New 400 4 Owner Needs Advice

[shaunc]

I was going to ask if it's much of a job to replace a front fork seal for a novice to do on his own but now I think I may have a bigger problem.

I noticed the other day when I got stuck in the wrong lane on a ring road that I couldn't get the bike to go over 55mph to overtake and pull in.  I've never tried before since I got the bike a year ago.

Been out on it today and same thing.  About 5,000rpm the engine seems to get louder, and that's it it runs out of steam and won't rev any higher in the upper gears, so I'm stuck at about 55mph.  Later on I noticed at these higher revs there was a trail of blue smoke behind me.  Could it be this that's causing my problems?  Piston rings or something? I've never ridden a 400 4 before but I thought in its heyday it was good for 90mph+, so I'm a bit puzzled as to what's wrong.  Up to 55mph it seems to run ok.

If it's something to do with the engine do you think a novice like myself could tackle it?

Thanks
Shaun

[Bryanj]

With a decent quality 3/8 drive 6 point socket set, torque wrench, time, patience and the proper Honda manual plus this board you can do anything mate. Oh and allen keys for the fork seal

[shaunc]

That's what my brother said.  He's just rebuilt a Kawasaki kh250 and I was supposed to be the clever one!!

Before I consider stripping the engine down would burning a bit of oil cause that much of a performance drop - depends how bad I suppose?  Wonder whether that roar at about 5,000rpm is normal and whether it could be to do with fuel or timing or something else.  Never having ridden a 400 four before I'm not exactly sure what to expect.

I suppose the Haynes manual isn't up to the job.  Seems to be bits missing in it!!

[Bryanj]

Haynes manual good for wrapping chips in as long as you dont want many!!

Lack of compression might cause the power drop especialy if happening with inconsistent tickover.

NOW parts for these ain't cheap, www.davidsilverspares.co.uk is your wallet emptying friend.

I do have the 350/400 partsbook and manual on a cd somewhere a copy with postage