Topic: CB 400 starts....well almost

[phil71]

Something's way off here. You have spark at all 4 cylinders and it wont fire? Assuming you've set the points by the book, try swapping your blue and yellow wires.

[Jonny Man]

Thanks for the latest info.....guys!!! SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! I had to call one of my parts sources (Cycle-Re-Cycle in Indianapolis) about returning the Dyna ignition that I'd just received. They sent me a Dyna for for an earlier year CB 350/400 (1975-76). By 1977 (my bike), Honda had added a larger diameter advancer (like they had on their 550's and 750's). So....at the very least I was going to need the larger diameter advancer...which they are sending. Anyway, I spoke with their lead mechanic about that but also explained to him what was going on with my cycle....ALMOST starting. When I told him that I had coughing, sputtering, backfiring, etc, etc....he immediately suggested reversing the wiring on the Accel coils that I just installed or reversing the rotor plate on the stock ignition 180 degrees. As I'd already removed the old ignition (to check for advancer size on the Dyna)...I just flipped it 180...rather then taking the gas tank off, disconnecting the fuel line for the umpteenth time and flipping the wiring. Hit the starter button and VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOM...instantly. Bike sounded pretty good for not having dialed in the carb rebuild yet. Adjusted the throttle screw (it was idling too high). Sounded damn good and STRONG!!!!!! I was so obsessed with making sure that I'd gotten the spark plug order right...4 and 1 to one coil,  3 and 2 to the other that I'd accidentally switched the actual coil wiring. Had it right too early on. Then flipped it for some reason. Probably frustration and fatigue.

Anyway....many thanks to all of your suggestions- phil71, Jasondo, camelman, MoMo, bankerdanny.

Larry.....that heat gun on the carb manifolds..worked like a dream!!! Carbs seated without massive wrestling. Got them close, took a rubber mallet...tap, tap, tap (lightly) on one side then the other....seated like never before!!!

Thanks too.. Rob, lead mechanic at Cycle-Re-Cycle. He mentioned to me that Accel says (in their instruction sheet which is vague at best) to gap the spark plugs at .35 inches. Stock coils would be gapped at .24-.28 inches. He said try gapping at .30. Accel uses the same coils on different bikes and .35 or even higher gapping is used on higher CC Bikes....35 or higher not necessary for the 400.

Anyway.......phew....on to the next set of problems. Can't emphasize enough how much I appreciate your advice!!!

[MoMo]

Good deal, congrats....Larry

[Jonny Man]

Thanks again Larry. I will properly switch the wiring on the coils once I bolt the new Dyna ignition in. It'll be late next week before that larger diameter advancer arrives. Not going to bother with ignition timing until then.
I noticed that you've owned a ton of CB 400's. That would practically make you an expert on the bike!!! Sure I'll be picking your brain about electrical issues over the next two weeks. Got to get the rest of the wiring sussed.
So far, I'm ahead of the game. My "MIA" motorcycle mechanic did more then I thought with the wiring. I wasn't sure if the kill switch was properly wired but it was. Once I got her running yesterday..hit the switch...motor stopped. Biggest thing....need to get those left handle bar switches working. Hi/Low beam, turn signals, horn. Then the rear tail light and turn signals. The rear should be easy. Hoping.

[MoMo]

Yes, I have owned quite a few 400 fours, even rode one to New Hampshire back in the late 70s.  Also, was a Honda mechanic and service manager from 1971 through 1985.  Devon Honda, Riff's Cycle Center and Montgomeryville Cycle Center...Larry

[Jonny Man]

Sorry Larry, never answered you about those emulsifier tubes. I cleaned all the jets and the emuslifier tubes thoroughly. I even cleaned the drainage screws at the bottom of the floats bowls. They have air holes as well. The slides,needles, etc, etc. The carbs have been taken apart and maintained no less then 3-4 times since I've owned the bike. Three times recently.

The original carbs had terrible stalactites and stalagmites attached to 3/4 of the float bowls. No amount of cleaning solutions and soaking will remove them completely. The corrosion had seriously pitted the aluminum bowls and jet ports. My mechanic buddy had never seen carbs that looked that bad inside. He had a 400 parts bike in his shop. I took my current set of carbs from that bike. I removed all usable parts from the original carbs- jets, emulsifiers, slides, needles, etc, etc.  I still have the original carbs for other part options as well.
I also ordered new gaskets, seals, etc. I'm not anticipating any further carb issues. Wish I still had access to that parts bike.

After I complete work on the CB 400. I'll start working on an Yamaha FZ 600 from 1987. I had the 1986 model back in the day. Loved that bike. Still have dreams about it in fact. Best handling street bike..I ever drove. My buddy.."Tony Spockets" owned the 1987. I traded him a painting for that bike a few years ago. Yet to collect the FZ. Will do..either next week or the week after. I'm sending out all the buddy work to have painted "Yamaha....black, yellow and white". I always thought the original FZ's should have been painted that way. All of my dirt bikes from the 70's (my dad and I used to ride..."off road". Then I got into a horrible, head on collision with a 250 Husky) were painted that way. Here are a few pics to give you an idea what I'm thinking about. The first pic is of me back in 86. Can't believe the lame cloths I'm wearing!!! Funny when we look back at old pictures....#$%* man, that was 27 years ago!!!!

The 600 should be far less mechanical work then the CB 400. Tony was a very capable mechanic and very anal about his equipment. I'll clean out the fuel tank, carbs and drop in a new battery.... I know she'll run. The bike will be painted with the same design as the original but with the-black/yellow.."Yamaha" colors.

[Jonny Man]

This is a pic of me surfing down in Hatteras...last August. Small wave but fun day!!! We go down every year. Love the surf there!!!! This was the last time I was healthy. Wish I looked like this now. Dropping 55lbs due to the "big C"....sobering. On my way back.....hoping. Full body PET scan next week. Keeping my fingers crossed. Need to me "me" again. Wouldn't wish cancer on anybody. Wake up call...to say the least.

[MoMo]

You are right about the yellow, black and white combo-it is classic Yammie . I had an old POS FZR abandoned at my shop,never rode it and basically begged a customer to take it when he bought a K7 750  basket case that I totally lost interest in. Keep the faith and believe...Larry

[Jonny Man]

Thanks Larry!!! Our paths are destined to cross...sooner then later. Should be fun!!!

Here's a pic with my donor tank (using it as my temporary gas source). I'm going to clean this tank up as well. After all is said and done. Has some pretty fair dents in it that need some attending to. I'm going to have them pulled. Clean the paint off entirely. Leave the tank exposed steel. Hit her with some clear coat. That will still look good with my black and graphite silver paint. I have my Viper fairing sitting on the bike in this picture as well. Tinkering with height....how far back I can get away with the headlight mounts. Also moved the seat cowling up about an 1 1/2". Going to run a license plate bracket at the back, underneath the seat cowl...tight...creating a little fender. Not sure I'm going to run her with the fairing....but I want to option.