Newbie

[ted_paper]

Hi,
I have joined this forum as I have always wanted a 400/4 from when I was young but couldn't afford one. After more years than I like to remember as a non-bike rider, I would love to actually own one. I am a complete novice when it comes to mechanics and would like to know if it is feasible for someone with no knowledge (or specialist tools) could restore one?
The only bikes I've seen for sale are restored and selling for

[K2-K6]

Hi and welcome to this forum, there should be some good advice from the 400-4 owners coming your way.

We of course have no idea of your competence in things technical so taking a guess as to your ability.

Not unrealistic to start with one of these but will depend on your ability in some technical appreciation I guess. Could start with a read through a manual to give yourself a feeling for what it entails but this era is reasonably simple in design of most parts so with some help in answering things that puzzle you I'd say it's definitely possible.

Hopefully you'll be able to make a more informed choice after some input from the forum, but it wouldn't be a disaster if you were unable to complete a project as the bits are usually worth something if they've been carefully dismantled so you could cope either way to complete or recoup any money spent. Don't be afraid to start though.

[steven400/4]

there is always ppl to help out if you realy want to do it yourself but if you can get one thats been done that cheap i,d get it i,m on my 3rd and 4th at the moment and i,ve spent over 2k on each of them and not touched the engines yet plus lots more todo on both of them good luck
steve

[PatM]

Hi, Ive had 2 over the years and worked on countless!
If you can get one that rund for

[ted_paper]

Thanks for the welcome.

My ability could safely be classed as zero!! My great fear is getting a bike and then getting stuck for lack of a) knowledge and b) tools.
From lurking, I see that that a lot of folks out there are very helpful so that would leave me worrying about specialist tools. Would I need any or are they all your bog standard sockets and screwdriver sets?

Cheers

[dave400]

A BIG hammer and a impact driver....a decent socket set and the jobs a good-un.

Cheers

Dave

[PatM]

Ted

It pretty obvious that to keep a 30-year old plus bike going you either need to have a basic knowledge of spannering or have someone who can do it for you. As for speciallist tools- not really- they use the standard M8, M10, M12, M14 M14 spanners. A good srewdriver kit- preferably a t-bar type is essential as screws become seized.
I was ballancing my cars again last weekend and prepping the bike for it- one of the srews on the inlet stubs would NOT shift and I took the head off it- terminal, one might assume.
I started the bike and got it nice and hot- then whacked it with my small tool-makers cold-chiseil I made at college in 1972. That was just sufficient to move it round a degree of so- yes, it was one of the inside carbs- then I could get it out- copper grease a new one- and carry on thinking thank f for that!
If Id taken it to a bike shop in the 70's, they would have had every right to charge me to remove the carbs and drill it out etc.

See if someone replys local to you- what part of the country are you in? (Thats why I put my locale in my last post)

PatM  

[ted_paper]

I've got a big hammer so I'm halfway home!
I live in W.Yorks so I don't know if there are any local clubs I could join maybe?

[PatM]

No, Im in the 'Sarf... and I can tell you most of the good engineers are in your area!

[rigwit]

Hi and welcome the q you asked is like  " how long is a bit of string" to get a good runner you would be paying anywhere between 1.5 to 2 k  for a strip down/overhaull up to 1/2 k   but expect to lots of money depending on your own taste and to how you want it finnished  ie  standard,  concourse, cafe racer , one off  etc im expecting to lay out between 2 to 3 k for mine as it will be unique and to my taste, as mentioned there is plenty of help available on the forum and not thats just available for th 400-4 as lots overlap, also im in west yorks  on outskirt of wakey if ya need some specialist tools help  ...................

[ted_paper]

Thanks for all the replies guys, it's certainly given me something to think about...I think that I'm mainly surprised at how much can be spent...I'm guessing most of it is sending the engine to a specialist for a refurb? or is actually getting all genuine and authentic replacement parts?

Rigwit   Thanks for the offer...you might regret it if I manage to get one...I'm from Ponte!

[kent400]

Join The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club and get along to a few of their local meets. You are bound to find a few 400f owners who are restoring one or at least have done so. The prices for one mentioned are 'spot on' but without a doubt the best plan for you might be to buy the best you can afford. There was one on ebay last week, item number 230515337024 with a starting price of

[rigwit]

Thanks for the welcome.

My ability could safely be classed as zero!! My great fear is getting a bike and then getting stuck for lack of a) knowledge and b) tools.
From lurking, I see that that a lot of folks out there are very helpful so that would leave me worrying about specialist tools. Would I need any or are they all your bog standard sockets and screwdriver sets?

Cheers

standard tools  ie sockets and combo spanners will allow you to take most of the bike and engine apart, nothing special needed unless you strip down the engine  ie  you will need an impact driver if the standard screws are in the outer componments, clutch centre nut tool, and a rotor puller will allow a total stip down of the engine,  also if you gonna go further ie take of con rods, then thinwall 12 mm socket needed  also stud extractor as no doubt one or 2 will be a bugger to get out (studs that is) you can get away with a valve extractor by tricks of the trade so to speak as well as some other processes

[ted_paper]

...Lost me a little with all the conrods etc! 

All I need now is a bike like fellow newbie Octavian...Any more out there going cheap?

[rigwit]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1975-HONDA-400-4-RESTORATION-SPARES-/110579121156?pt=UK_Motorcycles