Based on discussion with others with CB400's, the CB900 coils are a dufficult fit into the Cb400. However, I read good reports using GL1000 coils into the CB400.
Isn't that what Zane did with his bike?
Cheers,
Hey, good memory Two Tired. I did do that swap. (Back in December, I think.) I followed Mike Nixon's advice and simply discarded the ballast resistor that came with the GL1000 coils.
I'm always kinda worried that some of the nay-sayers will turn out to be right about this not being a good idea though - and so I don't really promote doing it in case it all goes horribly wrong somehow - some day.
The coils (once you lose the resistor) are perfectly interchangable. Even though the GL 1000 coils mount to a GL 1000 in a different manner than 400 coils mount on a 400, the GL 1000 coils bolt right on with the 400F system ( with the bolts that go through the frame).
My GL 1000 coils (also from ebay) had the plug leads and caps still on them. Every lead on the GL 1000 coils is longer (some MUCH longer) than the leads on the 400F. First I unscrewd all the GL 1000 plug caps. Then I mounted the GL 1000 coils with the original leads intact. I cut them to size, swapped out the sheathing and cylinder number bands and caps from my 400F coils.
The wiring was the only significant adaptation I really had to make. The GL coils had a three or four - blade, pin type, plug connector and an extra wire or two for the ballast. I cut that stuff off and added bullet connectors so it was like the original 400F coil wiring. Except for those little numbers on the sides of the two coils, it all looks identical to the way it looked with the original, 400F coils.
It was easier to actually do too, than I had thought it would be. The main, tough part was figuring out the deal with that resistor.
For me, this swap seems to work like a bomb. I took Two Tired's advice, and widened the spark plug gaps to the max recommended (or a little bit past). Goes like stink.
I should say though, that I made the effort to find Nippon Denso points, and installed them as well. Evidently the ND product is superior to many other points, and they are more suited to the increased rigours placed on the points by the GL 1000 coils. (I guess if you have an electronic ignition this won't matter to you much at all .....)
Here's a shot that probably doesn't say much ... but it's authentic anyway.....
The bottom line, fitment wise - they go in smooth as butter. (Which makes sense, because they're exactly the same size and design.)
I'm glad that someone else is trying this .... more experience for all.
..... so thanks!
Cheers.
