Topic: '75 CB400F to make pretty again..finished pics

[nvr2old]

I'm picking this little jewel up in a week or so.  12,000 miles, fresh complete tune and service, new Avon tires, chain, new/correct handle bars.  $1,200.00  Thought that was a very fair price.



Gonna get rid of the ugly muffler and replace it with a correct reproduction from David Silver.



The collector will need some attention, too..



Couple of dings to repair and a complete re-do of the factory Varnish Blue..



Needs a new side cover..anyone got one..?  If not I'll just repair it.



A little rash on the alternator cover to contend with..



Overall, other then the exhaust collector, just a bunch of cosmetic stuff to take care of.  Runs like new, tight and quiet.  Can't wait to get going on it.

[MoMo]

There is an Ebay seller that has the cover for a tad over $40.  I bought a set and was happy, may be z1 enterprise but I do not remember.  What does the rear of the muffler look like?...Larry

[Bankerdanny]

I would say that $1,200 for a ready to ride 400F with some realtively minor cosmetic issues is an all out steal.

Well done.

[nvr2old]

There is an Ebay seller that has the cover for a tad over $40.  I bought a set and was happy, may be z1 enterprise but I do not remember.  What does the rear of the muffler look like?...Larry

$40 isn't a bad price, thanks for that.  The muffler is actually in nice shape, it's just not the correct one for the bike is all.  It has an angled slash cut at the end.

[nvr2old]

I would say that $1,200 for a ready to ride 400F with some realtively minor cosmetic issues is an all out steal.

Well done.

Thanks.  It was the main reason I decided to get it.  The seller is a good friend of mine, we've helped each other out on bikes a lot in the past.  He knows what they're worth and just gave me a great deal knowing it's going to a good home.  Mechanically it's in great shape.  Everything works.  Just needs a little lovin' to make it really pop.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I would say that $1,200 for a ready to ride 400F with some realtively minor cosmetic issues is an all out steal.

Well done.

Thanks, man.  It was the main reason I decided to pull the trigger on it.  Mechanically it's in great shape.  Everything works perfectly.  Just needs a little lovin' to make it really pop.

Fantastic Deal.  If you're unhappy with it at all, I'm sure you could pass it on to a host of forum members at that price.

[nvr2old]

I had one back in the late 70's.  Road raced it in production classes at S.I.R in Seattle and P.I.R. in Portland, and then rode it daily for a couple of years, too.  I sold it to get an '81 750F..and have wanted another one every since.  They're just fun bikes.  Nothing like seeing a tach needle touching 10 grand and the engine loving every minute of it.

[redlabel]

Real nice price for a great starting point! GL

[nvr2old]

Not a whole lotta progress because the main re-do will start this winter, but I at least dinked around a bit..you know the old proverb.."every journey begins with the first step.."   

A friend donated a few parts to the mix, a much better master cylinder, a seat strap, new seat buttons, and a much better alternator cover.



A couple of shallow dents that I'll tap out and refinish





So, from this..



To this..





I also set this Ducati 750SS tail section on it...looks pretty cool I think..





The original plan was a factory-correct restoration, but I'm thinking this tail, which fits the frame beautifully, might be an option to consider.  W/o the rear fender it would set right down in place.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You could bob the fender or eliminate it. Either way, I would replace the taillight and indicators IF you go with this seat.

[nvr2old]

I agree.  The tail section would look very clean and almost factory if the chrome fender and tail light went away.  If I do that, I'll probably put the front fender off an '82 Honda CB450T Hawk on there, too.  It would all tie together nicely w/o deviating too much from the stock appearance.

[tweakin]

Very cool Larry, just saw this...  So the new wife is already trying to get you to spend more time in the garage? .  Looking forward to seeing your magic on this one, we know It will have a sweet paint job!

Traded in SpokeVegas for Alaska this past year for work so I don't make it over there anymore, but would love to see the 400 and catch up.

[nvr2old]

Good to hear from you, tweakin.  It would be great to get together one of these days.  The wife actually encouraged me to get the 400..great lady.    Looking forward to reviving it.

[brandEn]

Hey Larry! I love these 400F's. Can't wait to see the paint job you come up with.

[Just4fun]

Nvr2old,

I have a couple cb400f (one runner, one more on the shelf) and quite a few spares.  I must have four rights, but think i have an extra left.

I live in the Seattle area.  PM me and I will check for you. 

I hung out at SIR a lot back in the late 70s, though with the SCCA and conference. It would be fun to meet another 400f guy in Seattle.

Pat

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Lyle]

Sweet.  I'm looking for my first 400f, nothing near Atlanta so far.  Great steal at $1200, can't wait to see the results.

[nvr2old]

Hey Larry! I love these 400F's. Can't wait to see the paint job you come up with.

Thanks, Branden.  I'll just take it back to factory correct as far as the paint.  It'll be a little nicer then the factory finish, though..haha!  I'm really starting to lean towards the Ducati tail section, too.  Painted like the rest of it, it should look pretty cool.  I bought a 1982 Honda CB450T Hawk plastic front fender on eBay the other day and I'm gonna see how that looks on it, also color-matched.  Don't want to stray too far from a stock appearance because they're so beautiful to begin with.

[nvr2old]

Nvr2old,

I have a couple cb400f (one runner, one more on the shelf) and quite a few spares.  I must have four rights, but think i have an extra left.

I live in the Seattle area.  PM me and I will check for you. 

I hung out at SIR a lot back in the late 70s, though with the SCCA and conference. It would be fun to meet another 400f guy in Seattle.

Pat

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

PM sent.  Thanks very much.

[nvr2old]

Not a whole lot to post, just spent the day cleaning and polishing all the parts that had patina or surface rust.  Every piece of chrome is beautiful.  The headers don't have a scratch on them. 





Lopped the end off the muffler.  Hated that slash cut.





Got the collector looking much better







Added the seat strap and new buttons.



Then spent a few hrs. cleaning.  I want to ride it to a vintage bike gathering this Tuesday, so I thought I'd show it a little love..





Took it for a 100 mile loop through the north Idaho and western Montana mountains and lake roads this afternoon.  Beautiful day, and this bike really sings.  I'm blown away at how well everything works on it.  Runs soooo good.   

[jas67]

I would say that $1,200 for a ready to ride 400F with some realtively minor cosmetic issues is an all out steal.

Well done.

+1 !!!

I see that in a short time you got it shined up and looking good.     This winter when you fix the dent in the tank and get fresh paint on it you'll have a damned fine looking bike there (already looking good)!

Welcome to the 400F club!   Mine is my favorite vintage bike to ride.

[Mugen_Stumpo]

love the looks of the exhaust... what kind of muffler is that?

do you cut it at the end?

[nvr2old]

love the looks of the exhaust... what kind of muffler is that?

do you cut it at the end?

Not sure what kind of muffler that is.  Maybe something from JC Whitney, haha!  Yeah, I took a hacksaw and cut the back off.  Just didn't like the slash cut end.  I think it looks better squared off.  Just temporary because I'm hoping to put a stock replacement muffler in place this winter.  There's a welded repair on the side of the collector and the chrome is peeling off the bottom, which sucks, so I'm wondering what to do about that.  I've cleaned it up as much as I can and it looks..OK.  I really love the look of the stock exhaust, but I've seen some pretty sweet looking Yoshimura replica pipes on this site that might be an alternative, too, for a little less then the cost of the David Silver reproduction header/muffler system.

[brandEn]

She looks great man. You scored on that deal.

[nvr2old]

Thanks brandEn.  I needed another bike like I need a hole in the head..but the price was too good, and it was easy to see the potential in it.  Even my wife encouraged it, so how could I say no..   Maybe I'll get it to Vashon next year.  Are you and tweakin going this weekend?

[MoMo]

I like the upswept look of that muffler too.  Nice ride...Larry