Honda-SOHC

General => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: Drew400 on January 03, 2014, 09:22:56 AM

Title: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Drew400 on January 03, 2014, 09:22:56 AM
Hello all.

Yes indeed, I've joined the throng of CB400/4 restorers and, like many others before me, this is my first attempt at a 'proper' restoration. I bought the bike a couple of years ago: runner, leaker, restricted to 33bhp, fun ride (although not really for 2-up) and now the oil leaks and general tattiness are pleading me to strip her down and give her a damned good clean.

So far everything is off the frame awaiting cleaning, painting, re-gasketing, etc. I'll occasionally add updates  and photos (although I've not so far been much of a blogger type) and probably more frequently seek help from this expert and friendly group.

Cheers all!
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: tom400f on January 03, 2014, 10:20:54 AM
Hi Drew

Welcome to the forum. Always nice to hear from another 400/4 owner  8)

Age/Model/Colour/Milage? I like details. Look forward to seeing how it progresses.

Cheers
Tom
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2014, 10:28:25 AM
Welcome Drew, There's a ton of advice to be had. Enjoy and don't be shy. 400/4, still loads of good parts about.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: mick on January 03, 2014, 11:45:37 AM
Hello Drew and welcome post plenty of photos of before and after  ;) cheers Mick.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Drew400 on January 03, 2014, 12:33:13 PM
Thanks Mick, Trigger & Tom.

It's a 1975 model in burgundy with c.55,000 on the clock. I'm guessing that some of it is not original (surprised?!) but plenty of it might be. Evidence #1 - the front mudguard has only one stay (is that the correct phrase?) at the rear. All the pictures I have seen appear to have two (i.e one at the front too). The seat is definately a replacement but looks pretty accurate. Perhaps inevitably, the stalks for the front indicators have been snapped at some point and they're now attached to the headlamp nascelle where the reflectors used to reside... I'll hopefully correct that in the re-build phase.

Will add some photos soon.

Whilst we're at it: my old bike history (in order) - Puch Maxi moped (gave me such style), Honda CD175, Suzuki T500, Honda CX500*, Yamaha XS1100, Suzuki GT750, Kawasaki GTR1000* and now the little 400/4. I'm not what you might call contemporary on the bike front!
(* = bought new)

Cheers, D.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: mick on January 03, 2014, 01:32:16 PM
Do you still have any of your old bikes ?, we had a little Puch v50 ? (the yellow and chrome ones) and a Raleigh Wisp to knock about the fields on when we were Kids  8) cheers Mick.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: mickwinf on January 03, 2014, 02:39:54 PM
welcome to the forum, my first moped was a Puch also, never had a 400/4 though!
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: UK Pete on January 03, 2014, 03:55:10 PM
Hi and welcome aboard, as you probably know by now Dave Silvers is the place to go for spares for your bike , as the others say lets see some pictures when your ready
pete
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Drew400 on January 03, 2014, 08:49:08 PM
Thank you all (some again) for the warm welcome. Already, my load feels shared... if you get my drift!

If I get this right, you're about to see some piccies of a tank, a partially naked 400 (avert your eyes if you're sensitive to such things) and the underside of a headstock. Seems to me that it's bent (where the steering butts up to stop it doing the 'owl' or 'BMX-bike-spin-right-round' thing). Hopefully this is a simple 'heat and beat' back straight job, but if you know better that this is a symptom of something much worse, please let me know.

Cheers all,

D.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2014, 10:02:51 PM
Hi Drew, the headstock is a little out of shape. What did the bearing cup look like?. Your a brave man if you think a little heat and a whack will sort that out. Post a picture once it has cooled down. Good luck. 
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Drew400 on January 03, 2014, 11:08:28 PM
Bearing looks perfectly circular. I'm taking it to a chap tomorrow who does this sort of thing so will have a professional opinion to express soon afterwards! Cheers, D.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Trigger on January 03, 2014, 11:23:06 PM
Drew, was the bottom yoke OK? Hope it all comes out on the end of a hammer.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: kenny1059 on January 04, 2014, 09:09:37 AM
Hi Drew,
Welcome,from another newbie. I think we will using this forum  a fair bit in the future.

cheers, Kenny.
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: ka-ja on January 04, 2014, 09:45:48 AM
Hi,
    Welcome to the group and another 400/4--Ken
Title: Re: Old story, new storyteller
Post by: Drew400 on January 06, 2014, 09:00:02 AM
Hi again and thank you to a few more readers/contributors.

Money pit, hmmm... the jaws of that particular monster have started to open as I create a shopping basket on David Silver's parts site. Not hit the 'order' button yet but will soon be doing so. I have built a spreadsheet to keep a track of all this stuff so hopefully that will create some financial control... yeah right!

Frame's being repaired as we 'speak' and all my reusable parts are cleaned and ready for painting. Seems I'm committed (or should be).

Cheers, D.
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