Rebuild of a CB400F done

Motofun · August 31, 2020, 07:03:03 AM

Finished (sort of) my CB400F rebuild. The bike started out as a parts bike but then I sold the show bike reason I bought it. I was going to part it out last year but in a fit of insanity I decided to see if i could get it to run. Big mistake as it started me down the rabbit hole. Any way, this is the result.....

Firehawk068 · August 31, 2020, 09:06:52 AM

Nice looking bike!
When I was little, I remember my Dad bringing home a CB400.............Blue, just like yours.
It was the first motorcycle I can remember seeing.
He kept it only for a little while, and then traded it in for a Burgundy CX500.

T Legg · August 31, 2020, 09:19:41 AM

Good job restoring it.Im glad you didn't part it out. I have several cb750's three of which don't have titles I bought for parts but I can't bring myself to strip them. I have one cb750f that has that crazy momma pappa seat. It's hard to believe they put those seats on the F models.

racerman_27410 · August 31, 2020, 10:37:51 AM

Very nice work Jack, the bike looks great!

krusty · August 31, 2020, 06:11:08 PM

Quote from: T Legg on August 31, 2020, 09:19:41 AM
Good job restoring it.Im glad you didn't part it out. I have several cb750's three of which don't have titles I bought for parts but I can't bring myself to strip them. I have one cb750f that has that crazy momma pappa seat. It's hard to believe they put those seats on the F models.

I know how you feel as I have been a concours judge in the past and hated seeing good, straight bikes being parted out on fleabay. I've now changed my position. Parting them out could be helping in getting multiple bikes back on the road on the road rather than being scrapped for lack of a much needed part/s that could not be sourced elsewhere. A bit like being an organ donor?

Motofun · August 31, 2020, 06:37:47 PM

The smart money decision would have been to part it out. I had many of the needed spares on the shelf already like a newish exhaust, a new fender, 3 spare carbs and a starter. It cost a pretty penny to finish. I took its for it's maiden run the other day. I've got to fix the clutch pack and sort out the ignition. Fortunately I still have a spare clutch in the barn and the points ignition will probably kick my butt.....Probably do another compression check on it too, just to be sure.

gdfj12 · August 31, 2020, 08:15:41 PM

Jack,

It looks good. I hope the electric repairs go well.

George

Old Rider · September 01, 2020, 08:27:59 AM

Very nice work .Is that the same gastank or have you straighten the dents yourself ? looks professional painted. I have the same bike ...in my unbuildt motorcycle scalemodel collection

The old seat you can fit on the FJ =)

Motofun · September 02, 2020, 07:53:07 AM

I had a local shop pull the dent out with weld on studs then used a thin coat of bondo to shape it. I did the painting, decals and clear coat. I'd call the finish a 9 out of ten. I would have to sand the clear and polish it to get it perfect and flat.

Pat Conlon · September 02, 2020, 10:21:21 AM

I love those little Honda 4's. When I left Uncle Sam I bought a CB500.
Amazing little bike, ran like a top, and so smooth.
Good on ya Jack....do you still have your CBX's?

JMR · September 02, 2020, 05:05:45 PM

Nice work!

JMR · September 02, 2020, 05:11:39 PM

I have ported a number of 400 heads....interesting canted valve arrangement. I think I have ported every CB750 and 550 head on earth.

Porting a Benelli 6 cylinder head now.....that's a first. It is basically a CB550 with 2 extra cylinders. Probably the worst casting I have ever seen on a production bike. The sealing surface was milled at the factory with one lateral edge with a .030 or so lip and the opposite side .000 lip. It's flat but WTF.

Motofun · September 02, 2020, 05:29:30 PM

Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 02, 2020, 10:21:21 AM
I love those little Honda 4's. When I left Uncle Sam I bought a CB500.
Amazing little bike, ran like a top, and so smooth.
Good on ya Jack....do you still have your CBX's?

Sold the CBX several years ago...it was ending up in the back of the barn. Nothing like doing a carb rebuild on a CBX to make you appreciate fuel injection! For those not in the know...the 6 CBX carbs are not in-a-line. They are actually in a slight Vee so that they don't go straight in the rubber boots. I found it took a heat gun, a 2X4 and crow bar to get them in or out. Only time a crow bar came in handy as a MC tool.

JMR · September 02, 2020, 08:44:09 PM

Quote from: Motofun on September 02, 2020, 05:29:30 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 02, 2020, 10:21:21 AM
I love those little Honda 4's. When I left Uncle Sam I bought a CB500.
Amazing little bike, ran like a top, and so smooth.
Good on ya Jack....do you still have your CBX's?
Sold the CBX several years ago...it was ending up in the back of the barn. Nothing like doing a carb rebuild on a CBX to make you appreciate fuel injection! For those not in the know...the 6 CBX carbs are not in-a-line. They are actually in a slight Vee so that they don't go straight in the rubber boots. I found it took a heat gun, a 2X4 and crow bar to get them in or out. Only time a crow bar came in handy as a MC tool.

I guess you have never pulled and reinstalled carbs off a Magna V65 or any V Honda for that matter.

I have a CBX and the carbs as well as the engine are a nightmare IMO. Plus every NOS part has been bought by guys that take pride in saying I have 3 NOS tanks, tail pieces etc etc etc BUT will never sell them. I guess they'll be buried with them.

Waiex191 · September 03, 2020, 09:55:11 AM

Your CB400F looks awesome - nice job!

Quote from: JMR on September 02, 2020, 08:44:09 PM
I guess you have never pulled and reinstalled carbs off a Magna V65 or any V Honda for that matter.

We have that merit badge at my place. Makes you appreciate the FJ1200.

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Rebuild of a CB400F done