Topic: A 76 and 77 CB400F'n honda! update from the dustbin.

[Don R]

 She's a wee bit crusty but should clean up nice. You gotta believe.

 Update--- This poor bike was left on it's side in the yard more often than it was put away. I didn't keep it but learned a lot while restoring it to running/decent condition and gave what should have been a parts bike a new lease on life.

[Don R]

 I spilled Avon skin so soft all over it when I intended to wipe the seat with it. Sure makes the tank and seat look nice in the picture.

She has compression,  the carbs were off but the engine was sealed at the intakes with plastic tape. The slides were stuck but it doesn't look like the po got in there.  I'm thinking mild cafe, no cutting or welding. Maybe a modified stock seat pan,  the fenders aren't so great.
 I think sometimes a bike will tell you what it needs as you go. I'd love to put some carbon fiber parts on it. The wheels are nice, spokes not so much. #1 pipe is a little rusty but it comes off the header. It crossed my mind to put this front end and tank on my drag bike then part her out. But I think it deserves another shot.

[Don R]

 W0W I just checked service honda.com, it looks like this pup might have to run on pods or maybe boil up some oil of wintergreen for the rubber parts. That's a crazy looking air filter setup.

[MoMo]

W0W I just checked service honda.com, it looks like this pup might have to run on pods or maybe boil up some oil of wintergreen for the rubber parts. That's a crazy looking air filter setup.

Don, I may have a complete spare air box.  I put pods on one of the 400s I built-it ran so poor I immediately took them off and put the stock air box set up, ran like a top....Larry

[Don R]

Good info Larry, There are so many air box parts I'm not sure how much of it I have, the loose parts were in a box.
 It looks like I'm making a clutch cable adjuster, it's missing with the cable and discontinued. Maybe one from another size bike would fit. The hole seems to be 10mm and threaded so I have a bolt lined up for my buddy to drill and trim on the lathe. i'll try a 750 one too.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

What do you know about that exhaust? It's not stock is it? Thought the stock pipes are curved right off the head. Actually looks like a 750F collector??

[Don R]

I'm not sure Jerry, it's loose as heck, the aftermarket muffler (mac?) is welded on and there's no hanger. It looks like a pipe welder did the job, there's a nice weave cover pass.
 I checked out Cone stainless mufflers last night. I could make some mufflers but the component cost is pretty high.
 I have a 75 and 77 F headers to compare to, I'll check it out.

[Don R]

The inside of the carbs looks better than the outside. I went through them and carb cleaner seems to flow through all the passages. The bowls weren't too bad, I think the po removed them because the slides on the center carbs were stuck.

[MoMo]

The inside of the carbs looks better than the outside. I went through them and carb cleaner seems to flow through all the passages. The bowls weren't too bad, I think the po removed them because the slides on the center carbs were stuck.

Take the emulsion tubes out to check Don?

[thirsty 1]

I have a stock header pipe if you want it? It's not in great shape but it's solid - no rusty holes in it. It'd be a wrap job for sure. Say 20 bucks for shipping this odd shaped thing and it's yours for free.  get it out of my garage  . I'd take better pics but I'm re-wiring my garage and the lights don't work. Lol.

[Don R]

[quote author

Take the emulsion tubes out to check Don?
[/quote]

 I'm skeered the main jets won't stay in if I take them out, are they o ringed?  The pilot jets were very clean. 
 The outer slides are higher than the center slides. The thread left above the lock nut is higher too. Almost like it's always been that way. The outers are kind of springy up and down.

[faux fiddy]

I have a stock header pipe if you want it? It's not in great shape but it's solid - no rusty holes in it. It'd be a wrap job for sure. Say 20 bucks for shipping this odd shaped thing and it's yours for free.  get it out of my garage  . I'd take better pics but I'm re-wiring my garage and the lights don't work. Lol.

Uhhh, if he don't want it I'll put it in my garage.

[Don R]

Thirsty, thanks that's a generous offer and I'm tempted but I think mine are going to be OK, the chrome is good except #1. I'm on a campaign to empty my garage so we have room to rebuild an alky funny car this winter.
  It's hard for a guy who's parents were in the depression and war rationing. We saved everything, although it was neatly stored.  8 new spark plugs in the engine = 8 old ones in the boxes. LOL.   

[MoMo]

[quote author

Take the emulsion tubes out to check Don?

 I'm skeered the main jets won't stay in if I take them out, are they o ringed?  The pilot jets were very clean. 
 The outer slides are higher than the center slides. The thread left above the lock nut is higher too. Almost like it's always been that way. The outers are kind of springy up and down.
[/quote]




The main jets are held in by the big spring, in order to remove the emulsion tubes the top caps and slides need to be removed. Every 400(at least 10) worked on that has sat for  awhile with gas has had clogged tubes.   there was a forum member who posted a way to remove the tubes without removing the slides ....Larry

[Don R]

Ok, thanks, it seems I have some learning to do. I think I lucked out and this one was ran out of gas, the tank looks like new inside and only a little staining in the bowls. I need to find and download a manual too.

[thirsty 1]

I have a stock header pipe if you want it? It's not in great shape but it's solid - no rusty holes in it. It'd be a wrap job for sure. Say 20 bucks for shipping this odd shaped thing and it's yours for free.  get it out of my garage  . I'd take better pics but I'm re-wiring my garage and the lights don't work. Lol.

Uhhh, if he don't want it I'll put it in my garage.

Pm me your address and I'll check a shipping price.

[Don R]

 You guys are the best. Good deal Thirsty.

 I made an offer on a fender and bought a seat cover tonight. I'm going to cut down the foam in front and stretch it down. She's gotta be yellow, I like the color and the stripes on it.

[Don R]

It appears it's the 77 yellow tank I like.
http://www.cbdecals.afegraphics.com/view_product.php?adminshopping=&product=77cb400fYL-FullKit-H2326

[MoMo]

Go yellow 

[Don R]

Mine has the black sidecovers, I think yellow on those too once I get a good right side. New grommets too. I ordered a clutch cable at my local mom and pop bike shop. It costs more and I have to drive 30 miles but it's usually worth the trip just in information. I know they have gas tanks in the attic next door. ;')

 I don't have the adjuster. I might need to modify a 750 adjuster to fit or make one from a 10mm bolt.

[ewanhughes]

One more for the "go yellow" brigade. 
My one's an F2 model, still love the Parakeet yellow though!

[ewanhughes]

W0W I just checked service honda.com, it looks like this pup might have to run on pods or maybe boil up some oil of wintergreen for the rubber parts. That's a crazy looking air filter setup.

In my experience I would persevere with the airbox rather than the pods.  Like Larry's, my bike had pods on it when i got it but going back to the airbox/filter stock set up it ran a hundred times better.  Also using wintergreen on the rubbers does work, just make sure you boil them up in the garage or outside! (my wife didn't appreciate the lovely smell that lingered for weeks.  )
ps. you can also look forward to many skinned knuckles and swear words when you're re-fitting the air box to the carbs!
Have fun!

[bjbuchanan]

These 400 tanks hold up better, must have had a better coating inside from the factory or something. They always look immaculate for the most part

I have used a chop stick and leverage to remove the emulsion tubes from carbs. Stick the chopstick in the throat and press down and pray lol. I used taped up pliers to lever it down but they come out.

[Don R]

One more for the "go yellow" brigade. 
My one's an F2 model, still love the Parakeet yellow though!

Nice, I've got to take time to look for the manual. These carbs have a linkage like nothing I've ever seen.

[thirsty 1]

http://www.sohc4.net/cb400-manuals/

http://www.sohc4.net/cb400/