Topic: CB 400 top end rebuild

[Big Bob]

I've got a CB400 I'm doing a top end on.  The bike will be running in AHRMA Production Lightweight next year.

Cylinders are in good shape, getting a hone and new rings.  Head is getting a 3 angle valve job, ports cleaned up.  Head and cylinders getting decked to make sure they're true.

I'm looking at seals, o-rings, gaskets.  Has anyone used the Vesrah kits for these engines?  Any good?  Do they come with all the little o-rings and the valve guide seals or am I going to need to buy them separately?

Any "gotchas" to look out for on the 400 eninges during assembly?  I've done several 750 engines but this is my first time doing the top end on a 400.

Thanks in advance for any useful input.

[MoMo]

BB,  I have used both the Vesrah and Honda kits, no problem with either and the Vesrah does have everything you need. Motor goes together easily(as do most all vintage Honda bikes)  and can be done in the frame if necessary. I assume you mean 400 four.   Are you running stock carbs and air box?  Have fun...Larry

[Big Bob]

Of COURSE I mean a 400 four!

My friend Rebecca decided she needed to go racing.  I got her a loaner CB400 track bike to try out and she was hooked.

A few months later I get a call from a buddy of mine.  Him and his dad run a bike shop.  In the course of the conversation he says "Hey, know anybody that would want a whole pile of CB400F stuff?"

One mostly complete bike in OK shape.  One hopeless frame.  Three engines, one partially torn down.  A whole bunch of assorted parts. 

When it's done it will be mostly stock.  Stock carbs are required for the class she'll be racing in.  Pod filters.  Probably a Dyna ignition.

I'll post some pics later.

Anyway.  Thanks for the tip on the Vesrah gasket set.  If anyone has anything bad to say about Vesrah kits for the CB400F please speak up soon.

[Tim2005]

I agree the vesrah's are aok. Just one extra thing, I'd strongly suggest putting a new camchain in and checking the condition of the tensioner too.

Also, rather than pods, consider using the stock airbox but with a bit of mesh instead of the filter, I've found that is much easier to set up than pods on a 400.