Topic: Second attempt on first ride cb400f

[Bailgang]

It was a beautiful day here yesterday so it was finally time to take the 400 out for its first ride since I wrecked it last July. I rode it to my youngest son's house about 20 miles from here and it ran OK but rather moody at part throttle, on the ride back though it ran completely different, still kind of moody at part throttle but still much better even though I made no changes. The only difference that I can think off is I was riding in the opposite direction with a tail wind rather than a head wind. It has the factory airbox however it's missing its lid leaving the top of the air filter under the seat exposed and I'm thinking not having that lid on its airbox is what's making it sensitive to the wind. My oldest son has a new lid he 3D printed for me, I just need to get it from him so I'm not messing with anything until I have a lid on its airbox to see if that helps. All in all it was a good ride, not a lawn mower in sight, and I have to say I just love the sound of its exhaust.

[bryanj]

They are headwind sensitive and you need rev the nuts to progress on the 350/400

[Bailgang]

They are headwind sensitive and you need rev the nuts to progress on the 350/400

That's probably why I like the sound because it sounds so sweet as it winds up.

[Scootch]

That is a nice looking bike! I am not familiar with the 400's. Is that stock or aftermarket exhaust?

[Mark1976]

   Put the airbox cover on and go from there, the combination of no cover and an aftermarket exhaust can and will cause that flat spot. I've got an extra oem airbox cover if ya need one.

[Bailgang]

That is a nice looking bike! I am not familiar with the 400's. Is that stock or aftermarket exhaust?

It's original 4 into 1 exhaust was shot so I put a new stainless steel Delkevic exhaust on it and so far I'm really pleased with it.

[Bailgang]

   Put the airbox cover on and go from there, the combination of no cover and an aftermarket exhaust can and will cause that flat spot. I've got an extra oem airbox cover if ya need one.

My oldest son already has one 3D printed for me, I just need to stop by his place to pick it up but thanks for the offer. In the meantime just to see if it would make a difference, I taped the top of the airbox up and it made all the difference and runs great now. I had enough confidence on how the bike was running that I let my wife ride it for her fist time today. Until now she's been riding a 71 cb350 twin and so far she likes the 400 better, the only thing she didn't like was the handlebars. They're reproduction cb400f bars but compared to the bars on her cb350, the 400 bars are almost like drag bars and her wrists didn't like it so it looks like I'll be doing a handle bar swap to suit the bike to her.

[BenelliSEI]

My wife’s 400F got the same handle bar change. This picture shows the bars that came on later Canadian models. She loved them. I put the low European bars on my 550K!

[Kelly E]

I'm glad you got your first ride in without the threat of lawnmowers. 
We have 3 bikes running Delkevik exhaust systems now. They sound great.

[Bailgang]

My wife’s 400F got the same handle bar change. This picture shows the bars that came on later Canadian models. She loved them. I put the low European bars on my 550K!

Those bars would be perfect. You wouldn't happen to have a part # and or a source to get them from would you?

[grcamna2]

I like that you're back on that 400/4 Scott plus your wife !! 
I like those later 400/4 bars for sitting up all the time.
Do you run Ethanol-Free fuel in it?  it will make a LOT of difference in how that 400 runs;much better response,considering you have the aftermarket 4into1.

[rluser]

Nice!  I am glad to hear there were no lawnmowers.

That bike looks way nicer than mine (also blue).  The exhaust looks wild.  It being a nice day, I rode mine 250 miles to pick up two pairs of Top Gear boots I won at auction and snag some feeler gauges from my shop.

[dave500]

yeah i guess its hard not to be nervous?just pace along itll go away,theres a difference between being nervous and observant though.

[Bailgang]

Do you run Ethanol-Free fuel in it?  it will make a LOT of difference in how that 400 runs;much better response,considering you have the aftermarket 4into1.

So far I haven't had any issues with E10 gas in any of my bikes so I use what ever 87 octane I come across. I've tried ethanol free gas but none of my bikes seemed to notice however I might try it in the 400 just to see how it behaves.

[BenelliSEI]

Scott....... They were the originals (came with the bike). Maybe CMS or David Silver Spares?

[bryanj]

Cant remember if wires are inside bars or outside, if outside i used ebay item 325118004434 on a mates 125 Suzuki

[grcamna2]

The 400's I had,the wires were inside the bars.

[Bailgang]

New side covers, new decals, fresh paint and clearcoat. A few more finishing touches perhaps but for the most part this is as good as it's going to get. My wife initially didn't like the low profile of the cb400f handlebars so I swapped them for a set of bars for a cb550f. The bars are actually quite similar with the 550 bars having maybe 1 inch more raise to them and the brake line was just long enough to accommodate that but that's the difference my wife liked. She loved her cb350 twin but now that she's ridden this, the 400 is her favorite and the cb350 will be sold in the near future. My son also 3D printed me an airbox lid for it and it now runs fantastic. Thanks again to all of you for your support in this adventure. My 77 750f will be the next one to get stripped down, cleaned up and looking like new again.

[seanbarney41]

Looks great!

[newday777]

Nice!
 

[Bailgang]

I actually got razzed by my older brother for taking a pic "so far away" because even my 750 which is in desperate need of a paint job would look good that far away so here's a closer one to nit pick.

[seanbarney41]

Nahhh, still looks great!