Author Topic: Down Under CB400F 1975 (Read 2965 times)

Andych · « **on:** February 05, 2018, 01:33:51 am »

Well I figured it was time I at least outlined what my little project is going to be and added some pics.. plus gather a little bit of intel at the same time.

I picked this little gem (in the rough) up from a country town in Northern NSW called Grafton... and after a couple of false starts had it shipped down to me... it was well worth the $350 so I didnt have to drive 400km each way and with a Hotel bill thrown in.
It arrived a few weeks ago and I resisted immediately tearing it down as I had a Suzuki Across on the bike lift that was meant to be a quick flip (12 months ago) and I just wanted it gone..
I did however get myself a battery and using the well worn Kick starter had it run just a little... there is an issue in the starter circuit (most likely the button or an earth or both) so with some new fuel in it I used a screw driver across the solenoid connections and turned it over a few times just to get some oil moving... then opened up the petcock, lifted the choke and she fired first kick. When I ran it the first time it blew the remains of about 3 wasp nests out of the exhaust but this time it just settled into a nice idle.
The exhaust is cactus (Aussie slang for dead) so it was tough to listen for too many noises but once it was warmed up a little it revved nicely which I was pretty impressed with. Mainly because the seller had said it will run with a battery and I am always sceptical

So.. I know it runs which is always a plus... not that it mattered as I was always going to tear it down... all the way so that I can have the cases vapour blasted, barrels bored to suit a 466 big bore ekit and most likely tidy up the ports a little. Nothing wild.. just some smoothing and port matching the intakes (so I say at present anyway).
The only 466 kit available in Aus it seems is this one https://www.japbikespares.com/honda-cb400f-sohc-74-78-466cc-forseti-big-bore-kit-54-5mm-piston-rings-gasket which I have no idea on the quality of.. more searching will be needed to see what else I can find but if anyone has some feedback on these kits it would be appreciated.

So the project overall is to try and keep the bike as close to stock or looking stock as I can. The Colour will be Varnish Blue.. or maybe a custom blend of Varnish Blue with some Candy in it.. just to make it pop a bit. I want it to look standard but for people to look at it and not be able to put their finger on what is not right...
I definitely need to get another seat base and the seat cover will be custom made.. again to look standard but maybe just a touch different... not sure.. maybe in colour dark grey on the top with black around the side.. but that will come later.
I am not going to shell out for Factory headers.. they just want stupid money for rough ones and the Delkevic 4 into 1 megaphone looks and sounds lovely.
Front end will remain stock.. maybe change fork springs depending on how they are.. (I am sure they will be stuffed) but the rear end has me scratching my head on what to do... the rear shocks at present are SW repairable units that I am told are a good quality product that is no longer made... again.. any good info would be appreciated. The only issue is that they are bulkier at the bottom than factory so the chain guard has been sliced up to suit. I would prefer the factory look on the chain guard with a recess so I might have to see if that can be done.

All the other usual stuff I guess... Instruments refurbished and outer painted with new KPH faces and crimp rings. I already have the tank and side cover decals as well as the idiot light decal and will probably get the warning label decals as well.. just to make it look authentic. Wiring doesnt look too bad right now but I will see as the strip down starts.. Reg/Rec will be changed and will go to blade style fuses... and will most likely use a Hondaman ignition.
That is it for now.. a broad outline of what I want to end up with... a clean stock looking keeper...

Plenty of pics below and I will try to keep this as up to date as I can.. but I also have another build on the go at the same time (a Yamaha SRX250) so the CB400 will be a little slow to start with.

spuds · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2018, 07:42:44 pm »

woo hoo!!! another 400F!!!!

thirsty 1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2018, 07:14:11 pm »

Sweet!!

rickW · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2018, 09:02:00 pm »

There is a small shop called Café Scuderia (USA) that had wiseco whip out a batch of 466 pistons running total seal rings. Good quality stuff. As soon as I get back home I'll send the contact info. Be aware 466 pistons leave a very thin liner so ensure the machine shop is good, as the liners may overheat and warp. Cheers, Rick

rickW · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2018, 08:45:41 am »

POSSIBLE source of 466 pistons- contact Steve Spencer at caféscuderia@aol.com or telephone 011-1-913-579-5244. Cheers, Rick

Andych · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2018, 01:44:08 pm »

Thanks for the info... I am a long way of that part of the build but I will see if they have any good info.
Cheers

Andych · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2018, 05:15:11 pm »

Still havent gotten around to stripping this bike down as I still have another bike on the lift at present but I took it out of the Garage on the weekend so I could try and clear some room and being a little lazy didnt put it on the centre stand (first time).
I thought the bike was leaned over quite dramatically on the side stand and peered underneath to see if anything untoward was going on with the mount etc and I found what looks like some backyard hack job welding of the side stand bracket and the frame.
I am not sure if the frame is meant to be welded in this area (back from the side stand bracket)or if it has had a dodgy rust repair done... either way it looks like the bracket for the side stand has been welded on with a Stick welder (and not a very good one at that) so that will definitely need sorting when I have the frame bare.
I have some pics below so I would welcome any comments.. I would especially like if anyone has a CB400 stripped down or is able to take some pics for me as to how it should actually look.. I mean, should there be a drain hole in the frame?
I have no reference points to go off and it is hard to get any decent pics of frames that show that area.

spuds · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2018, 07:08:05 pm »

here are a few of mine. I have no reason to believe that it's not anything but stock...

hopefully these pics are helpful.

Tried to get one from the underside. doesn't appear that there's a drain hole in the frame down there.

actually...it kinda looks like mine's missing a nut on the backside of the sidestand...must make a note to followup on that.

Flyin900 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2018, 07:42:32 pm »

These are from a Canadian 1975 CB400F. On yours the peg for the spring is different on the frame and the spring is non stock it seems. It looks like your side stand is welded onto a different spot on your frame, as mine is closer to the frame downpipe curve and definitely no drain hole that size in any Honda frame I have seen in the past.

Although even Spuds is different slightly as mine is very close to the motor mount bolt, so maybe it depended on whether it was a Monday or Friday when the welder that did the job and how much Saki.

Andych · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2018, 08:56:34 pm »

Cool thanks for the pics. I have seen some CB400's with the kickstand mount at the front like that.. That seems to be the same position to the CB350 4 as well. Having looked at yours and a bit of googling as well it looks like the mount on mine is not original as it doesnt have the cut out in the bottom plus the spring mount is on the frame and I havent seen any other pics with the spring mount like that.. seems like I will have some repair work to do on the frame.
Hell I am not even sure it is the right kickstand lol. I should take a pic of that as well.

MoMo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2018, 06:52:36 am »

Side stand rot is a very common problem with the 400F- of the 9 I've had I think 4 had rotted frames. One was so bad I had to transplant a section from another frame

. Yours , at least from the photo, looks like you may have to have fabrication done. When on the side stand a 400f should tilt about 30 degrees at most from vertical....Larry

Andych · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2018, 12:25:36 pm »

Hmm OK, I wouldnt have thought it would be much of an issue here as we dont have issues such as Ice and snow but obviously this one is suffering from some sort of rot down there.
Hopefully it wont be a big issue. I am going to try some of the wreckers to see if they have a write off frame that I can source the correct bracket from.. otherwise I am going to have to try and figure out dimensions etc and make one as the one that is there is definitely NOT the correct one.
If anyone has pics of the bracket without the side stand on it.. and towards the rear peg as mine is it would be very helpful

MoMo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2018, 03:34:18 pm »

I think it is a drainage issue, water lays in the frame near the side stand because it is the lowest part then rots the frame from the inside out. A hole drilled in the frame would most likely prevent that...Larry

Andych · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2018, 05:25:22 pm »

Yes.. that does make a lot of sense. Maybe when I get it down to the bare frame and set about repairing it I will look at some preventative measures as well as a drain hole.
Thanks for the input.

Andych · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2018, 10:27:54 pm »

I am slowly gathering parts for this bike as they become available..
I picked up a set of rear shocks with dual springs that hopefully will fit nicely with a standard chain guard... my existing shocks meant the chain guard has been hacked about and the shock is very close to the chain.

I also managed to pick up a really nice kickstand that has been powder-coated and looks to have no wear on it at all along with a starter solenoid (mine is suspect), an ignition switch and seat lock (not keyed the same but at least I now have a seat lock) I need the plunger and the inner workings of the seat lock too..
There were 2 x NOS rear grab rails and a headlight bucket.. slowly gathering the items I know I need.. and a few I may need

spuds · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2018, 04:56:21 pm »

Nice scores!

andyd · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2018, 10:41:03 pm »

G'day Andy, you have collected some nice bits and pieces for the old girl, how is it going ? have you done much or still finishing off the other one you are working on ?
I finished the 550, ridden it around for about 20k's now but hope to take it for a burn down through the National Park to Wollongong on Sunday morning and see how it performs, they are a really smooth bike, go better than I thought, the brakes are a bit to be desired after you jump off a bike with twin discs and 4 pot calipers but I will get used to it.
I posted a couple of photos in my posts but here is a couple more, keep in touch. Andy

andyd · « **Reply #17 on:** April 05, 2018, 01:14:55 am »

Hi Andy, what's been happening? long time no hear, how is the 400 going, have you had a chance to start on it as yet.
Give us the low down.
Andy, Carlton, Sydney

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2018, 09:40:08 am »

I had one once that had been left outside a lot. It had the sidestand problem. It took some grinding and welding to make it solid again. I cut a gusset from a piece of tubing to brace the frame tube and welded it up, Tack, then check the lean angle then weld.

News:

Author Topic: Down Under CB400F 1975 (Read 2965 times)