Topic: Anybody think this "PROJECT" is worth taking on

[-CB-Jamie-]

Picked up a load of cb400f stuff today including two frames, two engines (not siezed) 3 sets of carbs, mint original header pipes and a loada other stuff. got it for a bargain too €450(about $600) for the whole lot so i'd have no problem makin my money back even just selling off some of the parts. I'm thinking of trying to restore one of them but theres a lot of stuff missing and just wondering what peoples opinions are on wether its worth going for it or not as i dont even have a clue what condition the engine is actually in. The one with the engine in the frame is the one i'm thinking of doing. I've recently restored a cb200 so i know what it entails. anyway heres a few pics of what i got and theres one of the cb200 i done. i also hace a 72 350/4 which i have just got going pretty good after having to pull the carbs about three times to clean them as it wasn't firing on one cylinder but thats sorted now and its going like a dream.

[cookindaddy]

Well I'll go first...

I am not sure how to best answer you since from your message and your past work/successes, it pretty much sounds to me like you know what you are getting into, that you have the smarts, knowledge and the drive to see a project through.

Since you have paid for the parts and you have them at home, you have already taken on the project!

Other practical considerations, like that you have the space to store a bunch of greasy dirty old bike parts for a while, room to work on them, the necessary tools and an understanding partner, you don't say, but I'll assume that all those are positive.

I'd say go for it. Most everything has to be taken completely apart, inspected, refinished, replaced etc, etc, so you will only know what you have got when you get a good look at it all, inside and out.

That's a nice dog on the porch step. Can he clean parts?

Good luck and keep us posted!

[faux fiddy]

Go for it.

Having a 350f that runs good might be helpful for plug and play with working  parts. The carbs are the same except I hear the pilot jets are slightly bigger in the 400f. Other than that most parts interchange. You can put a 400 motor in the 350, too. I figure you know all that.

[-CB-Jamie-]

Since you have paid for the parts and you have them at home, you have already taken on the project!

Well i'm still kinda thinking of just parting it out and selling everything seperately, see the problem with this is theres a lot of small parts missing that will probably cost a fortune to pick up, like i was just looking at a complete airbox assembly on ebay for $40 but then the postage to Ireland is another $60 so i'm looking at $100 just for that alone. But i think i'll go for it anyway and do it over a year or two and spread the cost out maybe try and pick up a non runner parts bike that might have all the bits that i'm missing.

That's a nice dog on the porch step. Can he clean parts?

I hope so he could be the extra help that i need!!

Go for it.

Having a 350f that runs good might be helpful for plug and play with working  parts. The carbs are the same except I hear the pilot jets are slightly bigger in the 400f. Other than that most parts interchange. You can put a 400 motor in the 350, too. I figure you know all that.

yeah your right the 350f has 35 main jet while the 400f has 40. Thanks for the comments

[Simpson]

Hell yeah! 

[Stev-o]

Go for it! You have 2 nice Hondas - you know what your doing.

Start the project thread.


Good Luck.

[Zaipai]

I would also do it. So you just have to figure out if you have the time and money and heart to do it.

Great find!

.: Scott :.

[traveler]

my .02

Keep the parts you want, sell the rest and then clean up the parts you keep as spares for the green one you already have.

~Joe

[fasturd]

A boat load of parts is always fun to drag home, but sometimes it pays to sell it off and look for something more complete to buy with the new profits. Keep the rare and valuable let the rest go.
Love the 350 and your 200. I just picked up a nice one owner 200 with 1500 miles on it. going to do a quick tune up and polish and get it back on the road.

Good luck!
Bill

[-CB-Jamie-]

A boat load of parts is always fun to drag home, but sometimes it pays to sell it off and look for something more complete to buy with the new profits. Keep the rare and valuable let the rest go.
Love the 350 and your 200. I just picked up a nice one owner 200 with 1500 miles on it. going to do a quick tune up and polish and get it back on the road.

Good luck!
Bill

Thanks, I saw that thread you strted alright with the cb200 and must say i wish mine was that good when i got it. i've actually since sold my one and bought a rebel 250 as my daily commuter and i've also picked up another cb200 cheap thats fairly bad but is running and is complete. I think i'll go ahead with trying to sort the 400, the plan is to try and pick up a parts bike. The only problem is i think the engine may need a top end rebuild as i done a compression test on it and only got about 40psi. This was done with no exhaust or carbs on the engine by using the kick starter and i presume this shouldn't matter for the reading, i know normally the engine is supposed to be warmed up too. I've never done any engine work besides routine maintenance stuff and might try this as my first rebuild as i've nothing to lose on it really only a bit of time

[Spanner 1]

Those houses in your pics. look suspiciously like South Dublin .... how far off base am I ?? About the bike ...go for it, know Paul Mainey the SOHC guru in the Dublin area?

[-CB-Jamie-]

Those houses in your pics. look suspiciously like South Dublin .... how far off base am I ?? About the bike ...go for it, know Paul Mainey the SOHC guru in the Dublin area?

No your actually about 180 miles off, I'm down south in Cork City . I've never even heard of Paul Mainey, might be handy to know about though

[Hush]

Project Hell yeah!!!
Hey the most intersting thing about the CB400f is the gearbox, 6 gears man 6 bloody gears!!!
Also from other members of the forum I can tell you that the top end of the CB350F drops onto the CB400f lower casing so how about a 350 with 6 gears,,,yeah baby.....good luck with your projects.

[Spanner 1]

Well Cork is south of Dublin, so I was partly right
I'll e-mail P.Mainey, see if I can get a phone number for him....... he imports CB's from the States and sells them in Ireland, been in his shop, may have parts your seeking or buy parts you want to sell......