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07-16-2009, 08:01 AM
| #1 |
| 919, CRF250X, LC4, CB400F  Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 623
| Picked up a new Honda last night!!  '77 Honda CB400F aka 400 Four...one owner, all original, 13k miles, clean clear title, paid $1000. Bike doesn't run, has sat for the last 15 years! My plans are to do all new fluids, carb clean/adj, battery, etc etc and see if I can get it running. Then ride it this summer/fall and then this winter when I'm loosing my mind due to early darkness and freezing weather, tear it all down in the garage and make her pretty. I've never taken on a project like this, and honestly I'm not really into vintage bikes all that much, but something about the 400 Four has always "spoken" to me. I think I got a good deal too - a small price to pay for my sanity really. |
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07-16-2009, 08:11 AM
| #2 |
| Milites Gregarius Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gallipolis, OH
Posts: 163
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Congrats! Looks like Honda's version of the '81 Yamaha xs400 I started on. I had a lot of fun on that bike. I need to get it running again and sell it though.
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07-16-2009, 08:27 AM
| #3 |
| What about the Creedence  Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Burlington, NC
Posts: 3,339
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Nice ! Congrads !  |
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07-16-2009, 08:27 AM
| #4 |
| Unbannable  Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,185
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It looks great. Be sure to replace those tires.
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07-16-2009, 08:47 AM
| #5 |
| Moderator  Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The woods of CT
Posts: 9,631
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I moved this thread to it's well deserved Classic forum. You got a great deal on this CB400F. I was looking at a similar 76' which sold for $3200. I owned one back in the dark ages, it is a fun bike, bullet proof and easy to work on. That said... Depending how it was stored, stale gas will be a major concern. Do not try to start it without a thorough investigation of the gas tank and carburetors. If any grunge gets sucked into the carbs. it will be a major hassle to clean. Feel free to ask as many questions as needed, between Simpson, me, and a few others you should get that beauty up and running in no time. BTW: Loose that luggage rack  |
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07-16-2009, 08:55 AM
| #6 |
| 919, CRF250X, LC4, CB400F Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 623
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Thanks, Mike. I thought this thread might end up here, but it's still a naked!  I'm sure once I dig into this project I'll have a whole slew of questions. No doubt the luggage rack is history! |
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07-16-2009, 09:36 AM
| #7 |
| (Quintus) Pilus Prior  Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Columbus, Ga.
Posts: 2,749
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looks nice
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07-16-2009, 09:53 AM
| #8 |
| no max no more Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: boston
Posts: 985
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real nice find
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07-16-2009, 09:55 AM
| #9 |
| Tirone Choolaces  Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern Maryland, USA
Posts: 3,768
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Congrats...looks like a great project and in not too bad of shape
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07-16-2009, 12:51 PM
| #11 |
| Tesserarius  Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 707
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Brings back a lot of fond memories! My dad had one in the early 80's, he has a 9'ner now, but still gets misty eyed whe he talks about it - his was the 400/4 Super Sport (not sure what the difference is), also in yellow!
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07-17-2009, 08:41 AM
| #12 |
| Shiraz  Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,684
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holy cow, you stole that thing! CONGRATS!
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07-17-2009, 08:45 AM
| #13 | |
| Shiraz Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,684
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 It's a deep rabbit hole for some folks I guess.  | |
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07-17-2009, 08:46 AM
| #14 |
| 919, CRF250X, LC4, CB400F Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 623
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Thanks ya'll. I'll use this thread to update with progress and questions as soon as I have some spare time to get moving on this project. Between work and the social schedule my better half has forced upon me, my head is spinning these days!
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07-17-2009, 08:48 AM
| #15 |
| Milites Gregarius  Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 104
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Hmmmm.....a little Cafe treatment might be nice here. Leave the yellow tho - like it! ++1 on replacing the tires immediately. Nice Get! |
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07-17-2009, 12:58 PM
| #16 |
| Heavy Metal  Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: swamp in the wood
Posts: 4,242
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Very niiiiice. Congrats !! |
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07-17-2009, 03:19 PM
| #17 |
| Tribuni Angusticlavii  Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,799
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Nice looking!! Good luck with it and enjoy the build!!
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11-21-2009, 05:26 PM
| #18 |
| CG  Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Catonsville, MD
Posts: 532
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I just stumbled across this thread. How's the project progressing? I always like those bikes. |
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11-21-2009, 05:50 PM
| #19 | |
| Sike  Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,622
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11-21-2009, 05:54 PM
| #20 | |
| Radical Extremist  Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Flyover Country
Posts: 912
| Quote:
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11-21-2009, 07:23 PM
| #21 |
| no max no more Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: boston
Posts: 985
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nice find good luck,,think i all ready said that
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11-22-2009, 08:28 AM
| #22 | |
| CG Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Catonsville, MD
Posts: 532
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11-22-2009, 09:42 AM
| #23 | |
| Sike Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,622
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11-22-2009, 11:54 AM
| #24 |
| Greg  Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas
Posts: 157
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I've always liked the 400 4cyl. ....I envy your find ! I think its the perfect city bike. Hop on and go ! The 400s in 2 cyl. just don't appeal to me as much.
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11-23-2009, 08:19 AM
| #25 |
| 919, CRF250X, LC4, CB400F Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 623
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Well I originally picked this up with the idea of it being a winter project...hence, it's sadly sat looking pretty in my garage. Alas, now that I'm freshly unemployed and winter is fast approaching, I will be digging in very shortly and will update accordingly. We've been having some incredible weather in Ohio recently though too, I rode like 800mi last week on the 919. No time for projects when it's 60 and sunny in mid-late November. |
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11-23-2009, 08:51 AM
| #26 |
| Easily Bored  Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 8,330
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Just saw this for the first time as well, cool project! We hope to get started on our 350-Four restoration this winter as well.
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11-23-2009, 09:39 AM
| #27 |
| Steve  Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dallas
Posts: 291
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I'm jealous, very cool. You guys are making me want to find a project bike now! My wife would be thrilled I'm sure, she already refers to the niner as my ho.  Steve |
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11-23-2009, 11:28 AM
| #28 | |
| Vehicle Abuse Specialist  | Quote:
 Haha Ride that Ho! | |
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11-23-2009, 08:06 PM
| #29 |
| Don't Call Me Tirone  Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cowtown,Alberta,Canada
Posts: 24
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Very nice find. The 400's had that amazing exhaust- you must try and use that head pipe ! Also the only one of the family with 6 speeds. In many ways the most desirable of the little 4 cylinder Hondas. Enjoy your new project. Found something for ya courtesy of "Dan's Motorcycle Repair Web Page" - Honda CB400F Parts Book |
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11-23-2009, 08:40 PM
| #30 |
| Imaginifer  Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 426
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Sweet. The 400/4 is a really nice engine. One of Hondas good ones, mind you they have a long list of good engines. The 350/4 was a wee screamer - tiny little pistons! |
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12-08-2009, 12:47 PM
| #31 |
| Tirone  Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: maryland
Posts: 69
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ever try seafoam for carb cleaning? its not the foam left on the beach from the waves either. It works great to dip your bowls and parts in
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12-08-2009, 12:51 PM
| #32 |
| NC Sasquatch  Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Union Ridge, NC
Posts: 795
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Very SWEET !!!
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12-19-2009, 12:04 PM
| #33 |
| Old Guy  Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Olathe, Kansas
Posts: 11
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Extremely nice, I had a red 75. Looking back, probably one of my favorite bikes. Great in town runner. I wish I had it back.
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12-20-2009, 08:20 AM
| #34 |
| McTavish  Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Calgary
Posts: 472
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Christmas came early ! The price you paid is gift city ! Always liked the Yellow. That baby 4 was a jewel of a bike and to see one so intact now puts a smile on my face. I'd keep it stock, although a decent set of aftermarket shocks would be wise - those oldies were pogo sticks. Get a shop manual. The Clymer was good. Get to the sohc4 website. You may be able to get a PDF copy of a complete factory manual, along with all the updates and any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). You will be doing carb work. The soh4 site as PDF copy of the excellent 1975 Honda Motorcycle Carburetion Manual, which was actually a joint publication with Keihin. It's about 30 pages and is an excellent book on carbs.
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