Topic: heffay's 75/77 cb400f race project pix and the onslaught of questions

[heffay]

well, i've officially pulled it out from under the cover after a year and to my surprise i have a 77 parts bike for my 73 cb350 instead of a 75 like i remembered... you know what that means.  not much, cept i dont have much of a memory...    anyway, please click on the link below to see what i have to work with.  if you have parts, if you have knowledge of this particular bike or any specialities maybe i am unaware of please... let me know.  this april 1st marks my first ever attempt at a complete restore project. 
thanks in advance for all expertise!
geoff (heffay)

click for "project start: the unveiling"- http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f284/CabinThreeBee/cb400fss.jpg

[heffay]

actually let me rephrase that.  restore to running and wonderful (hopefully) like new condition... but, (hope i don't get jumped for this one) i think these motorcycles need some updating in the style department so it will not be a stocker... sorry guys.  just had to let you know off the bat.  but, this should be really fun either way you look at it... probably much cursing too!
heffay
p.s. #$@%

[SteveD CB500F]

You've picked one hell of a project there hef.

I've no probs with non-stock. 
In the 70's we were all desperate to make ours look better/handle better/go faster - anything but stock!

Iv'e got modern rubber and suspension on my 500 for that very reason.

Good luck and keep us posted with progress.

[Bryan Boyle]

Hey...looks like you've bitten off a good chunk to get in there and
scrape a few knuckles and twist wrenches.  That's good for the soul,
guy.

Let's face it...if we keep these things stock, they handle ok, but they
do have limitations...

I love all bikes...(well...that crap they pass off as leading edge from the
blowhards in orange county are exceptions...) no matter what the state (or
not) of tune...

Good luck...keep us posted!

[cb750_chris]

Is the motor on that thing stuck?

It doesn't look that bad. The missing parts are the only real problem as long as the motor doesn't give you fits. 

These bikes came with a sweet 4 into 1 curved S shape pipe from the factory.  It's probably the one major reason they are interesting aside from being an all around nice bike with cafe styling.   

If you do restore it finding one of those pipes would be the one stock item that would make it look really nice.   

The 75, and 76 are more saught after due to having lower handle bars and lack of stripes on the tank. 

You could go for that look with a set of low bars and removal of the stripes.

The 400f is way more saught after than the 350.   When the 400 came out riders had a very good reason to overlook the 350's and they did. 

[heffay]

nope not stuck! 
thanks for the extra info too... speaking of handlebars... did you see the goofy clamp setup bringing the bars back about 3 or 4 inches.   definitely one of the first stupid mods to be removed when it warms a little. 
i probably will get another set of bars similar to my 350... i like the riding position so much better.  also, i need help with names cuz when we start to get down and dirty she's gonna say "What's my name B!+ch!"  and i just won't know...   hope the language is not too graphic... come to my garage for the uncensored version. 

[cb750_chris]

check out the pipes on the bike of the cover of this book. 

Don't pay attention to the 72-78 years.  The 400f Super Sport was only from 75-77

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7965402069&category=34237

[heffay]

ooohhhh man... i cant wait!  also, those pipes are great but the book looks like a great addition to a library also.

[heffay]

talkin to "Pops" this evening aboot a bday present in the form of use of his garage for the project... "you know dad... father/son weekend projects?  please?"  we'll see what happens.  otherwize, it's gonna be cozy snugglin in with her in the next room. 

now for my question... the bike has no title... builders title or something like that?  any help is appreciated. 
also, was there such a thing as a cb400f not-a supersport? 

[cb750_chris]

Prior to 75 was the 74 cb350F four, and cb450k twin.  The 75 cb400F was basically a modified 350F that replaced the 350 and 450. 

After 77 the 400F stopped.  The 78 CB400A, CB400TI Hawk, and CB400TII Hawk started up.

The 400F is the most desirable of all of these.  Thats not to say it's very valuable.....  It's just more desirable among enthusiasts.

Honda also had a bunch of other models around this time but with respect to the 350, 400, and 450 models this is how it played out. 

[supersport_CB400F]

hey supersport_cb400f... i would send you a personal email to ask this question rather than busy up the boards ( i know, i know, most of you are asking why i care now anyway    )  but anyway,  if you dont mind my asking... what did you start with, how far are you, how much have you spent, and how much do yo intend to spend. 
i've alloted myself about 3 grand but am still questioning that estimate.

Heffay,to answer your question I had a engine with a broken piston/damaged cooling fins, frame/swingarm, wiring, some brackets and some other odds and sods.  I’ve been working for about 20 months on the bike on and off.
I think I’ve spent about 1200 UK£ so far and need to spend about another 300 to finish. I’ve used mostly Honda parts some new and some used also a few aftermarket parts like the wheels when I could'nt find decent Honda stuff. My advice is set a budget and restore the bike around that or the cost can go crazy.
I probably could have bought a bike for the cost of the project but It’s been good fun working on it and will be even more fun to ride it!
Almost forgot, I should be finished in two/three months.

[Einyodeler]

Hey Heffay HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Looks like you`ve got quite a project there,I had a `76 400 Four that I sold about 25 years ago and I still miss that bike.I`ve had lots of different bikes over the years but have always wanted another little SOHC4.I found a `72 CB500 last July that had been sitting under a tree for 9 years and knew I had to have it.It sat with the engine open to the elements(seized) so it was a complete teardown.It was a great project for my son to learn to wrench on and it was so much fun that I bought another one in about the same shape.Thanks to all who gave advice on this forum it now runs like a RAPED APE and I drive it to and from work 120 miles roundtrip everyday.Get that baby back on the road!

[heffay]

thank you for the birthday regards!   

[R. Hykawy]

Heffay, if you want I can email you the honda service manual. Just need your e-mail address

[heffay]

so guess what i found after closer inspection of these pictures... CARBS!  wow... what a relief.  guess that's where we'll start... get back with you when they're all apart.

[heffay]

well they're not apart but they are off the bike, same as the stupid handlebar setbacks... anybody wanna set of setbacks with bolts?  you pay shipping. 

here's the list of what i need (on the outside at least) (77 cb400f ss)

clutch lever
full exhaust
battery
guages
key
rear signals
tires
drag/clubman style bars
cafe seat
side covers
front fender
shift lever
rear brake lever
airbox
left side engine cover
rear fender bolt
engine mount boult- rear/top
front sprocket cover- bottom rear screw
rubber joint seal- front brake master cylinder to hose joint cover
rear axle nut pin
front fork axle mount nut

[jotor]

i think these motorcycles need some updating in the style department so it will not be a stocker...

Uh....if you want to trade the '77 gas tank for an earlier one that doesn't have the flap over the cap, let me know.

[heffay]

post engine pull... will be going up to the ranch next week so i should have some free time in the evenings to do some tearing down and cleaning and checking and what not.  yay!  a garage!  Can i really get exhaust from david silver spares for less than $300? 

[heffay]

supersport_CB400F, Is this what you mean about the footpegs and linkage?  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB400F-supersport-foot-pegs-linkage-lever-1975_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQitemZ4565843325QQrdZ1#ShippingPayment
If so, will this setup work on my bike?

[heffay]

 

[josh550]

Hey,
If you still need to get a title for your bike, this is a good place.
www.its-titles.com

[heffay]

Hey,
If you still need to get a title for your bike, this is a good place.
www.its-titles.com

did you use this service? 

[josh550]

No, but I know people who have and it only cost them like 75 bucks.

[heffay]

just picked up the stock exhaust headers on ebay!!!! less than 30 bucks shipping included 

[heffay]

ok... so you've seen the list.  since plans change, it will be a racebike!  what should i consider?  where should i start?  make it a project i want to continue by making it look good first or get it running?

this summer might be when it gets to happen as i may have access to a garage.    

i'm thinkin:

remove some heaviness
seat/side covers/fairing
engine work!
oil cooler
tach
tires
better brakes or rebuild