Topic: New Bike for a Noob

[Tinker]

Have a line on a 1975 400/4.  Is there anything I need to be particularly careful to check for on these?
Or are they pretty well sorted from the factory?  I'm going to look at it Real Soon Now.

Also have a line on a '78 400 Hawk Hondamatic with less than 11,000 miles, but it seems to have a good deal less HP.

[tmht]

Aside from the regular warning signs of neglect... The only things I know of to look for on the 400 is the cam chain tensioner, and rust around the sidestand tab. If the price is right, get it. There are plenty of parts available for reasonable prices and lots of great resources here on the board.

[cmorgan47]

The only things I know of to look for on the 400 is the cam chain tensioner, and rust around the sidestand tab.

ditto.  mine rusted off the other day.

not to sound rabid, but no question here. get the 400/4.  fast, fun, corners like a dream.  easy to find parts for, dead simple to work on.  makes a _sweet_ cafe.

expect to maybe replace battery(30), plugs(~10 each), and clean the carbs. 

[Tinker]

Sounds good.  Does the same advice apply if the other bike is a 72 model 500/4?  Rebuilt engine with 1000 miles on it, but been sitting for 4-5 years.

Definitely going to need carb cleaning.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Sounds good.  Does the same advice apply if the other bike is a 72 model 500/4?  Rebuilt engine with 1000 miles on it, but been sitting for 4-5 years.

Definitely going to need carb cleaning.

The 500 had clutch and gearbox issues and is a totaly different machine to the 400F.

[aptech77]

Watch out for (stock) cam chain issues on the 400F at 25K.