Topic: 400/4 1976

[Roly]

I have just bought my first Honda SOHC/4 a 1976 400/4, in fair condition. It starts & runs ok with just a little rattle at the top end. However when I ride off a loud whine develops, which stops if I pull the clutch in. I know this a bit vague, but it's diffficult to pin-point exactly where the noise is coming from when riding. It doesn't do it when in gear on the mainstand. Has anyone any ideas? I know I should have ridden it before buying, but I was a bit too trusting, thanks for any help, regards from England, Roly

[dave400]

Mine makes a whining noise when I ride it and has done since I’ve owned the bike.

Cheers

[Roly]

This is a really loud whine, unlike anything I've heard before. My gut feeling is that a bearing is to blame, Roly

[wizzy]

I had a cb500 that had a wird whining noise to it, come to find out after trouble shooting it was the tach cable was not lubercated and made a whine only above a certin rpm. again didn't here it when it sat to warm up at idle, only heard it while riding.

[Roly]

I ran it in first gear with the bike on its stand, then put a slight load on the transmission by applying the back brake gently. This induced the whine so I got a friend to use a screwdriver as a "stethescope" and the noise does appear to be coming from the clutch area, or perhaps a gearbox bearing behind? I shall dismantle the clutch and see what I can find, hopefully nothing too bad, any other ideas?, 

cheers, Roly