice tail... for a stock bike, I love it. Absolutely love it....

Needless to say the 600 aint on the LAMS list and after making a few enquiries with the boys in blue tonight, I discovered riding without displaying and riding above restrictions would at very least cost me $336 combine fines + 6 demerit points.... and even on your P's u can apparently only lose 6 before disqualification of your license... sooooo that aint going to do it for me (was a mate's poorly informed suggestion)....

Sooo where am I now, as a newb road rider with a money burning a hole in my pocket (sold a house) and an absolute lust for a hardcore street fighter to ride and love for the next 16 months or so.....

The challenge: Make a CB400 look meaner (ultimately similar styling to the CB600), or a Hyosung 650 look meener (and somehow reduce my fear of potential reliability issues)....

Soooo onto the modding sites I have stumbled and am hoping someone out there who would like to help me part with some coin (within reason) can trick our my ride to look nasty, but stay within power to weight rating!!?? - no small task I realise....

So as I said at the start, I am sure a bunch of people are going to role their eyes at this post, and that's fine... I would probably do the same.. but I am just trying to find an option that excites me, as NONE of the learner legal bikes seem to... the Hysung comes the closest since I am 6' and about 93kg... but it definately aint there....

Any constructive suggestions ppl? I sincererly appreciate your time!

[hyofighter]

Firstly welcome , secondly I own a hyosung gt650 have not had any issues at all with it and it gets riden hard an to its limit (as it has 2yr warranty unlimited ks so i going to test it) it goes well for what it is , not many after market bits out there yet , but modify . mine is not a lams model but from what i understand it is only a carby slide mod and your at full power .

hope this is helpful , there is a pic of mine in my topic in this section some where ,

Beware owning a hyosung causes you to cop some flack but its all about being different right!

[Fight_fan]

Welcome Sam! Honestly mate IMO save ur $$$ for now, finish ur L & P's stint (only takes 18 months...I think) coz chances r u may end up hurtin ur bike anyway. Then when u'v got ur blacks pull out that stashed cash buy whatever full size bike u want & mod it to fuck!
Just my 37cents...

[fimpBIKES]

like fight-fan said

but there is nothing to stop you putting at least the tail-unit and the headlight off a current 600 hornet onto yours

the tank might be a bit trickier

have you enquired with the people at the local honda place as to how much it would cost for the headlight unit and the tail (including seats etc)

the other option is to search around wreckers for the bits
try
www.findapart.com.au i find it pretty useful for these sorts of things

[zx12argh]

Welcome aboard mate - I think these guys summed it up pretty well - tho just to answer the part about the members section - Thats open only to full financial members - they get discounts from sponsors, first dibs on parts that members are selling and access too other such gems. This site only exists through Si/Gix11's (the mod/owner) hard work and the generosity of sponsors and contributors.
Have a look around and if you want to stick around become a member - its only $20 last time I looked. Buy a T-Shirt too... And a stubbie cooler. And a mouse mat... are those done yet Si?
A message from your local pimp ;)

[Samhain]

Guys, thanks for your input - I am currently re-evaluating going for a 250 or the likes on the cheap and just riding out the wait for the bigger better nicer bike... but meh.... it's purely recreational for me so I want to be excited by it and I don't reckon being perched on top of a little 250 is going to float my boat...

All - I found a pic of a 2008 Hyosung last night that looks much nicer than what I assume must be the 2007 model at Peter Stevens - has a nice belly pan and some small coveres around the engine + a nice head light unit.... anyone got any info / know when these are coming to Aus? (calling Peter Stevens now)

FimpBIKES - Since the CB600 is sooo much larger than the 400 I wouldn;t havce thought it's parts would fit on the 400???

[zx12argh]

If you are after excitement i reckon you cant go past something like a DRZ400e with road tyres... (Dont go the S version - half the horsepower) very forgiving as a road bike - (I crashed mine yesterday doing a power slide - picked it up and kept riding ;)) The major downside is anything over an hour on the freeway will start to compact your colon.

I think you'll find that as you've got such a specific question re the 600 parts onto a 400 you wont know until you grab a tape measure yourself mate. But then in this game the trick is too make things that don't fit - fit ;) Good luck with your choice mate.

[Fight_fan]

^^^Good advice 4 ya there sam! If ur into that sorta thing a motard would make n awesome fun 1st bike as long as ur not plannin on touring with it + they are virtually indestructable! Always a bonus! Damn it...I wish I could have two bikes...

[Gix11]

Welcome aboard mate. As they have said, the one thing that seemed mad to me was your comment "I will be buying new". Don't do that whatever you do mate, that's just throwing money away. If you have ridden before and have experience then I doubt if you're going to be dropping it but still, new bike money is wasted money. I had a little CB400 in the garage for a few years (my ex's bike) and that little thing used to take a serious pounding, it really was fun to ride. I would recommend one for sure. There are heaps around as well and Top Rider (Bernie Hattons mob) use them for training so you knwo they are built to last. The tank shape is good already and basically any tail end can be crafted to the back with a bit of effort. So save the money on the initial purchase and use it for mods to make it special to you. You'll be happy you did.

[KATO ZX7]

Welcome to the madness mate.
Go secondhand on the bike if your going to fighter it.
Your only going to dump it while your learning so why waste money.

Where abouts in Vic are you ??

[JackTar]

Welcome to the club mate, everything Gix11 said x2

[Samhain]

Thanks all again for some great advice - this is the first time I have been on a bike forum and it is going great so far :) Seems like a realy genuine and strong community! :)

Hmmm yeah interesting - I am sort of now wondering - why the bloody hell would I by a CB400 new!!??? on the assumption the older models are LAMS approved (surely they would be!??) why the bloody hell would I buy a new one for my frst road bike... odd thinking ahaha thanks for straightening me out :) - think that started by looking at the higher powered Hyosung

Hmm yes, I think I might find an older CB400 and mod the fuckery out of it - or at least find somoene who will do it for me as I a) don;t have the skills b) don;t have the time.

Orrrrr wat would people's opinion be of going with an older 250 Hornet since and slightly modding that in pref to a 400? I am not sure the 400 would be significantly bigger than the 250 Hornet - and power wise? EDIT: I really should have pointed out that the 250 Hornet is very close to the styling of thecurrent 600 Hornet that I love - differing mainly in the exhaust... basically I like the prouder, higher tail end and the low slung stub exhaust on the 600 is gorgeous :)

I really don;t like much at all about Motards unfortunately... :(

Kato - I am in Kensington