What to look out for when buying

[Greg65]

OK wise sage and all knowing ones what would be your advice when looking for a 400 four. I have been reading the forum and getting some idea, I know a chrome exhaust is expensive and feel happy to be able to judge a good and a bad one. However I would like to buy a runner for the summer with the intention then to restore as required over the coming years. So advice in what to look out for, what is easy to fix  and what could be seriously expensive. I am sure there are as many opinions as there are bikes but any advice would be appreciated.

As far as reading material goes I have a Haynes on order. Is there any other books or manuals worth getting?

Thanks.
Greg

[mickwinf]

Best to get one with the expensive parts in good condition, like the exhaust and mudguards. At least with the 400 most things are available new or reproduction, so almost anything possible with a deep wallet!

[Piki]

Look camchain tensioner bolt!!! very important!!!

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Hi Greg,
Most parts are expensive does not matter what model you are buying but with 400/4 make sure the cam chain tensioner bolt is intact and undoes.The 400 is a nice bike to work on but until you strip it down the engine that is who knows what you will find.The last one I did bought blind nothing but rust and mud kids been dirt tracking on it.When stripping the engine someone had it apart b4 all the 6mm bolts stripped,no base gasket just red shit goo and all fairly knackered.Total rebuild and restore and turned out a nice bike.Make sure your head rules not your heart.
Wish you the best with whatever you get.Cheers
Bitsa

[Lobo]

A very good / complete / used original exhaust is worth £700+, very hard to find, and going up in price all the time. Original seat almost impossible - try & buy a bike with a good OEM one. Most other bits ok to source, though as already said, a bike with great OEM chrome bits will drastically reduce your bills.
Enjoy...
Simon

[Clem2112]

Originality would be my preference if I was looking again.....
I wouldn't worry if the exhaust looks tired. Get a DSS replica later on.

The quiter the engine runs the better.... Do check the camchain adjuster is present and correct.
Might be a head gasket weep but not a big issue.
Loosen a plug and see how loose the threads feel..... Just my measure of previous tinkering !

 People selling on a restored one will usually want the most back for their outlay on parts and tlc compared to a bike that has been in the same hands for a few years which might be a scruffier example but a better buy.

[rockvegas400]

+1 on the previous comments.

Aside from the Haynes manual you should get hold of a parts manual, and the Honda service manual. Both are available on the web, as well as stacks of helpful information about this bike (including this forum of course).

Cheers,

Justin

[Greg65]

Thanks for the top tips. It's great to have something to focus on when I go to view some bikes. Now back to eBay.

Cheers,
Greg

[Lobo]

Greg, came across this, may be obvious / old / outta date... but you may as well have it.
Simon

http://cb400f.webs.com/buyers-guide

[ka-ja]

Hi,
    No-one has mentioned high numbers of previous owners, generallyspeaking, the more previous owners increases the risk of poor maintenance over the bikes lifetime, working on the principal that after a certain age of machine, you could be buying someone elses trouble.---ken

[Greg65]

Thanks Lobo, that's a great link. I have printed one of the pages to take to a viewing as a check list.


Cheers,
Greg

[ewanhughes]

As well as the Haynes manual, I found this parts list invaluable when I was rebuilding my 400four

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb400f-england_model14639/partslist/?model_q=cb400