Going to look at a 1980 CB400N

[calyx]

Going to see one. 30.000 miles on it.
Owner says he changed pistons and cam chain recently. Balanced carb etc..
Anyone got any experience with this bike?
What should I look for? (apart from obvious things)
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Boris - London

[Moo.]

Changed the pistons? Really? At 30'000? I wouldbt believe this without proof, i have the 250 same bike apart from the engines not bored out xD mines still going at 29'000 on orignal pistons, also their harder to come by for the 400. Decent bikes, will do over a ton and alot nicer power then the 250, bike thirsty on fuel probably about 50mpg, what the cdi they usually fail around 30k
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[Kickstart]

Hi

Had one many years ago.

Changing the pistons at 30k sounds a bit low, unless it was a case of taking it apart and then may as well do it (ie, maybe a stuck ring).

Cam chains were not known for being long lived, although the tensioner is semi manual so not as bad as the Hondas that came a little later with automatic tensioners.

I had mine in the late 1980s and the wiring was getting brittle then. Not sure I would want to experience it when it is 20 years older.

They are a very stable bike (I ran a sheep over on mine ) and handle fine (although by now I hate to think what random shocks it has on the back). Quite big and heavy and pretty comfy.

Mine was an NC so had the twin piston calipers. They still weren't that good.

Top speed was meant to be about 104 (from memory). Most I ever got out of it was 98 I think, although the speedo read lower than anything I clocked it against (95 on the 400, 105 on a GS550 at the same speed). Wouldn't rely on that though.

In the tiny chance it still has the original exhaust it will rot under the engine.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[calyx]

Thanks for the info guys. I bought it.
To be honest I wasn't going to buy it but when I saw it in flesh I was like "how cool is that!" haha
I'm a happy chappy
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Boris - London

[Carvel]

Good little bikes imo. I love mine, really comfy and easy to ride, quick enough, handles well, i've had the centre stand scraping no problem.

As Keith said the collector boxes under the engine do rot.

On the brake front, braided hoses are a worthwhile mod. Made a big difference to the stopping power on mine.
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2002 Aprilia RSV1000R, Cbr600Fs, Mk1 B12, Vfr400 NC30...

Matt B: I can deal with crushed nuts to beat Ollie.