Author Topic: Low mileage CB400f  (Read 1206 times)

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Offline dugsgms

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Low mileage CB400f
« on: February 18, 2019, 04:53:07 PM »
Hello all!
Picked up a 75 cb400f over the weekend. Very original bike, 3300 miles, seems to have never been apart in any way. Looks as if only the tires and fuel hose has been replaced nothing else, even still has all the original QC paint marks. Unfortunately, it sat for quite some time in a somewhat damp environment so all the chrome varies from slightly to moderately pitted and the forks tubes and engine side covers show some corrosion. Tank is like new inside but according to the seller the carbs needed a full rebuild which he had done. Must have done a good job because even though it still has the original points/plugs and wires it seems to run great, starts right up even at below freezing ambient temps and restarts warm by hand on the kick starter. Unfortunately it snowed here the day after I bought it so have very little ride time.

So far have done a mild strip down and cleaning and other than a sticky front caliper no surprises yet, charges at 13.5v all lights work(delay on the blink with the turn signals) and all controls seem to be fine. Still haven't decided what I'm going to do with the bike, still going back and forth between leaving it as is or just replacing the chrome and polishing/painting the aluminum stuff but am leaning towards the latter and just saving all the original parts.

Anyways, here's a few pics, and I'm open for suggestions on what direction to go with the build, Thanks for looking!, Doug
1970 BSA Lightning
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 Honda CB400f
2008 Yamaha WR250R

Offline scottly

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Re: Low mileage CB400f
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2019, 06:49:22 PM »
Hello all!
Unfortunately it snowed here the day after I bought it so have very little ride time.

Hi Doug! I'm curious: where are you in SoCal? Big Bear, Victor Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster?
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline MoMo

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Re: Low mileage CB400f
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2019, 07:34:30 PM »
Clean it up a bit, ride it and enjoy....Larry

Offline Gurp

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Re: Low mileage CB400f
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2019, 07:39:17 PM »
Clean ride buddy!
slow Progress 74 cb550.

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Offline MauiK3

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Re: Low mileage CB400f
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2019, 08:35:34 AM »
It's hard to find examples of the 400's that good. I'd just make it as new and stock as I could and preserve it.
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Offline dugsgms

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Re: Low mileage CB400f
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2019, 04:44:39 PM »
Quote
Hi Doug! I'm curious: where are you in SoCal? Big Bear, Victor Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster?

I'm in the San Bernardino mountains in the Crestline/Cedar Pines Park area. Get about 6 inches of new snow today so I think that puts riding off week or so more.

Quote
It's hard to find examples of the 400's that good. I'd just make it as new and stock as I could and preserve it.
Quote
Clean it up a bit, ride it and enjoy....Larry
Thanks for the opinions guys. I think you're right, other than fixing functional stuff(fork and caliper rebuild) I think I'm just gonna give it a good cleaning, replace some of the worst pitted chrome stuff(save all the original parts), maybe paint the engine covers, re-polish the fork tubes(only as well as the factory did) and ride it. Thanks again, Doug
1970 BSA Lightning
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 Honda CB400f
2008 Yamaha WR250R

Offline dugsgms

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Re: Low mileage CB400f
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2019, 08:45:35 AM »
Got some work done this weekend. Rebuilt caliper and flushed system, replaced turn signal housings, gas cap and latch, replaced the chrome buttons and buckles on the seat and did a big clean up.

Finally got warm enough for some of the snow to melt so the roads were clear enough to go for a short ride. This is my first early CB multi(mostly have singles and parallel twins) and I was amazed at how modern it feels, very smooth and tight. I can see why guys like the bikes!
1970 BSA Lightning
1975 Yamaha RD350
1975 Honda CB400f
2008 Yamaha WR250R