Honda CB400SS Project
Part one

Buying the bike

When first looking over the bike and then making that final decision to buy, it was because I had a few ideas in mind, firstly and obviously the bike would have to be in good running order, also fit that of my purpose to give me the freedom, in the task of discovering Cambodia. Secondary it had to come in also at a reasonable price, the reason why I am saying this is because of the uncertainty of the law and more so its regulations, let’s say loosely, both factors are mainly subject to change, and such that may, or will have an effect on the happy law-abiding westerner, guaranteed they only will know at the very last minute of any changes, also then left to enquire what do we do now situation. In past times and mainly of my own country, you could say I would have been on the ball, up to date on what may apply, or need for myself, also having the same attitude on arriving in Cambodia, I still do in certain ways, but I have also learnt to take a deep breath make a coffee and sit down and relax. You know yourselves, if you have been here a time, it’s probably not worth running all over town from one department and the next to find out what you need to do, simply because the authorities of the department or even the subject matter is just a blank to them has it is too yourself, best to wait a little until they know themselves, information seems to pass on by a need to know or slowly.
I said to the young man who approached me on my arrival at the bike shop, “I would like to look at the bigger moto's”. He directed me to a very nice VTR 250cc that was a model, that even now I am still very much considering, then toward a CB250 a little tatty, but still reasonable, and would make a very attractive machine with a little work. I looked with what the salesman was showing me with interest, also seeing two younger westerners haggling over some old scooter, the sales assistant wouldn’t lower to their offer, one of the westerners said “we come back in a day or two” that remark fell upon deaf ears. I saw a few bikes down the line what I had come for, I had seen it already advertised for sale. “What of that one over there?”. “Darling, Nak come look at this one with me, it looks good”.
Now we are standing close together, admiring the CB400 I had been scouring the internet along with some other possibilities for some time, Nak said “nice moto”, now we would shortly be joined by another salesman, who was the owner’s son, with also a little English speech, that helps the situation. Then also the owner “you like Honda, want play?” I replied “yes, Bart, okay can play”. The owner waves over another guy who in several kicks, then the Honda comes loudly into life, he revs it slowly little by little. The boss gets on, looking at me jesters by tapping his hand on the pillion seat, I smile and get on behind him, a little drop down the curb side joining busy late afternoon traffic at Olympic, slowly he was finding himself a little room, then rapidly on and off with the throttle, the bike launched forwards and deaccelerates quickly, on and off a few times like this (like being on a buckaroo) then around the roundabout and a quick return back to the shop, where he now offered me the bike for a solo ride. I was happy with the outcome, the bike seemed good, and there was not much point in getting involved with that crazy traffic, now it was time for what interests both the buyer and the seller, both parties are after a good price but in opposites, seller near to their advertised price, and buyer low has possible. But firstly, I wanted to be sure, so I started to check things over, looking by eye keenly, seeing nothing that was bent or out of place, touch and feel also, not to worry at all of getting hands dirty, check brakes for wear, chain and sprockets, anything that is worn or needs replacement will cost the buyer money, its best to find any problem now, (although I found no problems), but you never know what could be a problem internal, it is that of a second hand bike, I suppose in the end you have to go by your judgement, once you hand over the cash and ride away, I imagine there is very limited, if any comeback at all.
Plate, Card and shop receipt on price of agreed sale, now time to see if there is any discount to be had, okay “Loiy” I say, gesturing with my hand downwards for a lower price than the asking, they gave an initial discount of $30 then I try more $50 now, I still tried hard, and was in hope for a much lower mark of $100 (muay roy) it would have suited me, but not the seller “NO”, was the answer too my offer firmly and louder tone, we settled at $75 discount to finalise the sale, with good feeling from both parties. I gathered Mr Heng surely likes to play, but certainly not at his involvement in his business matters, I am quite sure, this part is serious for both the seller and buyer. Mr Heng then handed me the papers to look over, also he clearly read out the frame and engine numbers, I had to check them off, once he had finished, he handed over the torch to me to check the numbers again for myself. Agreement on price, thumbprinting and cash counting by myself and then the son, and once again by the son to his father. Once the paperwork was completed the mood seemed to ease a little, we were given bottles of cold icy water and then they bought us food from the restaurant around the corner, while we sat and dined at the table the staff pushed the bike down the street to a moto workshop for a service, and also a full tank of fuel, something of a surprise and bonus because I didn’t know that was included in the sale. Mr Heng then returning when the bike arrived back at his shop, pushed once again (I suppose now the bike was that of a customer, so with respect and regard he didn’t ride it) although it didn’t matter to me because he would be riding it home for me, but this we didn’t know at the time, it was that of a goodwill arrangement made by the shop and staff.


Bike returned from its service.

Mr Heng looked among the shelves and handed me a short baffle for the end can, also the bike sale was on condition of any problems, regards that of a short 3-month warranty. Nak didn’t fancy riding back home in the city’s busy rush hour traffic, she would have had to take the MSX home if I was to take the new one. It is a little hectic to put mildly in the rush hours, in fact she could easily had taken either bike being good with the manual gears, she is okay in less busy places, everywhere but Phnom Penh. Anyhow there was no need due to the staff delivering it for us due to now being also the closing time of the shop.


Mr Heng did jest, asking me to go pillion for another ride, but on that of his own motorcycle.

Overall, I was very happy with the process of buying the motorcycle, this shop acts and works in a very professional manner. English is not spoken too its best, but my Khmer is not either, but in the end, I was there to buy and they are there to sell, business is the most serious part, make sure everything is in order, be aware of the agreement of sale and what it entails, such as paperwork, card and licence plate. Also, any other benefits, such has service and a full tank of fuel, or any other gifts, plus any warranty that may be available.
I have also returned to the shop to mainly have a browse around, and recently ask advice for, or where would be a good place to obtain a new baffle (I lost the last in rush-hour traffic, not seating very well in the new end can) never too be found again. The boss told me to follow one of the staff on the bike where he directed me to another shop, where I could buy a replacement, he also came into the shop and asked for the part on my behalf so there were no language problems.



The discission making

Looking what motorcycles are available in the country, and that of the costs of various models and engine sizes. It depends on what the person wants, and for what purpose it will be used, new or used, dealer or private sale. Over past years I have had various motorcycles in this country new and secondhand, all I have enjoyed, but it’s always in the back of my mind that I am but a mere visitor, and has we have also seen of late; traffic laws are subject to change. So, there are things to consider besides what bike is more suitable for your use.
How did I feel actually at the time when first looking at the bike? Firstly, I was happy to come across one for sale in Phnom Penh and a reasonable sale price for a genuine Japanese model instead of the (MASH) Chinese copy. The difference is the identification numbers and the Japanese model is only kickstart. I had been looking for this model, and viewed a few, I came across a good example in Koh Kong, but the price of $4,000 was too high for me.
Reflecting on imports I have noticed that models such has Honda direct from the used Japanese market seem to come to the motorcycle dealers in waves, and very much of the same model, such has the middle of this year it has been the Honda 400cc 4-cylinder machines with price range of $3,500 to $4,000 ready for first registration. There are also some special types, one offs such has the 400 V-twins around. Also, one off builds by specialist motorcycle shops in the city of Phnom Penh.
The Honda, being slightly modified before import, or after when received by one of the bike shops in Phnom Penh, I do feel that it would have been the latter, put into the typical example of a Khmer style café racer, with the number of motorcycle shops in Phnom Penh who specialise mainly in imported bikes of this type among others, but you could safely say, that the big boy bike riders like their café racers and that of its design.
Just to keep one’s self occupied, of course it is not a project without interest, but we all know that after the idea and then the interest must surely be foremost, and then that of simply, that thought of the task in hand, also then is the greater need of some motivation, believe me there are times here, that the will to do anything can be sapped away from oneself, never mind the motivation.
The project bike runs very well, knowing this from a previous trip, and then after the partial strip down and rebuild, to check mainly all is in good order, this was carried out mainly over a period of self-isolation, regards and thanks to the pandemic of Covid19. What I certainly don’t want to do is spend any of my time and effort on, is that of a machine that needs any major mechanical work doing beforehand.



But again, it’s a far cry from just being motivated, what are one’s skills, have you got the correct tools to carry out the work, and if a tool is needed, what of their availability and costs, and what of labour or assistance if it’s something beyond one’s own self ability, these are mainly self-questions I had at the time without any sure answer, but I did have some past experiences of getting work done and hiring labour (and that didn’t always go to plan). What I was planning, was to be going along with the origins of the idea, I would simply have to cross my fingers and hope, then again sometimes that is all we may have, leaving oneself to possibly work out answers to any such complications should they arise, or if such, that any other matters happened to surface.

We know the bike is in good running order, many would be happy with that alone. So, what is left to possibly do?

It would be fair to say it was a feeling I had at the time, and to become something of a personal choice, and after a few thoughts over some time, I had come to the conclusion that the build of the bike was not exactly much too my taste, my views were also that it was more of an unfinished project.
I had bought the bike intentionally with some of my plans already in mind, it didn’t all come along after I had bought the bike. I was at the time investing in a so-called project, and overall, it is really not a bad thing to do, it can also be a good way of learning, and also a saving on costs, and if you have the interest it will give you a hobby and keep oneself busy. I am also aware this is only that of a personable view and of choice, it needs also to be well thought about with consideration and some understanding of how the bike will handle after any changes have been made.
It was also not my intention nor interest to have a racer here on these roads, I had those type of bikes in past years on better roads of my own country, but even then, there were only a handful that one could use with a near possible potential of the machines you would enjoy fast riding, without speed camera or police parked in lying in wait, or potential hazards. Nor either that a full-on touring machine, just something of an allrounder that will get me from A to B efficiently and in comfort and possible fun.
So, I would carry on with the concept of the original build, but I would be hopeful too have that of a more similar style without any complicated or specialist work, just trying to get any above average work is a difficult process to begin with, then explaining what you want doing for example, thought process, hindered by language and, or explanation, will more than likely complicate matters even more, whereas agreement too your instructions may cause oneself major headaches. Although it is possible to have work carried out in a few specialist bike shops here in the capital, but on some shop enquiries one had stopped doing work of this type, and one other I found them to know best in “their own way only type of way”, this leaving the customer with very little input.
firstly, the concerns of paying someone to help you do some of the work that may prove difficult or awkward doing it alone. If you are lucky to find that special person, then the job could come together very well, but if he or she are not suited for a number of reasons, such has, don’t have the knowledge, knowhow or working skills, or neither the understanding of what you want them to do.
Work and price came alongside like I have mentioned beforehand, leaving the customer with very little impute, so chance of them not following the work that you have specified, with answers such as there may be possible complications, and could result in looking for replacement of major parts, (again something the customer will be changed) also they would not change the parts that I required them to do, such being the fork oil seals, change the old pair for new. I had seemed to point problems at the ability of the machinic, or more to the point lack of ability, or could it have been a way of simple price hike, but in fairness they quoted me a price, but would it have been the actual figure I would have paid when the job was done? I came to the conclusion that there are those businesses too, that didn’t really want the work.
This was not the end either in my plight to even buy what I required, one shop I had bought from on previous occasions, and even made prior arrangements when I would come for the parts. I got to the cash till with the motorcycle parts in hand, passing the parts over to the cashier, now to be told “today I not sell you”. Another example the owner went to collect a part belonging to the part I was buying, but never returned in the long time I sat waiting. I don’t understand how they conduct business in this country.
Basically, I had done some little bits of work beforehand on the bike, and now, I just wanted mainly to revive the balance, being the idea and the concept, the bike would be designed now toward that of a brat style motorcycle.

What is a brat style motorcycle?

With all of the motorcycle classifications now applied to motorcycles of today and yesterday, people may ask what is the style of that bike, and what does brat style mean, what is a brat style motorcycle, well, apparently there is no hard and fast brat style definition, but maybe there should be, but more than often there are versions of variety, this will be based on the personal build, also possible to follow, being that of a few guidelines from the history. If you follow the custom builds of motorcycles, you may know that the term brat or brat style has its origins in one specific shop in Tokyo, Japan.
Many of the Japanese Brat Style builds where based on the Yamahas XS650 and SR400, and that of other small displacement Japanese bikes some with mildly modified frames, also along with older Harley Sportsters.
During the pre-recession chopper craze, when wide tired, beasts of chrome and candy colours were being poured out of American based shops such has Orange County Choppers and their televised series. The Japanese Brat Style bikes stood out in stark aesthetic contrast, being dark, low and mean, also cheap, using rear suspension, so you could ride them without breaking your back, and you could actually build one without breaking the bank. They had an old-school purity that harked back to the matte-painted hot rods of the post-WWII era.

Definition of Brat Style

A brat style bike is that of a non-rigid custom with either a flat, slab seat long enough to ride two-up, or a solo seat lowered via mild frame modification. It has a lowered stance with most unnecessary equipment removed–fairings, chrome, etc. Handlebars can be mini-apes, superbike bars, or motocross bars, but clip-on bars of a café racer are a not appropriate. Moto-styled bars often skew the bike toward the category of “brat tracker,” especially if slightly knobby tires are fitted.

Simply a brat bike typically has -

Sprung rear (no hardtail)
Flat, slab seat or lowered solo seat
Mini-apes or dirt-style bars (no clip-ons)
Fenders bobbed, fairings and chrome removed
Today, there is a large movement toward brat style bikes around the world, being that major push is coming in the Asian and Australian markets, but a lot of customs are coming out of the United States as well.
Unlike the streetfighter genre, the brat trend has not been adopted by any factory manufacturers. This is probably the best, in that part of the mystique of this style is the lowdown, almost home built garage look.

Interesting and enjoyable read. Thanks.
I always thought a Brat bike was Japan’s answer to Cafe Racers.