Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: SeanFD on October 04, 2023, 04:58:15 PM

Title: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: SeanFD on October 04, 2023, 04:58:15 PM

Finally I have got time at "home" to work on my little 400; a restoration that started in Apr 2020 during lockdown.  :)

I have just been struggling to set the timing; I've got new Daiichi points now and the problem is that at full adjustment – plate turned fully anti-clockwise – the timing is considerably retarded. I noted that the sprung contact on 1&4 seems to move about a lot when pushed, and this just confirms the bad rep that this brand of points has.

 I have an unbranded set that came with the bike and I'm going to try these, even thought they re a little pitted, as the sprung contact seems much tighter.

I also understand that juggling the gaps to get the timing right is an option.

Meanwhile I been searching EBay and have come across some other brands I've not see before. Has anyone any experience of
FEW D-75R points:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112902907765 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112902907765)

or FEW H41L:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115903276154 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115903276154)

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: Oddjob on October 04, 2023, 05:08:07 PM

A few members have recently been buying the entire 750 points plate in order to get some decent TEC points, not 100% sure if the ones DS are selling would be suitable for the 400, which is odd as the 400 originally used the 500/550 point setup but the 500/550 used mainly 750 points and condensers and even the backplate. So in theory it should fit.

Other alternative is to find some TEC points as were originally fitted.

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: SeanFD on October 04, 2023, 05:57:40 PM

I knew the points were interchangeable, but not the plate; I'll maybe look into that.

I'm scouring EBay for TEC points, which is how I came across the ones above.

For any who remember where I started a few years ago, here are a couple of pics.


I have a week to get it finished!! 🫰

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on October 04, 2023, 06:16:07 PM

Whose exhaust system is that Sean?

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: SeanFD on October 04, 2023, 06:25:02 PM

It's a Motad system, Ted. I got it on eBay for £300 I think.

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: SeanFD on October 05, 2023, 05:29:54 PM

So no-one has had any experience of the FEW contact breakers?

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: Bryanj on October 05, 2023, 06:23:47 PM

I vaguely remember using packs something like that in the 70's with no problems, at least it says  made in Japan

Title: Re: Which Points - 1977 CB400F?
Post by: SeanFD on October 05, 2023, 06:29:33 PM

Thanks Brian.

I've ordered them. According to one parts catalogue I have the numbers are for ND points; whether that is worth anything or not, of course, is moot.