Phrog

Just inherited someone's project bike, that they found sitting in a barn. It's a 1981 CM400 with only 3000 miles on it, so I'd really like to get it running. It's missing the seat, tank, and tins, and I'm not sure if it's a CM400T, or CM400C, or what. The title only says CM400, it has alloy wheels, so I am pretty sure it's not a CM400E. It has front disk, and back drum brakes.

Any help would be awesome.

ej1995

Does it have a lot of chrome extras?

Phrog

It's missing so many accessories, it's hard to tell. The only chrome it has is the lights, and I only have the front lights. The idiot I got the bike from thought the way to fix it was to take it apart, and lost half parts. Fortunately nothing but extras, but it's gonna be a pain to find them all unless I can find a junk bike, so it would help to know what I have ANY ideas would be great

The_Head

From what I have picked up over the years...

CM series is more cruiser like, the CB series is styled more like a "standard" bike. The CM400E was the economy or "commuter" bike. The CM400C means "custom" I think its a bit higher "trim level" than the CM400E or T. Kawasaki did a simliar thing during this time frame with the "LTD" trim level.

My exwife has my old '81 CM200T "TwinStar" I own a 1979 CB400T "Hawk" Type II. I also owned a CMX250 Rebel and a CB250 Nighthawk for awhile.

You should do a google image search for each of the CM400 models and you can probably figure out what you have.

ej1995

Yeah, the Customs (400C) had a lot more chrome on them, thats why I asked. For example a VT750 would have a painted front fender, a VT750C would have a chrome one. Thats the kinda stuff that lets you tell them apart, but thats gonna be hard with stuff missing.

Phrog

I am the proud owner of a CM400C . I appreciate everyone's help. I compared a million pictures, and figured out it was a CM400C, then (and I hate to admit this) found out that the bike says CM400C on the tag. I feel like an idiot, but live and learn