Honda 400 Four help
Discussion
Well, I've only done 4 wheels , but suddenly I have 'gained' in my garage a Honda 400 Four of 1976 vintage. Its not exactly a full bike , but I have a frame which is freshly powder coated , on its wheels ( need lots of work) with a rebuilt engine and gearbox and not a great deal more. This is my daughters other halfs machine and has had it for years and bought it as a box of bits. Reason for the thread is trying to find decent places to find parts for these. We are struggling on a kick starter handle for it currently. Has anyone any ideas on parts places to try and source bits ? I am sure as more bits come out of his shed, we will be needing more, this is just the beginning. Allegedly it hasnt been on the road for over 20 years . I am also looking at info on steering bearings as there is something wrong with that, as I believe he said he fitted a tapered bearing in there , but the lower seal doesnt fit against the frame tube and seems about a 3mm gap , so not water tight.
We have looked at David Silver spares, but the kick starts dont turn up. It does have a starter motor, but we wanted to get the kick start for it. So , anyone know any smaller shops who could help would be great.
We have looked at David Silver spares, but the kick starts dont turn up. It does have a starter motor, but we wanted to get the kick start for it. So , anyone know any smaller shops who could help would be great.
This guy specialises in 400 fours, there's nothing he doesn't know about them:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bike-pusher
Hi Dern,
Yes in tonight, come and have a look. As for no idea, that's the thing. Sadly it maybe the case, but he is willing to learn and that's why I have been entrusted to help from a spanner point of view. Interested in getting this together and running, but mention wiring and I may well weaken at the knees. Thanks for the help so far though. Its a good starting point.
Yes in tonight, come and have a look. As for no idea, that's the thing. Sadly it maybe the case, but he is willing to learn and that's why I have been entrusted to help from a spanner point of view. Interested in getting this together and running, but mention wiring and I may well weaken at the knees. Thanks for the help so far though. Its a good starting point.
Edited by Justin S on Monday 1st October 12:36
outnumbered said:
This guy specialises in 400 fours, there's nothing he doesn't know about them:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bike-pusher
Thanks for that. I have just emailed him.https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bike-pusher
Thanks to Dern popping in to look at the issue and something is not right in his eyes too. So, I have started looking at stripping the bike. Seems we have metric bolts and nuts so far , albeit I have only removed the brake caliper and wheel. Also looks like threads need cleaning on the caliper fixings on the fork leg and replaced the front wheel fork clamps with nice shiny new ones ( M8) from my fixings stores . Its weird having the brake caliper in front of the forks on this , as all I have known from my mountain bikes is the other way round. I will look at doing an oil change on the legs while we have it stripped, but need to know how much and what weight oil to put in.
Fill yer fork, and yer boots :
http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb400/
Fork oil is recommended SAE 10W
http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb400/
Fork oil is recommended SAE 10W
Edited by Benni on Wednesday 3rd October 23:25
The bottom bearing definitely didn't look right. The lower bearing has the steering stem sitting about 10mm too low exposing the bearing race and the steering stop didn't engage. Felt ok but I wouldn't be happy with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXiTLQKx9Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXiTLQKx9Q
dern said:
The bottom bearing definitely didn't look right. The lower bearing has the steering stem sitting about 10mm too low exposing the bearing race and the steering stop didn't engage. Felt ok but I wouldn't be happy with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXiTLQKx9Q
Possibly fitted the 'new' spacer on top of the existing one?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXiTLQKx9Q
https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb400f-england_model14...
dern said:
The bottom bearing definitely didn't look right. The lower bearing has the steering stem sitting about 10mm too low exposing the bearing race and the steering stop didn't engage. Felt ok but I wouldn't be happy with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXiTLQKx9Q
Video was good Dern. Decided to strip it down tonight. All pretty agricultural compared to high end MTB's I play with. Found the issue ..................................drum roll !!......... He left the lower loose ball race on the steerer. I am short of a couple of bits now, such as the large washer for below the top crown top nut ( excuse the lack of correct wording , its all new ) plus the castelated nut for taking up the lower bearing preload. I also noted that the lower bearing had no weather shield at all, so looking through boxes of O rings, found one that sits on the pre bearing washer on the steerer, so now will help to prevent water ingress. Bit of grease on the bearings and all assembled.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXiTLQKx9Q
So, good job worked out and thanks for everyone helping. Will get a picture up soonish on where I am with this.
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