Hi all.
Hopefully will be spending a bit of time looming on these here forums!
This is the 1977 CB 400/4 I picked up yesterday.. I've had allsorts of bikes from the 80's to 00's (currently own two mzs and a gs 500.. had several cx's and a few modern things too)
Always wanted a real 70's no compromise Japanese classic this is definitely that!
I've got a couple of questions though and hopefully somebody will be able to help.
I'm told this is a us import (imported in 89) and I'm also told that for some reason some came sans kickstart.. now I love a kickstart, its worth many cool points as far as I'm concerned, if its not got one its really missing something as far as I'm concerned.
In its place is this guy! I daren't detach the weird nobble but can only assume the kickstart shaft and all its associated bits and bobs are contained within?
So if i took this cap off (presumeably fitted onto the splines)
is the shaft there in its entirety with springs and everything else it needs to work?
will it spring a leak if the cap is removed?
will there be an o-ring that needs changing before it can be used (since its never been used its safe to assume it will be perished)
anything else to be aware of?
Has anyone else seen this before?
Also, theres some pretty major camchain rattle, the previous owner seemed a little confused on how to use the choke and VERY rarely rode the bike, I can only guess it hasn't been adjusted for some time. Apparently the carbs were balanced 400 miles previous but knowing garage monkeys it might not have been sealed with anything and therefore could well have gone off..
My question is, anything to watch out for while adjusting the cam chain via the small bolt at the front (supposedly it needs to be done while the engine is running) the bolt looks a little rusty, are they still available from honda/anywhere?
If the bolt does come out would there be any catastrophic problems? can it be unscrewed to give it a clean up (thinking electrolysis perhaps)
Between automatic cam chain tensioners and 2 strokes I've never adjusted a cam chain on anything before!
Anyway, appart from the minor service things that could do with sorting I'm extremely chuffed!
Reading the 70's reviews made me think it'd be quite uncomfortable to ride but its very comfy, beautifully balanced and brakes work very well without the front end diving.. a joy to ride, exactly what I have been looking for!
The engine could be a little more responsive but 20 odd years of hardly ever being ridden might have a part to play there!
I might be able to get several bits from a cb550 (the kicksart and exhaust for example) are many parts compatible between the two?
Anyways, any info would be much appreciated!
Thanks for reading!