CB400F mixed messages

[kiwikk]

Look.....If it's good enough for James May, It's good enough for me, so I just got me a CB400F.
It's in pretty good nick (credit due to PO) but seeing as how it's apparently the last bike I'll ever be getting :weep: I might as well get it back to fully restored condition, maybe even show quality.
To do that, I need to know which variant it is and that's not straightforward.
Frame number 1077664 suggests it's 1976 or 1977 ie. an F2 but it's got the pillion pegs mounted on the swing arm as per earlier model.
Engine number 1078476 also suggests its a newer model.
The rear springs must be aftermarket 'cos they've got shrouds which I've not seen before. Unless the NZ/AU imported specs varied from everywhere else i'll be taking them off.
The seat doesn't look quite standard and the bike appears to be missing the front reflectors.
The Givi fairing has of course already been removed.
Colour-wise, it should be a light ruby red but I suspect the tank has been resprayed slightly wrong (probably due to being unable to find good original colour samples to measure against) I can't trust colour samples viewed on this computer screen so what now?

Any advice from current owners and older afficionados would be appreciated.

[AllanB]

Nice bike, were one of my favs. My brother owned a blue on years back.

The seat is not stock!

[FJRider]

The seat only needs a re-cover in the standard pattern ... no big issue there.

The rear shock isn't a big issue either usual aftermarket stuff (or off another Honda model)

You might learn something here ...

http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/cb400f/

[ellipsis]

...i could post a pic of my '77...it is original down to the decals of the time being there and intact...if you needed a pic to reference...there's plenty on google too...would save me having to pull it out...and shit...(thanks akzle)...

[Akzle]

for all its a h*nda, nice wee project. Good luck wiv it.

[ellipsis]

^^^ ...yeah, wot 'e sed...

[nzspokes]

Wanna sell the Givi screen?

[Larksea]

very cool ride, looks in pretty good shape.

[blackdog]

Yup, sell the screen to the spoked one.

They are fucking hideous.

[HenryDorsetCase]

nice bike. I love them and want another one.

www.davidsilverspares.co.uk

www.cmsnl.com

www.econohonda.co.nz (really good)


http://www.sohc4.net/

[ellipsis]

nice bike. I love them and want another one.

...sorry I baited you with mine...I was in a delirium at the time...and shit...

[kiwikk]

David Silver Spares UK have confirmed she's a 1975 General Export CB400F.
At least I now know what she (Ruby) is supposed to look like.

Got a battery, put some petrol in and started it up for the first time.
I know, I should've heard it going before I bought it. High risk strategy trusting PO paid off (Cheers Les if you're reading this)

Anyway....:banana:...:clap:.goosebump moment at 7000rpm!
Neighbours with V twins and single cylinder thumpers were probably like WTF????

[Pedrostt500]

Try Ash King, it may be surprising what he has stashed away, and he is in your neck of the woods.

[kiwikk]

Try Ash King, it may be surprising what he has stashed away, and he is in your neck of the woods.

I don't know Ash and he's not on the KB member list. Give us a clue.

[ruaphu]

Hey KiwiKK, nice migration from the GN to a darn good bike. That SOHC site mentioned earlier is a goodin, a mate from Holland is on there, has a red 4 hundy too, had it for years. Slighty modified running hot cam etc and a period small bikini fairing fitted too. Cracker bikes.

You have a great bike with that 4 hundy, look forward to seeing you out and about the Taranaki eh.

[ellipsis]

...Malcolm at EconoHonda is a good man to talk with also...

[craisin]

this bike google images

[kiwikk]

Hey KiwiKK, nice migration from the GN to a darn good bike. That SOHC site mentioned earlier is a goodin, a mate from Holland is on there, has a red 4 hundy too, had it for years. Slighty modified running hot cam etc and a period small bikini fairing fitted too. Cracker bikes.

You have a great bike with that 4 hundy, look forward to seeing you out and about the Taranaki eh.

Cheers mate.
I've finally nailed down a good colour reference for a tank respray. I washed, cut and polished the side panels and there it was! :facepalm:
Tell you what....I talked with Bike shops, Bike Engineers and paint sprayers and It sounds like I'm the only owner of a CB400F in the region. Surprising. Puts me in a good position to score in any local bike shows.

Anyway you will no doubt see me out cruising on fine days. (You'll fekkin' hear me coming first :Punk:)

[ruaphu]

Cheers mate.
Anyway you will no doubt see me out cruising on fine days. (You'll fekkin' hear me coming first :Punk:)

Look forward to seeing/hearing you there bud. Cheers eh

[GrayWolf]

Cheers mate.
I've finally nailed down a good colour reference for a tank respray. I washed, cut and polished the side panels and there it was! :facepalm:
Tell you what....I talked with Bike shops, Bike Engineers and paint sprayers and It sounds like I'm the only owner of a CB400F in the region. Surprising. Puts me in a good position to score in any local bike shows.

Anyway you will no doubt see me out cruising on fine days. (You'll fekkin' hear me coming first :Punk:)

They are a great 'wee' bike, not really much faster than the old 2T 250's of the day, but I knew so many of then that were used, abused, mercilessly thrashed for years and still ran well (as long as oil changes etc were done).
There was a couple of 'oddball' versions around in the UK, a 'Yoshimura' tuned one and a Honda dealer called Mocheck, did a 'hotted up' version called the Harrier... Possibly the same 'type', a Yoshi tune up. So you might still be able to 'acquire' Yohsi cams, 460cc conversion, and 4-1's