Since I was a kid, I had an obsession with the 400fs. I think that it is probably a combination of the looks, the mechanical beauty, and the exercise in miniature art. I just love them to death.
Last year I bought one and brought her back to life. I love it. I have always wanted to build the perfect machine out of one of these, and through lots of research, etc., I have seen some amazing bikes come of the little fours. There was a problem though, my little bike was really too perfect to do anything extreme to. It is a 9700 +/- example, and when I bought it, I did the simple things like replace the clutch (po used full synthetic and wondered why it slipped), added a DynaS and GL100) coils (replaceable leads), clipons, tires, rebuilt the brakes, added a MAC exhaust (still have the original, but someone high centered it right at the collector), added signals (mine were missing), replaced the cracked headlight bucket, and seat cover...spent 2 weeks on the butchered wiring, etc. You get the idea. Well, I love the bike to death, but just couldn't bring myself to go forward with modifying beyond the point of no return....here she is.
She is a 75 in lacquer blue.
Well over time I have been collecting parts. Lots of parts. And then one day, a deal that I couldn't pass up came along. I found a guy in Michigan (I am in Alabama), that sold me a 8100 mile rolling chassis, also a 75, missing nothing but the tins with clear title, PLUS another free spare motor for $500....shipped. I snagged it immediately.
Looks like the parts are going to find a home.
Over the last few months I have been tinkering with a tank that I picked up. I always liked the 77 tanks due to there obscure little fuel door. I got one off of CL back in November that wasn't in terrible shape other than a shallow crease on the right side, and being filled with a half inch of lacquered old gas. Well over the months I stripped the inside of the tank with a combo of products, namely muriatic acid and acetone, dried, repeated, and then POR15 lined it. After that I worked out all of the dings and dents with a dent puller and a skim coat of dynatron glazing putty and finished up the paint this week.
the wife would kill me if she saw this!
Primed
Finished in the colors I've been dreaming about. Pure HRC racing colors....also inspired by one of my favorite bikes, the RC30. Using repro RC166 decals which I have always loved.
Got this seat for her with red stitching:
To give me the final look:
(this is pre clear coat and pre toning down the side covers, but it's a good profile.)
So that's where I sit as I wait on the rolling chassis and motor to get here from Michigan. It should be here next week. Then the real work starts. In the mean time, I will show ya some parts I've been collecting. This is after all my dream bike, so no holes barred...I'm building it the way that I want and the way that it was intended.
Ohlins NC31 (CB400SF) shocks. These bikes are 370 lbs dry from the factory, The 400f SS is 375, so they should work perfectly. I will have to modify the bottom swingarm mount to accept an eye instead of a clevis, but it will be getting bracing modification anyway, so it's all good.
Tarozzi clip-ons, the forks will be stock 400f with RaceTech springs and gold valve emulators rebuilt using new seals and fluid. These will be coming off of the blue bike to go on here, and a set of stockers will be going on the blue bike since she will be going back mostly stock:
New RK heavy duty cam chain:
Kibblewhite valve springs and aluminum retainers (may be traded for Titanium):
These were purchased because I bought this: A Megacycle full race cam shaft. This increases valve lift and duration giving a good bit more mid and top end power. .290" of valve lift and a duration of 246* at .040". It is a beautiful thing. Looks funny because it is packed in lithium grease until I put it into the motor. It is the Megacycle 131-20.
54.5mm overbore pistons that are sent out for balancing and increasing the valve pockets. Will bore her up to 466cc's. Also have new wrist pins, clips and rings:
Compared to stock:
And a set of Keihin CR Special 26mm carbs:
The head (a spare that I had) has been sent off for porting and polishing along with the crank for lightening and balancing. The rods will be shot peened and cryogenically treated and also balanced. The oil pump has been modified to CB750 internals for increased flow. The head and cylinders will also be decked to match. As mentioned before the pistons will be balanced and relief cut for the increased lift on the cam. The motor will be completely rebuilt using a TON of NOS parts I have been collecting. I have a set of all of the bearings and seals internally, along with a second Dyna S iggy for her. I will be putting in a Barnett clutch and HD clutch springs.
I can't wait to get started on the dirty work. I have a target of being finished by the end of July for a big get together in West Virginia, and have time to dial her in for the Barber's Vintage Festival. It feels like I have been working on this old girl forever considering all of the planning and thought I have put into her. But really the work is only just beginning! I hope you guys dig what is going on so far, and I will keep you updated as the magic happens! Thanks for looking!
