Topic: 400 Four Front End

[Saltydog42]

Hi Guys
I am new to this forum and to Honda motorcycles. I have just purchased a 400 four and am very pleased with it.
However I have a couple of questions about it.
1 It has Honda Comstar wheels - were these an option at the time.
2 The front disc brake is different to any thing shown in the manual - does anyone know what this is off , it bolts diectly to the fork leg so they must have been fitted at the same time.
   The mudguard is also different goes with the forks. I wondered if the were a retro fit after an accident or again an option at the time.
I attatch a couple of photos to show the items and look foreward to your comments

Barry

[BenelliSEI]

Looks like someone has fitted a different set of forks, wheel, brake. Cb400 Twin? The 400F is identical to say a cb550 of th same period, EXCEPT everything is a bit smaller. The disc, for instance, is a diameter specific the the model.......

[claudio.fauni]

It Is not original fork and wheel was not a optional

Inviato dal mio SM-A750FN utilizzando Tapatalk

[Don R]

 I've swapped cb360 forks with 400f but they look to be/are the same. I'd second 400T, take a look at those.

[Tim2005]

Yes, it looks CB400N or T. That swap does give you a bit better brake, but worse suspension, and even worse a 19" front wheel instead of the stock 18, so it won't steer as well as it should

[Bodi]

Definitely a swapped front end, agree it looks like a 400 twin.
Swapping front ends is not necessarily bad but getting the geometry correct so it has safe handling is not simple. Going to a 19" wheel (assuming yours is) makes that more complex than using an 18" wheel. It isn't easy to change rake if that's required.
So there's no way to tell if whoever swapped it "did the homework" and has the rake and trail withing acceptable limits: out one way this gives ponderous heavy steering, the other way it gets twitchy and prone to uncontrollable oscillation (tankslappers) at specific speeds: you don't want to find out that this occurs at 80mph. Too far and the bike is unrideable at any speed.

[Saltydog42]

Thanks Guys. I now know what to order if I do need bits for the forks or brakes.
As for change of wheel size I calculate that this would in theory raise the front end by half an inch so over wheelbase alter rake by less than half a degree. Certainly does not affect handling at the speeds I go now days and it is still the best handling bike in my collection of classics (1946 BSA to 76 Honda).
Cheers
Barry

[Nurse Julie]

I have sent you a PM Barry.