1975 Honda CB

CB400F1004409

1975 CB400F CB400 FOUR Super Sport. Original mint daily rider track day and show bike. Be the only kid on your block, hell the whole state and probably the whole country you live in who has a bike just like this one! I think it was the perfect night for a ride. The September Dulano’s First Thursday Motorcycle get together had just ended and I was on my way home on one of the worlds best motorcycles! ( Hey its what some of the writers of the day thought and I totally feel that way!) The ride to first Thursday had been perfect bike wise. (The 400 never misses a beat). The usual cell phone yammering SUV drivers were trying to kill me at every intersection and one tried to squeeze me off on a merge but a couple of blasts from the dual Fiamm horns pretty much solved that problem... Lord I LOVE those horns. Lord, I love this bike... Why am I thinking of selling it? I have come to the realization that I am not so much a collector of old Hondas as I am a custodian of them. They come to me more often than not sad piles of gummed up carbs and stuck motors. But this one, the one I call Project 13 (because it was the 13th in the garage, yes it is a sickness) was different. I purchased 13 from the original owner who was now in his early 70s. He bought the bike right away in the spring of 1975. If you look closely you will see that this bike was manufactured pretty early in the run. In fact I have only seen a couple of bikes with an earlier serial number. 13’s first owner liked to sport tour and Honda’s new for 1975 CB400F looked like the perfect bike for him. He picked up the Ruby Red example in NJ and it spent nearly all of its 36 years there. It was ridden regularly. It received excellent service and care and it was stored under a cover and in a nice dry garage when it was not being used. Early on 13 got some upgrades to make the sport part of the touring a bit easier. A nice little rack was added, and so was a very early R90S fairing! 13 was also treated to a set of aluminum bodied Koni shocks, EPM wheel set (from his Ducatti race manager ridding buddy) and Brembo rear disc conversion. Not to be forgotten was an addition of a solid state rec/reg and a relayed set of Fiaam horns, the loudest MFn horns you have ever heard on a bike this small, and most likely on a bike of any size! The small sealed US spec headlight was swapped out for an early CB750K bucket with a replaceable H4 bulb set up. This addition is so subtle you might never notice if I didn’t tell you except when you take it for a nice evening ride and can actually see to find you way home. I bought the bike just about 3 years ago. When it arrived it was a bit dusty and unfortunately had not been running in just over 25 years. So into the carbs I dove... When I got in there I could see the P/O had drained the carbs when it was put away. I checked the tank and it too was nearly spotless. I cleaned and adjusted the carbs and in the middle of the 2nd stab at the starter 13 started to purr. I could see through the dust that this bike was pretty special. It is not easy to find a survivor like this. Where every thing is as nice as a bike can be that has actually been ridden. I love bikes that have their patina intact. A bit of a boot rub here or a small rock chip there, that tells the history of a bike that got rode rather than crammed into a dark wet garage to rot into nothingness. Or strapped to a trailer destined to be rolled from trailer to grass and back again...How sad. I rode it a bit to make sure everything worked and then rolled 13 into my shop for a log deserved resurrection. If you check some of the pictures I have included you will see a bit of the process. Over the next 6 months I locked 13 to a stand and proceeded to take every assembly apart to be cleaned, adjusted and replaced. Nearly everything came apart so I could clean every inch. I planned on showing the bike at 3 up coming shows in the spring. The Donnie Smith invitational (Chopper show) The MN VJMC spring show and the Viking Chapter AMCA show later that summer. I also planned on sneaking in a track day just to see how a nicely preserved 400F could do at the track. Honestly it was one of the best winters ever! I got to hang out in my shop with one of my best buddies. We drank scotch, listened to tunes and worked on bikes. OK, yes we had to work real jobs and shovel snow but we had a blast. Not many things beat pizza, whiskey and motorcycles on a cold winter night. OK maybe one ot two things but that really isn’t many... So I systematically took everything off and cleaned and rebuilt it and put it back on. Master cyl (s) remember 13 has two of them because of the EPM /Brembo conversion. Carbs, brake calipers, engine covers, forks everything but the engine. The engine is perfect. It has a small and common head gasket o-ring weep. But it is only noticeable at sustained high RPMs like running on the freeway and even then it’s only a drop or two. Not much of a concern for me and I hated to take a chance on messing up the original finish on the engine. REMEMBER this bike is ORIGINAL it has NOT been repainted. Nothing is “new”. This is a true time machine. And like one of my super hero motorcycle celebrity says... “They are only original once.” I cleaned and rebuilt all winter long. I re-routed some of the non stock wiring for the horn relays and the added headlight off switch. I used Honda wiring colors so everything would match the stock Honda harness. Other than the obvious conversion bits everything on this bike is as it left the factory. There are hand written marks on the engine cases hidden in back. I carefully cleaned around them so they are still intact. There are number stamps all over the bike similar to the 377 stamped on the factory seat. And it retains many of its factory yellow paint check marks. I have a Honda set up guide that the dealers used to unpack the bikes and prep them. I used that as a guide to make everything as close to the day it left the dealer as I could. Obviously the aftermarket parts did not come from Honda however nothing added is permanent and if a future owner wanted to return it to bone stock he or she could but why? Anyone can have stock factory parts! I am pretty sure you will NEVER come across another 400F with a complete EPM wheel and brake conversion. This addition is as rare as hens teeth and besides being a great conversation starter is a nice improvement to the already great handling of the 400F. It is not a set up that was butchered from loose bits. This kit was made specifically for the CB400F. The master is mounted the right side frame rail and uses the stock rear set and brake lever. It is really a neat set up. The aluminum Konis are no longer available but these are mint and they work great. I am 190+ pounds and the suspension on this 400F worked perfectly on my track day. Granted I was not about to grind the pipes into the track but there were no chicken strips on the tires when I was through either. The Konis are not just bling! The fork had been re-sprung and has a bit of preload added. Again it works perfectly. The brakes have been completely rebuilt and work as well as they can. To be honest I don’t think a 400F needs dual front discs. I was nipping at the heels of 1000cc sport bikes and out braking them in the corners. The only place 13 and I got left behind was on the straights...38 HP is enough to have big fun even if all your competitors have well over 100! This bike works like a well maintained bike should work. It starts right up with minimal choke. Don'tlet anyone tell you old CBs are cold blooded. If they are tuned correctly they start right up and are ready to go just like this one! 13 pulls strongly in every gear and it rips right to redline. I don't have to list any excuses here about how it runs. It runs like you would expect a bike in this condition to run. Yes it will do the ton. I droped one tooth from the front sprocket to make it more frisky in town. And it will pull to redline in 6th now at just over 100 mph but it is a total hoot from 15 to 70 in the twisties. I have updated the original starter button by installing the internal switch housing from a newer but same vintage GL1000 right hand control. The early CB starter switches all deteriorate sooner or later and 13s gave up the ghost this spring. It was rebuilt and modified and should give many more years of trouble free operation. Everything on this bike works. All lights, turn signals, horns, switches, buttons etc. EVERYTHING. As you can see the switch gear is still nice and glossy black. It has not faded to purple or even worse been powder coated black... Those switches just never look right. I wanted the bike to be period correct. Nothing has been added that was not original to the theme 13 had when it was new. Everything was purchased in the day. And it all still works perfectly today. She may not be completely stock but there are dozens of nice stock 400s but NONE are like this one. I have gone through bikes before. I invite you to check out the pictures of a few of my past projects. They all went to good homes with owners who love to ride them. And no, none of them are for sale or included in this auction. I build them to ride. I don't want to deliver them with special instructions about tickeling this or pushing that...Jeez if you build a bike it should start up, run stop and shut off like its supposed to. Nothing is messed with or modified in a "douche-bag" sort of way. This bike is as push button as a 36 year old bike can be. This is not my first (or last) 400F but I am sure I will never have another one like it. I always regret letting bikes go. But then I think about how much fun I had riding them and hopefully the new owner will get the same thrill I get out of that first spring ride or the last crisp fall ride or that sweet end of summer ride home from first Thursday... 1975 CB400F Ruby Red VIN# CB400F1004409 Engine# 1004421 Under 13,000 miles. Near new vintage tires. New brake fluid, fork oil and recent motor oil change. Cables lubed. Carbs rebuilt, new o-rings installed. Stock jetting and properly tuned. Plugs gapped, points and timing set spot on. Timing chain and valves adjusted. Koni aluminum shocks. EPM mag wheel set with Brembo rear disc conversion. 7” headlight upgrade with on off switch. Solid state rec/reg. Fiamm horns and relays. Original keys. Factory tool box with lid and original mint tool set. All switched items work. Signals, lights, horns, starter. Brake pads are near new. Battery is less than a year old. Even the original bleeder nipple for the crank vent is still intact this bike is as it would have been in 1975. Except for the obvious modifications the bike is stock and original. This combination is basically one of a kind and it draws a crowd where ever it is parked. Oh and before I forget the winters hard work paid off. 13 won Best Japanese Bike at the Donnie Smith invitational Motorcycle Show. Then I took 13 to a local track day and got about 55 miles of track time in. Except for the instructors we never got passed and many riders of a much larger and faster bikes had to wave us past because they just couldn’t stand having this little animal nipping at their heels ALL the way around the track. We then wiped her clean and rode to the MN VJMC show where we won Best Honda. Then we had a bit of time for some local street rides and a coffee shop or two. 13 makes people smile. Everyone wants to talk to you about it. Little old ladies, grey old men, café cuties and even Harley guys. The Viking chapter of the AMCA show came up next and we won a Jr 1st which is the highest award you can win in your first show. Last but not least when we attended First Thursday for (probably) the last time we received a “GOLD STAR AWARD” And the bike wasn’t even entered in anything! Remember nothing on this bike has been repainted or restored. No cases have been polished beyond original. It still wears all its factory applied paint and it is in amazing condition. I think the pictures tell pretty much all of the story. The bike has a couple of minor bits of patina. There is a boot scuff on the lower edge of the left side cover. There is a couple of small chips on the upper right shoulder of the gas tank, a couple of tiny un- photographable chips on the satin paint of the gauges and there are a couple of thin spots in the paint but I am being picky ( the judges in the shows never saw the flaws) but that is basically it. The bike is as mint as a bike can be while having been lovingly used. But if you have ANY questions at all please fee free to contact me. I will answer every question and if need be I will post or send more pictures. I can forward a link to my project thread and even send video if you need it. My reserve is reasonable considering the condition, ride-ability and rarity of 13’s parts. If you take a close look at the 400Fs that have sold in the last 6 months none can hold a candle to this one. A true ride-able show bike is hard to build. And one with this set of wheels and other accessories is nearly impossible to find or duplicate. I will deliver the bike to a local shipping location if you need my help for a very small fee. I have a large driveway that can accommodate a truck if you would prefer to have it picked up. I have shipped bikes all over the US and I have a couple of shippers I can recommend. I would also be more than glad to have you come and pick up the bike. As meeting a new owner is always a pleasure. Shipping is not included in the price please keep that in mind as you bid. Other wise I expect a $250 non-refundable deposit via paypal within 48 hours of the auctions end. The rest can be cash or cashiers check but the bike will not move until payment has been cleared by my bank. Please ask questions early, the last 10 minutes is not the time to send me 2 pages of emailed questions. I am not always around at auctions end and I want to answer any questions a bidder may have. I have a clear Minnesota title in my name for the bike. It has a Minnesota collector plate on it right now and that plate stays in MN if you are from out of state. I have no problem selling world wide. Please check all of my feedback. Other than a crack pot or two everyone has been satisfied with my interactions. I aim to make this transaction as smooth as possible for the new owner and I can offer safe dry storage if needed as well (yes with a small fee). Thanks for looking, bidding and hopefully riding!!! On Sep-09-11 at 08:32:28 PDT, seller added the following information:A fellow ebayer wanted a few more pics of the rear EPM/Brembo brake set up. Hopefully this helps. Thanks. On Sep-09-11 at 09:38:44 PDT, seller added the following information:I had a nother couple of ebayers ask if I had any other bikes for sale... I will have a 1975 CB750K Rat Cafe with a bunch of great vintage bits. Dunstall bars, Hayasho Mags, John Tickle rearsets, RC header and other cool stuff. Check back after 9:30 Central time Friday night. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270815136065On Sep-13-11 at 06:01:54 PDT, seller added the following information: Because EVERY auction with a reserve seems to get the question "what is your reserve"... All I can say is that my reserve is significantly less than the buy it now option. When I offer buy it now on something as large as a motorcycle it is for those one in a million ebay buyers who understand what they are looking at and they just have to have it. You click the buy it now the bike is yours. Other people including me love to wait until the last minute and dive in with the bids. For all of you auction hunters and CB400F lovers just remember the buy it now option goes away as soon as the reserve is met and the reserve on this bike is very conservative considering that my last 400F went for a bit more than $4800.00 and this example is even nicer. Project 13 won a 1st place in the first 3 shows it was entered in. Now its your turn to have some fun! I know what it takes find and rehab vintage bikes. There are literally thousands of 400Fs out there. but not with these options in this condition and PUSH button ride-able and ready to go. If you want to stand out at a local bike night with a bike that you can be proud of not only from 20 feet away but from bike that can survive and encourages "Show" scrutiny this is the bike for you. Remember most of us that build bikes like this do it to keep them. Bikes this ready to go and with vintage options such as these never come up for auction because most owners know they can't build another one. Hurry up and bid before I come to my senses and put it back in the garage! Good luck.On Sep-13-11 at 17:00:21 PDT, seller added the following information: Whew, this is harder than it looks! I have had a couple of requests from overseas for a few more pictures seeing as they probably cannot make it over here before the auctions end to check the bike out in person. So fair warning, I am posting a bunch more pics of basic details of the bike. Slotted side covers, routing details, the electrical's under the left hand cover...Check out the early labeled fuses. Take a look at the brake and clutch levers. The originals have the plastic wrap under the rubber ball coating the lever 13 has its originals. New replacement levers no longer have the cover. Also take a close look at the dash and you will see that the original owner never removed the protective plastic cover. I couldn't bring myself to remove it as to me its part of the charm of how well this bike was treated. I also didn't remove the last license sticker on the left fork because that was the last time the bike was ridden before I got it. It was also the year I got my first true sport bike... Funny what can bring back great memories. The bolts are all mint and not mangled, the screws are still + in the center not a smashed up circle that you will never be able to remove. The pipe is as clean as a pipe can be and still have exhaust coming through it. Remember 13 was a rider from day one and it still is, just a very well maintained rider. Please feel free to ask questions. There is still plenty of time to get you any information you need. Thanks again. On Sep-13-11 at 17:58:56 PDT, seller added the following information: Adding a little Ebay bling for all you who would rather watch the pictures scroll by...