Topic: My baby is rrreeeeaaal sick!!!!!!

[CBGBs]

She been diagnosed and is in need of a complete rebuild. My 400f has a damaged camchain tensioner and leaky valves. Cylinders leak slightly. Pistons are carbon coated. It's starting to sound really expensive. What would you guys do if you were on a tight budget? Would you look for another motor, or look into performance pieces that are affordable (compared to oem)?

Has anyone rebuilt a 400f and what should I look for?

[78 k550]

sorry to hear of the temp down time of the bike.

Paul

[heffay]

if i were on a tight budget... which i am

i would check around on this site and let the SOHC4 UNDERGROUND do all the work in sourcing your cheap parts

can you do the work yourself?  that's most of the cost.

[ieism]

Depending on where you live, it might be easier to try and find a non-running bike and swap the motor. That's what I would do myself, as I don't really have a workshop to tinker on bikes or a lot of time.

I know they have have lots of 400's in the UK, in the US they are must also be a lot of donorbikes.

[CBGBs]

if i were on a tight budget... which i am

i would check around on this site and let the SOHC4 UNDERGROUND do all the work in sourcing your cheap parts

can you do the work yourself?  that's most of the cost.

Good idea. Where's the parts?

I don't have lots of time, and I am very much a novice and don't want to screw up my favorite Honda trying to rebuild the motor.

[heffay]

if i were on a tight budget... which i am

i would check around on this site and let the SOHC4 UNDERGROUND do all the work in sourcing your cheap parts

can you do the work yourself?  that's most of the cost.

Good idea. Where's the parts?

I don't have lots of time, and I am very much a novice and don't want to screw up my favorite Honda trying to rebuild the motor.

i say screw it then and have me haul it off... i'll charge you a discounted rate since i do understand your position.   
^sorry for the cliche response

anyway, my first try would be aptech... he's completed a rebuild so he might have some leftovers for you.  he would at least be a good one to find out where he sourced parts from.

[jevfro]

MRieck and APE would both be good sources to use for machining or head work, from what I've heard.  If you can find another engine, or even just a head, you could maybe save some money.  while it's apart it is a good time to do all that work so be thankful it all happened at once! you could probably do the piston cleaning, new rings, hone, camchain/tensioner bits, new studs, gaskets/seals...  It's the damn valve guides that aren't something that you can diy easily.  Start making a list of parts, kinda scary when you look at prices! You could probably just get it going again, if you're really on a tight budget, but be ready to spend a good chunk of change if it really needs a lot of work, (this can be slightly offset by doing as much as possible yourself)

I've got a similar project thats been oncoming for a year now.  My cb750 has at least one bad valve (#3exhaust) I guess it could be the seal or the guide. I'm hoping the $10 head I bought from the parts page here will work for now so I can ride w/ that one and then send the other off for some hot rodding/porting /valve work.

[stay youth]

Well im currently in the process of rebuilding my engine and since i had the engine out of the bike i figured i would spiff that up and paint it, one thing led to another but i think its worth it. I too have a 400/4 i had my cylinders planes, honing, valve machining etc. all this machine work cost me 260 $, I figured a would replace all the cam chain related stuff, they had big gouges in them= no good. guide, slipper, and new cam chain is about 180$, new tappet covers 30$, allen head screw kit 65$ i think, Zinc plating the rest of my screws etc. 90$, New seals, 150$ (all oil seals gaskets etc. get the good ones!) new rings 85$, 2 part epoxy primer, basecoat(vht) 2 part clear. 120$ new oil filter bolt and filter 20$, I too am on a budget and im trying to do as much of it as possible. but i really believe that spending all the money now up front for the best parts and make it look great is better then doing it over a long period. hope this helps. I love my little 400/4 so i give her the good stuff, she wont cheat on me