Topic: Honda CB400f Classic racer-inspired Café

[BrooksNick]

Hey guys!

First post on this forum, so I'll introduce myself in short;
I'm a 21yr old graphic design student living in Antwerp, Belgium. Been working on motorcycles since 16, having had a Suzuki ZR50slk and Yamaha FS1 '76. (Honda was indeed missing in this list!) I gained a lot of mechanical knowledge by working on my FS1, and now I'm progressing to a bigger build. Since I have no 4stroke experience whatsoever; and these FS1 engines are toy engines compared to a four, I'll be needing your help! I tend to like writing so feel free to ignore my blabber and skip to the pictures!

Here's a picture of my (nearly finished, only brat saddle is missing) FS1:



So; I managed to find a Honda CB400f for 200 euros, with papers. I haven't had time to spend time on it yet, given I only got it today. It was a risk, but by first glimpse it seems promising; Carburators look ok, plenty of compression, everything still seems to work. I'm a bit busy this week but next week we're going to try to fire her up!

Here's a picture of me, with my satisfaction face, on the CB;
Yeah, satisfied I was.



Since I'm a student, and money don't grow on trees, I'm splitting this project up in 2 phases. 1st phase is just getting it on the road, reliable and safe. 2nd phase is ripping it apart and customizing it to something the likes of the photoshop mockup I did here;

(Before you ask, I'm well aware this isn't a CB, not even a Honda, just looked for something that resembles the look I'm aiming for)
My best friend is illustrator and I plan to let him use the bike as his canvas for drawing awesome #$%* on.
I'm well aware this is a love or hate style, but I want something that's special, and stands out from the rest. If I can manage that, I don't mind a few frowns here or there.

So here I'll be posting progress and questions; which I'll definitely have. I look forward to scouring this forum for CB knowledge and hearing your opinions!

[calj737]

Looks like fun. Be aware, the cam chain tensioner on these bikes can be a weak spot. There's a few really comprehensive builds on stock 400s with great documentation to help you along. Also, you can download manuals on this forum for free.

It is often recommended to follow the 3,000 mile service interval when getting a new bike. It will guide you through a complete inspection and tuning of the essential systems and get you in the way for a reliable and safe ride (until the Money tree sprouts leaves).

[BrooksNick]

Great! I was also wondering if there are other model-specific things I should pay attention to when working on it? I'll be working on it with a good friend of mine, who is mechanic so we should be fine, but would be nice to know some in advance

Edit: or is there a thread somewhete about this?


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[calj737]

Under the "Project" section, scroll back a few pages and look at the thread topics. Read through a handful of 400 threads. Nvr2old did a beauty last year and its pretty well documented. Also, there's a website www.ttr400.com for go fast goodies by Kevin Bidgood in South Africa. He's very knowledgeable about these machines too.

[knowsnothing]

Yes, as Cal said, go easy on the tensioner bolt.  They are a crap design and look beefier than they really are.  The 400f engine i picked up the PO had already sheared it off.  I tried to remove it, but it was stuck and had to be drilled, but the little piece at the bottom of the bolt would not come out which lead to his. 

[strynboen]

this small sohc often need a total top end re build..cam chain,, tensioner..rubberparts in the head..and valve steam sealings.. and kaburettor klean job..so often its easist to  do the engine job..and at same time Work at the frame..so vaiting for engine parts can be used to veld /klean the frame up...last job is elektric..
fork/brakes/ fenders is easy..use that for the bad rainy days....

but use glass fiber and make a skabelon to mold your ovn personly fairling..its a dust and dirt job

[BrooksNick]

So! Took the carburators apart for a quick look, they look really good. Just to make sure I'll give them a thorough cleaning, and then we'll try to start her up this weekend, so we have a better idea.



Now I'll be asking for advice. As graphic designer, I'm looking to creating something unique. I've been busy with the concept and I'm fairly sure I'll inspire it on Bard, a character from the game League Of Legends.

Bard is a mysterious being that travels the universe to collect magical trinkets. I liked that concept since I think we all travel to collect magical experiences. He does this in a really fast way, creating portals to quickly go trough anything. (So the speed is there as well) i also just really love the way he is designed.

Here's a pick of the old bugger;


And here's the base color mockup:

(I'm also just using a yamaha TZ350 as base since that'll be the look I'm going for)

It'll feature a bronze cirkle in front with 3 headlights (same pattern as his mask). The fairing shall be painted to have a beard-ish pattern. We're not sure what we'll do with the rest.

So now I'm wondering; how do you guys like this idea?



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[calj737]

I'd like it very much if you fully disassemble the internals of your carburetors and properly and comprehensively clean them. Do not rely on your eyes while they're assembled. The orifices within these carbs are extremely small, and demand absolute cleanliness.

As for your graphic ideology, I doubt anyone can ever see what you're "thinking" until more of it comes to pass. Creativity is best left to the artist, and design by unanimous consent leads to compromise. Pursue your ideas and execute them to your best level. They will be appreciated by those that appreciate design, and dispatched by those who are purists.

[BrooksNick]

I'd like it very much if you fully disassemble the internals of your carburetors and properly and comprehensively clean them. Do not rely on your eyes while they're assembled. The orifices within these carbs are extremely small, and demand absolute cleanliness.

That's the plan calj737. They'll be completely taken apart and cleaned before trying to start her up. I had dirty carbs when I bought my FS1, was really unexperienced then and just cleaned it out really quick. Learnt my lesson there! I just expected the internals to be more dirty given the rest of the bike is in less good shape. As for your opinion on the graphic ideology, amen!

[bwaller]

Looks more like TR3...