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Author Topic: Honda CM 400  (Read 2039 times)

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Offline gregwaits

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Honda CM 400
« on: March 21, 2007, 01:53:32 PM »
What is the story on the Honda CM 400? I have been contacted by a guy who has an '81 model and he wants to know if I want to buy it.

I know it is a twin cylinder. Are there any reliabiliy issues or concerns that I should know about before I start talking $ with this guy?

Thanks

« Last Edit: March 21, 2007, 02:05:56 PM by gregwaits »
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Offline nickjtc

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Re: Honda CM 400
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2007, 02:40:10 PM »
Honda's basic middleweight (well, in old currency a 400 was considered a middleweight!) with a motor derived from the 305/325/360 twins before it. As long as it has some kind of service history which shows that PO/s have taken good care of it's 'care and feeding' (especially oil changes) and as long as everything is there you should be good to go.

As with any previously owned purchase make sure that the consumables (tyres, chain/sprockets, battery, filters, brake pads/shoes) are in good shape. Having to replace these after the purchase can make that 'cheap' gem into an 'expensive' nightmare! Or figure said cost into your purchase price.

Do a thorough check of the electrical system, especially the charging circuits.
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Offline KB02

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Re: Honda CM 400
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2007, 04:59:14 AM »
I had an 81 CM 400 Custom. I loved it. Great bike.
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Offline crazypj

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Re: Honda CM 400
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2007, 11:06:10 AM »
Sorry Nick, its not a derivative of anything but was a completely new 3 valve motor, plain bearing crank instead of roller bearings in the ones you mentioned
Only real issues were generator stators,( I think only the 1978/79 model years were really bad, most changed under warranty, low speed trigger failed and wasn't available as a separate item) when its done you probably have to spend as much ( or more ) than you did on bike to get it fixed. I've never looked into an alternative trigger unit but I guess something could be made/modified
If its a runner just get it and beat the hell out of it, they take awesome amount of abuse and keep going ( as long as you check/top up oil occasionally ;D)
PJ
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Offline gregwaits

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Re: Honda CM 400
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2007, 01:17:38 PM »
I looked at the bike yesterday but the owner wasn't home.

Cosmetically the bike is very clean. It is the CM400E model (spoke wheels). It needs a new key cylinder and a title, and the paint in pretty faded. The owner says that the carbs need new floats and that the carbs leak.

Seat is perfect as is the chrome although the wheel rims need polishing. Owner says it has 1400 original miles. Based on the cosmetic appearance, it is possible.

The owner won't name a price but said he paid $500 for it. With no title that is way too high, especially since I am more interested in getting my Cb500 and CB550s on the road!
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honbonduc

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Re: Honda CM 400
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2007, 06:46:01 AM »
I bought an 81 cm400t a couple months ago. Cosmetically it is nice, under 7000 miles. Needs fork seals and I rebuilt the
carbs and got a used tach. The original had cracked glass. I haven't ridden it enough to get an impression, but I paid
$600 for it with a clear title. $500 does seem high to me for no title.
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