Another 400/4 on the road

[rustywheels]

Towards the end of last year, I acquired a nice blue (they are the fastest – correct?) 1977 CB400F.

Has been lightly restored in the past, as frame has been powder coated etc, but has a few kinks to iron out.  Joins my 1978 Yamaha XT500F in the garage – which is clearly the opposite end of the spectrum on so many levels, and an original 1990 MX5.  I just love ‘old’ simple technology, which isn’t overpowered and will overwhelm me.  Not that I don’t like power, as in the past, I have owned some terrifyingly fast motorcycles and cars, but I have simply reached the point when I can’t keep up or react at those speeds anymore (yes, I admit it, they scare the pants off me now)!  Less is more in my book.

I never owned a 400/4 as back in the day I was an RD350LC boy in my Dr Martins and Levis (why did I sell that bike for £800 and buy a 2CV???), but friends did and the looks and build quality always appealed.  The difference between the RD and the CB is quite astounding.  How on earth did Mr Honda make any money?  Just the parts needed for all those carburettors, valves etc compared to a 2-stroke twin must have blown the profit margin.  A bit like my VFR which apparently never made any money.

So far, the replacements consist of:

Tyres, tubes and tapes
Battery
Oil, plugs and filters
Switchgear
4 x carb kits   
Throttle cables
Grips
Odds and ends

The engine was running very rich, so the carbs have been in and out a few times for a thorough clean and adjustments.  There was also a flatspot around ¼ to ½ throttle opening and she didn’t want to rev out.  I think I am now about there, but as the tank is off for a repaint, I haven’t been able to road test her yet but at least she now revs freely, and plugs look clean.

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Tank was the only other problem as a PO had stuck a tank protector on using what looked like Araldite, and whilst the protector had been removed, two large blobs of epoxy remained.  For love or money, I couldn’t remove them.  So off to local painters I have used before to rectify and repaint.

Otherwise, I am in the usual debate as to how far to go and restore and do I really need to polish those crankcase covers?  But ultimately, she won’t be a garage queen as have plans for a couple of road trips to Cornwall, Wales and possibly Scotland.  Will keep you all posted on progress.

[Nurse Julie]

Welcome to the Forum. I hope you have as much fun on your 400 as I have on mine. Like you, I'm at the age where my brain cannot keep up with reality 100% of the time whilst riding but that doesn't stop me riding it like I stole it on regular occasions. Enjoy your bike and have fun.

[Oggie400F]

Welcome to the forum
You have a very nice clean looking bike there. And in the best colour IMO.
Enjoy.

[Spitfire]

Welcome and a nice looking bike you have there, I'm no longer a footrest scraper either, nowadays instead of feeling excitement I tend to think "I could get hurt here", but I still love it.

Cheers

Dennis

[mike the bike]

Welcome to the 400four forum.  It looks a well sorted bike you've got there.

[rustywheels]

Its been a little while, but I’ve spent the time gradually working my way through the bike.
 
Biggest changes were the tyres (got rid of those very scary rubber for some Avon's) so feels just a bit happier now in the corners.  Also, had the tank repainted as per the pics - although I doubt you can see the difference, but it has improved the bike no end as the epoxy blobs have now gone
 
Now comes the bit where I admit to my mistake....
 
So, I thought I had a rich running bike.  Bit of a hole in the mid-range and wouldn't rev out, with very fouled plugs.  So naturally, I stripped the carbs, replaced jets and even invested in a sonic cleaner.  Many a happy few hours rebuilding and adjusting the needles before slotting them back into the engine.  Did you know a C clip for a jet needle can travel over 10ft by itself when trying to clip it back in?? All was well until the test ride (ie 10 mins).  Popping and banging, and no power at the top, but very clean plugs.  So now must be running lean?  Once more into the carbs we go and more adjustment of the needles, and more stuffing the b@ggers back into the engine.  No joy, still lean.
 
Much scratching of head, and after reading the entire contents of this forum, it transpires that as I have a Boyer electronic ignition, it doesn't like to have a resistor type plug and cap.  Swapping out the plugs for non-resistor standard plugs, and further removal of carbs to reset to standard settings, and we seem to be back in business.  Ugh! The only downside is that I am unable to test ride the bike to see how it all works properly until after the lockdown.

I guess you live and learn.  At least I now can remove Carbs in under 15 minutes and they are lovely and clean, so fingers crossed I won't have to do this again in a hurry.
 

[simonc]

 8)v nice welcome

[Mikie]

Hello and welcome to the forum Rustywheels, that's a nice bike. Best of luck with it.
Where and what type of an ultrasonic cleaner did you get? Are they worth it?
Regards, Mike

[Laverda Dave]

Very nice bike 👍. The blue ones were indeed the fastest but that was before the yellow ones appeared 😁. Getting the carbs dialled in is a real pain especially when the rubbers have aged.
The paintwork looks fantastic.
Mikie, get yourself an ultrasonic cleaner. I paid £75 for mine, a two litre model. When you consider most companies charge £25 per carb to clean its a no brainer. As a tip though I would buy the three litre version, getting all the parts for one carb into a two litre tank is very tight.

[Mikie]

Very nice bike 👍. The blue ones were indeed the fastest but that was before the yellow ones appeared 😁. Getting the carbs dialled in is a real pain especially when the rubbers have aged.
The paintwork looks fantastic.
Mikie, get yourself an ultrasonic cleaner. I paid £75 for mine, a two litre model. When you consider most companies charge £25 per carb to clean its a no brainer. As a tip though I would buy the three litre version, getting all the parts for one carb into a two litre tank is very tight.

Thanks for that, Laverda Dave