Author Topic: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?  (Read 2024 times)

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Offline jackseattle

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I have a stock 400F but am starting to organize my next project/build for a 400F with a bigger engine and a more modern suspension and braking systems.  I've been thinking about rebuilding my engine with bigger pistons and boring out the carb and wondering about what sort of  suspension and brake upgrade ideas are most effective and practical.  I realized I could ponder that one for quite some time and need a reality check.  Any ideas out there for upgrades/swaps that have worked for you?

I also got to wondering what they do in Japan.  There are probably more 400Fs in Japan than here in the US, and there is a real strong motorbike culture.  I'd be real curious to find out if anyone has a sense for what specific suspension (front and back) and brake upgrades/swaps are made by the Japanese builders when making performance upgrades to the engine and drivetrain. 
1976 400F
1971 450

Offline camelman

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2012, 09:14:35 AM »
Some US-based builders on this site are doing pretty amazing things too.  Try searching with the Google search bar to find previous threads on CB400f and CB350f performance upgrades including power generation, braking and suspension.
1972 350f rider: sold
1972 350f/466f cafe: for sale
1977 CB400f cafe:sold
1975 CB400f rider: sold
1970 CB750 K0 complete bike: sold
2005 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 rider

We've got to cut it off... and then come down on rockets.  (quoted from: seven minutes of terror)

Offline kslrr

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2012, 01:40:17 PM »
Take a look at this website:

http://www.ttr400.com/
Now  1972 CB350FX (experimental v2.0)
        1981 CB650c Custom with '79 engine (wifes)
        1981 CB650 engine
        2004 HD XL883C Custom
        1977 Yamaha XS750D (in progress)
Then 1972 CL175
        1964 Yamaha YGS-1T
No ride is a Bad ride

Offline RickB

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2012, 03:01:28 PM »
Jack,

I could list hundreds of different parts, options etc. but there's so many decisions you'll have to make a long the way that I would just encourage you to see what others have done. Some stand out CB400F's that come to mind:

http://home.comcast.net/~eyhonda/
http://caferacers.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/1975-honda-cb400-cafe-racer/
http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-cb400
http://www.ttr400.com/photo_1.html
http://www.ttr400.com/custom.html

Rick.

Offline Tim2005

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2012, 03:27:24 PM »
Japan probably does have the most developers of the 400f anywhere, with both engine and chassis mods being popular there, as well as some interesting styling exercises.  There are a couple of sites- MC-Again has a fairly decent selection of modified 400s in its gallery:

http://www.mc-again.com/con_03.htm

there is another site which has more radical 400f stuff, some great engineering (for instance many have dry clutch conversions) combined with king & queen seats for some reason,  but I can't seem to find an active link to it- hopefully someone on here can point us to it. You could also check out the yahoo group " CB400F " as someone on there may have more links.

Also from Japan there is always the well known 09-bike- this was around about a decade ago so who knows what they are up to now:

Offline RickB

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2012, 03:32:59 PM »
Oh Tim that reminded me of a SOHC4 member Specweld's CB400F:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70398.0

Rick.

Offline Tim2005

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2012, 03:49:59 PM »
I couldn't help spending a while browsing around the MC-Again site, and spotted this bit of 400f porn which I just had to share with you guys. I suggest you look away now if you are in any way attached to your wallet.

Offline RickB

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2012, 06:00:36 PM »
I've got a set of their rearsets so I've already said goodbye to my wallet!

Offline kyre

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    • CB400F / 466 Build Thread
Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2012, 07:34:30 PM »
Kaz pipe on eBay now, not mine. Headers are correct but muffler looks modified to keep the center stand. I've got one already so am not bidding. Not sure he'll get what he wants with the muffler modified but still nice.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121008120976?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
CB400F / 466 Build Thread (currently in progress)
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=105027.0

Offline jackseattle

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Re: 400F upgrades - what worked for you, what are they doing in Japan?
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2012, 07:25:45 AM »
Thanks guys, this is helpful.
RickB - your build reads like a story with a very nice ending.  nice ride.  thanks so much for sharing those threads.
Tim2005 - yeah, MC Again's site is like crack.  Gotta learn to read kanji script
ksllr - yes, the "two kevins" site, it's really cool what they did to fill a void in the market.
1976 400F
1971 450