CB400/4 Tools

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My most used tool is probably my big hammer.

[Laverda Dave]

To quote Rowan Atkinson from Not the Nine O'Clock News,
'My body is my Tool'

[Oddjob]

Odd, just thought, I had access to a shed load of special tools and never used a lot of them, never used piston blocks or ring compressors, never used Honda circlip pliers. The only thing I used a lot was the Honda vac gauges and the long screwdriver adjuster like Bryan. I did use the valve seat grinder a couple of times, oh and the valve spring compressor, used that a lot as well. The later ones are better than the one in James pic, they had a quick release lever so you didn't have to wind them in/out as much. Got one of those.

[Bryanj]

Ted you would do well on a Doxford marine diesel, manufacturers torque setting for big end nuts was " One average sized man using a 28lb hammer on the provided flogging spanner"

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Only had experience with Perkins Marine Engines Bryan!

[Bryanj]

Bit smaller mate, Doxfords were opposed piston diesels 1mtr bore 2mtr combined stroke flat out at 110rpm, pistons about 1 ton each

[AshimotoK0]

This chap (Honda UK's sales head honcho back in the day) sells a repro kit, which will do what you need Terry. I guess that the genuine  items are much sought after, so will command a high price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251771350247?hash=item3a9ebdece7:g:xP8AAOSw7MZfw3Sy

Even though I have all of the original Honda tools that this kit contains, I would be just as happy (and have regularly used)  a Fiat Ducato van wheel bolt as a rotor puller (mega cheap off eBay) and a small steel bar and a couple of hardened pins in combination with a machine vice  to remove/replace the 400 (and 750 and 250/360 G5) wheel  bearing retainers.  Key point though it to drill out the staking before attempting removal. Now if it was a CB500/550 rear wheel bearing retainer .. totally different animal and absolute tw*t to remove sometimes plus LH thread to confuse everyone.

[Oddjob]

I'm looking at that kit and I'm wondering why 4 castellated nut removers, one is front wheel bearing retainer, one is the clutch centre nut, one is the steering stem nut but I can't think what the 4th one is for.

The vac adjuster tool is too small IMO, the long Honda one is FAR better to use and it's not that dear to buy. The rotor puller, the 4 way cross type from Honda is excellent, never failed me yet in the 40 years I've had it.

 

[Toko_Jo]

I'm looking at that kit and I'm wondering why 4 castellated nut removes, one is front wheel bearing retainer, one is the clutch centre nut, one is the steering stem nut but I can't think what the 4th one is for.

The vac adjuster tool is too small IMO, the long Honda one is FAR better to use and it's not that dear to buy. The rotor puller, the 4 way cross type from Honda is excellent, never failed me yet in the 40 years I've had it.

Rear wheel bearing retainer perhaps.

[Oddjob]

No that's the huge one at the back I reckon, looks like it. The largest one is the steering stem one, the smallest I think is the clutch nut, I think the front wheel bearing retainer is next to that, it's the one next to the biggest I think I can't identify.

[Oddjob]

Actually Jo, you might be right after all. Just did a close up and the 3rd one has rounded pegs and that's what the rear wheel bearing retainer uses, so if that's that the large tool at the back which I thought was that tool could be a clutch basket holder for when you're doing up the centre nut.

Mystery solved. Ta.

You know, I really must stop just looking at pics, totally missed the description underneath which lists what all the tools are. DOH!!!!

[Terry Harlock]

Thanks Ash
That is the eBay kit I had been looking at, just trying to buy 2nd hand before I had to pull the trigger and buy this one tbh. The parts in it is listed as;
Front wheel bearing retainer ring socket tool - 1/2inch drive
Rear wheel bearing retainer ring socket tool - 1/2inch drive
Steering head lock-nut socket tool - 1/2inch drive
Tappet adjuster tool
Clutch centre nut socket tool - 1/2inch drive
Clutch basket holding tool
Alternator/flywheel rotor puller tool.
They for sure are going to get a fair bit of use, i just wanted the right tools being properly pedantic :-) as would scream if i popped in the vice and chewed owt up!!
Really appreciate all the engagement from everyone, cracking bunch in here