Topic: CB400 Four, version 9.0 for ME I flip for 400 fours

[MoMo]

I use an old tire iron(after heating the fork leg) and rest it another iron or a screwdriver that sits atop the fork leg. Slowly pry around the circumference.  I broke a lower leg once when I rested the iron on the leg so I put something between the leg and iron.  I'll post a photo if you'd like...

[grcamna2]

I use an old tire iron(after heating the fork leg) and rest it another iron or a screwdriver that sits atop the fork leg. Slowly pry around the circumference.  I broke a lower leg once when I rested the iron on the leg so I put something between the leg and iron.  I'll post a photo if you'd like...

Thanks Larry,I needed that info. 

[NobleHops]

Those 400s use the old style seals including a metal ring - and they can be a real PITA to extract. Heat the area and spray a ring of WD40 around the edge of the seal and you will see it get wicked between the seal and leg. Heat it again and when you hear popping sounds the seal is going to be a lot easier to remove.

[MoMo]

Rear end is cleaning up nicely.   I'd post more photos but photobucket does not work. Hopefully, it is temporary as most all  my bike photos are stored there

[grcamna2]

Looks good for orig. paint Larry  ,are those the shocks you cleaned and rebuilt?

[MoMo]

Looks good for orig. paint Larry  ,are those the shocks you cleaned and rebuilt?

original paint but spot touched up using a high quality sable brush and Rustoleum satin black.  It is the same technique I used on the Yamaha DS6 I restored.  Shocks were taken apart and cleaned, not rebuildable but dampening seemed to be fine so I'll give them a shot as is.  Plan is to keep the bike.

[MoMo]

There has not been one thing on this 400 that wasn't butchered by a PO. Every nut and bolt was loose.  I thought I needed swing arm bushings because when I grabbed the rear wheel I was able to move it side to side, so I ordered swing arm bearings-when I took the swing arm off the nut was loose. 

How about this repair?


Inside of the housing, I keep the innards of old beat up turn signals so I can transfer to a good cosmetic housing with bad sockets.


How about this chain adjuster repair?  Looks as though someone fabricated a replacement stop-original is to the right.  Nut and bolt on the adjuster are American threads.  I happened to have a spare adjuster laying around.

[MoMo]

Plan is to try and keep the budget under 1000 including purchase price, which was too much(450). That plus 40 for the motor case repair and 110 for tires has current expenditures at 600.  Battery, air filter and paint still needed. I hopefully have anything else needed( a sweep the floor project )....Larry

[grcamna2]

Plan is to try and keep the budget under 1000 including purchase price, which was too much(450). That plus 40 for the motor case repair and 110 for tires has current expenditures at 600.  Battery, air filter and paint still needed. I hopefully have anything else needed( a sweep the floor project )....Larry

I'm glad you decided to keep a 400/4 

[MoMo]

Went out to the shop with an 11 bullet list of things I wanted to accomplish on the latest 400, managed to do all but one-and that was finding replacement handlebar switches.  The left is good but the right had been just a little bit butchered by a PO. Guess I'll be adding a switch into the budget.


Rebuilt the MC but the caliper has a broken easy out in the bleed hole so that'll be added.  Looks like my 1k goal is going to be topped . Other than the distorted rubber the MC was  clean-even the little hole was clear.


My rear end is finished . Everytime I get a colonoscopy I feel that it is




Most parts for the front end are finished and drying,  I'll need handlebars, right switch and front caliper to have a chassis ready for the motor.  Plan is to have a rolling chassis, then finish the motor.  Antique title/tags applied for and should be here in a couple weeks.  Cheers...Larry

[grcamna2]

lol     Good progress Larry,even the back-end of your bike is clean.. 

[RAFster122s]

He used Charmin, because everyone has to go...

MoMo, the PO must have really hated that bike to do all the damage to it. At least now it has a good home with someone who will show it some love.

The CX500 crowd has been using a very inexpensive round MC supplier from ebay that sells them for like $20 last time I looked and they were of surprising good quality and have been durable with no failures.  Shall I dig up the ebay seller name for you?

David

[MoMo]

He used Charmin, because everyone has to go...

MoMo, the PO must have really hated that bike to do all the damage to it. At least now it has a good home with someone who will show it some love.

The CX500 crowd has been using a very inexpensive round MC supplier from ebay that sells them for like $20 last time I looked and they were of surprising good quality and have been durable with no failures.  Shall I dig up the ebay seller name for you?

David

Thanks David but it is the caliper-most likely a broken easy out down inside the bleeder hole.  I've used inexpensive(cheap) master cylinders that worked well. Unfortunately, a caliper from DSS is over $150. I may have an alternative plan but will have to do some research.

[MoMo]

I have a functional brake arm and caliper that is maybe a half inch longer than stock.  Plan is to check fitment after taking wheel and fender back off.  If it is doable I'll have to run the bike without the front fender bracket...Larry

[grcamna2]

I have a functional brake arm and caliper that is maybe a half inch longer than stock.  Plan is to check fitment after taking wheel and fender back off.  If it is doable I'll have to run the bike without the front fender bracket...Larry

Larry,
What is that caliper and brake arm from orig.? pics ?

[MoMo]

I have a functional brake arm and caliper that is maybe a half inch longer than stock.  Plan is to check fitment after taking wheel and fender back off.  If it is doable I'll have to run the bike without the front fender bracket...Larry

Larry,
What is that caliper and brake arm from orig.? pics ?

No idea, possibly a 1973 Cb350G.  I'll take photos later-on my way to work now...Larry

[grcamna2]

I have a functional brake arm and caliper that is maybe a half inch longer than stock.  Plan is to check fitment after taking wheel and fender back off.  If it is doable I'll have to run the bike without the front fender bracket...Larry

Larry,
What is that caliper and brake arm from orig.? pics ?

No idea, possibly a 1973 Cb350G.  I'll take photos later-on my way to work now...Larry

Could be maybe a swap to a CB400F caliper bracket ?

[Cityscapedview]

Great progress.
 
I am excited to see how the engine performs when she is all put together and done.

[MoMo]

I have a functional brake arm and caliper that is maybe a half inch longer than stock.  Plan is to check fitment after taking wheel and fender back off.  If it is doable I'll have to run the bike without the front fender bracket...Larry

Larry,
What is that caliper and brake arm from orig.? pics ?

No idea, possibly a 1973 Cb350G.  I'll take photos later-on my way to work now...Larry

Could be maybe a swap to a CB400F caliper bracket ?

Can't be swapped as the spacing between mounting holes is different.  I probably won't get a chance to test fit until Tuesday. I'll mount it and post some photos.

Great progress.
 
I am excited to see how the engine performs when she is all put together and done.

Me too.  It'll be  a real piecemeal adventure...Larry

[RAFster122s]

Would the 550 have the same mounting? (Answer yes...see below)
HARRISLUV has been known to have good luck removing ezouts and fitting them w
ith a brass insert threaded for a new bleede
r. Maybe drop him a line and send him some pics. Could save you buying another. 

The piston side aftermarket 550 caliper from DSS is $61...if it would fit, that would get you a new caliper body. The 500/550/400f all use the same caliper, DSS is currently out of stock on the aftermarket caliper body.

[MoMo]

Would the 550 have the same mounting?
HARRISLUV has been known to have good luck removing ezouts and fitting them w
ith a brass insert threaded for a new bleede
r. Maybe drop him a line and send him some pics. Could save you buying another.  The piston side aftermarket 550 caliper from DSS is $70...if it would fit, that would get you a new caliper body.

thanks David,  I'll know more once I have an opportunity to mount the extra caliper.  Regards...Larry

[MoMo]

Was  able to get the bike to the state of clean, movable rolling chassis






The extra front brake caliper mounted but as you can see from the photo it does not sit low enough.  It'll work for a rolling chassis until I can find another caliper.  Also, as I thought the front fender bracket had to be removed

[grcamna2]

I'm curious what that caliper is meant to fit? Will you be keeping the meter housings and headlight case silver Larry ?

[strynboen]

you can do somthing like this

[MoMo]

I'm curious what that caliper is meant to fit? Will you be keeping the meter housings and headlight case silver Larry ?

Yes, silver is the plan as of the moment.   Silver, low sheen black and red for the entire color scheme to match a Hondaline jacket I have.   I am fairly certain the caliper is from a 1973 CB350G-but the memory has a tendency to go to the foggy side the older I get. I put spare parts in boxes(for example, I have one box with nothing but calipers, another with master cylinders, etc) but do not label where the part came  from

a previous use of silver gauages