Topic: Registry of 400 Owners

[Bigglen1]

I found my 1976 CB400F in 2020 in Rhode Island. I started working on it in 2022. I put in on the road last month! Eventually I will start working on some of the "oil tightness" issues. The one I bought new 49years ago, wept oil at the head gasket that first summer. So, I know it's part of the bike's character.
First picture is at purchase in 2020. Second picture is last month's FIRST RIDE. I will be asking fellow owners about the best way to replace the stock head gasket that guarantees a fix.

[Stev-o]

Bikes up and running just hit 60,000 miles on the speedometer yesterday while riding up  to the north shore. what a joy to be riding again after it has set for twenty plus years.

I visited Oahu several years ago, rented a Honda and rode around the Island.  Loved the North Shore area, waves were HUGE at Sunset Beach, I surfed Waikiki but not there! Also went to Waimea Falls, beautiful area.

[rsharp-CB400F]

I bought mine from the service manager at the Honda dealer in Tucson AZ in 1983. It had originally been purchased from that dealer then traded back in. He took it for his wife to learn on and then sold it to me so I was 3rd owner. A few years later I sold it to my father, who later gave it back to me so I am also the 5th owner. It is now back on the road and resides in Raleigh NC.

[HondaMan]

I found my 1976 CB400F in 2020 in Rhode Island. I started working on it in 2022. I put in on the road last month! Eventually I will start working on some of the "oil tightness" issues. The one I bought new 49years ago, wept oil at the head gasket that first summer. So, I know it's part of the bike's character.
First picture is at purchase in 2020. Second picture is last month's FIRST RIDE. I will be asking fellow owners about the best way to replace the stock head gasket that guarantees a fix.

Tip #1 to stop the oil weep at the head:
have the top deck of the cylinders milled off 0.010", because ALL modern head gaskets are 0.008" thicker than the OEM gaskets were. Without this decking-back operation, the rubber seals of the oil ports are too short with a new head gasket.
Tip #2: if you are not reboring for larger pistons, DO NOT change the rings: try to leave them untouched. Also DO NOT hone the bores: this will only increase piston-bore clearance and ensure the engine will start burning oil. The rings are seated: they don't need to be "reseated" again.

[Bigglen1]

Thanks Hondaman!

[Perseo]

I bought my '76 CB400F in 2017.  Had not ridden a bike in decades, first because raising kids but then my hips were bad and sitting on a bike was painful.  Second hip replaced in 2016 and I was back in business.  Took a year and a half to rebuild the carbs (pure luck that I did not lose parts as they sat on my work bench).  Been riding it locally here in New Hampshire (New London area) ever since.  It is not wholly beautiful but is in my eyes - the pipes are gorgeous of course.  It runs great except for a hanging idle when warmed up - I believe it is miss-sized O-rings in the carbs. 

My issue is I don't want to tear into it and not have a bike to ride when weather permits.  It would help if I retired and had time to focus on it.  My preferred solution will be to acquire a second bike, maybe a CB550, so that I can always have a ride up and running. 

[newday777]

I bought my '76 CB400F in 2017.  Had not ridden a bike in decades, first because raising kids but then my hips were bad and sitting on a bike was painful.  Second hip replaced in 2016 and I was back in business.  Took a year and a half to rebuild the carbs (pure luck that I did not lose parts as they sat on my work bench).  Been riding it locally here in New Hampshire (New London area) ever since.  It is not wholly beautiful but is in my eyes - the pipes are gorgeous of course.  It runs great except for a hanging idle when warmed up - I believe it is miss-sized O-rings in the carbs. 

My issue is I don't want to tear into it and not have a bike to ride when weather permits.  It would help if I retired and had time to focus on it.  My preferred solution will be to acquire a second bike, maybe a CB550, so that I can always have a ride up and running.

Howdy Perseo from down the road in Mont Vernon.
I have a friend in Northwood/Pittsfield NH that has a few 400/4s and parts that might still have a 71 CB500/4 that he'd sell. I will try to give him a call tomorrow to see if he is still in town (usually heads south for a month or more).

And if you want to get to a good bike night in the spring through the fall, that has some good lineups of SOHC4s there is one in Milford on Wednesday nights.

[Perseo]

Howdy Stu:

Thanks for the note.  I would love to get connected to NH folks afflicted with a soft spot for SOHC4s.  The Milford events sound like fun.

Yes, I am looking for a CB500 or 550.  Fond as I am of the look of the CB400F, I lean toward a 550F.

Steve








 

[newday777]

Howdy Stu:

Thanks for the note.  I would love to get connected to NH folks afflicted with a soft spot for SOHC4s.  The Milford events sound like fun.

Yes, I am looking for a CB500 or 550.  Fond as I am of the look of the CB400F, I lean toward a 550F.

Steve

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