CB400F Project (rebooted)

[Yetanotherbike]

As mentioned in my introduction to the forum, my CB400F has been gathering dust for far too many years.
I had the frame, swing arms, hubs and bits and bobs powder coated many years ago. A mate got me some parts galvanised. At the time I didn't really care about originality too much, in fact there was a plan to fit twin discs and use fork legs off a larger model. These days however, I would like it to look as standard as possible. I suppose if I were to do it properly I would strip the powder coating off and have it sprayed etc. But I'm not, so there. My big mistake was having the hubs powder coated in silver. Yes they look nice, but they look nothing like standard and this is something I will have to address. I did ask the question on the other SOHC forum as regards how do I replicate the original finish. I also asked the same question about the fork legs. There seems to be differing opinions on how to achieve the 'right' look.
As the original engine was all but seized, I picked up a spare engine many years ago. So I will probably use a combination of the two engines and new parts. I asked the same question as regards getting the crankcases painted, luckily having looked at  Nurse Julie's excellent rebuild article, I'm now sure which way to go with that one.
To sort of kick start the project again (pun intended) I bought a few bits from David Silver so I can see a bit of progress. I won't be spending every spare minute on this, as besides running other classic bikes, I also dabble with Classic cars, as well as doing DIY projects .
So my first picture I'll call Abandoned engineering, except it wasn't abandoned, it was just over looked for a while. A long while. The second picture is the box of goodies that arrived this morning.  My joy was slightly muted when I realised there weren't any screws in the boxes that clamp the two halves of switch gear together. Ho hum, I'll tack those onto my next order to David Silver who clearly should be offering a large discount to members of this forum....


 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Seems a bit mean not including the clamp screws methinks you can get SS replacements quite easily.
Look forward to you build posts.

[philward]

The second picture is the box of goodies that arrived this morning.  My joy was slightly muted when I realised there weren't any screws in the boxes that clamp the two halves of switch gear together. Ho hum, I'll tack those onto my next order to David Silver who clearly should be offering a large discount to members of this forum....
[/quote]

I used M5 JIS SS screws (just check they are M5 as its a while back when I bought them) on my bikes.
(I think the company trades as 'Megapack' on Ebay from memory - they do loads of specialist SS bits for Jap classics

[philward]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_ssn=megapacks&store_name=megapacks&_dmd=2&_oac=1&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

[Yetanotherbike]

Cheers for that Phil, that's very helpful, I've just ordered some from the shop on Fleabay.

[Yetanotherbike]

Purchased some screws as discussed in previous post. Decided to mount my new switchgear on my handlebars. I don't know whether my memory is deceiving me, but my brand new genuine Honda switches, don't look look exactly as I remember. The finish looks different to me, which if true is quite disappointing. I threaded the cables through the bars and secured one unit and did the same on the other side. Captain unobservant hadn't noticed there wasn't a location pin (Throttle side) in the switch.  There was a hole for it, but alas no pin. No doubt I could fabricate something, but I don't really see why I should at these prices. So it will be going back to DS. I don't know why I was surprised, but on the box It read 'Made in China', I feel like I have paid for genuine Honda prices and got pattern parts.

[Trigger]

You have to be careful with Sliver. A Genuine part means that it is a HONDA part that may or not be Original. A lot of Genuine parts that Sliver sell are a Honda Genuine part that may be fitted to another Honda.

Honda never made parts, they were and are just bike and car assemblers so, parts are made by a third party supplier that can be in China, Philippines, Taiwan, India and so on 

[Yetanotherbike]

We live and we learn, sometimes the hard way .  I have the original switch gear which I had powder coated years ago,  in time I may use them, but I just wanted to get going again with my project.

[Yetanotherbike]

I feel like I'm becoming a moaner. I decided for the want of a missing pin, I may as well make one to suit and carry on fitting the switch gear. That was easy enough. Threaded the cable through the bars again and located pin in the hole. But I struggled to get the two halves to fit together. There seems to be a gap at the back or the front, depending which side I tighten first.
The cable which connects to the kill switch seems to be preventing the two halves coming together properly. Nothing is stopping the two halves mating other than the cable.
I haven't got the old switch to hand, but I don't recall a tunnel like this for a cable exit. I'm guessing this is a generic part that will suit either hidden cables that are routed through the bars or exposed.
I bemoaned yesterday that the switches were made in China, not Japan. However I was wrong (again) the left hand side is made in Japan, whereas the right hand side is made in China. No guesses for which one fits perfectly.