Honda Shadow 400

Cruiserian · June 24, 2015

I'm meeting Soon Heng this weekend to see how much is their quote and their work.
The boss said he has restored many old bikes.. will see how good they are.

Great bro. Please keep us updated. Thanks!

_____________________________

Pardon me for typo error as this is sent by mobile.

Niclow · June 24, 2015

Hi guys, pretty new to this forum and first time posting. Have a question that i've been trying to find answers to online but to not much avail, so hoping you guys can maybe share some insight.

My dad has a old-ish Honda Shadow 400 that is due to be scrapped in about 3 years or so. My hope is to renew the COE and take over from him at that point. Thought it would be quite cool to keep the bike as my dad is quite fond of it. My question is whether or not it is possible to have the bike modified to achieve the Brat/Cafe Racer/Street Tracker look. I realize that it's a pretty touchy topic with some people since this bike was not meant for such a look, but i'm genuinely curious.

I've seen some pretty awesome cruiser - cafe racer conversion, such as the Yamaha Virago XV750 cafe racers that are quite easy to find on google. I note that the virago and shadow are different, especially the rear suspension of virago being a "monshock" sort of deal. Just curious as to whether its feasible.

Was looking to make the bike look roughly like this picture below.

Any advice would be great!! Also sorry, but i don't know much about the technical aspects of bikes as i'm quite new to the scene and still trying to gain as much knowledge as possible.

ethanotch · June 24, 2015

wouldn't spend the money to change it. rather spend the money for a nice paint job. touch up the chrome. and save up for COE (by then). shadow looks awesome as it is alr.

my two cents worth. (:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Paikia44 · June 24, 2015

Hi guys, pretty new to this forum and first time posting. Have a question that i've been trying to find answers to online but to not much avail, so hoping you guys can maybe share some insight.

My dad has a old-ish Honda Shadow 400 that is due to be scrapped in about 3 years or so. My hope is to renew the COE and take over from him at that point. Thought it would be quite cool to keep the bike as my dad is quite fond of it. My question is whether or not it is possible to have the bike modified to achieve the Brat/Cafe Racer/Street Tracker look. I realize that it's a pretty touchy topic with some people since this bike was not meant for such a look, but i'm genuinely curious.

I've seen some pretty awesome cruiser - cafe racer conversion, such as the Yamaha Virago XV750 cafe racers that are quite easy to find on google. I note that the virago and shadow are different, especially the rear suspension of virago being a "monshock" sort of deal. Just curious as to whether its feasible.

Was looking to make the bike look roughly like this picture below.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]324935[/ATTACH]

Any advice would be great!! Also sorry, but i don't know much about the technical aspects of bikes as i'm quite new to the scene and still trying to gain as much knowledge as possible.

It'll be easier to convert to a bobber style cruiser than cafe/tracker.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/da3f74ace30706ba438b0a4f2c935906.jpg

To turn into a Cafe/tracker u'll need to modify a bracket to raise the seat but also to ensure the lines to the tank is straight or change a new tank. Also, the shadow front fork angle is too wide and ideally u need to change the entire front as well. Will be a huge project...

Cruiserian · June 24, 2015

It's possible Bro Niclow. I'm not good in bike customization though but we have @Jonborah here who have many ideas when comes to customization. He actually mod his shadow into something very badass.

_____________________________

Pardon me for typo error as this is sent by mobile.

Sprint74 · June 24, 2015

+1 on what paikia suggested. An idea will be to duplicate the sportster 48. Cos the shadow has got front and rear fat tyres. Hehehe

Sprint74 · June 24, 2015

In my opinion,

Cruiser - bobbers except for the Sramster. Hehehe

Unless the fork rake of the cruiser is near the frame like a gn125, cm125 than can go for the bottom mods.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/3b2d62ac43c4de9f7fe4e33cd94f9c34.jpg

The above pic is a cm125 by the way.

Shadow and steed good for bobbers. Cafe racer/ street tracker also possible but the final outlook won't be wat u imagined. The chopper frames and road bike frames are just designed differently.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/74f34cdfa0cdc7af2d8d7ee191de703f.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/ac2e9e9fd81ba8926165e5c79876ab86.jpg

Road bikes and i guess sportsters- tracker, cafe racers, bratstyle

Something to take note, the shadow footrest is quite forward so it won't be cheap to relocate.

Edited June 24, 2015 by Sprint74

Niclow · June 25, 2015

In my opinion,
Cruiser - bobbers except for the Sramster. Hehehe
Unless the fork rake of the cruiser is near the frame like a gn125, cm125 than can go for the bottom mods.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/3b2d62ac43c4de9f7fe4e33cd94f9c34.jpg
The above pic is a cm125 by the way.

Shadow and steed good for bobbers. Cafe racer/ street tracker also possible but the final outlook won't be wat u imagined. The chopper frames and road bike frames are just designed differently.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/74f34cdfa0cdc7af2d8d7ee191de703f.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/24/ac2e9e9fd81ba8926165e5c79876ab86.jpg
Road bikes and i guess sportsters- tracker, cafe racers, bratstyle

Something to take note, the shadow footrest is quite forward so it won't be cheap to relocate.

I love the cm125 mod by ViciousCycles SG!

Thanks guys for all the input, wasn't expecting such quick and elaborate responses!

I'll be considering still since i have some time till the COE for that bike is up. The Cruiser/ Bobber look is awesome, but i've just been quite obsessed with the cafe look recently.

Is it possible to have a subframe built and installed to raise the seats? I would've imagined my end product to look somewhat similar to this. I like the dropped handlebar look, hoping to somehow have the seat raised and the frame modded to level the tank.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200911/harley-davidson-nigh_460x0w.jpg

Thanks again guys!

Jonborah · June 25, 2015

I love the cm125 mod by ViciousCycles SG!

Thanks guys for all the input, wasn't expecting such quick and elaborate responses!

I'll be considering still since i have some time till the COE for that bike is up. The Cruiser/ Bobber look is awesome, but i've just been quite obsessed with the cafe look recently.

Is it possible to have a subframe built and installed to raise the seats? I would've imagined my end product to look somewhat similar to this. I like the dropped handlebar look, hoping to somehow have the seat raised and the frame modded to level the tank.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200911/harley-davidson-nigh_460x0w.jpg

Thanks again guys!

nothing is impossible! looks like you are on to a major project. it wont be easy to revert back to stock for the annual inspections, but hey if you willing to pay someone >100 yearly to get its annual approval, i say go for it!

i've always toyed with the idea of turning a vtwin cruiser into a cafe. to be honest, i havent seen a sportster/cafe mod that looks like a legit cafe. because they are still holding on to their low rear-end cruiser frame. and all the virago cafe racers look the same cos they buy a cafe kit meant for viragos.

if you are vertically blessed, the shadow oem footpeg placement gives a rather neutral position. you could just work on the frame itself.

shadows have short tailend frames, despite its length, so it may just work for you.

I would definitely work on removing that bigass rear fender and fix a subframe first with clubman bars just to have a feel of the bike

Sprint74 · June 25, 2015

Clubman bars will cause heavy steering due to being narrow. Maybe can work out those arm muscles while riding. Heeeeee

And imo, the frame too wide for a cafe racer or tracker. Maybe if it was slimmer like the steed then could be possible. Hehehehe

Edited June 25, 2015 by Sprint74

Niclow · June 25, 2015

nothing is impossible! looks like you are on to a major project. it wont be easy to revert back to stock for the annual inspections, but hey if you willing to pay someone >100 yearly to get its annual approval, i say go for it!

i've always toyed with the idea of turning a vtwin cruiser into a cafe. to be honest, i havent seen a sportster/cafe mod that looks like a legit cafe. because they are still holding on to their low rear-end cruiser frame. and all the virago cafe racers look the same cos they buy a cafe kit meant for viragos.

if you are vertically blessed, the shadow oem footpeg placement gives a rather neutral position. you could just work on the frame itself.
shadows have short tailend frames, despite its length, so it may just work for you.

I would definitely work on removing that bigass rear fender and fix a subframe first with clubman bars just to have a feel of the bike

Would a custom job like that become un-passable for the inspection? I realise i completely forgot to factor that in while researching. ):

Definitely will be working on getting a subframe of some sort to level the rear-end to achieve the tracker look.

HAHA i think i'm not too bad in the vertical department.. 1.7++? Is it possible to undertake this project in a DIY fashion? All along i was under the impression that i would HAVE to get it done by like the dudes at Vicious Cycles since they managed to convert a Phantom TA200 into a Cafe.. ( i have almost no technical knowhow, sad to say. )

I'm quite keen on keeping this bike tho, thought the idea of having it passed down from my old man and converting it would be hella cool, but maybe i'm being a lil too sentimental.

Jonborah, would you think it is possible to achieve the virago style cafe? They look superb imo.

Also thanks a whole lot for your advice!!

@Sprint74 - i thought so too man, it's a pretty hefty bike. Dreams dreams dreams huh xD Clip-on handlebars look awesome though. Not too much experience with the steering experience with clubman bars tho!

Sprint74 · June 25, 2015

Ull need to remove the fork covers if u wana put clip ons. And the above pic is a sportster. Tink i saw a cafe'd phantom but it still looks like a cruiser to me.

Paikia44 · June 26, 2015

For inspiration... check this out for a mod on a VT700 Shadow to a Cafe Racer

http://motohype.com/?p=478

Siluman · June 26, 2015

Hey guys, i need urgent help. Where to get a tall back rest sissy bar?

Siluman · June 26, 2015

Tall back rest something like this

Niclow · June 26, 2015

For inspiration... check this out for a mod on a VT700 Shadow to a Cafe Racer

http://motohype.com/?p=478

That is on point! Looks so different. Thanks!

Sprint74 · June 26, 2015

For inspiration... check this out for a mod on a VT700 Shadow to a Cafe Racer

http://motohype.com/?p=478

This is the stock vt700. See how different the bike design from the newer shadows?

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/26/05311eb0d4d986863f92949e665dd73c.jpg

Tts why the older bikes easier to mod to a cafe racer.

Jonborah · June 27, 2015

Would a custom job like that become un-passable for the inspection? I realise i completely forgot to factor that in while researching. ):

Definitely will be working on getting a subframe of some sort to level the rear-end to achieve the tracker look.

HAHA i think i'm not too bad in the vertical department.. 1.7++? Is it possible to undertake this project in a DIY fashion? All along i was under the impression that i would HAVE to get it done by like the dudes at Vicious Cycles since they managed to convert a Phantom TA200 into a Cafe.. ( i have almost no technical knowhow, sad to say. )

I'm quite keen on keeping this bike tho, thought the idea of having it passed down from my old man and converting it would be hella cool, but maybe i'm being a lil too sentimental.

Jonborah, would you think it is possible to achieve the virago style cafe? They look superb imo.

Also thanks a whole lot for your advice!!

@Sprint74 - i thought so too man, it's a pretty hefty bike. Dreams dreams dreams huh xD Clip-on handlebars look awesome though. Not too much experience with the steering experience with clubman bars tho!

yes, as sprint said, clubman bars, due to it being shorter in length, would definitely affect the handling. But it will only take a short before you get used to the feel. i have dragbars on my shadow, and while it feels a bit heavy at first, i'm used to it now and i never want to go for beachbars again. haha

i suggested clubman bars cos it will save the trouble of removing that fork cover if you intend to just have a feel of a slammed front. Clipons can be rather costly and much more marfan to fix (gotta disassemble the triple-tree). in comparison, u can just get a 1" clubman bar and fix it onto your current risers just to have a feel of how clip-ons would be like (ie tank clearance, the occasional backache, the weight during slow speeds).

the virago is definitely achievable as long as you are willing to spend some money on a sturdy subframe. but i wouldnt advise that you weld directly on the shadows mainframe, as you might face complications later on in terms of inspection.

the shadow appears fat and wide cos of the wide tank, the bigass sofa seat and the two side covers that conceal the toolbox and wirings/fuse on the respective sides. so you gotta work on getting low-profile tank and covers for the slim look. actually, id just advise you put your money on a slim fuel tank first. buy low profile side covers if you still got money to throw.

and keep all the original parts! rental of oem parts for annual inspection costs a lot of money. and in case you want to resell the bike, ppl will always ask for original parts.

Jonborah · June 27, 2015

For inspiration... check this out for a mod on a VT700 Shadow to a Cafe Racer

http://motohype.com/?p=478

i think this frame is different from the oem frame. once you got the frame set, the rest should flow nicely

Jonborah · June 27, 2015

having said that, maybe we should shift customization talks to the dedicated thread

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/355650-Custom-Scene-Show-your-customize-bike-here-Bobber-tracker-cafe/page9

Sprint74 · June 27, 2015

Tts wat i thot. Hahaha

sgstarrider · June 27, 2015

Tall back rest something like this [ATTACH]325000[/ATTACH]

bro i have what u looking for including the back-rest...and its for shadow.

w.a 96862298 me for the pic if u intrested.

Siluman · June 27, 2015

bro i have what u looking for including the back-rest...and its for shadow.
w.a 96862298 me for the pic if u intrested.

Hey tanx bro

One Headlight · June 28, 2015

wouldn't spend the money to change it. rather spend the money for a nice paint job. touch up the chrome. and save up for COE (by then). shadow looks awesome as it is alr.

my two cents worth. (:

My thoughts exactly. If you're really serious about preserving a fond memory of your dad. Restore his bike and ride it. He'll be so proud of you.

Niclow · July 1, 2015

Hello! That does sound like a good idea. I will mull it over Thanks a lot guys!

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