Topic: My new to me CB400F

[soonerbillz]

While I'm hoping that the exhaust will clean up nicely and become a good usable part again  I know not everything turns out as planned or hoped for. So wit that thought I'm looking at options for down the road.
 Of course the most common real world fix is to have the exhaust sent off for a complete stripping and rechrome. Possible next option is a strip and high temp ceramic coating. This seems not as likely as I really want a oem look for the bike.
 Lastly would be an aftermarket exhaust.
 This where I have no experience in selection and actual performance or who even makes quality replacements.  So a little feedback would be great.
 

[denward17]

I've heard good things about delkevic, but have not seen one in the wild, nor have I used one, so take with a grain of salt.

https://delkevic.com/motorcycles/honda/1975-models/cb400f-cb400-four/

[newday777]

Interested to see how well the Rust911 works.

[soonerbillz]

Well I  guess we will see if it works
This was yesterday around 4 pm
 I'm soaking the area where the worst rust was.

[soonerbillz]

So after a little less than 24 hours here's the results of the 1st bath.
Of course as you see I could only fit a small portion of this 1 piece exhaust in the solution at a time.
But I think the solution works as well as Evaporust.
The places that had severe corrosion now have no rust but the chrome is stained. For the most part the solution absolutely removed rust and after rinsing and drying the chrome looks great!
Now to move the part into position in the tub to clean up the rest of it.
The very last pic shows how bad the rust was. The first and third pics show how well the solution works I think. They show that badly rusted section and how well it cleaned up.

[newday777]

That header turned out pretty good.

[denward17]

+1  Header looks great..

[Stev-o]

Congrats, nice find. 

As you prolly know, that is an aftermarket exhaust. Too bad as the OEM 4 into 1 on the 400F is such a great looking exhaust. 

I've been tempted to try the Rust911 product too, I just may do it after seeing your results. Thx for posting.

[soonerbillz]

Congrats, nice find. 

As you prolly know, that is an aftermarket exhaust. Too bad as the OEM 4 into 1 on the 400F is such a great looking exhaust. 

I've been tempted to try the Rust911 product too, I just may do it after seeing your results. Thx for posting.

Ok that is news to me. It is a one piece exhaust. Every aftermarket I've seen is a component built type. Why do you say it's aftermarket?

[soonerbillz]

Here's some pics of the collector/muffler section after it's 24 hour soak.

[newday777]

This is what the stock 4into1 looks like.
The muffler is separate from the header.

[newday777]

A couple more pictures

[soonerbillz]

Ok.. see that now and after looking at some on Ebay.
 Too bad .. I really learn every day.

[soonerbillz]

Here is a few pics of my old and new rear sprockets.
 If you notice the new in has a stepped side and a flat side.
 Which way should I install it?

[BenelliSEI]

Looking at both, the stepped side went “in” on the old one, so do the same with your new one. The real test is lay them both on a very flat bench with the stepped side down. The tips should line up exactly (meaning the offset from the hub is identical).

[soonerbillz]

Looking at both, the stepped side went “in” on the old one, so do the same with your new one. The real test is lay them both on a very flat bench with the stepped side down. The tips should line up exactly (meaning the offset from the hub is identical).

Kinda my thoughts as well.
 Thanks!

[Mark1976]

   If your waiting on parts or you've got nothing else to do,  now's a great time to check/adjust the valves. Once it goes back together doing cylinders 2 and 3 become less fun.

[soonerbillz]

   If your waiting on parts or you've got nothing else to do,  now's a great time to check/adjust the valves. Once it goes back together doing cylinders 2 and 3 become less fun.

That's actually a great idea!
 I'll get cracking on this tomorrow!

[soonerbillz]

My evenings adventure!

[soonerbillz]

That was a real #$%*.
 1st time doing a 4 bank of carbs. Areal learning curve adventure.
 But now all I have to do is bench set the choke and synch then they will be ready to install.

[soonerbillz]

Put on the new rear tire today

[soonerbillz]

Making progress!

[soonerbillz]

FYI: If you buy inexpensive of the JT aftermarket rear sprockets you might have to grind down the back lug of the sprocket studs. The JT raised section is a bit wider than factory.

[grcamna2]

I had that same issue before;I used a Dremel and ground the four bolt hole 'shoulders of the sprocket instead so I could save the special bolts for when I wore out that sprocket.

[soonerbillz]

Been a bit of starts and starts on the bike lately.
 I did get the carbs finished and ready to install. Started more assembly and then found the kicker would turn the engine over. I freaked out thinking the engine locked up some how. This led to a day of frenzied tear down only to find out the previous owner had removed the clutch. I guess to replace the disks and in doing so pulled the kicker shaft.  Then they installed it incorrectly so as the thing wouldn't engage the gears properly 🙄
 After getting all that corrected and putting everything together I turned to reinstalling the electrical parts and harness.  There were some minor issues to fix and I ended up ordering a new fuse box as the original obviously was smoked at some point.  They had connected a 15amp breaker in place of the burnt main fuse!.
 Battery box installed, manifolds installed and rear brakes completed.  Footings and shifter installed.
  Next I'll complete the electrics  and install the carbs and new cables