kickstart

[ian mills]

does anyone know where to find akickstart lever for a Honda 400/4 or if there is a compatible one that will fit

[hairygit]

One from a 350 four will fit, they often appear on e-bay from the U.S.

[Bryanj]

Chromed rocking horse poo mate and whilst others fit the spline they may not clear the casing and sidepanel

[Laverda Dave]

The knuckle is the same between a 350/4 and a 400/4 but the kickstart shaft itself is shorter on the 350.

[Rozabikes Tim]

As these seem like gold dust why have the likes of David Silver not done a pattern equivalent? Complication / cost??

Tim

[Chris400F]

The knuckle is the same between a 350/4 and a 400/4 but the kickstart shaft itself is shorter on the 350.

I had a 350/4 one (at least, that's what I bought it as) which I had pictures of alongside the one from my 400/4 (don't have them any more I'm afraid).
Without looking for minute differences the two were pretty much identical and certainly interchangeable although I know the arms have different part numbers.

As these seem like gold dust why have the likes of David Silver not done a pattern equivalent? Complication / cost??

Tim

I seem to recall this topic came up on here not too long ago, the answer being that DS did look in to getting copies made (possibly in China, I can't remember) but there were quality/strength issues with the knuckle so the project was abandoned.

Keep a look-out on eBay.de too, I have seen some for the 350/4 come up on there in the past.

[Chris400F]

I seem to recall this topic came up on here not too long ago, the answer being that DS did look in to getting copies made (possibly in China, I can't remember) but there were quality/strength issues with the knuckle so the project was abandoned.

I remembered rightly, it's on page 4 of this thread.
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,8998.0.html
May be some other pointers about finding a kickstart in that thread too.

[Laverda Dave]

Chris,
I bought a 350/4 lever and knuckle from the USA thinking they were the same.  After getting stung by customs and getting it home and unwrapping it I found the lever itself was about 50mm shorter compared to the genuine one fitted to my other 400/4.
At least I got the knuckle which was all I really wanted as the one with the 'project' had the usual crack in it making it useless, I already had the spare lever and now both are re-chromed they look the part.
Maybe Mr Pusher has one for sale, he did have a very nice 350/4 he was breaking or try Steve Cooper.
As an aside, I waited nearly 2 years for NLM to re-manufacture swan neck kickstart levers for the 350's to clear aftermarket rearsets. They had exactly the same issues as DS with quality problems and the levers snapping. They got some made eventually in the UK I understand.

Dave 

[Chris400F]

Dave,
I have just spent a few minutes looking at pictures of 350/4s and in all cases the top of the kickstart lever is about level with the middle of the float bowl. Looking at various images of 400/4s they all look to be at that height too. Certainly the one I bought, from someone who was breaking a 350/4, had very small detail differences with the 400/4 part but was definitely interchangeable.
I have also read on this forum and elsewhere that the parts are interchangeable. My first guess would have been that the part you were sold didn't actually come from a 350/4 at all although if the knuckle was correct then could the arm have been swapped for another? Certainly I haven't come across that problem before, everything I have read and personal experience suggests that the parts are interchangeable.
Chris

[Laverda Dave]

Thanks Chris,

Looks like I was sold a duffer then  .

I know Mr Pusher had one from a 350/4 and he said it was shorter so I didn't bother buying his one 
There's normally one or two 350/4 kickstarts on e-bay for sale in the States, they go for between 60-100 pounds but when you add on the customs it works out very expensive as I found out 

I've just popped indoors for a mug of splosh and a 'cooling down break' after taking apart and reassembling the front wheel spindle half a dozen times today and still having the same problem!

Dave

[Chris400F]

Just seen this one listed. No idea what it will go for.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/honda-cb400-four-Kickstart-/272312812230?hash=item3f671bc2c6:g:NhQAAOSwMsVXji7f

[Jontyp]

What about this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400-Four-CB400F-400-4-kickstarter-with-unbroken-knuckle/391515090231?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D37449%26meid%3D8526e969ddd14ae2b4695b1272d3af9c%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D272312812230

[Chris400F]

Still looking? Just seen this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400-4-Kick-Start-Lever-/131976928273?hash=item1eba701c11:g:9xAAAOSwUEVYCNME