400/4 - starting the search!

[StewSue]

I'm researching 400/4's as we've decided to swap my wife's unused ER6 for a classic honda - Is there a "before you buy watch out for" guide out there? - I'm picking up cam tensioners as a worry, what else?  - There are so few bikes for sale in the north we're probably not going to have a lot of choice, esp. as we're looking for a nice one (not pristine though!) that's under 3 grand.

Having said that, Sue's not sat on one yet - but she favours classic nakeds over everything modern..

Stew and Sue, Newton Aycliffe

[ka-ja]

Hi,
    In its time the 400/4 was considered a superb ladies bike because of its compact size and seat height suited smaller framed persons, and yes, cam tensioners can be a problem, along with noisy clutches, smoking exhausts, but one of the worst and expensive things to sort to my mind is bad chrome, original chromed parts are in very short supply and very expensive

[SteveD CB500K0]

Having said that, if you've got 3 grand to spend you should be able to pick up a minter!

I would say:

£1000 buys you a roadworthy classic
£2000 buys you a well looked after enthusiasts bike
£3000 is probably what you'd pay for the above from a dealer.

As in all cases, patience is the key. Keep tabs on eBay, Biketrader etc (and ask on here of course) and you'll find one in the end.

Steve

[Bryanj]

Even the great looking ones can have tensioner trouble and that is an engine out bottom case off. All possible with standard "hand" tools except for the clutch nut and alternator rotor removal. dead easy to work on you just need to be carefull and methodical.

As stated bodywork is pricey and some engine spares are getting scarce but Dave Silver is your Friend (but not your bank managers!!)

[StewSue]

Thanks guys - looking forward to getting my hands mucky, been a while since I took any engine apart, but not scared of getting in that deep!..

Impatiently waiting till the ER sells.....

:-)

[hairygit]

You could always give Dave Silver Spares a call, he has several for sale, and most have a fair amount of work done on them and look very tidy (James May from top gear bought one from him!)

[busa]

Hi sue/steve   there is a 400/f  for sale in Coventry  the fella selling it is on single overhead cam .net forum

[Greenbat]

Got a couple of project bikes if you want...

Camchain tensioner is a bitch, so either look for one that has had some attention already or budget for a strip. The repair is dead easy, you just grind away the hinge a bit to remove the buured over metal and give more clearance. Mine was done about 10K miles ago, just stripped for new primary chain and it is still free.
Camchains with working tensioners should do about 20K miles. Primary drive chain has no tensioner, so the bike will rattle a lot. Opinion varies as to when to change, I've done mine at 43K cos it was pissing me off and I had one.

If the head has been off, you must replace two rubber seals in it or it'll piss oil out each side. Mine did that for a few K miles, no real ill effects just looks ugly.

The front brake caliper arm pivot pin is both a mouthful to say, and prone to seizing. Either strip regularly and grease it up very well, or drill and tap for a grease gun.

Carbs go out of balance easily, so buy a set of 4 vac gauges and figure them out. Likewise set the ignition properly too.

Like most SOHC hondas, camshaft runs directly in the head (no bearings/shells) so don't scrimp on oil changes. I do mine round 1200 miles.

Fit new taper roller steering head bearings. This applies to any bike, every one I've ever bought has had buggered head bearings, and consequently steered like a wonky shopping trolley.

I love my little 4 to bits, it was my first big bike after passing my test. Bought it for £750 (!) in 2008 off ebay, PO had been doing it up toward concours. I used it as my daily ride, 40 miles/day for about 2 1/2 years (excluding winter) and it took it easily. Like I say, just had engine apart and it looks great in there. David Silvers do practically everything bar cases, frames and cranks, and theres a few tasty race bits from Japan.

[PatM]

purchase price 2009   Â£595.00
jet kit   Â£75.00
front wheel   Â£120.00
rear mudguard   Â£60.00
Tank   Â£100.00
another set of carbs   Â£45.00
another set of carbs….   Â£50.00
Clock   Â£35.00
side panels   Â£65.00
chain and sprockets   Â£50.00
Headlamp   Â£40.00
battery   Â£45.00
replacement 2nd hand seat   Â£65.00
Exhaust- new DS replica   Â£235.00
points   Â£20.00
regulator   Â£20.00
Total-   Â£1,620.00

and there have been a few other bits, but its not broke me and is cheap to run-

[buxtonmick]

Pat, would you recommend the replica exhaust?

Ta, Mick.

[PatM]

Mick, Yes, I would- as you can tell from my price-list above, my bike was a cheap project, due to funds for fn around with stuff like that- my old exhaust had 2 pipes replaced from my brothers haul- but it still looked poor- the DS exhaust make the bike look a lot better/presentable. My only issue- and its not a show-stopper for me- is that one pipe has yellowed a bit- My Bro tells me thats common and has happened after about 100 miles of running- the originals, so Im told- are double walled- so yellowing is less likely. Ive seen BN Honda ones go for a Grand- the DS one was 199 plus postage. Its in 5 bits- but doesnt bother me. If you search my posts on here- Ive put some pics of it...I think...
Rgds

PatM

[buxtonmick]

Cheers Pat - I think the DS replica is looking likely as the one on eBay at the moment looks like busting my top price.

[PatM]

Im happy with mine- Ive had a few 400/4s over the years and this one looks be best- by a country-mile!

[JamesH]

Might be worth a look....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307237951258?atmobcid=soc3

[PatM]

This one looks honest enough.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-HONDA-400-4-1976-/151089192653?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item232d9e1ecd#ht_367wt_1396