Honda-SOHC

Having trawled through 40 pages of previous CB400 posts I have failed to find previous discussions about fitting new gaskets - to Goo or not to Goo that is the question - then it's what Goo?

In the past (mainly on cars) I have just greased a new gasket on both sides and fitted them what's the best way?

Whilst cleaning up my cylinder head nuts I wondered why use dome headed nuts when you can't see them - why not just use a full nut?

I was looking at NJ's project rebuild of her 400 engine (essential revision/homework) - I can see an extra O ring between the cylinder block and the crankcasing - not sure if it's just the one side (left hand No: cylinder side in photo) or both. I assume it's the oil feeds to the cylinder heads so both sides need a ring?

I respect Triggers workmanship so presumably most folk here do this on a rebuild?

As my cylinder head is not yet in place for a couple of weeks I'm minded to do the Trigger upgrade- does it matter if the seal sits on top or underneath the casing gasket?
Is it necessary to alter the gasket hole to accomodate the ring or does it simply add extra compression to the dowel seal?

I assume I can just raise my block a tad to sneak them in - going to need the ring(s) if I do from NJ then?


..bottom extra case O ring by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

This one looks tidy even if the rear is not original?

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As you might expect both the earth terminals on my rear indicator brackets/ears are broken off whats the best method to work around this - I can't get enough heat on the bracket to make the solder run to attach a male spade.

1. Drill a small hole in the bracket and bolt on a terminal with a bolt head on the outside so it's not too obvious.

2. As 1 but pop rivet the connection

3. Run an earth from the lamp clamp into a dedicated earth. (You would see the wire)

3. Take the lamp apart and run an earth from the lamp unit.

My lamps are not the originals but the DS type cheaper units.


.rear indicator ears by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

Looking at my Instrument lights my bulbs are either badly blackened or blown they're 12v 3w so I need to replace them plus  the pilot lamps some 9 units or so in total.

What bulbs do folk here use the DS ones or LED's  any links to good products appreciated?

The last post on this subject I found was in 2016 I think, I know LED's have improved over the last few years so any tales of woe or success welcome.

Item 77 in the frame section of the parts manual 32174-377-000 is this part fitted on UK models ?

DS has them at a hefty £32.40 my bike did not have one fitted might explain why the wiring loom was all over the place on the frame.

The two upper rubber mounting points on the headlamp frame do they just bolt from underneath into the top yoke or is there a bolt from the instrument bracket that drops down ?

I failed to take any detailed pics so can't remember how it goes - parts manual does not help - I seem to have a box of nuts & bolts from that area!.