Author Topic: The Black Knight...Sunny ride was ALMOST a success ;)  (Read 10122 times)

Offline trek97

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The Black Knight...Sunny ride was ALMOST a success ;)
« on: November 22, 2018, 01:38:26 PM »
Hello, My name is Eric Im an Elevator Repair Mechanic at the University of Illinois, USA
First off I want to thank you for allowing me to enter your circle.

I already own a a few vintage bikes that meet all my needs. 
And was not looking for another project. 
Then a 1975 CB400F appeared on Craigslist.  Here in the States the 400F is pretty rare compared to other Honda models.
I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to have a "Holy Grail" parked in my garage.



It was located about 6 hours away in Iowa.  So I took off work early and started my adventure.

I found it in rough non-running condition without a title.  However the price was right so I made the deal and she followed me home.









I got busy w the usual preliminary checks...looking to find why she was parked in 1998.

I did leak down and compression checks and all four came out to be about the same..

Not the best.  But, good enough to run, for now.





The previous owner had told me the coils were bad, it had no spark.

I found it was just dirty points.  So I got them cleaned up, set static time and found spark on all 4 plugs.



Dumped gas into her dirty tank, cracked the overflows, and found it made its way to the filthy carbs.





So I took a chance...

https://youtu.be/Dd7ojJyVNSw

Then of course my wife Rachel wanted her turn on the throttle...haha

https://youtu.be/WTzr3MzEZ5M

Next I oiled the chain, added some air to the rotten tires, etc etc...  then on 1 1/2 maybe 2 clogged carbs I went for a ride.

https://youtu.be/6TxcUfywY9g



I now knew I had something I could work with...

So got busy ordering parts and parts and more parts.


























« Last Edit: March 24, 2019, 02:44:50 PM by trek97 »

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2018, 01:51:22 PM »
That looks like a good starting point for a resto. Some of us start with a frame and boxes of parts!
The old plate has my initials GJ, I don't suppose it's for sale, is it? 😎
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline trek97

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2018, 01:54:51 PM »
That looks like a good starting point for a resto. Some of us start with a frame and boxes of parts!
The old plate has my initials GJ, I don't suppose it's for sale, is it? 😎

Thanks, and YES, let me do some digging.  If I still have the plate I will be happy to send it your way.
Please PM me your address.   

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2018, 02:00:22 PM »
That looks like a good starting point for a resto. Some of us start with a frame and boxes of parts!
The old plate has my initials GJ, I don't suppose it's for sale, is it? 😎

Thanks, and YES, let me do some digging.  If I still have the plate I will be happy to send it your way.
Please PM me your address.

Cheers. 😊
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2018, 02:09:26 PM »
Hey, you found us Eric....great to have you with us. We are getting quite a few new forum members from the USA with CB400/4's which is nice to see.
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 trek97

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2018, 02:20:10 PM »
Hey, you found us Eric....great to have you with us. We are getting quite a few new forum members from the USA with CB400/4's which is nice to see.

Thanks so much, Julie.

Davelu88

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2018, 02:42:06 PM »
welcome & good luck with the restoration the 400/4 is a great bike .

Offline trek97

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2018, 03:16:11 PM »
welcome & good luck with the restoration the 400/4 is a great bike .

Thanks so much.

Offline paul G

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2018, 03:32:08 PM »
Welcome Eric from another 400/4 owner.
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline Seabeowner

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2018, 04:42:23 PM »
Welcome Eric. The 400/4 was a (relatively) big seller in the UK. I think there are more 400/4s on the forum than any other SOHCs. That's quite some investment in parts you have there.
Phil
1971  CB500K0  Candy Jade Green or Candy Gold
1973  CB500K1  Candy Ruby Red
1975  CB550F1   Shiny Orange
1978  CB550K     Excel Black

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2018, 06:16:35 PM »
Welcome to the forum Eric. A 400/4 a very wise choice of sohc. Keep us all updated of progress.
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 trek97

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Re: 75 CB400four, A tale from the Black Knight
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2018, 06:50:24 PM »
Thanks all.   :)

Though not finished, I am considerably further along w the build than I have posted.

I posted what I could this morning, busy getting ready for our Thanksgiving holiday.

So more to come as I get the time.


Offline trek97

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Re: 75 CB400four, Black Knight, Cleaning up
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2018, 12:33:49 PM »
Picked up some necessities on ebay...

Ebay (almost like new) 4" Supertrapp megaphone complete w 18 SS tuning discs.

And a SS Wool/fiberglass blanket kit from International Steel Wool.



Sand blasted and fireproof coating



single layer Masking tape wrap help keeps the packing in place for easy install.



The kickstand had rotted off the original No-Title frame.

 

Picked up a really nice frame with a Title.



Found a good deal on a spare engine with 11k kilometers on it.



At least the numbers are better.





Both rims were bent.



Super nice NOS front complete w disc.







and nice new rear.  I Installed new bearings, sprocket and tires.



The weathered spokes on the rear wheel polished up as nice as the front spokes. 
Ceramabrite glass cooktop cleaner is the stuff to brighten old finishes including chrome.





New shocks to complement.



I was a little disappointed to see the new Hagons come w these ill-fitting, cheap looking collets.

I sent an email to Hagon.  A few days later...They sent me the a set of the old style collets w new bushings.







Out w old fork seals in w new seals and pipes.





Tapered bearings kit installed.



3 days soaking tank w apple cider vinegar, water rinse, alcohol rinse then Marvel Mystery to prevent flash rust.



Worked a treat on the rust.



« Last Edit: November 23, 2018, 01:04:26 PM by trek97 »

Offline paul G

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Re: 75 CB400four, Black Knight, Cleaning up
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2018, 12:45:02 PM »
Wow your not hanging around  :o
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline trek97

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Re: 75 CB400four, Black Knight, Cleaning up
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2018, 12:56:25 PM »
Wow your not hanging around  :o

Yeah, sorry but Im late to joining the forum.  This all happened throughout the summer.

Just trying to catch up to present.

 

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