Author Topic: 1975 400/4 project  (Read 11402 times)

Offline Sprocket

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1975 400/4 project
« on: August 16, 2018, 08:26:15 AM »
Hi all. I think I've gone a bit mad and bought a project. No idea how much this is going to cost, or how long it's going to take. But I'm not worried, I'll plod on and it'll be done when it is.

I've decided the first step is to sit and look at it a lot. Then make some lists of stuff that looks like it works, and stuff that needs doing. I imagine I'll be stripping it and getting the frame done before any serious other work, but who knows!

Any advice welcome!

Shameful pic first.

Offline paul G

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2018, 08:29:04 AM »
 When the reality sinks in ;) ;)
It's a good starting point and loads of 440/4 owners/help on here ;D good luck Sprocket
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline mickwinf

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2018, 08:30:50 AM »
welcome and good luck with your project
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2018, 08:51:07 AM »
Hi and welcome. It's not in boxes so it's not too bad. Have fun  ;D ;D ;D
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline SumpMagnet

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2018, 09:42:54 AM »
I think you have the right approach. No time limits, no deadlines, and no rush. If something needs to soak in WD40 for a day or two, so be it. I am trying to do the same with my project ....

It looks pretty much all there, and these little beasties look tidy when done. Just think shiny paint and glittering chrome and dive in😁
CB750F2 - in pieces
CB900F Hornet - the daily transport

Offline royhall

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2018, 02:27:04 PM »
Welcome to the forum. You picked a good bike for a first project. Loads of advice on here and plenty of spare parts still available. It's a personal thing but I always start with the engine as it's the biggest and dearest lump out of the way. The rest is just bolting things off and on. Any way you do it have fun.
Current bikes:
TriBsa CCM 350 Twin
Honda CB350F in Candy Bacchus Olive
Honda CB750F2 in Candy Apple Red
Triumph Trident 660 in Black/White
Triumph T100C
Suzuki GS1000HC
Honda CB450K0 Black Bomber
Honda CB750K5 in Planet Blue Metallic (Current Project)

Offline Sprocket

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2018, 02:49:58 PM »
Thanks very much! I admit I've been lurking for ages on a number of forums and it's no accident I picked a project that had some degree of a chance of success. Was basically between this and an NC30 really. And I dare say when this one's done I might look for the other!

I think I'm gravitating towards the engine first, as suggested. It's pretty daunting but I like the idea of doing as much as I can myself. I've a local machine shop in mind for anything I'm totally stuck with.

First things I've purchased are a set of JIS screwdrivers and a massive tub of Swarfega!  :)

Offline Orcade-Ian

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2018, 04:00:25 PM »
Welcome to the mad world of all things SOHC (and others)
Looks like a good basis to start from.  As others have said, lots of help and advice on here so just take your time, everything will come apart eventually so don’t rush.  Depends what you want to achieve with the final finish but most parts can be brought back to useable with a bit of effort.
Definitely worth reading Nurse Julie’s clinical notes on here to guide you through the process on the engine.  Most of us take the exhaust, carbs, head and barrel off while still in the frame to make it lighter.  It also provides you with an engine stand for loosening stuff like clutch, gear change mech and generator without it sliding all over the place.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help,
Ian

Offline Sprocket

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2018, 09:09:18 AM »
So after thinking about it for a while on Friday evening, I tentatively removed an indicator mount from the rear. Full of filler.  :( So I didn't like the idea of what the frame might be like. Over the weekend I've gently prodded it with a wire wheel and found some reasonable looking metal so I do feel a little better!

Took some other bits off to examine too. One stud has snapped outside of the head and I think it was blowing badly hence there's a pretty deep gungy leak down the front of the engine.

Think the pipes are all genuine but I fear they're too far gone, two of the headers have a really thick crust of rusty nonsense over the chrome. Might be able to at least reshape the crust into something that might shove back in, let's see...

Front and rear 'chrome' mudguards are both covered in underseal underneath (the rear is fibreglassed too, as well as painted over on the surface!)

So the decision has been made, I'll strip the frame down, get it powder coated and use that as the starting point.

Offline paul G

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2018, 09:23:01 AM »
Best way to move forward Sprocket, strip clean and asses  ;) :) that way you know what you are up against.
On the engine look at Julie's project very comprehensive and loads of help on here.
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2018, 10:44:49 AM »
Welcome to the forum Sprocket.
I agree with Roy and Paul, strip it down and see what you've got before spending big money. Rebuild the engine first and when you know that's done send the chrome off for replating closely followed by the paint (I and others on here can recommend Menno Dek in Germany, ace painter with decals supplied by Piki (both are forum members on here)).
Julie's thread on the engine rebuild is an inspiration. Julie also sells the oil pump O rings, a real must when rebuilding the motor.
You are lucky with the 400/4, lots of bits available both OEM and pattern.
Best of luck and keep us posted with plenty of photos. Lots of advice freely given, just ask.
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline Sprocket

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2018, 11:13:37 AM »
Ok, so having got most of the bits away I can see what I'm dealing with now.

Plan is:
Do a compression test while the engine is in the frame, see how fit it is or isn't
Strip remaining stuff away, get frame blasted, welded if necessary then powder coated
Put existing stuff back on after a clean and refresh
If engine needs a rebuild do that, if it will run put back in

... Ride the bloody thing ...

Go through as necessary making each and everything shiny and right

This way, I won't have to stop and completely strip it all apart again if I do decide to make it concours.

Offline Sprocket

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #12 on: August 28, 2018, 08:24:55 AM »
Ok, so guess which part has got me stumped...

After this pic:
  • I got the hacksaw out and chopped it off, both ends inside the brackets.
  • Put in the vice, tried to put a hacksaw blade through it and saw along the length. Turns out there's a small seam inside the tube and the blade was too big to fit.
  • Modified the blade, eventually got it all the way through.
  • Chopped carefully for about an hour until I met the metal of the stand itself, along the length.
  • Took bracket outside, made a drift from old bolts and beat it.
  • Bolts went flat and crumbly. Pin still very firmly inside the stand.

Help!

Offline paul G

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #13 on: August 28, 2018, 08:30:08 AM »
Heat and lots of it. ;) ;) ;D
I was lucky and got the toolmaker at work to drill it out for me ;D ;D
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline mickwinf

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Re: 1975 400/4 project
« Reply #14 on: August 28, 2018, 05:01:10 PM »
best way to remove stand without damage is to saw through the retaining tube on both sides between the end of the stand and the mounting brackets, once off it is easier to apply force/ heat/ wd40/more force. Can be a long job but stands are hard to find so worth it.
Love the 500 and 550 have a 500 called Lazarus under restoration

 

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