Topic: My 1976 CB400F Restoration Project Has Arrived

[WingMan71]

My shop has been empty since I sold my last restoration project a couple months ago, but I've finally found my next one.

1976 Honda CB400F varnish blue model. It's been sitting in the warehouse of an importer/exporter dealer since 2006 collecting dust! Lots of dust.  Last time he started and ran it was in 2010.  But, it's all there and it's all original including those beautiful exhaust pipes.

Getting it shipped to me.  Should be here in a couple of weeks.  Already ordering carb rebuild kits, brake rebuild kits, etc.  Can't wait to get started on it.

Will try to post some pics.

 

[bryanj]

DONT order carb rebuild kits, get just the O ring kit from Nurse Julie

[Ozzybud]

Looking forward to seeing your progress.Recently finished my 75 in varnish blue.

[Ozzybud]

I beleive your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

[WingMan71]

DONT order carb rebuild kits, get just the O ring kit from Nurse Julie

There is a paper gasket, a fuel bowl o-ring, three other small o-rings, plus 6 jets, a spring and an e-clip in the rebuild kit on Randakk's Cycle Shakk where I always get my kits from.

You're saying I'll be able to clean and reuse the jets on a bike that's been sitting for about 20 years? I've cleaned jets on vintage Honda's for decades now, but not any that have been sitting idle for that long.  I guess I'll open them up and see what I find before I order anything.

Do you have a source for a rebuild kit for the front brake caliper.  My usual sources, Randakk's Cycle Shakk and Brakecrafters don't have any?

PS) You gonna tell me who "Nurse Julie" is and where I can find her?

[WingMan71]

I beleive your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

That's what I was beginning to wonder.  The guy I bought it from said he thought it was a 1975, but the title says 1976.  When I retitle it in my name, I guess it's gonna have to say 1976 as well since that's what's on the seller's title.

My bike has the passenger foot pegs attached to the swingarm. I read that they were moved to an extra frame piece later in the 1976 model year.  Is that foot peg location any kind of clue?

[Ozzybud]

I beleive your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

That's what I was beginning to wonder.  The guy I bought it from said he thought it was a 1975, but the title says 1976.  When I retitle it in my name, I guess it's gonna have to say 1976 as well since that's what's on the seller's title.

My bike has the passenger foot pegs attached to the swingarm. I read that they were moved to an extra frame piece later in the 1976 model year.  Is that foot peg location any kind of clue?

What is the build date month/ year?  and   VIN # ?

[WingMan71]

I beleive your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

That's what I was beginning to wonder.  The guy I bought it from said he thought it was a 1975, but the title says 1976.  When I retitle it in my name, I guess it's gonna have to say 1976 as well since that's what's on the seller's title.

My bike has the passenger foot pegs attached to the swingarm. I read that they were moved to an extra frame piece later in the 1976 model year.  Is that foot peg location any kind of clue?

What is the build date month/ year?  and   VIN # ?

VIN is CB400F2006206

Don't have build month/year.  Would that be on the bike somewhere?

[Ozzybud]

On the tag on the steering neck

[Ozzybud]

There should be a tag on the RH side of the steering neck. And a VIN stamping on the LH side. Can you check to make sure the stamping matches your VIN on the title?
Your VIN CB400F2XXX X.  Starting with a 2 is a F1 1976 model.
What is your Engine serial number?

[bek1966]

Terrific looking bike!  Looking forward to following along with the restoration.

[WingMan71]

There should be a tag on the RH side of the steering neck. And a VIN stamping on the LH side. Can you check to make sure the stamping matches your VIN on the title?
Your VIN CB400F2XXX X.  Starting with a 2 is a F1 1976 model.
What is your Engine serial number?

Bike won't be here for a week or two.  I'll check when it gets here. Thanks.

[Mark1976]

I beleive your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

That's what I was beginning to wonder.  The guy I bought it from said he thought it was a 1975, but the title says 1976.  When I retitle it in my name, I guess it's gonna have to say 1976 as well since that's what's on the seller's title.

My bike has the passenger foot pegs attached to the swingarm. I read that they were moved to an extra frame piece later in the 1976 model year.  Is that foot peg location any kind of clue?

    I've owned all 3 model years and not one of them had the passenger pegs anywhere but the swingarm. I currently ride a '77 and the pegs are on the swingarm. I've got the '75-76 front pegs and shifter thou.
   1800 hundred miles is a real good starting point, bike overall looks pretty solid, looking forward to watching your project.

[bryanj]

Never use aftermarket brass just clean yours.
Needle tapers are nearly always wrong.
NursrvJulie is a member on here, check the members list.
You rarely need the paper gasket
Footpegs on swing arm make it an early model not later

[Tim2005]

That looks a really nice original bike. I agree, don't order anything until you have assessed what is needed. Regarding brakes, yes check the fronts (not just the caliper & m/cyl but the hoses too, I suspect they are the original ones and nearly 50 years old), but also check the rear shoes for the friction material coming away from the metal of the shoes, that's not uncommon & potentially very painful. Carbs seals may actually be ok as it ran not many years ago, I've stored 400s longer than that without needing to replace them. Take the plugs out and oil the bores before running it. Clean the chrome up really carefully, hopefully someone here can suggest a good non-abrasive polish for it. Check the airbox for mouse nests. Best of luck with it.

[jlh3rd]

honda motorcycle ident. guide

your frame # is 1976. Blue is for 1975. Hope  the engine is 1976.

[WingMan71]

honda motorcycle ident. guide

your frame # is 1976. Blue is for 1975. Hope  the engine is 1976.

Well... THAT'S interesting!

Why is it that you said "Hope the engine is 1976"?

[MauiK3]

Looks pretty complete and stock, great find

[Mark1976]

I believe your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

   Once the bike arrives you'll be better able to determine its date of manufacture, and even then its yr of manufacture may not be the same as yr of title. I've several frames and this one has a 7/75 mfd, but its model and title date are '76. So until you actually have the bike its just speculation. Once in hand, get out the pad and paper and start documenting what you find, ya never know what you have till ya have it.

[Ozzybud]

I believe your bike is a 1975 F0 model. In 1976 varnish blue was replaced by parakeet yellow and the side covers would be black.
A lot of times when the bike was sold the DMV added that year on the title.

   Once the bike arrives you'll be better able to determine its date of manufacture, and even then its yr of manufacture may not be the same as yr of title. I've several frames and this one has a 7/75 mfd, but its model and title date are '76. So until you actually have the bike its just speculation. Once in hand, get out the pad and paper and start documenting what you find, ya never know what you have till ya have it.

Zooming in on the picture of the bikes RH side it appears the Data tag might be missing.

[bryanj]

If its not a US bike it will not have a vin plate, Honda did not fit them to other countries bikes till 77

[WingMan71]

Zooming in on the picture of the bikes RH side it appears the Data tag might be missing.

Just got new pictures from the seller after he washed the bike! Nice of him.  Here's a close-up of the right side steering head that shows that there is a metal data tag on the bike.

This guy was an import/export guy, but this bike does have a MPH speedo, not a KPH speedo, so I think it's a U.S. bike.

[Ozzybud]

Zooming in on the picture of the bikes RH side it appears the Data tag might be missing.

Just got new pictures from the seller after he washed the bike! Nice of him.  Here's a close-up of the right side steering head that shows that there is a metal data tag on the bike.

This guy was an import/export guy, but this bike does have a MPH speedo, not a KPH speedo, so I think it's a U.S. bike.

Large blinkers = USA And Canada

[jlh3rd]

honda motorcycle ident. guide

your frame # is 1976. Blue is for 1975. Hope  the engine is 1976.

Well... THAT'S interesting!

Why is it that you said "Hope the engine is 1976"?

because a '75 400F's  engine can fit in a '76 400F's frame. Unknown history, this stuff happens all the time.  That's all.
And depends on what you want. You said it's original, but it's not. If the motor is stamped for a '76, and originality is important to you, correct colors can be easy to get....not cheap. But if #'s don't matter, enjoy the bike, it's still a good find.

[Ozzybud]

honda motorcycle ident. guide

your frame # is 1976. Blue is for 1975. Hope  the engine is 1976.

Well... THAT'S interesting!

Why is it that you said "Hope the engine is 1976"?

because a '75 400F's  engine can fit in a '76 400F's frame. Unknown history, this stuff happens all the time.  That's all.
And depends on what you want. You said it's original, but it's not. If the motor is stamped for a '76, and originality is important to you, correct colors can be easy to get....not cheap. But if #'s don't matter, enjoy the bike, it's still a good find.

Yes!:A lot can happen over 50 years.
It cleaned up very well and will be a sweet ride no matter what.year it is. The VarnIsh  blue is stunning.