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

[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

[MoMo]

you can do somthing like this

Could if I had machinist ability, which I don't.  That looks like a good fix SB

[strynboen]

have seen them as repareir kit. somvhere.?? you just drill and tap the hole..and put the rep part inn..glue it vith lockteit(it holds the brakefluid) i have testet it for some years..to be total shure it dont softens up..but its better make a kobber disc teighting.modd it a bit

[MoMo]

Just researched the part number for a 400F and 350G-both have the same part number for caliper so I really have no idea what bike it is from.

have seen them as repareir kit. somvhere.?? you just drill and tap the hole..and put the rep part inn..glue it vith lockteit(it holds the brakefluid) i have testet it for some years..to be total shure it dont softens up..but its better make a kobber disc teighting.modd it a bit

If you ever see the source please send me the link SB.  Thanks for the info...Larry

[RAFster122s]

A set of diamond coated bits for die grinder or dremel migh be able to cut through the ezout. Getting it out is needed before it can be drilled. I have used them before to do this. Shall I send you a bunch of them?

Find out what Harrisluv charges for the caliper repair? It might be affordable.
David

[MoMo]

A set of diamond coated bits for die grinder or dremel migh be able to cut through the ezout. Getting it out is needed before it can be drilled. I have used them before to do this. Shall I send you a bunch of them?

Find out what Harrisluv charges for the caliper repair? It might be affordable.
David

I have another caliper lined up.  When I get it  I'll check condition.  At some point I might try to repair the one I have but I believe it to be close to the end.  Thanks for the offer David...Larry

[MoMo]

Couple more photos of the finished front.








Tank will not be yellow, just put on for photos.  Time to start on motor.++


Needs:

front brake caliper
r/h switch


Budget:

bike  450
tires plus tubes  110
welding 40
cylinder sleeve 25
Paint 10

[RAFster122s]

I wonder if the paint was either of the Rustoeum yellow spray paints or from can thinned? My 550 tank was donethat way by PO. It is going to be resprayed after it is put back on road and sorted.

I like the silver gauges. Will look good with cream or white.  Yellow bikes look good with chrome I think.

[MoMo]

I wonder if the paint was either of the Rustoeum yellow spray paints or from can thinned? My 550 tank was donethat way by PO. It is going to be resprayed after it is put back on road and sorted.

I like the silver gauges. Will look good with cream or white.  Yellow bikes look good with chrome I think.

One scheme in my mind is silver and  black like the Raiders.   Original underlying paint is red.   May take you up on the bit offer...Larry

[RAFster122s]

Raiders fans are a loyal lot. It could make an interesting scheme...look forward to your interpretation.

[MoMo]

Update:  I cleaned the head, lapped the valves and installed new valve guide seals and then  sent the head to a local machinist to have a helicoil inserted in cylinder 4. I figured it would be cheaper to pay him $20 than buy the necessary stuff to helicoil.


Confucius say clean head better than dirty head(not sure exactly what he was referring to)



Still not sure of color scheme, but I am leaning towards a scheme similar to the bold colors in my riding jacket


Better to look fast than be fast(and red always makes a bike go faster)...Larry

[RAFster122s]

You could do  wing decals on the tank with a furling checkered trail coming off the logo's wing behind the wing.
nice jacket!

[MoMo]

No photos but carb cleaning started last night and rebuild kits ordered(won't use pilot jets, needle and air screw) will have to use main jets, gaskets, float needles and seats as mains and floats were too buggered up for reuse. 20 for helicoil, 60 for carb kits bring total so far to $715.  I found a Honda lower end gasket kit in my stash tonight  and already had  found a top end kit.  Still need right switch and caliper-friend is sending me those items but he is not sure if they are correct for the bike.  Also, need O-rings for the fuel connectors, a muffler, battery, air filter, chain.  thanks for following along...Larry

[Stev-o]

I'm following Larry, just haven't commented. Good to see you back at it!

[MoMo]

I'm following Larry, just haven't commented. Good to see you back at it!

Don't have a great deal of time.  Redid carbs and miscellaneous other tasks to get an 81 650 Maxim back in shape for a customer this past couple days. Still working full time BTW ...Larry

[MoMo]

OH yeah,  got a call that the frame has been welded on The Pink Panther. All I'll need to do is order a new exhaust, remount the speedo(I don't wear one) and it should be ready for sale?auction

[MoMo]

These came in the mail the other day, 60 with free shipping.

The float bowl O-rings fit very well, sitting in there nice and tight without any super glue to hold them in place(usually have to do that with other brands).


couple before ultrasonic cleaning




If you ever worked on two strokes, this strap wrench was a mandatory tool to own.  This is a Bultaco tool.


these came in the mail the other day, switch had to be repaired and the caliper taken apart to clean.  BIG PROBLEM THOUGH.... after cleaning I set the caliper on the hood of my Cherokee to dry, I then drove off and the caliper is no where to be found.  I even walked the route I took but it is gone. So............................................I am back to square one on the front brake