Author Topic: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild  (Read 5160 times)

Offline Skunky

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Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« on: August 20, 2018, 08:50:35 PM »
Hi

I have decided to detail my restoration of a 74 CB400F here.

The bike was imported in may and shows 6700 miles and is in a pretty sorry state. The ignition switch is missing and it looks as if it stood for a long time.
I took the tank and seat off and it looks ok. The front wheel is out of line but the frame seems ok. I expect that The triple trees need adjustment. The front brake is buggered and the brake fluid has turned to crack cocaine. Which can only make it faster 👍
Apart from a broken headlight and missing switch/keys, everything is there. The engine turns over on the Kickstarter and there’s new oil in it. I suspect someone has tried to start it.

Here are a few before photos

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Honda CB400F USA
Triumph Thruxton 900
BMW K100 Custom Buils

Offline Skunky

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2018, 09:09:30 PM »
Like every builder I started looking online to see the cost of the Honda parts and while on eBay I saw a headlight which I negociated down to £32. It arrived today I was surprised to see it was original old stock. Result 👍
Honda CB400F USA
Triumph Thruxton 900
BMW K100 Custom Buils

Offline JamesH

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2018, 09:28:29 PM »
Great project you have there. Will follow with interest..

Offline petermigreen

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2018, 09:34:47 PM »
Good luck on your adventure.
I'm not sure how you'd adjust the yokes. I would expect that you might find the fork stanchions are bent. Be interesting to see how that turns out. If they are you can have them straightened or replaced at your preference.
Sounds like you've been lucky with missing parts. All the parts you've got just need sprucing up  ;D
I'll also be following with interest.
Peter

Offline paul G

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2018, 10:17:23 PM »
Great starting point. Give philpots a ring on the stantchions.
Honda CB400 4
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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2018, 08:41:36 AM »
Is that a crack on the lower fork case.....or a USA cobweb ?

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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 Sprocket

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2018, 09:04:46 AM »
Looks like a solid base to start from! Those engine bars though!  :o
Where are you starting with the project then?

Online SumpMagnet

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2018, 09:26:40 AM »
Looks all there...and not too far gone. These are pretty little things when sorted...and every time I pick up heavy great lump of 750 I kind of wish I had started something smaller!

I've not been here long, but already I have learnt a lot and had a load of help.
CB750F2 - in pieces
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Offline Skunky

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2018, 10:05:25 AM »
First thing is to make sure I can straighten the front end up and That the frame is true. Compression test the engine and maybe start it. Then once I’m sure it’s not a complete lemon I will start the strip down. I will take it back to the frame. Clean and repaint frame and then re build using as many of the original parts as possible. I don’t expect it to be a quick build and as I have never refurbished a bike before I will have to make sure it is as good as can be. It can’t be 100% as there is age related damage which can’t be polished out such as a broken fin on the cylinder head where something was dropped on it. I also intend to upgrade the electrics to a more modern standard with improved lights and indicators and possibly an m unit and rewire new tank, paint and decals and a lot of cleaning polishing and new chrome where required.
Honda CB400F USA
Triumph Thruxton 900
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Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2018, 11:30:03 AM »
Good luck for the rebuild.  Plenty of help on here.  Good news about the Cibie, I bought a similar NOS one a couple of years ago, its still in the box to this day!
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 Skunky

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2018, 02:07:53 PM »
Those engine bars though!  :o

If you like them you can have them  :o  I'll even throw in the cheap u bolt used to attach it to the frame.
Honda CB400F USA
Triumph Thruxton 900
BMW K100 Custom Buils

Offline Skunky

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2018, 02:13:16 PM »
Good luck for the rebuild.  Plenty of help on here.  Good news about the Cibie, I bought a similar NOS one a couple of years ago, its still in the box to this day!

Not a Cibie, I suspect it's the original headlight from a bike which had a Cibie conversion, the shop then dropped the old headlight into the Cibie box and relabelled it so they knew what was in there. You can clearly see the Stanley logo on the front of the glass.

Still a good find though.

Oddjob

They had put a label showing it as a Stanley on the box and that's what I was referring to as original.  I didn't even notice it was a Cibie box  ::)
Honda CB400F USA
Triumph Thruxton 900
BMW K100 Custom Buils

Online SumpMagnet

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2018, 03:59:26 PM »
You have to keep that classy speedo :) Love the crackle effect transfer!
CB750F2 - in pieces
CB900F Hornet - the daily transport

Offline Skunky

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2018, 04:18:53 PM »
You have to keep that classy speedo :) Love the crackle effect transfer!

It will go the same way as the crash bars  ;D ;
Honda CB400F USA
Triumph Thruxton 900
BMW K100 Custom Buils

Offline kent400

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Re: Yankee Doodle not so dandy CB400 rebuild
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2018, 05:07:17 PM »
The speedo isn't the original, looks like a CB350 Four one. The original would have been marked to 120 mph but one marked to 130 mph was often fitted on those supplied to the USA market. Gauges with crazed faces are often found on bikes imported from the USA, they have sat in the sun too long.

 

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