Honda Cm 400 A

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thomas Quinn
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Real Name: Thomas Quinn
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My Motorcycle: 1980 Honda CM 400 a

Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#21 Unread post by thomas Quinn »

May 28. Here is an update.:
I have discovered that the issue all along was a fault in the harness for the ignition switch. I have purchased an after market switch. I have also bought a larger headlight with a halogen light. I am leaning toward removing all the harness plugs and wiring all the harnesses direct to save space inside the headlight.
The rust on the chrome parts is pretty bad and it looks like there is no hope of saving the finish on either fender or the chain guard.
If I just paint them the finish will be very rough even after much sanding. I was giving thought to some kind of crinkle finish, but am open to other ideas.
Does anyone know if there is a way to remove the chrome altogether?
As always, I am open to ideas and am grateful for your help.

thomas Quinn
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Real Name: Thomas Quinn
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Years Riding: 30
My Motorcycle: 1980 Honda CM 400 a

Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#22 Unread post by thomas Quinn »

I posted yesterday, but it hasn't shown up. I was asking about removing the pitted chrome. Since then I have read up in using electrolysis to remove it. I'm going to give that a try. Some of the chrome parts are just too far gone to try sanding to prep for painting. I'll let you know how that goes.

thomas Quinn
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Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#23 Unread post by thomas Quinn »

I see my post from yesterday... silly me.

thomas Quinn
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Real Name: Thomas Quinn
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My Motorcycle: 1980 Honda CM 400 a

Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#24 Unread post by thomas Quinn »

Hello, it has been almost a month since I reported on the CM 400. We operate a small farm business and things have priorities.
Thus Far: I have used electrolysis to try to remove some of the ruse from the chrome on the fenders and chain guard. It didn't work that well. I need more experience with the process. I have sanded the surfaces and applied several coats of filling primer and several coats of flat black. This is now my plan the whole bike will be black. There is just too much rust for any other plan. I cleaned all the paint off the signal bodies and am replacing the bulbs with LEDs. I m also removing all the harness plugs and replacing them with pin connectors. SO many of the electrical connections are very corroded. AS soon as I finish painting the headlight ears I will begin reassembly. I decided that that will be all the repair for this year. There is so much more that needs to be done I'll never get it on the road this year. I can get it working and safe to ride and continue the refurbishing one piece at a time.
I haven't bothered with photos yet. It's just a bike without fenders or tank.
I'll post more as I get things going. 8)

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NorthernPete
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Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#25 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Should post this in analog so we can follow your project.
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F

thomas Quinn
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Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 4:54 am
Real Name: Thomas Quinn
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My Motorcycle: 1980 Honda CM 400 a

Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#26 Unread post by thomas Quinn »

I'm not sure what that means. Tell me how to do that.

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NorthernPete
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Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#27 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Well, there is another part of the forum called members blogs. If you want I'm sure one of the mods could move this whole thread to the blogs section, rather then in the trouble shooting section where it is now. Then everyone can read it as not everyone will read a trouble shooting post if they are not handy or have the same bike. Lots of interesting blogs with people taking trips and doing projects and general life. Check it out.
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F

thomas Quinn
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Posts: 16
Joined: Wed May 08, 2013 4:54 am
Real Name: Thomas Quinn
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 30
My Motorcycle: 1980 Honda CM 400 a

Re: Honda Cm 400 A

#28 Unread post by thomas Quinn »

Thanks. If a moderator is listening I'd like to do that.

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