Author Topic: My 1975 CB400F restoration project  (Read 2450 times)

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Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #25 on: February 07, 2024, 11:51:20 AM »
2 Coats of duplicolor DE 1615 and 2 coats Of Omni MC161 clear today.
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #26 on: February 08, 2024, 03:03:12 PM »
I made a lot of progress today. A lot of the parts and pieces i had detailed before i joined this forum.  first thing i was going to do was get the clutch cover on. come to find out CMS sent me the wrong seal.. another is on order. next comes re painting the tank and side covers
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline denward17

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #27 on: February 08, 2024, 03:44:56 PM »
Clean looking bike!

Maybe I missed it, what color on tank/side covers?

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #28 on: February 08, 2024, 04:38:12 PM »
Varnish Blue.. I have a quart of 1983 Toyota code 8A1
I understand it's a perfect match! It's all original paint on the bike so I will do the side covers first to make sure they match the tank.
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #29 on: February 08, 2024, 06:36:36 PM »
Very nice work, looking great!

Offline kap384@telus.net

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #30 on: February 12, 2024, 04:43:09 PM »
Looking great!!!
1965 Honda CB450K0
1972 Honda CT70K1
1975 Honda MR50
1975 Honda CB400F Supersport
1977 Honda CB750F2 Supersport
1978 Honda XL100
1979 Honda CBX Supersport
1982 Honda VF750S Sabre - Adventure Bike modified
1983 Honda CX650T
1995 Honda VFR750
2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
2015 KTM 200 XC-W
1963 Suzuki T10
My 1977 CB750F restoration - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=66779.0
My 1975 CB400F restoration -
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=145196.msg1651779#msg1651779
'More Stock Than Not' thread - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=90807.500
My CT70 Resurrection - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=145221.0
Best Motorcycle Tool Ever - https://www.engduro.com

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #31 on: February 13, 2024, 10:21:03 AM »
I got the side covers painted this morning for comparison to the original paint on the tank.(Tank in the background is untouched original) I am using 1983 Toyota color code 8A1. It was said to be a perfect match to Honda Varnish Blue. Looks like it is spot on to me. now some minor bodywork on some dings in the tank and get some color on it. I have the decals ready to go as well.
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline denward17

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #32 on: February 13, 2024, 02:52:40 PM »
Looks like a great match to me, good work there.

Spray gun?

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #33 on: February 13, 2024, 04:11:53 PM »
Yes. Here is my assortment.
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline Stev-o

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #34 on: February 22, 2024, 07:37:53 AM »
Nice job on the paint, very difficult to match 50 yr old paint
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #35 on: February 27, 2024, 12:27:53 PM »
I got color on the Tank this morning.
 Stripped tank to bare metal
 Minimal bodywork(6 small dings)
 2 Coats epoxy primer
 3 Coats primer Surfacer
 Block sanded smooth
 2 Coats Base coat
 3 Coats  clear.
I will sand and polish the Clear coat tomorrow and get the Decals on.

I cant wait to fire her up!
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline denward17

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #36 on: February 27, 2024, 01:05:21 PM »
Wow, looks great!

What did you use to cover up the dents?

Did you use a black primer?  If so, could you explain why?

Thanks
« Last Edit: February 27, 2024, 02:59:01 PM by denward17 »

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #37 on: February 27, 2024, 02:24:11 PM »
That looks stunning!

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #38 on: February 27, 2024, 03:32:33 PM »
Thank you!

Plastic body filler for the dings(Bondo)

The Black Primer is a DTM 2 Part Epoxy Primer, The Primer Surfacer is Light Grey it goes over the Epoxy
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #39 on: February 27, 2024, 04:10:23 PM »
After sand and polish.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2024, 04:19:32 PM by Ozzybud »
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline Stev-o

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #40 on: February 29, 2024, 07:24:24 AM »
After sand and polish.

Gorgeous...you are a pro!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #41 on: February 29, 2024, 05:50:54 PM »
Got the tank polished and the decals applied today. Very happy with the results.
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline denward17

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #42 on: February 29, 2024, 06:36:53 PM »
That looks really good! 

Will you clear over the decals?

How far up the neck filler do you paint?


Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #43 on: February 29, 2024, 08:04:16 PM »
That looks really good! 

Will you clear over the decals?

How far up the neck filler do you paint?

I will not clear over the decals. I want to be as original as possible. Plus the old one looked great after 50 years.

I went up the side on the filler neck just to the tangent point of the radius. Leaving the upper surface bare and slightly down the side
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #44 on: March 01, 2024, 11:14:10 AM »
I got everything back together this morning, started right up! Went for a cold and Moist ride around the Block.

It was nice and quiet.. great to not have the clutch basket rattle anymore.

Can the Valve cover be removed in frame on the CB400f?
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Offline rickmoore24

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #45 on: March 01, 2024, 12:47:52 PM »
Fantastic work!
1972 CB750 K2 (Daily Runner)
1972 CB750 K2 (Sold)
1973 CB750 K3 (Hardtail 836cc)
1998 CBR F3 - R.I.P., went down on the 101 in Calabasas, Ca.
1995 EG6

Offline Mark1976

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #46 on: March 01, 2024, 02:05:49 PM »
I got everything back together this morning, started right up! Went for a cold and Moist ride around the Block.

It was nice and quiet.. great to not have the clutch basket rattle anymore.

Can the Valve cover be removed in frame on the CB400f?
Yes...
Start with the end in mind...

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #47 on: March 02, 2024, 03:59:08 AM »
My wife’s ’77 400F was totally stock. Always impressed with how quietly it ran. Yours looks stunning.

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #48 on: March 04, 2024, 04:57:11 PM »
The P.O. of this bike said he put a re-jetting kit in. He said it included instructions to drill extra holes in the exhaust, Throw away the air cleaner cover and new Main Jets and likely messed with the factory needle Position. ( I cringed a lot when he told me of this) Why didn't Honda think of this?

I rode the bike prior to tearing it down just to do some test and tune and make sure the engine was solid.(about 100 miles) It ran great pulled hard and had equal compression in all 4 cylinders.The carbs did not require synchronization. Plugs 1,2,3 were dark tan #4 was light tan.

The only changes i have made to affect engine performance was install the repro exhaust.

Took it for a longer ride yesterday about 10 miles. ran great at first after 5 miles it started missing on some cylinders. when i got home # 1 was coldish.
removed the plugs 1,2,3 were black and sooty  fouled or on there way to fouling.#4 was fine

I removed and cleaned the plugs. All of the idle mixture screws were out 4-5 turns? what? almost ready to fall out... lol  Reset to 1.5 turns out.

Took it out today with similar results ran good a little longer.like 7 miles. removed the plugs and they looked similar.

I am assuming at this point that the P.O. removed the #75 jets for something larger. I ordered 4 OEM Used #75 jets and a gasket o-ring set.
I will Check out everything else when i get the carbs off.

Is there anything else I am missing? I spent a lot of time on my CB360 getting it to stop fouling plugs. It ended up being the Chinese needles were smaller diameter and a little bit shorter than oem.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2024, 05:07:22 PM by Ozzybud »
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED

Online Ozzybud

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Re: My 1975 CB400F restoration project
« Reply #49 on: March 22, 2024, 09:54:50 AM »
I finally received the rest of the correct Keihin brass from CMS yesterday. I got the carbs assembled and  setup on the bench as close as i could get them synchronized.

As I suspected the previous owner put in some larger Jets and messed with the Needle position. There were #90 main Jets #44 slow and the needle clip was at the bottom groove. pulling the needle up to full rich. I replaced with #75 main #38 slow and clip in the middle position .

Took it out yesterday between showers. Wow what an amazing little bike. ran like a swiss watch.
1976 Z50A YELLOW
1970 CT70 BLUE
1971 CT70H ORANGE
1972 CT70H GREEN
1973 CL200 BLUE
1973 CB350F RED
1975 CB360T RED
1975 CB400F BLUE
1975 CB550 ORANGE
1976 CB750F RED