Topic: a couple of questions

[Manny]

Hi. My girlfriend recently acquired a 1976 CB400F in pretty good condition (and only 8800 miles!). It does have a couple of problems, though. Before I get into that, let me first ask if there is a resource that posts tech manuals for this bike in pdf or some such format?

First off: The bike acts as though it is running rich - "laying down" when pouring on the throttle, black plugs, etc. Oddly, though, it seems to run better when the choke is on a little.  I didn't find a FAQ listing the steps to tuning the carbs. Hopefully it is as simple as being new to the site and just needing to be pointed in the right direction to find instructions like this. On a related note - turning the carb adjustment screw in (clockwise) leans out the mixture, right?

Second: The starter worked great.....until this morning. Now it won't even click the solenoid. I'm hoping that it's just a loose wire or solenoid problem, but can't get into the left engine cover to find out. The phillips head bolts are REALLY in there. Any tips on getting them out? Also, any tips on what might be wrong here? Could it actually be the switch? I couldn't get the control off of the handlebar because the wires are routed inside the bar and everything was pretty tight in there. I don't want to go Rambo on it and end up breaking something hard to replace.

Third: The front brake is real squishy. Is this kinda par for this vintage of bike or should I spend the time to flush and bleed the lines?

Fourth: The air filter is pretty oily. I believe that it is the original filter. Can it be cleaned or does it have to be replaced? I'm guessing "replaced" as it is paper, but that begs the question: where do I get a new one? None of the local shops can find one. How adversely does a high oil level affect the air filter and running of the bike? I seem to see a lot of oil vapor coming from the crankcase breather into the air filter. Also, has anyone put pod filters on one of these bikes? How well did it go? I did it on my Ducati and after lots of playing with the Power Commander thingy it runs pretty well, but I've never done it on an old carby before.

Fifth (and final for tonight, I promise): There is a rather rattley racket coming from the heads that tends to subside when the bike warms up. It sounds so loud that i have to look twice to make sure it's not my Ducati.  Again, is this normal or do I have a tappet job ahead of me?

Thanks for all of your help and patience with the new guy questions.

[Manny]

Ok, scratch the question about getting a new air filter. About 30 seconds after I posted that I found a link that says that I can order it from Chattanooga TN.

Doh.

[Tim.]

Congrats on the new bike.

First: get the Honda Service Manual for carb tuning and search this forum.  Get a carb sync tool for 4 carbs.

Second: starter solenoid is under the left sidecover (I think - 400 might be different than the 550 but I doubt it).  check your fuses while you're in there.  get an impact driver for those phillips screws and get yourself a bunch of stainless allan bolts to replace them with.

Third: flush and bleed

Fourth: might have a recycling of blowby gasses from the cylinder head - is there a tube running from the head to the bottom of the airfilter box?

Fifth: normal cam chain noise, but adjust the tensioner and check your tappets - 20 minute job.

Most important is getting your Honda Service Manual and Parts Manuals.

[Manny]

Thanks. Can I just order the manual right from Honda? The local Honda shop that I went to had no info for this bike. The guy looked at me with a look that said, "You want me to care about a bike that's older than I am?" Is the Honda manual better than, say, a Clymer's or something?

I'm pretty sure that the tube you mention is there - from the head to the air filter box. It's dark and rainy outside and I'll check it tomorrow. There seemed to be a lot of gases to be blowby, unless the rings are completely hosed. I'll mess with it soon and do some more searching on this board and see what I find. Thanks again.

[oldbiker]

You can download a manual from  http://users.fulladsl.be/spb2854/index.htm

[bryanj]

I can do you a copy of a cd I bought that has the manual and parts book on it and i will try and find the us address i bought it from. email me direct