Topic: Third times a charm 75 cb400F, parking light bike.

[Don R]

Don, Think those two numbers are interchangeable. 550F has the flat spring.
See p/n 13 here.

https://www.servicehonda.com/oemparts/a/hon/506b87eaf870023420a1e6ee/stand-step

Honda 393 code is a CB750AT-A2....what's that?

Auto but I didn't think they had a kicker.

[Little_Phil]

The spring is on the LHS footrest on the auto.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/1976/cb750a-a-750-hondamatic/step

Still waiting for the real spring (weather) to appear here, I must have too much time on my hands.

[Don R]

 Thanks _phil. More places to look, but still unavailable.
   I took time to bolt up my K0 750 and get it running again. I'm investigating the wiring harness differences on the 75usa/UK 400's. My UK replacement switch having non Honda colored wires isn't helping much. I'm using a test light and meter. I think I'm on to a conversion chart but may need to move two wires from the under tank plug in location to one in the headlight.

[Don R]

 I got enough help in the tech section to get the wiring connected, the only issue now is the turn indicator lights come on with the low beam.  The Marchal headlight is on the way and I should get it late week.

[MoMo]

Turn indicator wires should be either orange for left or blue for right, sounds like you may have them plugged into an orange/white or blue/white which are running light colors.  Take care.......Larry

[Don R]

 Good thought, the signals don't come on just the indicators. I was hoping loose handlebars was the issue but tightening them didn't fix it.
 

Edit,
   Thanks Larry! It's nice to have smart friends. You got it right. I didn't notice the other lt blue and orange under the wiring blob. The  fairing didn't have them, I had to make a few male bullet to 3 way adapters to replace things that were changed but now it's all stock appearing. I even have the front running lights working. There was a bad ground strap in one of the lights too all good now.

[Don R]

 Now I'm going to try to wet sand and rub out the paint on the tank. Put this pup together and check ride it before I do the neck bearing, wheel bearings and Avon roadriders.

[MoMo]

Good thought, the signals don't come on just the indicators. I was hoping loose handlebars was the issue but tightening them didn't fix it.
 

Edit,
   Thanks Larry! It's nice to have smart friends. You got it right. I didn't notice the other lt blue and orange under the wiring blob. The  fairing didn't have them, I had to make a few male bullet to 3 way adapters to replace things that were changed but now it's all stock appearing. I even have the front running lights working. There was a bad ground strap in one of the lights too all good now.

Thanks Don but MoMo does not mean smart check out the urban dictionary....Larry

[Don R]

 Smart enough to out think me. lol. But then,,,,,,
 
 I got it running, sounds good, I had to thump carb #4 to shake the float valve into place. The new carb to airbox rubbers are smaller OD and the clamps didn't tighten. I cut a plastic bottle into strips and made shims to go under the clamps. I shoved a breezer tire tool into the airbox to hold the front wall in place while I tightened up the clamps. I can't find the airbox lid, and it is here somewhere. The headlight should be here soon and this pup will be ready for a test ride.

[Don R]

 This is the emblem I saw, I got a used one with the bracket from a cb650 for $15, it bolts on after a tab removal.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB400F-CB350F-Front-Emblem-Stem-Custom-new/202291062105?hash=item2f197ca559:g:ZicAAOSwWxpazfZs&vxp=mtr

[grcamna2]

That looks good 

[Don R]

 Thanks, I'm going to use it, It covers some of the busyness in the front. I got the Marchal light and put it in. In between working on my neighbors roto tiller. The park lamp is cool but really looks like a dim headlight. I'll look for an amber bulb for it. I can't remember how to force my phone to upload pics. It's rough being old sometimes lol.

 I rode the 400 today, it seems sluggish, I'm sure the lady that owned it never really revved it up. She was older and tiny judging by the lowered suspension and the thin springs on the rear.  It might be carboned up but I haven't checked the timing, advance or dwell yet.
   I'm also wondering if the exhaust is plugged up, it's way too quiet even for stock and there's possibly still water in the muffler since we drove it home in a hard rain. I'm thinking I'll pull the baffle if it'll come out, if not I'll burn it out on the road.

[crazypj]

Is it spinning over 6K?
Take it out for a decent run, use lower gear and higher rpm if necessary to stay somewhere near speed limits'.
 If it was used with leaded fuel and/or upper cylinder lubricant it may be very blocked up. Get it hot and look for 'blue' sections around collector and in silencer
Keep an eye out for red hot burning chunks of carbon flying out of tailpipe, in my experience it scares the hell out of other road users 

[Don R]

 I got it warmed up good gave it a proper test today. It's running a lot better and sounds less "baffled" I got it up to 7K several times and it seems to have come back to life. It has no signs of mice but a pipe nest is possible. This week I'm going to throw a plate on it and give it a good ride.
 
 The lady that owned this, rode with her husband or rode along on the 400f. As she got older she rode less but kept it anyway.  Oddly enough, she was not from Pasadena and didn't ride it to church on Sunday. She did however, ride it up pikes peak. Her son in law rode it a little after she passed away but was unwilling to maintain it when the carbs plugged.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4cdIoDcN92ELHXEi2

[grcamna2]

The muffler looks to be aftermarket and may have leaned-out your jetting a little.I think the stock mains are 75,you might need to change the jetting;oem CB400F mufflers are very difficult to find but well worth it for better low-midrange performance.I would check the plugs after a hard ride to see where your jetting is.

[Don R]

The muffler looks to be aftermarket and may have leaned-out your jetting a little.I think the stock mains are 75,you might need to change the jetting;oem CB400F mufflers are very difficult to find but well worth it for better low-midrange performance.I would check the plugs after a hard ride to see where your jetting is.

 This pup is really quiet but I have a new set of Denso plugs waiting for the opportunity to let her rip and check it out. good call on the stock muffler though. I wonder how good the DSS muffler is?

  My drag races got cancelled for the weekend so I may work in some time for the 400 after all.
  Apparently water is oozing out of the track surface. This has been ongoing and it's hard to believe a simple drain tile down both sides can't fix it.

[MoMo]

DSS is very good quality-looks and sounds stock....Larry

[Don R]

 Good to know Larry, there are some cheaper ones on ebay but they look and mount different.  I was feeling a little blue and this happened,

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MgAVX2jLwPafrRMt1


 I was looking for yellow, they had blue. This is a Sylvania superbright LED.

[Don R]

 I also noticed when the high beam comes on, it turns the front marker lights off. Energy saving?

[MoMo]

I also noticed when the high beam comes on, it turns the front marker lights off. Energy saving?

That is normal Don

[Don R]

 Good, I was hoping it wasn't a wiring issue lol. I'll probably go amber on the light, the blue might attract guys wearing blue uniforms. Looks cool when the headlight's on with it though. 

[MoMo]

Normally not up this late on the forum but I cannot sleep after watching the Sixers win an NBA playoff series.  You'll be running a blue light special just like K-Mart, right?

[Don R]

 I had forgotten about not finding the airbox lid, I made one that will work until my next Yamiya order. The exhaust was plugged for sure. It sounds way better now and runs a bunch better too. I had my nephew throw a leg over it today. Fits him perfect. He said uh oh.

[Don R]

 I checked on these rear shocks, I had incorrectly assumed they were cheap offshore shocks. These things list from 6 to 7 hundred dollars. They are USD and appear to be working properly I believe they are shorter than the original ones. Apparently the owner of the company passed away and the business may be closed.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FsovDGy73DqMGWfz1

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I checked on these rear shocks, I had incorrectly assumed they were cheap offshore shocks. These things list from 6 to 7 hundred dollars. They are USD and appear to be working properly I believe they are shorter than the original ones. Apparently the owner of the company passed away and the business may be closed.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FsovDGy73DqMGWfz1

Works Performance is in SoCal/LA County.  They are still in operation.  They make great products -- like RaceTech, they can build you custom suspension components to fit your particular application.
818-701-1010