New to CB400 four and new here! Front brake improvement?

[Matt_Harrington]

Welcome Mike. I don't have any real complaints about my front brake. I'm not sure of the pads as they were fitted when I got here and I have a drilled/vented front disc....

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I also ended up fitting the DS master cylinder as the original was beyond saving - much less lever free play.

[Mikep328]

Just got back from checking things out and then going for a quick ride.  Brake caliper works properly - piston moves in/out smoothly, fixed-pad swingarm was correctly adjusted, I hadn't looked but turns out the brake lines are new and the pads appear to be as well.  Don't know what brand they are.

Interestingly, the brakes seemed to improve a bit after some repeated heavy braking from around 85 MPH (indicated).  After doing that, they seemed to react a LITTLE bit better.  Or maybe I'm already getting used to them.    Definitely a fun bike to ride and I was pleasantly  surprised with the engine response as the tach passes 6k RPM, heading for red line!   

[Laverdaroo]

Sorted mine with a 93-95 cbr600 master cylinder and different levers to match, braided lines and new pads. Stops on it nose now and plenty of feel


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[Nurse Julie]

Definitely a fun bike to ride and I was pleasantly  surprised with the engine response as the tach passes 6k RPM, heading for red line!   

Over 6k is where the 400 four is most happy. Anything much less than that is more of a crusing speed and they were not built as cruisers. They just love being thrashed, using high revs in all gears, that is where they perform at their best. Up to the red line is it's happy place 😁😁😁😁
Yes, I know I blew the engine up on Hettie but it really wasn't my fault 😂😂😂😂😂

[davidcumbria]

Don’t settle for the argument that you’re too used to modern brakes and this is just how they were in the 1970s. I rode a 500/4 in the 70 ‘s , a 750 in 2013 and had no issues with the front brake whilst accepting that it required more lever pressure than more modern bikes. My 550k sounds like your 400  Mike and while the lever is firm it’s like the lads are barely gripping. Could well be pad related. Don’t settle for lousy front brakes - if all the front brakes were as bad as mine there wouldn’t be many 550s around by now !

[Mikep328]

"In fact if you want aggressive street riding, along with aggressive riding along narrow country roads, I hope we never meet."

 Sorry to hear that.  I'll have my people talk to your people and cancel any plans for a get-together.   

I'm definitely going to look into improving the brakes and, as I said, it wouldn't bother me to install a different master cylinder but going along with what David said, I owned other Honda 4s of that era and don't recall their brakes ever causing me concern.  I'm NOT saying they were up to modern standards but they never scared me.  Yesterday this front brake did!  Admittedly, today, a bit less so. 

[Oddjob]

I'm planning on using SBS ceramic pads on my twin disced 500 after trying them on my 1300 and finding them excellent. I've got to say I replaced my MC with a Yamaha one back in the late 70/80s and I had no trouble locking the front wheel if I was a bit heavy handed, never got the bike to do a stoppie though, shame about that. I'm going the way of Roo and using a CB1300 MC which is the same as his CBR600 one, no good looking original when the bikes stuck in the side of a car, I'll take stopping every day.

[Rozabikes Tim]

no good looking original when the bikes stuck in the side of a car, I'll take stopping every day.

 

[Multiman]

I've just been through this as I too found the front brake on my 400/4 pretty crap.

Master cylinder kit DSS
Made a new brake lever bush as the original had completely reverted to rust.
Braided brake lines. Wezmoto
Slave cylinder new gasket etc DSS
Pivot was seized so freed up
EBC pads Wemoto
Its much better but still not up to modern standards

[Bryanj]

Personaly stainless piston kit from Honda Classics along with scrupulous cleaning of eal groove.
Braided lines you can buy hose and fittings and make yourself or i can to your measurements at cost.
Master kit only needed if not pumping or releasing

[Mikep328]

"Sorted mine with a 93-95 cbr600 master cylinder and different levers to match, braided lines and new pads. Stops on it nose now and plenty of feel"

Interesting!  Will the CBR master fit without any mods to the OEM CB400 switchgear or does different switchgear have to be used? 

[Trigger]

A CBR 600 master cylinder will be for a double disc and not for a 400/4 single disc. 

[Mikep328]

Ah! OK...  I'm working/hoping to get adequate performance from the OEM but am wanting alternatives in case I can't get sufficient performance. 

FWIW, my CB400 is going to be my normal rider, not a weekend or "special event" bike.  Therefore, as much as I would like to retain the OEM gear/appearance, It's less important than being able to STOP.

[Oddjob]

I'm going with the CB1300 MC Mike, it has a mirror mount and a front brake light switch if you ever need to remove the one on the bottom yoke. Look identical to the CBR600 one although I can't see any mirror mount on Roos pic.