Topic: my CB400F needs resuscitation - project bike or part it out?

[barbarian]

Hey y'all
Just found this site today, awesome! wish I had found it 10 years ago - would still be riding...

Bought a beautiful '75 400F from friend in college as my first bike, $500 in 1986 the fellow needed the cash. Learned to ride on it, then put 10k miles on it over about 5 years. Never truly appreciated how great it was until too late. Stopped riding around '91 after getting married, put it in the (open door) garage thinking I would fix it up one of those days. Well the day never came and now I regret it. I am embarrassed to admit I never stored it properly, and although this is Southern California, 14 years of dust and spiders and slow rust have taken their toll.

I know I know, I don't deserve this bike. So, need some direction - would anyone want to make this a project bike, or should I just hold a funeral and send it to the guy asking for bikes dead or alive? I just spent 6 hours reading these forums, seems to be a wide range of prices on used 400Fs depending on particulars. I guess I will list it on craigslist in Los Angeles area to see what I can get. Last I remember it ran fine, I never put her down (while moving anyway  ) but lots of little things goin wrong - ignition cracked, left blinker side panel tab missing, has to be kick started, some cracks in the seat cover, etc. Lots of rust now  . All stock except for custom drive socket to smooth out power band. What do y'all think I should do?

Pics: 1. m'peve in her prime 1987, 2. today before pulling her out of my garage after 14 years, 3. the garbage bags come off, 4. into da light, 5. front end I took apart in '94 or so.
Like I said I ain't proud of what I've done to her.


 

[mick750F]

   It looks like it's mostly all there. I'd say you wouldn't have any trouble finding someone who would be willing to take it on as a project. It's a desirable bike to many.

Mike

[R. Hykawy]

I've seen worse, I say go for it and fix her up.

[Uncle Ernie]

You're killing me here.  Fix it and ride it. Sell the tank here for $50. Throw away that seat.  No no- set fire to it.  Who cares about the rust- ride it. Ride it hard, don't spare the whip, and put it away wet. That's the only way those puppies will ever respect you.  Thee's a place in SF that can restore it- forget the name...Charley something.  There's a couple of guys here from the Bay Area, maybe they can tell you. For a man of your stature in the community, money is no object and that bike is worth it.