Author Topic: Hello from NC  (Read 789 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline zxshep

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Hello from NC
« on: November 04, 2020, 08:24:52 PM »
I have already posted a few questions and found numerous answers on the forum as I begin the rebuild of my '75 CB400F.  I've had it for about 25 years.  Last time I rode it was 1996, shortly before the Air Force sent me to Iceland.  I'm not looking to do a restoration, but just getting it cleaned up, greased up, and correcting what is wrong from sitting and previous owners.  I plan to do weekend rides two-up with my wife and explore small North Carolina towns with it.  Destination suggestions are welcome! 

Hello and I look forward to getting to know people and learning more about the bike as I dig into it.

Attached is a pic after the first wash in 24 years and before I started digging in.
2005 CR125R
1975 CB400F

Offline dusterdude

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,493
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2020, 02:02:37 AM »
Welcome

Sent from my LM-X420 using Tapatalk

mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline goodtryer

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 494
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2020, 06:47:02 AM »
Howdy!
"Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles."
-Dostoievski

1977 CB550K
1978 CB750K
1973 CB500K

Offline grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,234
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2020, 09:26:25 AM »
Welcome to the forum zxshep.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline MD

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,311
  • Living in the North Woods overlooking The Lake.
    • MN North Woods
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2020, 03:51:31 PM »
Welcome from NE MN,

-MD
1975 CB550F Super Sport;  Lake Superior Circle 1000, 45-90 Saddle 1000, All in Yooper 1000 and SS 2000 in 48 hrs:  1985 GL1200A, MN in State SS1K

Offline Prospect

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,171
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2020, 03:55:57 PM »
Didn't realize there was a US presence in Iceland.  I thought only in Greenland up in Thule.
Current Bikes

1969 CB750  Sandcast #256
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead

Toronto Canada

Offline zxshep

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2020, 05:15:56 AM »
It was a base run by the US Navy up until about 2006.  Mainly Navy and AF there, but all branches were represented.  I recommend visiting there if you ever get the chance.  Fantastic country.
2005 CR125R
1975 CB400F

Offline tool14

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 794
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2020, 12:25:09 PM »
welcome aboard

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,018
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2020, 06:27:25 PM »
Welcome!
First thing: look inside the tank for rust. If it rusted, then get the liner kit from POR15, best of the best. Come back for more details on how to use it: once used. this lasts a lifetime and stops all rust forever. DON'T use the one called "Creme" as our modern ethanol-blend gasoline makes it come loose from the metal, and it can ruin the tank's petcock and the carb jets.

I'd recommend going to your local auto parts store and finding a points file: the points are likely slightly rusty. DON'T replace them, at least not yet: they are semi-self healing after 100-200 miles in use, designed to be that way. Modern points must be bought directly from Honda, and I recommend South Sound Honda (buy the entire points plate set, about $80) if you decide to replace yours: otherwise you will likely end up with the impretinent Daiichi points and condensors, which will park the bike with electrical troubles.

First thing after all this: once the tank rust is corrected, fill the carbs with gas (just open the petcock, let them fill up) and then drain them, repeat. Maybe 3 times: this will move most of the crud that has collected in the fuel lines into the float bowls, or at least as far as the float valve in the carbs. This may necessitate removing the carbs to remove the float valve to clena them out, but will solve the problem. If you decide to 'rebuild' the carbs, then ONLY replace the rubber parts and not the brass jets and needles. The OEM parts are fine. All currently-available brass parts are not calibrated correctly, and most of the 400F problems I have come up against these last 10 years have come from non-Honda (Keihin) parts in the carbs. The solution has been to reinstall the Keihin parts to get the bike running right again. These parts last a [your] lifetime, no need to change them: the only ones that might someday need changing will be those float valves, and many brands of those will work fine in these carbs.

When you get it running, it will likely be 'rough' and low on power for a little while. The valves are likely a little rusty, but the way these engines are designed, they will 'self heal' quite a bit if ridden often enough. It may take 200 miles for the performance to all come back, so be patient and resist tearing things down, so ong as the engine still turns over now. If it is stuck, you're in for a bunch more work...but we can help!
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline zxshep

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2020, 04:07:05 PM »
Thanks, HondaMan.  I didn't remember doing it, but I stored it with a full tank of gas, and when I opened the cap it was still about 90% full.  There's no rust in the tank at all.  Looks like the day it rolled out of the factory.

I'll be doing your other suggestions in a bit.  I have taken from the engine back apart clean, grease, paint, and address a couple problems.  Once I get that done I'll be tackling the middle of the bike.  Before I do anything else with the middle of the bike, besides changing oil and filter, I am going to see if I can get it fired up.

I am very surprised how this bike has held its age, especially after sitting for 25 years.  There's a few things that are toast like the fuel line (so brittle it's breaking off in pieces) and the factory ignition switch needs replaced.  Seat base is starting to go and the cover of the aftermarket seat is missing stitching.  Otherwise, it looks like the bike is pretty original.

It's going to be a rider, so I am not going to go crazy with shining it up, but I will be correcting a few things - surface rust on the frame and yellowing clear on the cases.

I appreciate your input.  Have a great day.
2005 CR125R
1975 CB400F

Offline dhall57

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,677
  • The 70's! SOHC4 Honda's & Marcia Brady of course.
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2020, 03:10:14 AM »
Welcome. Good looking 400F. Been a member since 2009, good people here. What part of NC do you call home.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2020, 03:12:14 AM by dhall57 »
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
1976 CB750K6
1977 GL1000
1997 Harley Wideglide

Offline zxshep

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2020, 03:01:20 PM »
Around the Raleigh area.  We enjoy living in NC.  My wife is from here and I love it since I grew up in the North.  Never want to see snow again!

Are you around these parts?
2005 CR125R
1975 CB400F

Offline HondaMan

  • Someone took this pic of me before I became a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,018
  • ...not my choice, I was nicknamed...
    • Getting 'em Back on the Road
Re: Hello from NC
« Reply #12 on: December 01, 2020, 06:39:11 PM »
Thanks, HondaMan.  I didn't remember doing it, but I stored it with a full tank of gas, and when I opened the cap it was still about 90% full.  There's no rust in the tank at all.  Looks like the day it rolled out of the factory.

I think that's how mine has survived all these years, too. It gets filled up full when things turn cold, so I can ride it on those rare warm days in winter (plus, I drop an ounce of oil into every fillup since the days of MTBE gas), and my tank still looks fine, too. These bikes WANT to be ridden, parking them just makes them mad...or sad?
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com