Post by: mattsz on October 23, 2018, 01:11:53 AM
In two days, a '77 CB400f (21K miles) arrives at my door - I'm taking custody from a friend who sadly cannot keep it. I have no experience with this type of bike (and not much with any other type, either!), so I'm hoping to find some useful info to help me along. I did ride the bike three years ago, and it seemed to run pretty well then, but the bike has been in storage for the previous two years, and I know it wasn't prepped beforehand, so I'm imagining issues with the fuel tank and carbs right off. I'll basically be moving it right into my own storage for the winter, so I'm looking to help it along with some proper preparation.
I have no print resources to guide me; I did download what Honda manuals I could find, but they're a bit short on details. I am in the middle of reading through Nurse Julie's engine rebuild thread, and have learned that I probably should be very careful about even trying to turn the engine over after two idle years - although I am told the bike was stored indoors, completely out of the weather.
Advice on what a beginner might do to stabilize and protect it for the winter would be most welcome!
~ Matt
Post by: paul G on October 23, 2018, 08:12:56 AM
You will find all the help ypu need on here and your forum over in USA
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php
Good luck with the bike :)
Post by: zebedee85 on October 23, 2018, 08:41:49 AM
i'd drain the fuel tank before winter too and have a good look at the state of the rust. The manual reckons changing the oil before winter as well.
the electrics might not have benefited much from standing around depending on how it was stored before, so may need some cleaning up (switches, connectors etc), that's a fun winter job along with routine service bits like timing and valve clearances. The battery may well be shot as well though if you have a spare knocking about for testing I'd wait to buy a nice new one in the spring.
I have a CB450 arriving in a few weeks so this will be part of my campaign.
Post by: AshimotoK0 on October 23, 2018, 08:46:08 AM
All the manuals you should need are on here in my dropbox links on this site.
CB400F PARTS
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u51uf0p1dv6m29q/Honda%20CB400%20F%20Parts%20Manual.pdf?dl=0
CB400F PARTS USA Searchable
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j0hysqub5jsfg46/400-4%20Part%20List%201975%20searcheable.pdf?dl=0
CB350/400F SHOP MANUALWORKSHOP
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1n3w5433jkph228/350F%20400F%20_4%20Shop%20Manual.pdf?dl=0
CB350F Part Manual
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7pieydvznvy7nhp/CB350_F_F1%20Full.pdf?dl=0
CB400F DEALER SETUP INSTRUCTIONS .. RARE !!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewl1d9td0nhxeya/CB400_set-up_man.pdf?dl=0
Post by: Moorey on October 23, 2018, 08:59:01 AM
Post by: K2-K6 on October 23, 2018, 09:43:59 AM
I know someone living in RI who variously takes bikes into and out of winter storage, along with bikes stored for naval / military personnel while on tour's of duty. We had a think through specifically about the engine oil during such periods and came up with;- if the bike's been standing for extended period to heat the motor gently with external fan/electric heater to get it warm, drain the oil and filter while warm to remove as much as possible. Then replace both to allow any turnover to be completed on new oil.
If you are not going to run it at all, the above procedure is still good as any used oil normally contains acids from the byproducts of running on petrol. If this is removed before winter and you don't start it then it offers the best internal protection during the winter. Just disable the fuel and remove plugs then bring the engine up to oil pressure by turning over to distribute the oil around the engine, then leave it alone. After one winter it can then be started on this oil to recomission.
Post by: mattsz on October 23, 2018, 10:18:30 AM
I suppose the advice I'm looking for applies to any motorcycle, regarding what to do. I'll apply the usual cautions regarding attempting to turn the engine over, etc. An oil/filter change, definitely - plain old dino oil for storage oil?
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 23, 2018, 11:02:13 AM
Post by: Allington (Steve) on October 23, 2018, 11:05:57 AM
Post by: Laverda Dave on October 23, 2018, 11:18:45 AM
We have just returned from our holiday in Maine, I'm envious of you, you have some great roads and scenery to ride a 400/4. I think everything has been said in terms of advice, let us know how you get on and please post a photo of the bike.
Post by: K2-K6 on October 23, 2018, 07:03:08 PM
I don't know what others think, but a small amount of synthetic two stroke oil in each bore also (it doesn't appear to go sticky like some alternatives when left) but won't cause you any problems either when recommissioned.
Where are you located in Maine?
Post by: mattsz on October 23, 2018, 07:25:08 PM
I live on the coast of Maine, in Camden, about a four hour drive north of Boston. I've worked on the water since I moved here in 1990...
Post by: petermigreen on October 23, 2018, 07:59:16 PM
I was in Portsmouth in '91 with the British military right after the first gulf war. The locals there gave us a terrific welcome and treated us very well.
Beautiful location and one to which I hope to be able to return one day.
It made me laugh that the locals hated their southern neighbours so much so that they referred to them as 'Massholes!'
Enjoy your new bike and remember "Live Free or Die"
Peter
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on October 23, 2018, 09:10:30 PM
Oh, you mean there’s another one?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 23, 2018, 09:22:54 PM
Post by: SumpMagnet on October 23, 2018, 09:27:54 PM
If the bike has only stood a few years, it should be pretty much OK. But a careful approach is better than stuffing on the jump cables and cranking it over.
If anything is siezed or stuck, it's better to find out when you turn it over with a spanner on the end of the crank so you can feel what it is doing. Pop the plugs out when you do this.
Post by: mattsz on October 24, 2018, 02:03:26 AM
Years ago in another life when my wife and I were musicians, we toured the UK and one venue host introduced her as being an up-and-coming "star" from Camden Town - worth a good laugh as she wasn't any of the three! Well, she's a star to me, of course...
Post by: mattsz on October 24, 2018, 04:34:26 PM
That oil will be fine, their spec is just for mineral oil but with regular changes in general use, it'll not give you problems.
To be clear: "mineral" oil = conventional, non-synthetic?
Post by: Laverda Dave on October 24, 2018, 04:45:58 PM
Post by: mattsz on October 24, 2018, 04:46:54 PM
That's it, the old fossil stuff ;)
Thanks!
Post by: mattsz on October 24, 2018, 06:36:35 PM
Comments were made regarding the usefulness of the Honda service manual and Haynes manual; on my initial perusal of the Honda download version, I find it light on a lot of details. I've got a Clymer book on the way, for better or worse. Do you guys think I'd be well served by obtaining a Haynes book as well? If the Honda manual is useful, I'd really like to have a hard copy to work with...
Post by: Bryanj on October 24, 2018, 09:05:07 PM
Post by: mattsz on October 24, 2018, 09:10:44 PM
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 24, 2018, 10:12:22 PM
Post by: Bryanj on October 24, 2018, 10:26:18 PM
Post by: mattsz on October 24, 2018, 11:26:58 PM
The bike has arrived! Should I continue my introductory comments and questions here, or start a thread somewhere else?
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 25, 2018, 12:05:39 AM
Understood, thanks for clarifying...Start a new thread Matt, either on the 400/4 board or project board. Let's see some photos too, we love photos 😀😀
The bike has arrived! Should I continue my introductory comments and questions here, or start a thread somewhere else?
Post by: mattsz on October 25, 2018, 12:23:44 AM
Post by: jon stead on October 25, 2018, 12:33:26 PM
Post by: mattsz on October 25, 2018, 01:05:17 PM