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SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: Norniron on January 27, 2015, 10:23:36 PM

Title: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Norniron on January 27, 2015, 10:23:36 PM
Has anyone got a 400 engine that starts with a FE?
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 27, 2015, 10:29:34 PM
My 400 starts with FE
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Norniron on January 27, 2015, 10:47:42 PM
My 400 starts with FE
What year is yours julie?
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Bodd on January 28, 2015, 12:24:26 AM
Mine starts FE, it's a 1976 R plate.
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 28, 2015, 06:33:17 AM
My 400 starts with FE
What year is yours julie?

07/09/1978 'T'
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Lobo on January 28, 2015, 09:35:44 AM
Dunno if of any use to you...

Simon
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Orcade-Ian on January 28, 2015, 03:18:02 PM
Not sure what's going on here, but my engine starts with a button ;D

Seriously now, I think all engines for 400 are CB400FE. My very early one is 1000??? 1974 build date and my 1975 P reg is 104xxxx
Just checked both 350/4's and they are CB350FE 1002xxxx
Perhaps it means engine rather than frame?
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 29, 2015, 06:43:59 PM
Has anyone got a 400 engine that starts with a FE?

What did you need engine numbers for Norniron ?

Julie
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Norniron on January 29, 2015, 08:09:31 PM
Has anyone got a 400 engine that starts with a FE?

What did you need engine numbers for Norniron ?

Julie
Well julie,my bike was an aussie model imported and regd in the uk in 1987.
A friend was disputing the year of my bike because of the frame and engine numbers.
He said it was a 75 according to the numbers.it is a 77.
He thought because it originally had the passenger footpegs on the swingarm it was an early model.
And i was getting slated for cutting it up to make a cafe racer.
But it was a complete wreck and would have cost too much to restore.
I know nothing about engine/frame numbers or actually care about them to be interested.
Your replies were for his benefit not mine.
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 29, 2015, 08:17:07 PM
It's your bike Norniron, you can do whatever you like to it. Pleased it's sorted for you though
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Trigger on January 29, 2015, 08:32:47 PM
Has anyone got a 400 engine that starts with a FE?

What did you need engine numbers for Norniron ?

Julie
Well julie,my bike was an aussie model imported and regd in the uk in 1987.
A friend was disputing the year of my bike because of the frame and engine numbers.
He said it was a 75 according to the numbers.it is a 77.
He thought because it originally had the passenger footpegs on the swingarm it was an early model.
And i was getting slated for cutting it up to make a cafe racer.
But it was a complete wreck and would have cost too much to restore.
I know nothing about engine/frame numbers or actually care about them to be interested.
Your replies were for his benefit not mine.

Now blab on what CC your Cb400 is  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Norniron on January 29, 2015, 10:18:52 PM
398cc ha ha
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Trigger on January 29, 2015, 11:21:17 PM
398cc ha ha

The only 398cc engine in a CB400F. Classic ;D
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Lobo on January 30, 2015, 12:24:05 AM
Hi Norniron... for your mate.

The fixed footrests were only applied to the European bikes ... who knows why. From Wikopedia ..

..."Up to frame number 1056883 'F' models had swing-arm mounted pillion footrests, but from then on the 'F' models had the pillion footrests moved to frame-mounted brackets; it is often assumed that this feature only started with the F2 model but this is not the case."

Refer to my previous posting & note those frame #s do not apply outside of Europe.

Like you, I've an imported F2.... an American 1977 Model. It is on its original frame and has swing-arm footrests. Just like they all did outside of Europe....

To seal the deal I checked my parts list... the frame with loops is defo (later) European spec.

Simon
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Trigger on January 30, 2015, 12:32:14 AM
Hi Norniron... for your mate.

The fixed footrests were only applied to the European bikes ... who knows why. From Wikopedia ..

..."Up to frame number 1056883 'F' models had swing-arm mounted pillion footrests, but from then on the 'F' models had the pillion footrests moved to frame-mounted brackets; it is often assumed that this feature only started with the F2 model but this is not the case."

Refer to my previous posting & note those frame #s do not apply outside of Europe.

Like you, I've an imported F2.... an American 1977 Model. It is on its original frame and has swing-arm footrests. Just like they all did outside of Europe....

To seal the deal I checked my parts list... the frame with loops is defo (later) European spec.

Simon

Simon, i never believe anything from Wiki. They have this 400 up as a good example but, it has a front drum > /wiki/File:Honda_CB400F_mod.jpg
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Frisky on January 30, 2015, 02:48:10 AM
Trigger, Norniron,

My V5 also says 398cc for what appears to be a genuine 400F model originally registered in UK - so what is the story behind this do you think?

It is a 1975 model and now has an engine with the 408cc number moulded into the block. Maybe it is not the original engine? I didn't think much of it until  it came to the road fund licence which is cheaper if the bike is less than 400cc. Maybe I should come clean to DVLA and let them know, but how could this 398cc have come about?

Confusing to a newcomer to the marque!

Cheers,

Frisky
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Norniron on January 30, 2015, 06:03:37 AM
Trigger, Norniron,

My V5 also says 398cc for what appears to be a genuine 400F model originally registered in UK - so what is the story behind this do you think?

It is a 1975 model and now has an engine with the 408cc number moulded into the block. Maybe it is not the original engine? I didn't think much of it until  it came to the road fund licence which is cheaper if the bike is less than 400cc. Maybe I should come clean to DVLA and let them know, but how could this 398cc have come about?

Confusing to a newcomer to the marque!

Cheers,

Frisky
Hi frisky,the gov get enough money,it is an error on their part.enjoy the cheap biking.
I know I do
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: mike the bike on January 30, 2015, 07:35:19 AM
398cc were produced for the Japanese home market because of certain restrictions on bikes over 400cc.
I resent having to pay an extra 50% road tax beckon a measly 8cc, so good luck to you.
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Orcade-Ian on January 30, 2015, 11:55:05 AM
One of my 400/4's also has 398 on the V5, as you say it's another DVLA mistake, but there are definitely some 398 Jap spec bikes around.  Years ago I bought a brand new GL1200 Aspencade from an importer in Cheshire and when the V5 arrived it said 'Scooter Combination' even though it was a solo. It took nearly a year to get the class changed to Bicycle - DVLA - tell 'em nowt and enjoy your 398cc's
Title: Lobo
Post by: Lobo on January 30, 2015, 02:30:48 PM
Hi Trig,

Wikipedia - agreed, but look 'anywhere' & you'll note 'outside of Europe' never got the loop footrests. Even my parts manual specifies Europe only for these.... yours?

Here's another link I turned up - showing the US (late) versions still on the swing-arm footrests. Note also that their 1978 pictures with "recessed fuel fillers" etc are actually pics of European bikes... ie they have good old chrome filler caps & pretty indicator lenses. (also think I can spot the sideways facing 'European' horn in these pics... and the tail lamp should be chrome?)

Further minor difference exist too - the one good thing I like about my 'yank' bike is the integral steering lock on the ignition.

http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0400/four.htm

Simon
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 30, 2015, 03:38:51 PM
Going by the above link, my 1978 UK 400/4 should have Mikuni Carbs. It has actually got Keihins and the W/S manual says Keihin's are standard fit ?
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: tom400f on January 30, 2015, 04:20:06 PM
I think that site is either tosh or possibly that was how things were in the US with different emission rules??
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Bodd on January 30, 2015, 06:22:10 PM
The trouble with the internet is that the "information" is only as good as the knowledge of the person who inputs it, if you look at the source code for the page Simon posted some punter called John Barach authored the page, where he got his info from nobody knows, some people do have the right knowledge but as a rule only believe it if it is from an official source.
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Trigger on January 30, 2015, 06:36:13 PM
The trouble with the internet is that the "information" is only as good as the knowledge of the person who inputs it, if you look at the source code for the page Simon posted some punter called John Barach authored the page, where he got his info from nobody knows, some people do have the right knowledge but as a rule only believe it if it is from an official source.

Well said Bodd. DO NOT believe everything you read lady's and gentleman ;)
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Lobo on January 31, 2015, 08:24:22 PM
Hmmm... yes the Internet can be a bit misleading.  BUT, be wary of dismissing info just because it doesn't suit you; if we always go down the route of "I don't like what I'm hearing so it must be rubbish" then we may as well switch off our computers. Rather research further / present data to dispute ... whatever. (Though I do agree about those carbs)

In the case of CB400 frame loops, I remain convinced they're a European spec only, ... Norniron & my (1977 / late American Frame #) bikes are living proof.

Now of course the below may have been concocted from some mislead & mischievous vagabond ... but until hard data is shown otherwise I'll continue to believe it!

Top pic 'European' spec, frame is part #374
Middle pic F,F1 & America.... frame part # 373/375 (& yup there's an addendum page for their later / recessed tank)

Excuse the blue crap... bits I've replaced etc.

Simon
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Trigger on January 31, 2015, 09:08:35 PM
well, i get my information from years of working on these engines and i have had a 400F from new.
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Trigger on January 31, 2015, 10:09:56 PM
Another of my flock that Honda say was never sold in the UK. How wrong Honda were.
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Norniron on January 31, 2015, 11:02:19 PM
Another of my flock that Honda say was never sold in the UK. How wrong Honda were.
That 500 is stunning G
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Lobo on January 31, 2015, 11:23:52 PM
Lovely bikes....my 400F2 was the Ruby red when I got it... often I wish I'd kept the tank / side panels and bought a 2nd Parakeet set... to enjoy 2x the beauty.(ie rather than having them resprayed)

Simon
Title: Re: 400 engine numbers
Post by: Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP) on February 01, 2015, 02:02:18 PM
Nice bikes Trig shame about the rusty throttle cable ;) ;)
Cheers
Bitsa
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