Topic: RE: Latest Score 1975 CB400F

[chewbacca5000]

Hey Guy check out my latest score, a CB400f.  Last on the road in 2010.  It runs ok minus the cam chain noise and valve cover that leaks a bit.  Not really sure what to do with this one.  Since the bike has 50,000 miles I am thinking of transferring all the shiny stuff over to my project with 10,000 miles.  Then selling the rest.  Either whole or parts.

My goal is to get the low mile bike running good.  The only thing that bums me out a bit is that the title has a lean on it since the original owner never submitted the lean release to the DMV.  He then sold it to the 2nd owner who was able to successfully register it and title the bike in his name with no problems.  He tried to get the lien removed, but Keybank said they have no record of the loan.  So it will always have this lien stain on the title.

Should I really let this bother me as I am confident I can get it titled in my name.  Also how big of a deal is it to do a new cam chain and tensioner on this bike?

[Stev-o]

Looks good Chewy.....love that sexy swooping header.

[chewbacca5000]

Looks good Chewy.....love that sexy swooping header.

Yeah,  she is a good looker alright.  You can tell she is high class as she spent her whole life drinking GN4.  Drove her around the school, and you were right lots different that a CB750.  Very different feel.  Jury is still out if I am a 400f man or not.

[Stev-o]

Looks good Chewy.....love that sexy swooping header.

Yeah,  she is a good looker alright.  You can tell she is high class as she spent her whole life drinking GN4.  Drove her around the school, and you were right lots different that a CB750.  Very different feel.  Jury is still out if I am a 400f man or not.

I bet it's similar to my RD350, a bike that is fun to ride around town for an hour or so. Not for a day trip out to the Finger Lakes...

[chewbacca5000]

Looks good Chewy.....love that sexy swooping header.

Yeah,  she is a good looker alright.  You can tell she is high class as she spent her whole life drinking GN4.  Drove her around the school, and you were right lots different that a CB750.  Very different feel.  Jury is still out if I am a 400f man or not.

I bet it's similar to my RD350, a bike that is fun to ride around town for an hour or so. Not for a day trip out to the Finger Lakes...

Yeah you might be right about that one.  I wanted a 400f and now I will have one complete runner so we'll see.

[MoMo]

Last 400f I saw that had that many miles sounded awful, what with all the cam chain noise slapping inside the motor.  Hope yours doesn't sound that bad.  I got it running for the owner and he flipped it, made a couple hundred in a month or so.  One piece cam chain requires total motor disassembly.  You will most likely need all guides, tensioners and cam chain or you can run it till it snaps and takes out a couple valves-had that happen recently with a 350 twin...Larry

[chewbacca5000]

Last 400f I saw that had that many miles sounded awful, what with all the cam chain noise slapping inside the motor.  Hope yours doesn't sound that bad.  I got it running for the owner and he flipped it, made a couple hundred in a month or so.  One piece cam chain requires total motor disassembly.  You will most likely need all guides, tensioners and cam chain or you can run it till it snaps and takes out a couple valves-had that happen recently with a 350 twin...Larry

I hear what your saying.  Sounds pretty bad.  Just rode it around the school parking lot.  Kinda sounded a bit like a McCullough chainsaw lol!  Might try adjusting or might just turn around and sell whatever I don't use. 

You in the market for another project?  I am sure with your mad CB400f skills you could breath new life into this engine.

[Stev-o]

Larry is the 400 Master but seems to have retired and rides around on his Power Cart!

[MoMo]

Larry is the 400 Master but seems to have retired and rides around on his Power Cart!

And I also have a VW Golf to go along with my HOnda PC golf cart .  And to top it all off a 1984 HOnda Sabre, wish I had the Hondaline fairing and bags for it . It is my ride of choice these days.
  I am spending most all my time working on the house and barn, maybe one of these days I'll get back to the 400f, before that though I have a restoration of a 1971 CT90 to complete for a customer.  Also, sold one of my spare 750s to a member and giving him a hand getting it back in running condition..  G'day...Larry

[MoMo]

Last 400f I saw that had that many miles sounded awful, what with all the cam chain noise slapping inside the motor.  Hope yours doesn't sound that bad.  I got it running for the owner and he flipped it, made a couple hundred in a month or so.  One piece cam chain requires total motor disassembly.  You will most likely need all guides, tensioners and cam chain or you can run it till it snaps and takes out a couple valves-had that happen recently with a 350 twin...Larry

I hear what your saying.  Sounds pretty bad.  Just rode it around the school parking lot.  Kinda sounded a bit like a McCullough chainsaw lol!  Might try adjusting or might just turn around and sell whatever I don't use. 

You in the market for another project?  I am sure with your mad CB400f skills you could breath new life into this engine.

Not in the market for any bikes at this moment, actually have sold off several.  Kind of burnt out a bit from working on bikes but spending most all free time house and barn/shop renovating. That bike will most likely need total cam chain drive replacement .  Motor is easy to get in and out(still can lift one out and in at 67) and fairly straightforward to repair but quite costly for the parts. Forget what estimate I gave the owner of the 50k 400 but it was not worth it for him to repair so he flipped it.  400 is fun to ride but if you are 6' or over it is cramped.  I'm 5'7" 170ish and did ride one from Philly to NH in my younger days-it was tough on the butt to say the least...Larry

[chewbacca5000]

Thanks Larry,

Looks like the parts would be around $200 bucks does that sound about right?

http://4into1.com/ttr400-heavy-duty-aluminum-cam-chain-tensioner-cb350f-cb400f/

[goldarrow]

chew, what year is that 50k miles motor?

[chewbacca5000]

chew, what year is that 50k miles motor?

It is a 75.  I looked at it this morning it the cam chain tensioner bolt had no tools on which leads me to believe it was never used!

It does run, but like Larry said is gonna require some dough.  The clutch cover has some nice epoxy on it.

[goldarrow]

I have a 75 bare frame if you can use it

[chewbacca5000]

I have a 75 bare frame if you can use it

Thanks GW much appreciated.  Not sure I am going to do anything at all with this bike other than recover the shiny parts and transfer them to my lower mileage bike.

-Kyle

[MoMo]

Thanks Larry,

Looks like the parts would be around $200 bucks does that sound about right?

http://4into1.com/ttr400-heavy-duty-aluminum-cam-chain-tensioner-cb350f-cb400f/

You most likely would need all those parts-looks closer to 250 than 200.   Have you attempted to adjust the chain?

[chewbacca5000]

Thanks Larry,

Looks like the parts would be around $200 bucks does that sound about right?

http://4into1.com/ttr400-heavy-duty-aluminum-cam-chain-tensioner-cb350f-cb400f/

You most likely would need all those parts-looks closer to 250 than 200.   Have you attempted to adjust the chain?

Good point Larry kinda jumped the gun thinking it was broke.  Took a look at it today and cam chain tensioner bolt is intact with no tool marks.  Looks like it has never been used!

[Bankerdanny]

In Illinois if there is a lien on a vehicle the title is sent to the bank to hold. As an owner I can request a copy be sent to me, but it will say "duplicate" on it. For a bank to release the lien there is a place, on the front I think, where someone signs on behalf of the bank.

If your title doesn't indicate that it is a duplicate, what probably happened is the PO got it from the bank when the loan was paid off, but they neglected to sign it. You should be able to basically sign any name you want and have the title reissued without the bank lien showing. I promise you the drone at the DMV won't be calling the bank to verify.

[hoodellyhoo]

Do a forum search for 350/400f cam chain adjustment.

I'm working on the same bike with similar mileage (42k) that's in worse shape. I was able to adjust the rattle out of the cam chain with the screwdriver method. In my experience, once you break the tensioner free it moves just fine. When I first did my 350 I was able to break it free just pushing with a screwdriver, but on this 400 I needed a couple taps with a hammer to loosen things up. Runs quiet now.

[chewbacca5000]

Do a forum search for 350/400f cam chain adjustment.

I'm working on the same bike with similar mileage (42k) that's in worse shape. I was able to adjust the rattle out of the cam chain with the screwdriver method. In my experience, once you break the tensioner free it moves just fine. When I first did my 350 I was able to break it free just pushing with a screwdriver, but on this 400 I needed a couple taps with a hammer to loosen things up. Runs quiet now.

Thanks for the tip.  Will see what I can dig up on a search.  Do you remove the adjuster bolt and insert a screw driver and give it a couple taps to free it?  Where do you put the screwdriver?

[chewbacca5000]

I have a 75 bare frame if you can use it

Does that frame have a title?

[goldarrow]

I have a 75 bare frame if you can use it

Does that frame have a title?

No title.  In my tiny little town, title is fairly easy to get

[chewbacca5000]

I have a 75 bare frame if you can use it

Does that frame have a title?

No title.  In my tiny little town, title is fairly easy to get

Nice!  Guess what guy texted me said he has the lean release!  Said had to pay the bank a $50 to get it though.  So that makes my day.  Have parts engine and tank and sides for my low mileage bike are getting new varnish blue.

[hoodellyhoo]

Do a forum search for 350/400f cam chain adjustment.

I'm working on the same bike with similar mileage (42k) that's in worse shape. I was able to adjust the rattle out of the cam chain with the screwdriver method. In my experience, once you break the tensioner free it moves just fine. When I first did my 350 I was able to break it free just pushing with a screwdriver, but on this 400 I needed a couple taps with a hammer to loosen things up. Runs quiet now.

Thanks for the tip.  Will see what I can dig up on a search.  Do you remove the adjuster bolt and insert a screw driver and give it a couple taps to free it?  Where do you put the screwdriver?

You remove the bolt above the oil filter and that's where you put the screwdriver. Loosen the adjuster bolt (below the oil filter) and press down with the engine running. You'll hear when the chain is getting proper tension. One of these days I'll have to make a youtube video of it. Been meaning to do that for years

[Stev-o]

I have a 75 bare frame if you can use it

Does that frame have a title?

 In my tiny little town, title is fairly easy to get

How many times have we heard a seller say that?  If it's so easy, why don't they do it?!

[chewbacca5000]

Do a forum search for 350/400f cam chain adjustment.

I'm working on the same bike with similar mileage (42k) that's in worse shape. I was able to adjust the rattle out of the cam chain with the screwdriver method. In my experience, once you break the tensioner free it moves just fine. When I first did my 350 I was able to break it free just pushing with a screwdriver, but on this 400 I needed a couple taps with a hammer to loosen things up. Runs quiet now.

Is this the bolt that needs to be removed for the screwdriver trick?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v5PYRt5j_EQ/TIPuiA9ovBI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8ccZJgzRcEE/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg

Thanks for the tip.  Will see what I can dig up on a search.  Do you remove the adjuster bolt and insert a screw driver and give it a couple taps to free it?  Where do you put the screwdriver?

You remove the bolt above the oil filter and that's where you put the screwdriver. Loosen the adjuster bolt (below the oil filter) and press down with the engine running. You'll hear when the chain is getting proper tension. One of these days I'll have to make a youtube video of it. Been meaning to do that for years

[chewbacca5000]

Operation cham chain adjustment success!!!  Nice and quiet now.  Sound good.  Thanks for the help guys.  Lien release will be had soon, and cam chain adjusted Wahooo!

[Stev-o]

WooHoo!!

[chewbacca5000]

WooHoo!!

Mee Likee!  Now all to do is throw away the fenders and other stock parts and it will double in value!

[goldarrow]

You can sell your motor if you don't want my frame

[chewbacca5000]

You can sell your motor if you don't want my frame

Think I will give it a tune up and put her on the road!

[chewbacca5000]

You can sell your motor if you don't want my frame

Hey GW I got the lean release today!  Have all paper work to title free and clear.  Much thanks to the seller for doing some extra legwork with the bank.

[Stev-o]

Good news Chewy.  Have you been riding it?

[chewbacca5000]

Good news Chewy.  Have you been riding it?

Just around the parking lot at the school.  Haven't fully decided what I want to do with it.  Have all papers open so I could sell it if I want to.  Seller left buy section of bill of sale and title open.  Always nice not having to spend the cash on paperwork if you don't have to.  NY takes weeks to get a title back.