Howdy, folks! I'm new to the site and thought I'd jump in here with an intro and to ask a couple of tech questions. I have a '75 CB400f which I bought a few months ago and looks to be in real nice condition, which is the good thing. It came as a roller with parts in boxes, which I suppose is the bad thing but because I'm not right in the head it doesn't seem TOO bad. In the last couple of years I've brought a '63 CB77 and a '72 CB175 back from the dead so I've done some wrenching and have been learning. Of course, when disassembling those bikes I took lots of notes and photos, something I can't benefit from this go-around. But hey, it's too late now!
My questions: (1) I predict the need for (and it's a good idea anyway) a comprehensive carb rack cleaning and resto...I note that the Honda brand carb gasket kits include a large O-ring which I assume is the float bowl gasket. I've also seen aftermarket gaskets that are molded in the shape of the bowl. Does anyone have experience with the latter, good or bad? With my other bikes, using non-Honda float gaskets gave not-so-good results. (2) Regarding the four O-rings at the base of the cylinders that fit between the cylinders and the crankcase, should they be seated into the groove at the base of the cylinders or simply rolled down to the base of the cylinders and call it good? I've done the former because I'm worried about the rubber pinching wrong and maybe interfering with the base gasket, but maybe I'm worrying too much? My shop manuals don't seem to address the issue. Thanks!
