Topic: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?

[jackseattle]

I have a stock 400F but am starting to organize my next project/build for a 400F with a bigger engine and a more modern suspension and braking systems.  I've been thinking about rebuilding my engine with bigger pistons and boring out the carb and wondering about what sort of  suspension and brake upgrade ideas are most effective and practical.  I realized I could ponder that one for quite some time and need a reality check.  Any ideas out there for upgrades/swaps that have worked for you?

I also got to wondering what they do in Japan.  There are probably more 400Fs in Japan than here in the US, and there is a real strong motorbike culture.  I'd be real curious to find out if anyone has a sense for what specific suspension (front and back) and brake upgrades/swaps are made by the Japanese builders when making performance upgrades to the engine and drivetrain. 

[camelman]

Some US-based builders on this site are doing pretty amazing things too.  Try searching with the Google search bar to find previous threads on CB400f and CB350f performance upgrades including power generation, braking and suspension.

[kslrr]

Take a look at this website:

http://www.ttr400.com/

[RickB]

Jack,

I could list hundreds of different parts, options etc. but there's so many decisions you'll have to make a long the way that I would just encourage you to see what others have done. Some stand out CB400F's that come to mind:

http://home.comcast.net/~eyhonda/
http://caferacers.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/1975-honda-cb400-cafe-racer/
http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cb400
http://www.ttr400.com/photo_1.html
http://www.ttr400.com/custom.html

Rick.

[Tim2005]

Japan probably does have the most developers of the 400f anywhere, with both engine and chassis mods being popular there, as well as some interesting styling exercises.  There are a couple of sites- MC-Again has a fairly decent selection of modified 400s in its gallery:

http://www.mc-again.com/con_03.htm

there is another site which has more radical 400f stuff, some great engineering (for instance many have dry clutch conversions) combined with king & queen seats for some reason,  but I can't seem to find an active link to it- hopefully someone on here can point us to it. You could also check out the yahoo group " CB400F " as someone on there may have more links.

Also from Japan there is always the well known 09-bike- this was around about a decade ago so who knows what they are up to now:

[RickB]

Oh Tim that reminded me of a SOHC4 member Specweld's CB400F:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70398.0

Rick.

[Tim2005]

I couldn't help spending a while browsing around the MC-Again site, and spotted this bit of 400f porn which I just had to share with you guys. I suggest you look away now if you are in any way attached to your wallet.

[RickB]

I've got a set of their rearsets so I've already said goodbye to my wallet!

[kyre]

Kaz pipe on eBay now, not mine. Headers are correct but muffler looks modified to keep the center stand. I've got one already so am not bidding. Not sure he'll get what he wants with the muffler modified but still nice.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121008120976?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[jackseattle]

Thanks guys, this is helpful.
RickB - your build reads like a story with a very nice ending.  nice ride.  thanks so much for sharing those threads.
Tim2005 - yeah, MC Again's site is like crack.  Gotta learn to read kanji script
ksllr - yes, the "two kevins" site, it's really cool what they did to fill a void in the market.