Topic: Tom's 400/4 Refurb begins.......

[MadDogMcq]

I think I must be crazy, cos I've just bought a 400/4 to refurb even though the garage is already full to brimming and I've still got plenty to do on the CB750! Still, the 400/4 has always been my favourite Honda of all time and I couldn't resist either the bike or the challenge. 

The whole thing is gonna go at a   s-l-o-w  pace, but the strip down has started this very night. Updates will be posted regularly on my website.
 
http://www.mcqart.com/xj600/cb400.htm
 

[Mark M]

No don't go Blue - the Red ones are Faster .........a well known tuning tip, i learnt when i got my first Moped! 

I like the 550....I just sold a lovely F1 and regretted it before they buyer had it picked up. they realy don't get
the recognition they deserve. Thats why my K3 is becoming a hialwood rep, just couldn't get the money I wanted to part with it.
The bits I didn'tneed have made almost as much as I could get for the whole bike - MAD.

The VFR is nice too, I found they too a little getting used to due to the low weight reacting to the tiniest input, being 6'2" my frame exerts a lot
of leverage on it's frame making small movements things to be considered. Great fun once I got used to it though. They seem to be able tolean forever.

you lost me with the B EM though........even with the sportsbikes they leave me cold, appart from the realy old pre war outfits, but side cars are another weakness of mine.   

[MadDogMcq]

Hi Mark,
By the time I'd finished that 550, I was really proud of it. She looked stunning and it was a sad day when I sold her. The VFR was also a stunner. The paintwork was by a company called Dream Machines and boy was it good!! As for the Beemer, I just love it. It's a superb bike with more low-down grunt than you could shake a stick at. A real pleasure to ride and a total feeling of quality. (Not to mention that they're fast and can handle)!

[supersport_CB400F]

That 400/4 should keep you busy, my 400 took 3 years to bring back to life and it's not finished yet! I'll be going upto Rivi Barn from time to time, if you ever fancy a rideout when your bike's are finished let me know.
Oh and the Blue one's are the fast ones not the red. 

Dave

[bryanj]

Of course red ones are faster or why would they paint fire engines red?

[spitfire]

Glutton for punishment, I'm trying to complete the F1 but still keep straying into the F2.

Cheers

Den

[supersport_CB400F]

Of course red ones are faster or why would they paint fire engines red?

I thought everybody knew that fire engines are red because all the blue paint was being used for the faster blue 400/4's Bryan 

[MadDogMcq]

Hi Biifta.   I was wondering how far you'd gone with the restoration of your bike. I can't find the thread that "The Money Pit" points to.  Would love to see some  higher-res  photos of her. This one of mine is in a right old state cosmetically and I'm wondering whether its worth continuing. I'm in two minds about things - either do a quick spruce-up and get it back on the road, or strip it right down and really go to town on it over the next couple of years. Trouble is, I'm not a very patient man 

http://www.mcqart.com/xj600/cb400.htm
 
Tom

[supersport_CB400F]

Hi Biifta.   I was wondering how far you'd gone with the restoration of your bike. I can't find the thread that "The Money Pit" points to.  Would love to see some  higher-res  photos of her. This one of mine is in a right old state cosmetically and I'm wondering whether its worth continuing. I'm in two minds about things - either do a quick spruce-up and get it back on the road, or strip it right down and really go to town on it over the next couple of years. Trouble is, I'm not a very patient man 

http://www.mcqart.com/xj600/cb400.htm
 
Tom

Tom, my resto was supposed to be done in a year!   But you can only work as fast as you can find NOS parts; it took 2 years to find a tank! I decided when I started I would only use Genuine Honda NOS parts or the very best used parts if I couldn’t buy new, so you could probably do the job a lot quicker and cheaper if you used pattern/used parts it depends how you feel about the finished bike, I’m a fussy bugger it took me forever and a day to find a petrol pipe protector, but I just had to have one! Whatever you decide to do with your bike, if you need any help feel free to ask.


I have made 4 changes from the original 400/4, Dyna S coils and electronic ignition that stuff rocks! Rear shocks are by Koni they’re nice! Cibie H4 headlight, now I can see in the dark! Oh and the alloy wheels.

Dave

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/__biffta__/Imag0187.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/__biffta__/Imag0195.jpg

[bryanj]

Tom, without being silly, if you see a decent cam chain tensioner horeshoe adjuster GET IT as Honda has discontinued them! I have the 400 manual and parts book on a CD i bought from the US which is a Download of Honda 4Fun site (I think) so i will copy that for you and post it. Parts book is a NIGHTMARE as you get one big exploded diagram then page after page of numbers!
Cheers Bryan

[MadDogMcq]

Thanks Bryan, Dave!

Last night I removed for...

*PAINTING
     Tank & Side-Panels
 
*POLISHING/CHROMING
    P- Clutch Cover(s)
    P- Generator Cover
    P- Breather
    P- Rocker Cover
    P- Final-drive Cover
    P- Brake Hub Plate
    C- 4 Exhaust Clamps
    C- Brake Pedal
    C- Brake Actuating Lever

I also drained the oil and ATTEMPTED to remove the oil-filter but the bolt was already slightly rounded and is now COMPLETELY ROUNDED    Really not sure what next to try. The VERY last thing I want to happen is for the bolto to snap inside the engine casing (has this ever happened??).  Any tips on this?

And it was going so well 

Tom

[cben750f0]

if you can get the bolt off, buy a small set of stilsons, (plumbers wrench), and just get a good grip, and undo it, then buy another bolt, and torque it properly   

peace

[supersport_CB400F]

That bolt won’t snap, it will come out using various methods I’m sure all options will be put forward, but I’d just get hold of the thing with a set of mole grips with a couple of flats filed on the stump.


What colour will the bike be?

[Tim.]

Another option on the oil filter bolt if it's really bad is to grind off the end allowing the oil filter cover to slide off.  Then you can grip the entire thing with a pipe wrench and remove it.

Also, but this might not be an option, if the engine is warm, theoretically the aluminum engine case should expand more than the steel bolt and make things easier.

[spitfire]

Hit the bolt with a hammer a few time to jar the bolt, file down the bolt end, hammer on an 11mm socket and it will come off.

Cheers

Den

[MadDogMcq]

Okay guys, I'll try some of those tips on that darned bolt and see what happens. Thx.

And the colour of the new tank and side-panels Biffta?? - RED!  (Sorry mate)  I rang Honda and they confirmed that in all speed tests carried out between 1975 and 1976, the red bikes were consistently faster than the blues. They mentioned that the maroon coloured F2's were also faster than the yellows. Same thing applies (apparently) to the CB550 and the CB750 

Anyway, that engine-paint looks excellent!!! What is the product exactly?

[supersport_CB400F]

Bloody hell, the red may be faster if Honda says so! But it’s still a girlie colour, give me a blokes blue bike any day …..on a more serious note are you pimping your ride or restoring? If your plan is to restore to Honda spec? the outer engine casings are painted not polished, but polished looks nice I was tempted, but went for a paint job. 

[MadDogMcq]

So I'm a big girlie huh??   It's a "refurb" which I guess is inbetween a pimping and a full blown restoration 

If it had more than 11k on the engine, I'd be more inclined to strip the engine and have all the cases blasted and repainted/lacquered. But as it stands, I'm gonna leave well alone for now. I can always do that again in 2 or 3 years can't I?  I want to be having fun on the bike this coming Spring.

I guess it's gonna be to the same standard as the CB550 that I did last winter.....

Anyway, what paint product (exactly) did you use on yours ?  Now I've seen it even closer, it looks even better!

[MadDogMcq]

Hit the bolt with a hammer a few time to jar the bolt, file down the bolt end, hammer on an 11mm socket and it will come off. Cheers, Den

Did exactly that Den and off it came! Can't get the bloody socket off the bolt now 

Seriously though, I was very pleased to remove it with no damage. It was in a right sad state and has now been sent off for blasting. I'll get a replacement bolt from DS with a larger head (if they're still available.

Thanks again guys.

[MadDogMcq]

 
I'll be  "internet-silent"  over the weekend cos my kids have buggered-up my computer and I'd rather be in the garage fixing my bikes than fixing my PC, so hope y'all have a great weekend!!

[supersport_CB400F]

So I'm a big girlie huh??   It's a "refurb" which I guess is inbetween a pimping and a full blown restoration 

If it had more than 11k on the engine, I'd be more inclined to strip the engine and have all the cases blasted and repainted/lacquered. But as it stands, I'm gonna leave well alone for now. I can always do that again in 2 or 3 years can't I?  I want to be having fun on the bike this coming Spring.

I guess it's gonna be to the same standard as the CB550 that I did last winter.....

Anyway, what paint product (exactly) did you use on yours ?  Now I've seen it even closer, it looks even better!

If you fix your 400 up as nice as the 550 it should look the dog’s…. I used engine enamel it’s a very close colour match to the original it’s heat resistant to some stupid temp that if my engine gets that hot, it’s  not the paint I’ll be worrying about! Oh and it’s petrol resistant, don’t ask how I bloody know that!

[ttr400]

Thought I would bump this one up.
Biffta your 400 looks awsome and maddog that 550 is a gem, fantastic work to both of you.
I am also restoring a 400 (varnish Blue) so will be following your build closely.  I started to document my build on my website, but I still have a way to go.

Kevin

[Stormer]

Good luck and send news my friend!
I'm also restoring a 400 (see my avatar), almost DONE!!!!
And yes, the red and marrons RULES.

[supersport_CB400F]

Thought I would bump this one up.
Biffta your 400 looks awsome and maddog that 550 is a gem, fantastic work to both of you.
I am also restoring a 400 (varnish Blue) so will be following your build closely.  I started to document my build on my website, but I still have a way to go.

Kevin

Kevin, that’s a very nice collection of 400.4’s you have, fantastic attention to detail! I don’t envy your job hunting NOS parts for your restoration; keep the photo’s updated both of you please. I enjoy seeing old bikes on the road in as new condition.

Dave

Stormer, post a big picture of your bike.....

[Sam Green Racing]

Dave, Have you not got your wheels back from Tommy yet ?

Sam.