Making a bike fit

[Kevin B.]

Can we talk about street bikes up in here? I have a 1980 Honda 400 that I'm going to get to fixing up any day now (for reals, any day now). I have a bunch of different ideas for what direction I could take a rebuild on it, and I got to sitting on it the other day and seeing exactly what I want to do with the handlebars and that... and I don't fit. My knees are up in my chest, it's ridiculous. What are my options here, a slightly taller seat or would that throw off the balance of the thing? I looked around a bit for maybe an extender kit for the pedals and didn't see anything, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

Or should I just accept that it's too small for me and look for something else to fiddle with?

 

[jeeper]

That's a small bike for a feller of your stature. I would look for something else to start with if I were in your shoes. If you change the seat, your bars will be too low.. And that starts the snowball. Next thing you know you have $5k into a $1k bike.

 

[STAG]

I would say start a-new. Nothing is funnier to see on the streets than a guy too big for his motorcycle.

 

[Deleted member 12904]

Hardtail it add 4-6" add some forward controls and have a cool little bobber that would fit you.

 

[Kevin B.]

That's not a horrible thought. I was thinking something a little more racerish, but some of these are pretty cool: https://www.google.com/search?site=...ac.1.51.img..0.18.1448.2qc6pqwYvBU&gws_rd=ssl

This is basically a free bike, I can do whatever I want with it. I'd love to commute on it on nice days, but I see no reason I can't commute on a bike like that ^. Keep the ideas coming.

 

[Rock Taco]

Give it to me. Problem solved!

 

[Kevin B.]

Give it to me. Problem solved!

Make me an offer, I'll probably take it.

 

[Rock Taco]

I did. Give it to me is my offer.

 

[Kevin B.]

We need to discuss the difference between offer and demand, I think.

 

[Kevin B.]

This is sweet, can I do this?

I'd need help with the tube work and exhaust. I think maybe I could handle the rest of the fab. I believe I'd probably put some effort into a comfier seat, my aesthetic has limits . Is that chain length a problem for him, do you think?

 

[sixstringsteve]

You could totally do that kev. I dig the street tracker look the most. I'd like to build a SR500 street tracker and do a road trip to the swell on it. something like this:

Dangit Kevin, you're not helping me keep my vehicles to a minimum...

 

[Kevin B.]

street tracker

Oh man, that's a whole new Google search to drool on.

 

[sixstringsteve]

yeah, watch out, it's addictive.

 

[sixstringsteve]

which model is your honda?

 

[Kevin B.]

CM400 Custom.

I think "custom" means I get a front disc brake and a tach . There's also a 400e which is the base model, a 400t and another one I can't remember right now. I'm still learning about the thing.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I like this one. Simple.

[video=youtube;GuWzfIroJw8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuWzfIroJw8&list=UU9fNhB5PxC8PO4AqKDnmiHg[/video]

 

[dutchman]

I think this bike is entirely too small for someone your size. Now, someone of my size on the other hand...

 

[sixstringsteve]

one more pic then I'll let you have your thread back. More info here.

 

[Rock Taco]

We need to discuss the difference between offer and demand, I think.

Ok how about this? I can take that off your hands for some drink of your choice and I'll even pick it up.

 

[Greg]

Those seats look HORRIBLE! I have a big, fancy seat on my 990 and even it sucks after an hour of riding... the seats on those bikes are for looks, I couldn't imagine riding on one of those bikes for any amount of time.