At last

[AndyD]

Evening all,
Been hovering around the forum for some years, ever since buying a 400/4 basket case along with a CJ360t which have sat sulking in a shed up the garden while I finally caught up with other restorations that I'd had on the go for far too long.
Now cleared the decks and got all the various boxes, bags and rusty piles together to see what state the 400 is in and aim to get underway shortly.
Having bought her in pieces I've no idea what condition the bike was in before the previous owner stripped her down so likely to be some interesting discoveries along the way.
I don't know much about these bikes so no doubt will have a long list of questions as I go - apologies in advance if they've all been asked before and / or the answers are bleeding obvious.
Not sure what level to aim for with the bike - full shiny restoration or clean and fix to a workable standard. May become clearer once I've had a good look at the bits in the pile!
Attached (hopefully) a couple of photos of the little beauty!
Cheers,
Andy

[taysidedragon]

Good luck with the build. It doesn't look too bad a starting point. 👍
Interesting shape on that seat. 😉

[mike the bike]

There's a good couple of hours work there.  Hope all the parts are present and correct.   If you're stuck, just ask.

[K2-K6]

Looks like a decent project to get stuck into.

Its layed out a bit like an autopsy the poor thing 

[Athame57]

Best of luck with this, up and running its history restored!

[Moorey]

I can't see the most important part anywhere. The wallet.

[Nurse Julie]

I can only see one nut and bolt missing...so on the road next weekend then 😀😀😀 Enjoy the jigsaw

[Bryanj]

But Julie it is nut behind the handlebars that is missing and nothing works without that!

[Nurse Julie]

But Julie it is nut behind the handlebars that is missing and nothing works without that!

Yea, that's the one Bryan 🤣🤣👍👍

[AndyD]

Thanks for the encouraging words!
Seat is a plastic base ‘special’ I guess - looks quite unused. Will definitely replace with a more original one as they are a major part of the original look.
The wallet is in rehab for a bit after ‘finishing’ the last restoration money pit but will soon be back for another round. Likewise the nut behind the handlebars!
Think most bits are present but lots of non-standard fixings and worn parts so need to assess it all first.
The previous owner stripped it down to restore but only did a few bits before giving up - he might have had a good reason to.
Cheers
Andy

[mattsz]

The chrome looks to be in pretty good nick - are those the original unobtainium header pipes?  Good luck and have fun!!!

[SteveD CB500K0]

Give us a clue as to your restoration history Andy.

With pictures of course!


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[AndyD]

Matt,
Sadly the chrome looks far better in the photos - one of the things I'm unsure of is whether to just polish to a reasonable 'patina' or rechrome / replace the chrome bits. Wheels, mudguards, chainguard etc. all have minor pitting overall and some more rusty areas but at first glance still look quite shiny. Not even sure yet if they are all original so a bit of thinking to do!
Header pipes are I think original and in decent condition but no silencer in the pile.

Cheers,
Andy

[AndyD]

Thanks Steve,
Been stashing away bikes and bits for quite a few years while work got in the way of doing anything with it all.
Now finally getting a bit of time and have so far done three nut and bolt restorations - CB1100F, GSX1100EZ and most recently a GS1000S - hopefully photos attach OK for these.
Always loved the big 4 cylinder four strokes but keep forgetting how bloody heavy these beasts are to move around and work on!
Cheers,
Andy

[Laverda Dave]

Some cracking restorations there Andy. I think the Honda just about wins for me as a result of the colour scheme and the overall looks 👍.
Good luck with the 400/4 jigsaw, it looks to be all there (or at least the 'big bits' are)! Ask questions if you need any advice or pointers to any recommended suppliers or specialists and photos, photos, photos please of progress 😉.
Dave