Project: 1993 Honda CB400 Project Big-1

[AcIdBuRnZ]

Hi,

So I've just collected a 1993 Honda CB400 Project Big-1 from my brother. Not going to set my pants on fire like my GSXR-750 used to, but it's a bike and it's cheap.

Bike needs some work; hole in exhaust, broken indicator, few other bits and pieces. Rear shocks need refurbished, front brake switch not working, front tyre needs replaced. Nothing major - at the moment.

It sat for a year before my brother bought it (who still in process of getting his licence) and has sat for a year since then. So it's been off the road for a couple of years.

He has a lot of paperwork on it; imported in 1998, looks like it was well maintained as a lot of receipts for typical servicing stuff. Has 43k kilometres on it.

My initial plan is to strip down all bolt on parts and give it a good clean and a full service.

Question is how easy are parts to find for these? I know wemoto.com see a load of spare bits, but I'm talking about a full exhaust system (something tasty) and the like.

Anyone have any experience with CB400? It's carb'd so should be straight forward to strip and rebuild, but any advice would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mark.
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[P.]

Make sure the clocks are in good nick, the restrictor is in there.

Nothing else really, I think they are stunning and would like one.

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[GeorgeB.]

I've got one too - There's plenty of videos showing them in other countries with nice exhausts on, but I can never seem to find anything on eBay.

But it's a very nice bike, and I'm sure you're gonna have lots of fun on it
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Current: '99 Fazer 600 | '99 Range Rover P38 4.6 HSE
Previous: Keeway TX125 | CBF 125 | CB400SF Project Big One
CBT 04/12/12 | Theory 03/12/13 | MOD 1 06/01/14 | MOD 2 13/01/14

[P.]

Any can, stainless pipes as standard?

Brother has an ART can, its superb. I'd aim for something like a generic 54mm (unsure if its 54 on these to be honest...) can, between 350mm and 400mm, will sound amazing.

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[P.]

I'd do that, but then again I'd do most things.

You will need to find size of pipe.

[UnspeedySam]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[slowlydoesit]

[Frog]

There was always loads of exhausts on eBay (4 monts ago maybe), but not as much now... Must be some out there if you do have a hole tho.

Www.400greybike.com has more specific info, but it's a lot quieter than here... I'd onyrecommend it for odd, CB400 specific stuff.

I've done a lot of tinkering with my CB without breaking it so yes, they are simple!

Disclaimer: I've not done anything complicated, and I am in no way mechanically competent, so can't offer much advice

Must get mine ready for the summer at some point. Bit of a project at the moment
____________________
CBT 23/09/10 - Theory 19/03/11 - Mod1 19/04/11 - Mod2 06/05/11
Bikes: CBF125 (sold 30/10/10-25/09/12) - CB400 24/06/11 (broken) - ER6-f 25/09/2012

[reddeviljp]

Just got my Burgundy Beast back to life and repaired after 18 months resting but I'm not doing anything cosmetic just yet. Few things to tweek next week then it should be MOT time.

I've not seen too many exhausts around but I've picked up loads of stuff on e-bay as there's usually something you can find. Regarding the bike itself, I've learnt loads as they are very easy to work on. I've learnt tons since getting down the workshop and replacing the panels, brakes, lights, carburettor, tank and working on the wiring loom!
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Bike: 1993 CB400 SuperFour - 1999 Yamaha FZS600 - DAS passed 7/11/13 - Working my way towards a Yamaha FZ1.

[slowlydoesit]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[slowlydoesit]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[slowlydoesit]

[Richy CB1000]

Aww little red one, looks like mines got a younger brother, identical!

If the clocks are in KM you can get round the JAP restrictor without any hassle cutting wires etc... just fit the KM/MPH reducer between the cable and speedo input. OK for MOT plus clocks will then read MPH

[AcIdBuRnZ]

[AcIdBuRnZ]

** UPDATE **

Started stripping it down today, and here's some more to add to the list of things to fix:

Tank is cracked down one side - looks like just the paint though
Exhaust hanger bolt snapped
Lug missing off one of side panels
Few dodgy electrical connectors that need new ends crimped on
Need new exhaust studs

Next on the to do list is to drain coolant and remove radiator so that I can get the exhaust off as radiator obstructs access.

Some pics as it stands now:

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/14035986172_b2748a4318_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/14039195575_e40a566cfd_c.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14036000752_17bb62294f_c.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14039632244_433d35728b_c.jpg
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[slowlydoesit]

[Frog]

[Richy CB1000]

Above dead right, real advantage for these Jap imports = de restricted! And no KPH overlay stickers.

I believe it's a 180KPH limit in Japan (112mph?) , once that needle gets there it cuts out. There are various ideas as to how it's actually doing it. Easiest work around is therefore fit the reducer. So your clocks read mph from then on and unless you can hit 180 mph on your dials it'll never cut out.

Mine was exactly like this. At the autodrome Bedford I ran it up and it would not go past 112mph. You have full power in all gears it's simply speed restricted.

Speedo reducer fitted I bottled it at around 135mph laying flat on the tank, she still had a little bit left to go.....

[AcIdBuRnZ]

Been a busy weekend!

Oil + filter change (new magnetic drain plug + washer fitted)
Replaced front brake light switch
Replaced front brake fluid reservoir cap + membrane
kmh > mph convertor fitted
Entire bike cleaned and degreased
Chain cleaned
Kurust treatment on all frame rust spots + centre stand
Rear clock surround sprayed matt black
Headlight mounting brackets sprayed matt black
Clock mounting bracket sprayed matt black

I've got new Renthal grips, K&N filter, front and rear indicators arriving Tuesday. So by the weekend I should have most of it back together.

Once it's MOT' and back on the road then the sexy stuff can start, but for now I just need to get it road worthy so I can start enjoying it.
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[slowlydoesit]