Honda-SOHC
General => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: briggsc on January 18, 2015, 05:21:22 PM
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Hello all,
Been looking at your forum for some time now as I`m considering purchasing a 400 / 4 (F2 in Candy Antares preferably), I must say it seems very informative and well set up.
One question I would like to ask before 'taking the plunge' is are there any reputable companies / individuals out there in 'SOHC World' who undertake engine rebuild work should it be necessary?
I've been running Triumph Tridents (T160 & T150V) for the past 12 years and am only to aware of the hours old bikes can 'soak up' keeping them in good order. I seem to have less time available now than ever, and while I'm happy to perform all servicing / minor repair tasks, splitting crankcases is more than I want to undertake nowadays, hence my question.
I've always admired the 400 / 4, and they seem well catered for regarding spares availability, so hopefully they make a practical proposition as a 'Classic' ride.
I had a brand new 750 F1 (in yellow, although I really wanted red!) in 1977, it was absolutely reliable and I used it as my sole transport in all weathers, eventually trading it for a Suzuki GS750.
I'm currently riding a Triumph Thruxton and still have the T160 which I bought as a 'new / unregistered bike' 12 years ago with 9 miles on the clock where it had been pushed about at shows etc!
Thanks for any replies,
Regards,
Colin
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Welcome Colin.
I have a 400/4 F2, Candy Antares Red actually (Not for Sale !!!). Haven't had to have engine apart yet but I feel even with my limited knowledge ( and the brilliant help and advice I get from this motley crew ;D ;D ;D) it is a job that can easily be done by oneself. Good luck in finding yours
Regards
Julie
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welcome, there are plenty of 400s out there, buy a decent one and you should have no need for a rebuild, very reliable bikes and lots of spares available from David Silver and others.
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Hi colin welcome to the group, i dont have a 400/4 , but have always admired the bikes, good luck with your bike hunting
pete
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Thanks for your replies, (that's a great looking bike Julie!).
A couple of bikes I've looked at so far had suspiciously high idle speeds, which, when reduced revealed the dreaded cam chain rattle!
I suppose it would be nice to think I can find a well cared for example, but, experience with triples has taught me to plan for the worst case scenario.....perhaps I'm being unduly pessimistic with regard to these bikes.
Anyway, I'll let you know how I get on. Ride safe all.
Regards,
Colin
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I've had my candy antares red F2 since the 80s. It goes to shows, rideouts, camping trips and it's even won me a cup for best jap at a VMCC event. They're pretty much trouble free providing you don't skimp on the oil and filter changes.
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Hi Colin, and welcome. I have no idea what your budget is, but it could be worth calling Dave Silver Spares, he done a project restoring over 50 400/4s, and still has some for sale. They have been thoroughly checked over, and anything slightly iffy has been replaced, so they are probably as good as the day they left the factory in Japan. James May from Top Gear bought one from there and is very happy with it:))
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Welcome to the forum. I have a few bike's but, i do love my CB400F1. Good luck with the hunting.
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That's encouraging to hear Mike.
I must admit I've always been a bit 'anal' when it comes to oil changes, whatever the manufacturer recommends as the oil change interval I change at half the mileage. Cheap maintenance compared to an engine rebuild!
Yes, I read the 'James May' article in Classic Bike magazine, I thought all of David Silvers bikes were spoken for. I suppose a phone call wouldn't hurt, thanks for the info:
Regards,
Colin
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That's encouraging to hear Mike.
I must admit I've always been a bit 'anal' when it comes to oil changes, whatever the manufacturer recommends as the oil change interval I change at half the mileage. Cheap maintenance compared to an engine rebuild!
Yes, I read the 'James May' article in Classic Bike magazine, I thought all of David Silvers bikes were spoken for. I suppose a phone call wouldn't hurt, thanks for the info:
Regards,
Colin
I had a customer buy one from Silvers 9k :'(
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That's encouraging to hear Mike.
I must admit I've always been a bit 'anal' when it comes to oil changes, whatever the manufacturer recommends as the oil change interval I change at half the mileage. Cheap maintenance compared to an engine rebuild!
Yes, I read the 'James May' article in Classic Bike magazine, I thought all of David Silvers bikes were spoken for. I suppose a phone call wouldn't hurt, thanks for the info:
Regards,
Colin
I had a customer buy one from Silvers 9k :'(
He just auctioned this at Mecum Florida , last week ...it went for 4,250 USD
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=LV0115-200539
750K2 went for 6,000 USD
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=LV0115-200512
and this 350F went for 3,000USD
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=LV0115-200506
lovely '68 final production CB77 went for 3,250 USD
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=LV0115-200543
Ash
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That's encouraging to hear Mike.
I must admit I've always been a bit 'anal' when it comes to oil changes, whatever the manufacturer recommends as the oil change interval I change at half the mileage. Cheap maintenance compared to an engine rebuild!
Yes, I read the 'James May' article in Classic Bike magazine, I thought all of David Silvers bikes were spoken for. I suppose a phone call wouldn't hurt, thanks for the info:
Regards,
Colin
I had a customer buy one from Silvers 9k :'(
He just auctioned this at Mecum Florida , last week ...it went for 4,250 USD
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=LV0115-200539
750K2 went for 6,000 USD
and this 350F went for 3,000USD
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=LV0115-200506
Ash
This is not the states Ash ;)
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Yes I know Graham but don't you just wish you could get your mitts on em for that price!
They were from a dealer who fell out with Honda and shut up his shop and left everything untouched for years. He refused to sell em to DS but then the dealer died and he managed to persuade the sons to sell them to him.
Ash
WELCOME COLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Hi Colin, and welcome.
I too was a bit pressed for time, and gave my 400F engine to Terry Ives of Stotfold Engineering / Biggleswade. Very happy with it... he did a fantastic job.
http://www.stotfoldengineers.co.uk/stotfold_engineering_blog/category/blog/motorcyles/
(the 400F engine blog is my motor..)
Can I suggest you put your town / city etc in your profile so folk have an idea where you are & can better suggest services to your location.
Cheers,
Simon
(Addendum due Tom's posting.. (Hi Tom!) ... Terry's recon'd / rebuild was / is fantastic... but the clutch basket (unbeknown to all) was a 'disappointing' & confusing source of subsequent noise. Fixed in the end with a set of new cushs... easy)
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Here are mine and Lobo's bikes: http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,4353.msg28249.html#msg28249
Ok they are yellow, but that yellow was nicer than the 750F1 shade... 8)
Good luck in the search and welcome.
EDIT: Ah yes not meaning to undermine Simon's ^^^ recommendation by referencing that thread. Just for the pics only. He is a stickler for quality and accuracy so if he's pleased that is high praise indeed.
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Thanks for that gents, Mr Ives & Stotfold duly noted.
I agree the yellow of the F1 wasn't the best, but at the time the dealer (Eddy Grimsteads of Eastham, long gone I believe) offered me a discount to take the yellow one off the showroom floor. I was eighteen, 'gagging' for my first 'big' bike with £950 burning a hole in my pocket!
Anyway thanks again everyone for your contributions / info, spring's just around the corner....who am I kidding, I've got ice on the inside of the kitchen window! suppose I'll just have to give in to madam's demands to put the heating on again...
Regards,
Colin
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Yes I know Graham but don't you just wish you could get your mitts on em for that price!
They were from a dealer who fell out with Honda and shut up his shop and left everything untouched for years. He refused to sell em to DS but then the dealer died and he managed to persuade the sons to sell them to him.
Ash
WELCOME COLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I will keep my mouth closed on what price I buy most of my bikes for ;) Did miss out on a CB750K2 the other day. Passed on it, then found out later that it come with a NOS box set of 341's. I have had contact with the chap who did buy it and he is well happy :'(
I know the Oxford Classic Honda have a nice F1 up for sale and the guy is well trusted in the trade. I think that is were Steph got her very nice CB550F2 from.