Topic: Hi from Dallas, 1975 CB400F needing "un-cafe" treatment

[Kartin]

Usual story... Had a 400 Four for many years when I lived in the UK in the 70s/80s. I put 50k miles on that bike and indeed, for many years it was my only form of transport so got ridden in all weathers to work, shops, race meetings, France, you name it... The original exhaust and mudguards rusted out so it had a Yoshimura "crossover" exhaust, a plastic front mudguard from another CB model and a homebrew rear. Then we moved to Canada in 1990 and I reluctantly sold it. Fast forward to 2020s and 3 more international moves later and I started looking for a 400 Four where I now live near Dallas, USA. Of course I've hit the 70s bike "craze" so not many for sale nearby and not for sensible money. I was about to post a "WTB" on the US forum when one popped up really cheaply on local classified ads ("local" meaning it was only 200 miles away!). Of course it was rough and not running but it had correct paperwork (so many don't...) and good compression so I went for it. The bad news is that somewhere along its life it had received a poor cafe conversion attempt and was missing the original tank, mudguards, instruments, front wheel, front brakes (it has a drum brake!), muffler/silencer and lights. I want to gradually bring it back to standard - I realise that little lot will quickly undo the cheapness of the bike but I'm looking forward to the challenge plus it doesn't all have to be done to make the bike rideable. Anyway, I still have all my old maintenance notes and workshop manual so already it's like re-acquainting myself with an old friend!

So far the progress has been to clean the carbs and go through all standard service items and then it sprang to life quite nicely with no smoke or abnormal rattles - result! So now begins the hunt for some original parts - I know the tank and mudguards will be pricey (likely DSS repros).

I'm going to post this on both UK and US SOHC forums (same username). Even though I'm in the US now, my perception is that the 400s are a smaller percentage of the US SOHC population (?) plus I'm in the UK regularly so can pick up parts if needed. Looking forward to interactions on both forums!

Cheers,
Martin

[Stev-o]

Hey Martin...welcome from Lake Travis!   Great story and good news that your "ol friend" started up, these old Hondas are fantastic in that regard.

A couple suggestions:

1.  Post a parts wanted thread in that section on this forum, most of us have parts we are willing to sell at a reasonable price to fellow members [sorry, I dont have any 400F parts]

2.  Start a thread in the Project Shop area so we can follow along and answer any questions that may pop up.

Good luck!

[Gurp]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've lived quite a life. If you don't mind me asking whybthe international moves?

[tool14]

welcome aboard

[rocket johnny]

welcome from western colorado !    nice to see one going from a cafe bike back to stock !

[MD]

Welcome from the much cooler NE Minnesota,

Was in Lubbock TX Saturday it was a toasty ride north.

-MD

[newday777]

Welcome aboard Martin.
I have a friend that has 3 CB400s in the US. One is a bit rough around the edges.......

[Kartin]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Regarding the suggestions, I've just created a topic in the Project Shop and will post a "parts wanted" once I have a definitive list. I already managed to grab a few parts so have enough for the next phases.

Why the international moves? Just for the adventure of it! The first was a deliberate choice to try another country and the rest were just opportunities that came up at work. Actually one in particular is worth a mention here - we spent 2 years in France and there's a country that really knows how to treat its motorcyclists. Lane splitting is expected, as is the bikes going to the front of the line at stop lights. If the gap is a bit tight, the car drivers move over slightly and the bikers thank them with a wave of the foot and everyone gets along in harmony! It's better to have the bikes at the front instead of taking up a regular space in the queue since the bikes can be gone in a flash and you actually get more cars through per green light cycle.

Agreed, summer in Texas is not my favourite time to ride but it makes up for it the rest of the year!

Cheers all...

[newday777]

I totally agree with you on the lane splitting and lane sharing 👍. I did it often on my goldwing in San Diego when ever possible and yes it does help traffic to flow better if the cage drivers would understand that instead of their mindset of " If I have to wait, so do you" in the states where they haven't changed the laws to allow it....   :'(

[hawaiikid]

Good luck on your 400, great bike, I bought the Dss tank and so far no complaints. the spigot on the repop is not the same size, have to buy the one they offer as well. take plenty of photos so we can follow your progress.

[Kartin]

Good luck on your 400, great bike, I bought the Dss tank and so far no complaints. the spigot on the repop is not the same size, have to buy the one they offer as well. take plenty of photos so we can follow your progress.

Good to know - thanks!

[Kartin]

Just for your amusement, here's me with my original bike. This would have been around 1989 so I'd already owned it for 10 years. I had it through my student years, first house etc. so money was tight. I never skimped on maintenance and always used OEM filters etc. but they were low-budget times, hence the home brewed paint job (after tank got dented), homemade seat cover and rear fender, front fender from another bike. The exhaust was one of the Yoshimura "crossover" pipes (original rusted through).

[Kevin]

Hey Kartin,
Welcome to the forum from a fellow traveler!
Good luck with your project bike.
I'll be watching your thread.



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[HondaMan]

Welcome, Kartin!
A worthwhile hint: if you come riding to Colorado, DON'T split lanes. If the cops don't immediately stop you, someone will [deliberately] hit you, and may just run over you! It's not real 'bike friendly' here - I think the altitude create driver-tudes, or something?