Author Topic: 1976 cb400f rebuild - costs and cautions?  (Read 3911 times)

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aaron

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1976 cb400f rebuild - costs and cautions?
« on: September 24, 2005, 01:34:42 PM »
my newly aquired $500 piece of crap is half apart just to clean it up and get it running (carb overhaul in progress, valve adjustment to follow, new oil + filter ...etc,etc)  I have no idea what the engine condition is. bike was parked for 15 years before i got it.  I'm considering just jumping in and splitting the cases and doing what's needed, as I plan on doing a lot of work everywhere else on the bike. 

any thoughts? 

my first concern is the "best case scenario"  rebuild cost.  how much will seals, main bearings, rings, etc  run me?
next is: anything i should know before diving in?  I've done a gsxr 750 (85) motor with my dad, so not a lot of fear working on this one.  but I have no direct exp with these small air cooled fours.
finally - worst case scenario...when should i say "parts bike!"  and start cruising the classifieds again?

Offline Bodi

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Re: 1976 cb400f rebuild - costs and cautions?
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2005, 02:36:20 PM »
It is pretty easy to pull off the rocker cover and see what it looks like inside there. The cam should be free of galling and scoring on the bearing surfaces and lobes. Put some engine rebuild lube on these spots. Clean out the oil holding wells and fill with clean oil.
If this area looks good, probably the rest of the engine is OK.
If you feel really handy, you can replace the exhaust valveguide seals using compressed airtro hold the valves up. The seals will be brittle and leaky by now.
While you're in the top end you can check for cam chain tensioner operation, loosen the locking screw and the rear tensioner leaf can be pressed down to work the action if you remove the little cap thing that holds it in place.
You can look in the 1 and 4 sparkplug holes with a flashlight and see how the bores look, they should be relatively smooth and free of pits and scoring.
If it looks pretty good, start the engine before deciding on further action. loosen all the tappets all the way and make sure they are not jammed against the valvestems while reinstalling the rocker cover. Set the lash to spec. Be VERY careful with the rocker cover bolts, the head metal is pretty soft and it is extremely easy to strip threads out.
The main bearings are good for a long time if the oil is changed regularly. I think most shell sizes are still available from NOS deaalers.
Occasionally a seal and gasket set shows up on ebay, possibly David Silver or CMSL might have them. The seals are mostly standard sizes and can be bought from industrial suppliers, but a kit makes life easier and I think the main drive shaft seal is a special item.
I've come to believe that replacing rings on a small aircooled engine is not worthwhile. If it has a problem leading you to want to change rings, you should bite the bullet and put in overbore pistons.
Top end gasket sets are readily available, Athena has a good set and you will probably find an original set at a Honda or NOS dealer.

Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: 1976 cb400f rebuild - costs and cautions?
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2005, 04:19:42 PM »
Two tips that have worked for me;
1) buy only the finest coffee beans available. I prefer mixing Sumatra with French Roast using a Melita cone.
2) GET RIGHT WITH GOD (pray before killing things)
Dude- your 8 layers are showing!

Offline pmpski_1

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Re: 1976 cb400f rebuild - costs and cautions?
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2005, 06:00:55 PM »
And only use the freshest beans available!

Why do you think the engine needs to be rebuilt?
Beast   I: 1974 CB550K
Beast IV: 1976 Chevy Blazer
Beast  V: 2003 Buell XB9S

jimbo

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Re: 1976 cb400f rebuild - costs and cautions?
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2005, 06:59:47 PM »
I would say get the engine running before you start taking it apart, some parts you may need for the engine you can’t buy anymore! Honda gaskets and seals will be expensive see how it runs. Then sell it or fix it up

I agree.  And, when you get it running, be sure to adjust the cam chain and valves.  This is going to sound weird but my 550 (Just got it running) was smoking so I was considering a rebuild over the winter.  I adjusted the valve clearance and the cam chain and no more smoke.  Don't neglect any of the maintenance because you may be the first ever to do it on the bike and I'm here to tell you it does make a difference.  Saved me some money.  ;)  Runs good now but I'm still going to sync the carbs next weekend cause it may even run better.