Keiths 400/4

[Coppertop1234]

Hi all just purchased the 400/4 as a last project bike .
The bike has been a previous 87 year old gentlemen's project in 2019
He rebuilt the engine and restored the bike to its present standard.
A good starting point for a mainly cosmetic restoration.

I like bikes to be original or as near as so this will be my aim

Bits that stand out
Forks off a superdream i think - replacements on order
Brakes off  a superdream  (no pressure switch) - replacements on order
Wheels same again - new tyres though - i have 2 spoked hubs sort this one later with new rims and spokes
Chain Guard - chrome gone painted black - livable for now
Paint work - Spring job back to correct red and decals
Frame painted  - livable for now
Wiring all works taped up so maybe new harness
Chrome work on indicators shot so replacements
New chain and spockets - Bonus
Battery dead - new battery
Exhaust none standard - replace to oem replica on order - need downpipes and collits
New seat  - Bonus
Clocks work fine just cosmetics

Bike starts runs / stops and goes through gears fine no bad engine noises or immediate issues.

Tidy little project to get another 400 back to the best it could be within reason of course.

Pic of my last 2 bikes i restored  CB750 Fi and CB250 Dream which both were wrecks prior.

a few of new project

[Ken4004]

Looks nice , do you mind me asking how much you paid for the bike ?

[Coppertop1234]

not at all Ken
 I paid the asking price of 2395 (he wouldnt drop in price)
I paid because the engine had been rebuilt and it also had a second rebuilt engine with it along with other bits and bobs
also it looked a half decent resto to continue.

[Coppertop1234]

I think the correct colour should be Candy Antares Red
I don't want to set off a colour argument, but the burgundy red is my preference
Probably because all my 400's and 750's were burgundy

Parts on order to start
Forks and axle retainers
Brake pressure switch
Complete new front brake  and fittings
Dearer bits from DS
Full exhaust system with fitments
New front brake lines
Side grab bar

I am glad the wife doesnt use the forum.

and still some to get of course

[Ken4004]

That sounds like a fair price because it looks good in the photos, My bike was originally candy red but I fancy the yellow so it’s been re sprayed.

On my last CB400 I had it sprayed Candy and it did look amazing but as I remember the paint was really expensive but worth it for the finished product.

[Coppertop1234]

i usually do my own with rattle cans and it always comes out really well - not to put spec on it

Last time on the 750F1 i used BMW candy red which was so close you couldnt tell the difference

[Coppertop1234]

Bits are starting to land

New Caliper & pressure switch for brake line landed

DS stuff dispatched that was quick
Forks arriving later today

So time to start tinkering
all the old forks calipers exhaust etc will be going on ebay unless anyone here is interested

[Coppertop1234]

Well that didnt go to plan

Old forks are 31mm were on bike
New Forks 33mm (bottoms fine legs pitted)

Yolk 31mm so presume this is also of a superdream - but obviously dont fit

New forks are identified for a 400/4 from seller and manual says 33mm so guess these are right bottoms for bike
old forks legs are also longer than new ones

I only wanted to change fork bottoms but  - plan B

Use new fork bottoms 33mm - got these
get 2 new fork legs 33mm - available on ebay
get new top and bottom yolk 33mm and bearings to suit - (hahahaha cant seem to find these)

or open to other models/ options that would take standard stock fittings brakes mudguard etc

even though of a frame with decent front end on it as an option

[Bryanj]

Just checked on cms and lower G5 yoke is same but top is different

[Coppertop1234]

Just found a bottom and top yoke they say for 400/4 f 1977
we will see when they land.
Time to strip top end down clean and refurb ready to rebuild all being well.
ordered new head bearings in anticipation of correct fit.

[Coppertop1234]

Few more bits landed
Exhaust looks nice enough for a replica
(glad he came when missus was out )
I will post pics as we progress - hopefully.

[Ken4004]

Where did you get the exhaust from looks quite nice, is it single wall thickness on the down pipes, I have heard that some of the replicas because of the reduced wall thickness they can discolour when heated up .
This is not a bad thing infect I like the look of the different colour bands , reminds me of when I started my apprenticeship where we heat treated chisels and punches a few years ago now .

[Coppertop1234]

Yup not like a good bit of tempering Ken remember it well from my training days in the early 70's and the forge in metal work classes. Schools would have a dicky fit it they had woodwork and metalwork as classes nowadays.

Exhaust is a DS replica, I dont know about thickness just packed it away until i am ready

just hope the new yolks are right size for forks. the super dream forks i took out were about 2 inch longer than these I have just bought, but the said they were for a 400/4.

its all trial and error ,hopefully not too much error though.

[Coppertop1234]

Front end stripped out ready

Bikes in background are my sons

Chinese 80cc monkey bike

Harley 1250

(i think he gets more fun on the monkey bike )

[Bryanj]

Having sold both and pdi'd the first 1340 in Gloucestershire i can guarantee he has more fun on the monkey bike, and i bet its more reliable