It's been a favorite for me. I go for it every time over any other bike in the garage, unless it's a long trip and rain is a possibility, but for back roads in the forest 🤌
Took me right back to 1981 when I had to strip my 400four to get the crankcase welded up after I foolishly tightened up a crash bar bolt too much which pierced the crankcase. 😢 I couldn’t do as good a job as you’ve done with yours due to time constraints of needing the bike to commute to work, you’ve done an absolutely fabulous job on yours. Wish I still had mine, it was my first proper bike after coming from the 250cc Suzuki X7 which you could ride on a provisional license back then here in the UK. Thanks for taking the time to record your journey. 👍
I really do appreciate folks who watch first of all. Really flattered that anyone watches in the first place! Here in the US you can get a permit at 16 and buy whatever you want so these never caught on. Punching through the crank case sounds really frustrating! I imagine a full tear down for that repair. A friend just asked how long this took to complete, and I couldnt say but Id be the most expensive bike in the world if I paid someone for this! I will have another bit where i fix some small stuff like the muffler and cut fender
I tore my 400f motor down and then injured my clutch hand on a table saw. I'm pretty well healed now and starting to work on the engine again. Decided to remove the valves today and tackle that before reassembly of the entire engine. Great video.!
Valves are a bit tedious, good luck on getting it all together. My brother was just bemoaning the cost of replacing his sawstop after a false activation, but seems like a better alternative than the many close calls. Thank you for watching!
It was my first bike and I have kept it ever since. Exactly like yours. Same year, same colour. It starts up like new. I have a few other bikes, much bigger, but this is the only one I sit down and just look at. Luv it! Luv it! Luv it!
Shes definitely the prettiest bike in the barn! Im working on another video where i get the bike cleaned up and looking its best, a good spit shine and fresh chrome go a long way!
Hi my name is Scott, this is an awesome bike! A friend of mine had a 400 super sport back in high school and I saw my second one about 30 years ago..I love small 4 cylinders and this one is so nice!!! You've done a great job putting it back on the road!! LOVE IT!!!
Had never seen one of these before. Always loved the 350F, the small 4cyl were always intriguing. I would like to find a CB-1 as well, but probably more difficult to find than a cb400f! Appreciate you watching!
Lovely little bike. Mid 70s was when I was starting out. 50 years and 50 something bikes later, I'm still a bike nut. Got to borrow a girlfriends CB400F for a few days back in the day. Fond memories of both. Great video. Thanks.
Great work, great bike. I like the sound. Really 80’s 4 stroke, 4 cilinder sound I remember. You are also very knowledgeable and meticulous to get the details right. I like that.
Really appreciate it! Im hoping future videos have much more of it making good sounds! Plan is to put an NOS Marshall exhaust tip on it, looking forward to hearing that. Try to be as detailed as possible so I dont have to do something twice, and so youtube commenters dont come for my neck 😉
Had some gremlins to work out after this video was made but she's never left me stranded! Have to do the obnoxious title to get visibility unfortunately. Though if I ever got stranded it'd be my fault not the bike haha
Great video!! My dad gave me his ‘77 CB400f that he bought brand new off the showing floor. I’ll be watching your videos as I’m going to get started getting it running. Dad passed one year ago to the day I came across your video, think dad wanted me to see it for the inspiration. It’s the parakeet yellow and has 79k on it, all put on by the family. I had to get a red tank as Dad had the original repainted and they didn’t prime it right and it rusted out, bummer. I look forward to the day I can hear that great little engine run again and take it for a ride.
I acquired this bike right after my father had passed and making these videos helped keep me busy. He used to tell me stories about his old Kawi H1 500, so naturally I bought one on fathers day this year! I will have another video hopefully this week for the bike doing some finishing touches. 79k Indicates a lot of love for that bike! I have been averaging about 200 miles a week on my 400, its a lovely bike and worth the work. The facebook groups are also great for help, lots of nice folks. Really appreciate your watching
I subscribed because of this bike. I love these small Honda fours, both the 400 and the earlier 350. To me the engine is the best sounding of all of the Japanese for cylinders. Anyway, it's one of my Grail bikes and I appreciate all of the content on it. Thanks!
I have long wanted a 350F and honestly had no idea the 400F existed prior to stumbling upon this one, very rare in the US. I saw one other at Barber Vintage Days. This is the latest of the series on the bike, have a few others getting to this point! Also working on another video with new muffler and other bits! Really appreciate your watching and subscribing!
You might want to replace the handlebars with the low-rise handlebars from the earlier models, which allow the cables to run under the tank. If you leave the set-up like it is now, it looks like the clutch cable will eventually scuff-up the beautiful finish on the tank. Great restoration! and I also really like the ride-home video! Beautiful bike!
I considered replacing the handlebars with F1 style, but that would spiral into retrofitting footpegs / linkage as well and the cost would add up vs fixing the fender or cut up exhaust. When I originally got the bike the cable was located there and thought it was weird. Couldnt definitively figure out which rocker bolt to put it on for tucking under, but have since rectified that for latest video (still wrapping up). What I am most surprised is that you are the first person to say anything about the clutch cable. On internet or in person! I appreciate the feedback. Figured I would lose some people with the long time lapse, but south of Cincinnati the scenery is pretty! Hoping this next video will be even better!
Hi Sir, I live in Australia and am now 67 years old and in 1975 I bought a brand new Honda CB400F in Varnish Blue Colour, I had for about a year and then traded it for a new 1976 Honda CB750/4 ( K6 Model ) so your video brought back some memories, thank you for posting it
Glad I could do that! I have an 82 750 in the garage to mess with soon also, but have yet to drag an sohc 750 in the garage just yet. Appreciate your watching
A very interesting build from start to finish .Nicely captured .Good to hear your'e likely going to keep and ride this vintage diamond . After finding and resurecting it ,and with all your efforts ,it would be a tough one to move on and sell .It's a beauty to have in the stable like a thoroghbred horse that you take out for a ride every now and then just to stretch its legs . Looking forward to your next project .Cheers to you good sir .
If the short rundown here wasn't super conclusive, I could make one going about it step by step! Common Motor also has some that run through, but slightly different approach, super easy when you get to it. Also have a video that shows bench sync! Forever greatful that folks take the time to watch!
Very much enjoyed watching you on this project, great vlogging, and mechanical expertise, beautiful motorcycle, all the very best, thank you for sharing.
Great vlog… I’ve got a 1978 CB750 F2 that I’m just putting back together, so the carb tuning was really useful. Keep up the great work. Roger (Gloucester England) 👍
Much appreciated, that would have been one of the last SOHC 750s yeah? I have an 82 750 basket case in the garage waiting for me to get my butt in gear
@@GoldenBoyGarage I bought it from a neighbour a couple of years ago, although I was never really a big fan of the Honda super sport sohc’s but this one has got under my skin. Yeah I think Honda did an F3 in Europe to use up all of the bit before moving up to the DOHC. Your 400/4 sounds great…👍
@@GoldenBoyGarage great I hear - I'd love to see that rebuild. The last of the SOHC 750s, the F2s, are very special bikes. Bigger valves and hotter cams than earlier bikes plus the black engine finish. In my opinion, main thing, the absolute best sounding fours ever.
I loved these little bikes so much i owned two of them back in the eighties, you could pick them up for a reasonable price back then! Well done on your restoration, a great job.
Thank you for documenting your revamping of the CB400/4, its a very popular bike here in the UK The bikes of this era generally had very poor headlights, fitting an aftermarket Cibie unit was a popular mod back in the day. I found an old stock Cibie for my 1974 RD350 which transformed the nighttime riding
Have never heard of those till now, I have seen Sev Marchall and a couple other options from Japan. The light I ordered appears to be identical to what| David Silver sells. Have not had an opportunity to check the improvement much, but may be worth hunting down and trying teh Cibie! Interesting to see how popular these are... seemingly everywhere but the US! RD350 here would be getting all the attention at bike night
Well that brought back memories, same year and identical paint scheme to the one I had in 1980, I sold it for £500 in 1982 and the person that bought it still has it!, I remember it as being incredibly smooth and quick back in the day, I’m guessing I’d regard it as smooth but not quick were I to ride it now, still a very pretty design, nice job 👍👍👍👍
Very smooth, I think it handles well for its age too. Forks could be a bit more stout maybe. Its plenty of fun on the back roads and can cruise at 75 mph without feeling tired, but the moment Im riding next to my buddy on a street triple it suddenly feels like a slug 😆. Always amazing to me that they were ignored largely in the US
Nice pair of videos on this motorcycle. Had a red 1976 café version. Much nicer than the 1977 rework, IMHO. I saw an ad in a motorcycle magazine back in the day and just HAD to have one! It took two years to find one (no internet back then) and then rode it for many years. After selling it, I found out someone torched the bike and it was ruined! Best upgrade I ever did on that bike was a pair of Fiamm chrome-grilled horns. 110dB two-tone horns always got the attention of a stray car driver! ;)
A lot of people didnt care for the F2 refresh. I can see both ways. I love the flat varnish colors, and the fuel cover is annoying! I got someone a few weeks ago on my old bmw, horn facing right in their face while texting on the highway, windows down lol. Honda uses pretty anemic horns even on their cars
@@GoldenBoyGarage A couple of more things about the 400F: I always loved the sound--especially over 5,000 RPM; and I could look at that exhaust as the prettiest piece of OEM manufacturing ever; like long flowing hair. Would make for great wall art.
I never liked the CB400 four, well until I owned one. I absolutely loved it, mind you did find it hard to find neutral at first. But when I counted the gears up and down, I realised it had 6 gears. Doh! First bike I'd ever owned with 6 gears and now they come as standard. It probably why when I first saw the CB650R I fell in love with that. Which now I think I'm going to have to get one.
I want to say it was the first 6-speed bike Honda sold, but I can't find a source for that right now so don't hold me to it! I really wanted the CB650R as well. Dealer wouldn't let me test ride, so I passed for a KTM (mistake) Thank you for sharing
On this bike and some others, its possible to pull the top-end off on the bike. My old CL360 was that way. I've also had a few Kawasaki's that allowed for it. Im glad too because its pretty heavy !
Nice! I recently got my hands on a parakeet yellow F1 76’, slowly dialing it all back in. Trying to find a set of CR round slides for it because my carbs have been nothing but trouble
I can say I don't think that changing to CR carbs is going to make your life easier, but they are definitely cooler! Webike japan sells them! I think the parakeet yellow is one of the best colors! I have a video on the carb rebuild stuff, but you're also welcome to bug me for help. (discord link on the channel page or just comment replies). There's a pretty awesome group of folks on FB for these bikes too!
@@GoldenBoyGarage I honestly don’t want to but my originals are pretty roached out. The bodies that hold the mains are pitted pretty bad and it seems like the tolerances are all out of wack. They’ve been suffering from previous owner syndrome. When I got the bike, the slides were in backwards which I didn’t even think was possible but here we are hah
@@fleischwagen im not sure what it was with these carbs, those stems for the mains seem to disintegrate. even mine are in bad shape, though useable. Ive seen some interesting stuff, backward slides is pretty bad haha
Best blue ever dark and shiny when waxed. Great ujm universal japanese motor cylce hondas first factory cafe/ sport bike low bars rear set pegs 4 into 1 pipe was beautiful. Bike was quick for 400 and smoother than singer sewing machine. Had to get it at luke 6k to 10k redline but then it ran good. Not bad on bottom but really pulled above 5 grand. Handled great in its day@@GoldenBoyGarage
I try to ride as many bikes as possible, new and old. I was really surprised with how solid the bike feels, and it turns in nice. Keeping it in the revs when out with modern bikes becomes a challenge haha. I dont think Id change anything other than the front brake, could do for a bit more up there
I find that even with cheaper gaskets after a rebuild after a couple 100 me if you torque your head bolts that will usually prevent leakage. It's one of the most common misconceptions about after rebuilding a motor is that once you have it back together everything's going to be just fine but any engine that you tear down and rebuild after a few hundred hours you should really go back and reach work all your bolts but you are definitely correct with using higher quality materials especially when it comes to gaskets but I have been in situations where I've had to use you know like Fel-Pro and just buy retorquing it prevented leakage but you must do it before it starts leaking LOL
A retorque has saved me once, but the other two times I ended up having to put a new headgasket on 🤦I just figure some of these ebay gasket kits might not be the best quality. Hopefully ordering them from japan gets me a little grace from teh gasket gods. Appreciate your watching!
I restored a 500/4, ask me how I know but don’t use the old chain, buy new sprockets and a good o ring chain. 💪 nice job, typical Honda 4, they are cold blooded and always need to warm up before they run sweetly without choke.
Much appreciate you watching. It got me home just fine, but its pretty stretched out now. Was it worth it? Probably not haha! The sprockets are pretty good shape. I know they should be changed as rule of thumb but will be bummed if i have to ditch the rear with the oem cover
Cool Bike! In the eighties, my friend had one just like yours. I had never seen one before or after, until your video. I am not sure how rare it is, but seems so, here on the east coast, U.S. I was crushed when he sold it to buy a BSA scrambler. The BSA was cool too, with foot controls reversed from the Japanese bikes. Love your channel! Thanks for sharing.
Really appreciate you taking the time to share. In the US the import numbers were pretty rare, despite making the bars taller and putting the pegs forward, Americans went for the bigger stuff, just like today. I was told its more rare than an old sandcast CB750 but I haven't dug into that. In the same vein, I had never heard of this bike until I got it. CB350F sure. Here in Kentucky I dont think I have seen a BSA on the road, usually just parts at a swap meet!
I hope you're going to junk the cut-off rear mudguard and replace with new. Had one of these brand new in 1978 although mine was an F2 and yours is an F1
Yeah I snuck in a comment at the end saying I would replace it. It's the most upsetting part of the bike so far haha. Was not cheap to source a replacement, but CMSNL and Webike Japan had all the parts I needed. Next video will cover some more odds/ends. This one should be an F2, but if you're outside the US, we got some weird stuff nobody else did
G'day from Sydney Australia, interesting video involving some good skills to do what was needed. This popped up in my feed, I had to watch it having owned and ridden one of these in red colour some 44ish years ago, used it to commute and tour, from memory they got on the cam around 6,000 rpms and came to proper life then. Unfortunately a car over-ran a stop sign on my way to work and from out of nowhere came to a stop right in front of me at 90 degrees to me blocking the road, I hit the front steel bumper side on with the bike's front wheel and my foot while on the peg and probably the rear brake hit the car's front wheel snapping the footrest off and the bike and I went over the bonnet and the 400 cartwheeled end over end for about 110 feet down the road, fortunately the bike didn't catch up to me and land on me. Front wheel jammed in the header pipes, gauges through the top of the headlight, handlebars embedded in the tank, but the sidecovers were okay and it still started and ran fine. Insurance company of the car paid me out for the bike and deducted $50 and said keep the bike lol, they didn't pay for the Shoei helmet that was destroyed in the process though. I'm sure i still have a post-crash pic somewhere (back in printed pic days). There's a few lessons to learn in that accident, back then there wasn't a huge range of protective gear readily available so many wore used Fireman's boots, and whatever jacket that was warm. Don't ride too fast in traffic like I was doing, and always wear the best gear from the vast available range nowadays, dress for the slide not the ride as they say (now I sound like my Father). As I remember the bike they were very nimble and good fun to ride, a couple of mates had stripped-down ones and road raced them too. Your video brought back some good memories. This text started out to be short, but didn't end up that way sorry, nowadays I ride a Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer, a little taller and heavier than the old CB400, at 295kgs with a 130ish HP and same in NM of torque available from idle, it's good fun, and I have all the gear too.
That's about right, if you're trying to have some fun you need to keep it up in the revs, or you're going to be bogging trying to keep up haha. Sounds like a pretty gruesome crash! Cant believe insurance wouldn't pay for the thing that saved you and them the most headache (pun not intended) My dad told me stories growing up about crashing his old Intruder and Kawi H1, explaining not to get a bike and how it sucks to pick gravel out of your skin! My first accident was on an old Honda Aero scooter, doesn't take much to mess you up good. Thankfully have many more stories about my gear saving the day! Appreciate you sharing, really neat to know the story of this bike made it round the world!
@@GoldenBoyGarage Yeah it hurt a lot for quite a while, I've had 3 accidents but all around the early '80's and none since, one I was stopped at a stop sign and got hit by what is called a box truck I think in the US coming from the opposite direction, the other two were possibly avoidable with more restraint on the throttle. My Dad had similar stories to your's, when I was in nappies he would travel NSW sheering and his transport was an original WLA with factory side car, that would've been rough on the roads back then. Riding's in your blood or not I think, my younger brother has 4 bikes, from a '66 Genny shovel in a chopped rigid to metric Kawa 1,000s, and includes an Indian from the early '40's fully restored with the suicide shift. Between my own experiences, mates experiences, and my daughter being a Paramedic, I've heard way too much but still ride and in my mid '60s still love it.
Great content and enjoy your presentation. So at the end of the video you mention “new fender”. Is that the rear fender? Also could you put in some links to where you ordered some parts pls Just yesterday I picked up a 77. Needs parts. Thanks
The rear fender that has been cut is getting replaced in the next video. Most of the parts I grabbed were from webike japan and cmsnl. If you order from webike just have a list going so you combine shipping costs. I will add some links to the description in the next hour
Shinko 712s, Ive run them on a few bikes before with good results. Also the name of the channel is kind of a poke at the Shinko Dualsport tires sometimes saying "GoldenBoy" on the side of them. If in the US, I grab them from 4into1, they sell the tires and tubes and rim strips as a bundle, makes hunting easier. Avon RoadRiders are sort of the go-to for vintage bikes, but always out of stock in the USA
Ok thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I have a mint 1975 Varsol blue that’s been restored but it has the old knobby style tires and I find they squirm a bit in corners.
I appreciate you all taking the time to comment and watch! I love the opportunity to help out. The CB400F facebook groups are full of wonderful people too. Very helpful and friendly. @@flythenride
I am pretty tall and the bike is pretty small so I am inclined to leave it be, I also dont care for pushing the control wires thru the bars enough. That can be the job of the next owner, though I certainly understand the appeal of the lower bars and rear-set pegs. Honda should have known better than to think this would convince Americans to buy a small bike haha.
never had the pleasure of using an ultrasonic cleaner how I was taught was to take a giant cooking pot and fill it with oil and put it over a burner and heat it up my uncle had a special sauce that he called it it consisted of CRC transmission fluid and a splash of diesel any parts that were really grimy we would leave in overnight on low heat and by the next morning they would be so easy to clean and what I mean by Berner I mean an electric cooktop from a camper not an open flame just wanted to make that clear because you never know what somebody might do LOL
haha dont want to set the house on fire with that blend, but I have also head of people doing similar mix in their ultrasonic, though most of the time the hot water alone does most of the work!
I typically am pretty organized with my parts and important things. My father passed away so there was a lot of stuff getting moved around, including the garage. I finally let it go, and in true fashion some of the parts showed up!
@@GoldenBoyGarageso sorry to hear you lost your dad recently. My father passed away in 2005. It was totally unexpected and knocked me for six. I wasn't right in the head for 18 months afterwards. Now when I think of him, it's not with pain at his loss but joy at the things he used to say and do. Best wishes.
@@leon0 really appreciate that. He always was happy when Id show up asking to borrow the truck and grab a bike, meant Id be home more often. He wouldnt want me to be bummed out, and I know Im fortunate to have a dad worth missing! Do appreciate your responses!
thanks for the video,can you please tell me if your bike has only one key for ignition seat and gas cap?i just bought a barn find exactly like yours but the key was lost so thats why i was just wondering before i call the locksmith thank you very much.....
the key is the same for all, you might be able to get the key code and order one or have one made from the lock cylinder. the 77 has the little cover on the gas cap and im pretty sure you could turn it with a screwdriver
sure thing! in prior videos I pulled the head and took a look at the cylinders, and depending how far you got on this one, can see the head was gone thru. Not sure why I was so worried about the drive chain to be honest!
All the UK chippies think this bike is great. Well in it's day and geared for 55 mph roads it was an A OK bike. My fascination is HOW you were able to acquire the proper head gasket in Japan cause Google searches don't help. Got an ol 750 and wanted to refresh the upper end too. And 4 into 1 does seem to have 'SOME" reliable parts but not head gaskets. i use kerosene or diesel fuel to soak and clean chains like that. Degreaser in the sonic cleaner seems to weaken the o-rings.
It is a pretty fun bike, one of my favorites, but if you're riding with someone on say a Street Triple or modern sport bike, It becomes apparent on the straights just how neutered you are. It handles decent for its age too! Not sure if your 750 is SOHC or DOHC but there's a few places stateside that sell parts for the 750s cyclexchange.net has MLS head gaskets, the site looks like its from 1995 tho. For the 400, they are SUPER popular in Japan, so japan.webike.net has a bunch of stuff. Im sure they have SOHC 750 stuff too but I haven't looked. Have a DOHC in the garage for a future channel project.
Also forgot to mention the chain bit, on these older non-oring chains i dont mind throwing them in the ultrasonic, but wouldnt do that with a modern chain, nor would i do it outside of experimentation haha
I dont know that I am in a position to start doing reviews just yet, but I have some good friends over at @80VDualSport who would probably do an air pump justice!
That is a gorgeous bike! Sounds awesome! Suggestions; the fish-eye lens is ridiculous! Lose that! And maybe choose some different music that doesn't make all your viewers want to kill themselves. This is just a terrible choice in tunes. Otherwise, a well-done, informative video!!
I try to make sure that we get as much of the wonderful engine sounds as possible. For the time-lapse stuff its mostly wind noise beyond about 10mph, still trying to figure out how to get some better video and sounds on the bike. Next video should be plenty more 4into1 sounds. Appreciate you watching
Correct on that. My old man passed away and I got offered this bike by an old friend, and worked on it while helping around the house. I figured I would try and record what I could and put it together later. Learned a lot between then and now as far as filming and editing goes, but unfortunately can't go back in time to refilm. If you have specific criticisms that you'd like to share, I'm all ears, as the goal is to make content that y'know, isn't dreadful.
I would love to, but the algorithm youtube uses to distribute the videos like those types of titles better based on my limited testing / other content creator experience. At least initially anyhow. I'm not a fan of the clickbait style stuff, and believe me I spend a lot of time circling on it.
One of the most beautiful bikes ever made
I agree, but also might be bias haha
Had skinny front tyer that didn't like rough roads didn't sound that grate with standard exhaust ..500/4 was a far better bike to ride .
I restored a 75 cb400f with a built engine and 50 over pistons. Its a great bike i dont ever want to get rid of
It's been a favorite for me. I go for it every time over any other bike in the garage, unless it's a long trip and rain is a possibility, but for back roads in the forest 🤌
33:29 and that's exactly how we did it back in the day, although we were clued up so when it started to cough we'd flip the tap 😂
Took me right back to 1981 when I had to strip my 400four to get the crankcase welded up after I foolishly tightened up a crash bar bolt too much which pierced the crankcase. 😢 I couldn’t do as good a job as you’ve done with yours due to time constraints of needing the bike to commute to work, you’ve done an absolutely fabulous job on yours. Wish I still had mine, it was my first proper bike after coming from the 250cc Suzuki X7 which you could ride on a provisional license back then here in the UK. Thanks for taking the time to record your journey. 👍
I really do appreciate folks who watch first of all. Really flattered that anyone watches in the first place! Here in the US you can get a permit at 16 and buy whatever you want so these never caught on. Punching through the crank case sounds really frustrating! I imagine a full tear down for that repair. A friend just asked how long this took to complete, and I couldnt say but Id be the most expensive bike in the world if I paid someone for this! I will have another bit where i fix some small stuff like the muffler and cut fender
I tore my 400f motor down and then injured my clutch hand on a table saw. I'm pretty well healed now and starting to work on the engine again. Decided to remove the valves today and tackle that before reassembly of the entire engine. Great video.!
Valves are a bit tedious, good luck on getting it all together. My brother was just bemoaning the cost of replacing his sawstop after a false activation, but seems like a better alternative than the many close calls. Thank you for watching!
It was my first bike and I have kept it ever since. Exactly like yours. Same year, same colour. It starts up like new. I have a few other bikes, much bigger, but this is the only one I sit down and just look at. Luv it! Luv it! Luv it!
Shes definitely the prettiest bike in the barn! Im working on another video where i get the bike cleaned up and looking its best, a good spit shine and fresh chrome go a long way!
Hi my name is Scott, this is an awesome bike! A friend of mine had a 400 super sport back in high school and I saw my second one about 30 years ago..I love small 4 cylinders and this one is so nice!!! You've done a great job putting it back on the road!! LOVE IT!!!
Had never seen one of these before. Always loved the 350F, the small 4cyl were always intriguing. I would like to find a CB-1 as well, but probably more difficult to find than a cb400f! Appreciate you watching!
Lovely little bike. Mid 70s was when I was starting out.
50 years and 50 something bikes later, I'm still a bike nut.
Got to borrow a girlfriends CB400F for a few days back in the day. Fond memories of both.
Great video. Thanks.
A girlfriend with a CB400F sounds like a great memory indeed! Do appreciate you watching and sharing!
Great work, great bike. I like the sound. Really 80’s 4 stroke, 4 cilinder sound I remember. You are also very knowledgeable and meticulous to get the details right. I like that.
Really appreciate it! Im hoping future videos have much more of it making good sounds! Plan is to put an NOS Marshall exhaust tip on it, looking forward to hearing that. Try to be as detailed as possible so I dont have to do something twice, and so youtube commenters dont come for my neck 😉
One of their best. That thing will drive round the world without fault right now if you wanted to..
Had some gremlins to work out after this video was made but she's never left me stranded! Have to do the obnoxious title to get visibility unfortunately. Though if I ever got stranded it'd be my fault not the bike haha
Great video!! My dad gave me his ‘77 CB400f that he bought brand new off the showing floor. I’ll be watching your videos as I’m going to get started getting it running. Dad passed one year ago to the day I came across your video, think dad wanted me to see it for the inspiration. It’s the parakeet yellow and has 79k on it, all put on by the family. I had to get a red tank as Dad had the original repainted and they didn’t prime it right and it rusted out, bummer.
I look forward to the day I can hear that great little engine run again and take it for a ride.
I acquired this bike right after my father had passed and making these videos helped keep me busy. He used to tell me stories about his old Kawi H1 500, so naturally I bought one on fathers day this year! I will have another video hopefully this week for the bike doing some finishing touches. 79k Indicates a lot of love for that bike! I have been averaging about 200 miles a week on my 400, its a lovely bike and worth the work. The facebook groups are also great for help, lots of nice folks. Really appreciate your watching
I subscribed because of this bike. I love these small Honda fours, both the 400 and the earlier 350. To me the engine is the best sounding of all of the Japanese for cylinders. Anyway, it's one of my Grail bikes and I appreciate all of the content on it. Thanks!
I have long wanted a 350F and honestly had no idea the 400F existed prior to stumbling upon this one, very rare in the US. I saw one other at Barber Vintage Days. This is the latest of the series on the bike, have a few others getting to this point! Also working on another video with new muffler and other bits! Really appreciate your watching and subscribing!
An epic ride
You might want to replace the handlebars with the low-rise handlebars from the earlier models, which allow the cables to run under the tank. If you leave the set-up like it is now, it looks like the clutch cable will eventually scuff-up the beautiful finish on the tank. Great restoration! and I also really like the ride-home video! Beautiful bike!
I considered replacing the handlebars with F1 style, but that would spiral into retrofitting footpegs / linkage as well and the cost would add up vs fixing the fender or cut up exhaust. When I originally got the bike the cable was located there and thought it was weird. Couldnt definitively figure out which rocker bolt to put it on for tucking under, but have since rectified that for latest video (still wrapping up). What I am most surprised is that you are the first person to say anything about the clutch cable. On internet or in person! I appreciate the feedback. Figured I would lose some people with the long time lapse, but south of Cincinnati the scenery is pretty! Hoping this next video will be even better!
Hi Sir, I live in Australia and am now 67 years old and in 1975 I bought a brand new Honda CB400F in Varnish Blue Colour, I had for about a year and then traded it for a new 1976 Honda CB750/4 ( K6 Model ) so your video brought back some memories, thank you for posting it
Glad I could do that! I have an 82 750 in the garage to mess with soon also, but have yet to drag an sohc 750 in the garage just yet. Appreciate your watching
A very interesting build from start to finish .Nicely captured .Good to hear your'e likely going to keep and ride this vintage diamond . After finding and resurecting it ,and with all your efforts ,it would be a tough one to move on and sell .It's a beauty to have in the stable like a thoroghbred horse that you take out for a ride every now and then just to stretch its legs . Looking forward to your next project .Cheers to you good sir .
Loved this. I bought my first NEW road bike in 1977 and it was exactly like yours. Sure brought back amazing memories. Thanks.
I'm glad I do that for you, thanks for watching and sharing!
Killing it bro, always love when you drop a video
Thanks gurl 💅💅💅💅💅
I dont know.how to sync carbs , that would be really good to learn. Appreciate your video , glad i found it.
If the short rundown here wasn't super conclusive, I could make one going about it step by step! Common Motor also has some that run through, but slightly different approach, super easy when you get to it. Also have a video that shows bench sync! Forever greatful that folks take the time to watch!
Very much enjoyed watching you on this project, great vlogging, and mechanical expertise, beautiful motorcycle, all the very best, thank you for sharing.
Really appreciate you having a watch!
Great vlog… I’ve got a 1978 CB750 F2 that I’m just putting back together, so the carb tuning was really useful. Keep up the great work. Roger (Gloucester England) 👍
Much appreciated, that would have been one of the last SOHC 750s yeah? I have an 82 750 basket case in the garage waiting for me to get my butt in gear
@@GoldenBoyGarage I bought it from a neighbour a couple of years ago, although I was never really a big fan of the Honda super sport sohc’s but this one has got under my skin. Yeah I think Honda did an F3 in Europe to use up all of the bit before moving up to the DOHC. Your 400/4 sounds great…👍
@@GoldenBoyGarage great I hear - I'd love to see that rebuild. The last of the SOHC 750s, the F2s, are very special bikes. Bigger valves and hotter cams than earlier bikes plus the black engine finish. In my opinion, main thing, the absolute best sounding fours ever.
I would love to have an SOHC 750, it seems like THE quintessential japanese bike. In the meantime I have to settle for a DOHC haha@@leon0
I loved these little bikes so much i owned two of them back in the eighties, you could pick them up for a reasonable price back then! Well done on your restoration, a great job.
Much appreciated, gonna be putting some finishing touches on it to wrap up the restoration if its fair to call it that.
This bike sounds like 2 stroke heaven. I am privileged to be a subscriber to your channel. It's going to blow up.
I genuinely appreciate that anyone watches my content! I sure hope you are right, and I hope the next CB400F video is better than the last!
Thank you for documenting your revamping of the CB400/4, its a very popular bike here in the UK
The bikes of this era generally had very poor headlights, fitting an aftermarket Cibie unit was a popular mod back in the day. I found an old stock Cibie for my 1974 RD350 which transformed the nighttime riding
Have never heard of those till now, I have seen Sev Marchall and a couple other options from Japan. The light I ordered appears to be identical to what| David Silver sells. Have not had an opportunity to check the improvement much, but may be worth hunting down and trying teh Cibie! Interesting to see how popular these are... seemingly everywhere but the US! RD350 here would be getting all the attention at bike night
Well that brought back memories, same year and identical paint scheme to the one I had in 1980, I sold it for £500 in 1982 and the person that bought it still has it!, I remember it as being incredibly smooth and quick back in the day, I’m guessing I’d regard it as smooth but not quick were I to ride it now, still a very pretty design, nice job 👍👍👍👍
Very smooth, I think it handles well for its age too. Forks could be a bit more stout maybe. Its plenty of fun on the back roads and can cruise at 75 mph without feeling tired, but the moment Im riding next to my buddy on a street triple it suddenly feels like a slug 😆. Always amazing to me that they were ignored largely in the US
Nice pair of videos on this motorcycle. Had a red 1976 café version. Much nicer than the 1977 rework, IMHO. I saw an ad in a motorcycle magazine back in the day and just HAD to have one! It took two years to find one (no internet back then) and then rode it for many years. After selling it, I found out someone torched the bike and it was ruined!
Best upgrade I ever did on that bike was a pair of Fiamm chrome-grilled horns. 110dB two-tone horns always got the attention of a stray car driver! ;)
A lot of people didnt care for the F2 refresh. I can see both ways. I love the flat varnish colors, and the fuel cover is annoying! I got someone a few weeks ago on my old bmw, horn facing right in their face while texting on the highway, windows down lol. Honda uses pretty anemic horns even on their cars
@@GoldenBoyGarage A couple of more things about the 400F: I always loved the sound--especially over 5,000 RPM; and I could look at that exhaust as the prettiest piece of OEM manufacturing ever; like long flowing hair. Would make for great wall art.
you should put electron carbs on it. It will be so much better. You should hit them up and maybe they will just sponsor the video and give them to you
I never liked the CB400 four, well until I owned one. I absolutely loved it, mind you did find it hard to find neutral at first. But when I counted the gears up and down, I realised it had 6 gears. Doh!
First bike I'd ever owned with 6 gears and now they come as standard.
It probably why when I first saw the CB650R I fell in love with that. Which now I think I'm going to have to get one.
I want to say it was the first 6-speed bike Honda sold, but I can't find a source for that right now so don't hold me to it!
I really wanted the CB650R as well. Dealer wouldn't let me test ride, so I passed for a KTM (mistake)
Thank you for sharing
Your video is everything I could ever hope for, having sold my CB400f never having driven it.
Means a lot to hear that! Hopefully to get a chance to ride one, its a cut above most of the other 70s hondas in my opinion!
Excellent video as always.
Thanks boss 🐶🐶🐶
It's usually a good idea to put a c-clamp through the brake piston and caliper to prevent the piston from flying out of the caliper.🤣
"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" Ill be honest, I didnt think it would work, but lesson for next time! Thank you for watching!
Had a 400 automatic. Loved it.
On this bike and some others, its possible to pull the top-end off on the bike. My old CL360 was that way. I've also had a few Kawasaki's that allowed for it. Im glad too because its pretty heavy !
Great video
Much appreciated, thank you for watching!
Nice! I recently got my hands on a parakeet yellow F1 76’, slowly dialing it all back in. Trying to find a set of CR round slides for it because my carbs have been nothing but trouble
I can say I don't think that changing to CR carbs is going to make your life easier, but they are definitely cooler! Webike japan sells them! I think the parakeet yellow is one of the best colors! I have a video on the carb rebuild stuff, but you're also welcome to bug me for help. (discord link on the channel page or just comment replies). There's a pretty awesome group of folks on FB for these bikes too!
@@GoldenBoyGarage I honestly don’t want to but my originals are pretty roached out. The bodies that hold the mains are pitted pretty bad and it seems like the tolerances are all out of wack. They’ve been suffering from previous owner syndrome. When I got the bike, the slides were in backwards which I didn’t even think was possible but here we are hah
@@fleischwagen im not sure what it was with these carbs, those stems for the mains seem to disintegrate. even mine are in bad shape, though useable. Ive seen some interesting stuff, backward slides is pretty bad haha
Had blue 75 model great bike
I love the varnish blue color! Those flat type colors seem to be popular again, at least with cars!
Best blue ever dark and shiny when waxed. Great ujm universal japanese motor cylce hondas first factory cafe/ sport bike low bars rear set pegs 4 into 1 pipe was beautiful. Bike was quick for 400 and smoother than singer sewing machine. Had to get it at luke 6k to 10k redline but then it ran good. Not bad on bottom but really pulled above 5 grand. Handled great in its day@@GoldenBoyGarage
I try to ride as many bikes as possible, new and old. I was really surprised with how solid the bike feels, and it turns in nice. Keeping it in the revs when out with modern bikes becomes a challenge haha. I dont think Id change anything other than the front brake, could do for a bit more up there
I find that even with cheaper gaskets after a rebuild after a couple 100 me if you torque your head bolts that will usually prevent leakage. It's one of the most common misconceptions about after rebuilding a motor is that once you have it back together everything's going to be just fine but any engine that you tear down and rebuild after a few hundred hours you should really go back and reach work all your bolts but you are definitely correct with using higher quality materials especially when it comes to gaskets but I have been in situations where I've had to use you know like Fel-Pro and just buy retorquing it prevented leakage but you must do it before it starts leaking LOL
A retorque has saved me once, but the other two times I ended up having to put a new headgasket on 🤦I just figure some of these ebay gasket kits might not be the best quality. Hopefully ordering them from japan gets me a little grace from teh gasket gods. Appreciate your watching!
I restored a 500/4, ask me how I know but don’t use the old chain, buy new sprockets and a good o ring chain. 💪 nice job, typical Honda 4, they are cold blooded and always need to warm up before they run sweetly without choke.
Much appreciate you watching. It got me home just fine, but its pretty stretched out now. Was it worth it? Probably not haha! The sprockets are pretty good shape. I know they should be changed as rule of thumb but will be bummed if i have to ditch the rear with the oem cover
Nice bike my first bike was a cb 360
My first bike was a CL360 in green. Very similar cam chain tensioner for better or for worse!
Sounds and looks great! Fellow Ohioan here!
Appreciate you stopping by, Im from the Springfield area originally!
Im up near Lake Erie! @@GoldenBoyGarage
Cool Bike! In the eighties, my friend had one just like yours. I had never seen one before or after, until your video. I am not sure how rare it is, but seems so, here on the east coast, U.S. I was crushed when he sold it to buy a BSA scrambler. The BSA was cool too, with foot controls reversed from the Japanese bikes. Love your channel! Thanks for sharing.
Really appreciate you taking the time to share. In the US the import numbers were pretty rare, despite making the bars taller and putting the pegs forward, Americans went for the bigger stuff, just like today. I was told its more rare than an old sandcast CB750 but I haven't dug into that. In the same vein, I had never heard of this bike until I got it. CB350F sure. Here in Kentucky I dont think I have seen a BSA on the road, usually just parts at a swap meet!
Thanks for your reply! Good stuff! Looking forward to more of your resto work. Really appreciate it. @@GoldenBoyGarage
Last night I read a period road test on one of these in one of my old magazines!
I have checked a few of those out, always interesting to see what the opinion of the time is and how it lines up with modern expectations!
had a 1978 550k loved it
Friend of mine has one in his garage, pristine shape minus the dirt, , but he won't come off it 😂
I hope you're going to junk the cut-off rear mudguard and replace with new. Had one of these brand new in 1978 although mine was an F2 and yours is an F1
Yeah I snuck in a comment at the end saying I would replace it. It's the most upsetting part of the bike so far haha. Was not cheap to source a replacement, but CMSNL and Webike Japan had all the parts I needed. Next video will cover some more odds/ends. This one should be an F2, but if you're outside the US, we got some weird stuff nobody else did
G'day from Sydney Australia, interesting video involving some good skills to do what was needed. This popped up in my feed, I had to watch it having owned and ridden one of these in red colour some 44ish years ago, used it to commute and tour, from memory they got on the cam around 6,000 rpms and came to proper life then.
Unfortunately a car over-ran a stop sign on my way to work and from out of nowhere came to a stop right in front of me at 90 degrees to me blocking the road, I hit the front steel bumper side on with the bike's front wheel and my foot while on the peg and probably the rear brake hit the car's front wheel snapping the footrest off and the bike and I went over the bonnet and the 400 cartwheeled end over end for about 110 feet down the road, fortunately the bike didn't catch up to me and land on me. Front wheel jammed in the header pipes, gauges through the top of the headlight, handlebars embedded in the tank, but the sidecovers were okay and it still started and ran fine. Insurance company of the car paid me out for the bike and deducted $50 and said keep the bike lol, they didn't pay for the Shoei helmet that was destroyed in the process though. I'm sure i still have a post-crash pic somewhere (back in printed pic days).
There's a few lessons to learn in that accident, back then there wasn't a huge range of protective gear readily available so many wore used Fireman's boots, and whatever jacket that was warm. Don't ride too fast in traffic like I was doing, and always wear the best gear from the vast available range nowadays, dress for the slide not the ride as they say (now I sound like my Father).
As I remember the bike they were very nimble and good fun to ride, a couple of mates had stripped-down ones and road raced them too. Your video brought back some good memories.
This text started out to be short, but didn't end up that way sorry, nowadays I ride a Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer, a little taller and heavier than the old CB400, at 295kgs with a 130ish HP and same in NM of torque available from idle, it's good fun, and I have all the gear too.
That's about right, if you're trying to have some fun you need to keep it up in the revs, or you're going to be bogging trying to keep up haha.
Sounds like a pretty gruesome crash! Cant believe insurance wouldn't pay for the thing that saved you and them the most headache (pun not intended)
My dad told me stories growing up about crashing his old Intruder and Kawi H1, explaining not to get a bike and how it sucks to pick gravel out of your skin! My first accident was on an old Honda Aero scooter, doesn't take much to mess you up good. Thankfully have many more stories about my gear saving the day!
Appreciate you sharing, really neat to know the story of this bike made it round the world!
@@GoldenBoyGarage Yeah it hurt a lot for quite a while, I've had 3 accidents but all around the early '80's and none since, one I was stopped at a stop sign and got hit by what is called a box truck I think in the US coming from the opposite direction, the other two were possibly avoidable with more restraint on the throttle.
My Dad had similar stories to your's, when I was in nappies he would travel NSW sheering and his transport was an original WLA with factory side car, that would've been rough on the roads back then.
Riding's in your blood or not I think, my younger brother has 4 bikes, from a '66 Genny shovel in a chopped rigid to metric Kawa 1,000s, and includes an Indian from the early '40's fully restored with the suicide shift.
Between my own experiences, mates experiences, and my daughter being a Paramedic, I've heard way too much but still ride and in my mid '60s still love it.
Yes the Go Pro shots cool Peace out
Great content and enjoy your presentation. So at the end of the video you mention “new fender”. Is that the rear fender?
Also could you put in some links to where you ordered some parts pls
Just yesterday I picked up a 77. Needs parts.
Thanks
The rear fender that has been cut is getting replaced in the next video. Most of the parts I grabbed were from webike japan and cmsnl. If you order from webike just have a list going so you combine shipping costs. I will add some links to the description in the next hour
If you have any specific questions let me know btw
GREAT video! What brand tires and size did you install onto your CB400Four? Thanks 🙏🏻
Shinko 712s, Ive run them on a few bikes before with good results. Also the name of the channel is kind of a poke at the Shinko Dualsport tires sometimes saying "GoldenBoy" on the side of them. If in the US, I grab them from 4into1, they sell the tires and tubes and rim strips as a bundle, makes hunting easier. Avon RoadRiders are sort of the go-to for vintage bikes, but always out of stock in the USA
Ok thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I have a mint 1975 Varsol blue that’s been restored but it has the old knobby style tires and I find they squirm a bit in corners.
I appreciate you all taking the time to comment and watch! I love the opportunity to help out. The CB400F facebook groups are full of wonderful people too. Very helpful and friendly. @@flythenride
Nice
How about fitting euro handlebars or do you peple tie your shoes whilst upright
I am pretty tall and the bike is pretty small so I am inclined to leave it be, I also dont care for pushing the control wires thru the bars enough. That can be the job of the next owner, though I certainly understand the appeal of the lower bars and rear-set pegs. Honda should have known better than to think this would convince Americans to buy a small bike haha.
No sound
never had the pleasure of using an ultrasonic cleaner how I was taught was to take a giant cooking pot and fill it with oil and put it over a burner and heat it up my uncle had a special sauce that he called it it consisted of CRC transmission fluid and a splash of diesel any parts that were really grimy we would leave in overnight on low heat and by the next morning they would be so easy to clean and what I mean by Berner I mean an electric cooktop from a camper not an open flame just wanted to make that clear because you never know what somebody might do LOL
Hey man don't beat yourself up over losing some parts we've all been there and done that
haha dont want to set the house on fire with that blend, but I have also head of people doing similar mix in their ultrasonic, though most of the time the hot water alone does most of the work!
I typically am pretty organized with my parts and important things. My father passed away so there was a lot of stuff getting moved around, including the garage. I finally let it go, and in true fashion some of the parts showed up!
@@GoldenBoyGarageso sorry to hear you lost your dad recently. My father passed away in 2005. It was totally unexpected and knocked me for six. I wasn't right in the head for 18 months afterwards. Now when I think of him, it's not with pain at his loss but joy at the things he used to say and do. Best wishes.
@@leon0 really appreciate that. He always was happy when Id show up asking to borrow the truck and grab a bike, meant Id be home more often. He wouldnt want me to be bummed out, and I know Im fortunate to have a dad worth missing! Do appreciate your responses!
thanks for the video,can you please tell me if your bike has only one key for ignition seat and gas cap?i just bought a barn find exactly like yours but the key was lost so thats why i was just wondering before i call the locksmith thank you very much.....
the key is the same for all, you might be able to get the key code and order one or have one made from the lock cylinder. the 77 has the little cover on the gas cap and im pretty sure you could turn it with a screwdriver
@@GoldenBoyGarage thanks for the tips....
all hail reserve fuel mechanic
The chain ain't nothing, valves and Pistons pay attention to, as well as the clutch plates
sure thing! in prior videos I pulled the head and took a look at the cylinders, and depending how far you got on this one, can see the head was gone thru. Not sure why I was so worried about the drive chain to be honest!
22:24 looks like someone's butchered the rear mudguard
Unfortunately yes, but I have a new one sitting on my desk!
@@GoldenBoyGarage well done with the bike, I owned the UK version in that colour way ☺️
All the UK chippies think this bike is great. Well in it's day and geared for 55 mph roads it was an A OK bike. My fascination is HOW you were able to acquire the proper head gasket in Japan cause Google searches don't help. Got an ol 750 and wanted to refresh the upper end too. And 4 into 1 does seem to have 'SOME" reliable parts but not head gaskets. i use kerosene or diesel fuel to soak and clean chains like that. Degreaser in the sonic cleaner seems to weaken the o-rings.
It is a pretty fun bike, one of my favorites, but if you're riding with someone on say a Street Triple or modern sport bike, It becomes apparent on the straights just how neutered you are. It handles decent for its age too! Not sure if your 750 is SOHC or DOHC but there's a few places stateside that sell parts for the 750s cyclexchange.net has MLS head gaskets, the site looks like its from 1995 tho. For the 400, they are SUPER popular in Japan, so japan.webike.net has a bunch of stuff. Im sure they have SOHC 750 stuff too but I haven't looked. Have a DOHC in the garage for a future channel project.
Also forgot to mention the chain bit, on these older non-oring chains i dont mind throwing them in the ultrasonic, but wouldnt do that with a modern chain, nor would i do it outside of experimentation haha
@@GoldenBoyGarage Ah forgot back then they had no O-rings. Doh.
@@GoldenBoyGarage DOHC.
@@GoldenBoyGarage OMG Thanks for the info.
what is that tank?
The motorcycle tank or something else? The bike tank is just OEM
@@GoldenBoyGarage hmmm. Looks like a 550 tank to me .
I had one back in ‘82…felt dated then
It feels dated every time I grab the front brake 😆
@@GoldenBoyGarage lol
Dommage d'avoir enlevé le garde boue.
Je suis heureux de dire que j'ai commandé un nouveau garde-boue aux Pays-Bas. Pardonnez mon mauvais français. Je n'ai eu que quelques cours à l'école.
Good video sir. We'd like to invite you to review our air pump. How can we connect with you
I dont know that I am in a position to start doing reviews just yet, but I have some good friends over at @80VDualSport who would probably do an air pump justice!
@@GoldenBoyGarage Your video is awesome, As long as you wanna do so, Feel free let me know
That is a gorgeous bike! Sounds awesome! Suggestions; the fish-eye lens is ridiculous! Lose that! And maybe choose some different music that doesn't make all your viewers want to kill themselves. This is just a terrible choice in tunes. Otherwise, a well-done, informative video!!
ditch the music rather hear the bike..
I try to make sure that we get as much of the wonderful engine sounds as possible. For the time-lapse stuff its mostly wind noise beyond about 10mph, still trying to figure out how to get some better video and sounds on the bike. Next video should be plenty more 4into1 sounds. Appreciate you watching
03 buck deer about to come out of corn field. farm house ahead, slo down u mofo, we have 3 kids and dogs here.
What? I'm not passing any houses, running driveway to driveway for filming, near my own property.
Totally unprepared bumbling. Dreadful.
Correct on that. My old man passed away and I got offered this bike by an old friend, and worked on it while helping around the house. I figured I would try and record what I could and put it together later. Learned a lot between then and now as far as filming and editing goes, but unfortunately can't go back in time to refilm. If you have specific criticisms that you'd like to share, I'm all ears, as the goal is to make content that y'know, isn't dreadful.
Can we just STFU with the "will it run?" bullshit?
I would love to, but the algorithm youtube uses to distribute the videos like those types of titles better based on my limited testing / other content creator experience. At least initially anyhow. I'm not a fan of the clickbait style stuff, and believe me I spend a lot of time circling on it.