Honda CB400 Four SS

About this bike!

An old friend just gave me a 1974 Honda CB400 Four SS. It was sitting by her shed for about 3 years, at least - wasn't even sure if I could get the thing running - still don't know, but I'm willing to try. I hope to make it rideable by the end of the summer (2000). My husband has been riding for years and is helping me out. We haven't been able to get it started yet, but the plugs spark. Alas, NO GAS GETTING TO THE CYLINDERS! Tomorrow, he shows me how to clean out the carbs - think I 'll get the hang of it about the time I get to the fourth one!

Day One

Nora left a message on my answering machine letting me know that of course, I could have the bike and good luck with it (Thankyou Nora!!- this is SO generous of you, I really appreciate it). It has only 14,000 miles

My husband and I pushed the bike to our house ( about the equivalent of two blocks, up hill part of the way, in the rain, through some woods. Thanks god he's strong. The front wheel was frozen, so we had to take some oil and put it on the brakes to unfreeze them, still very difficult to move. Those pads have to be replaced anyway.

I washed the thing today and started away at the chrome with brillo pads - it's working better than I expected, but it will take TIME.

What needs to get done!

• Now that I know the plugs are making sparks, I have to clean all of the gunk out of the carbs (thank you for Sundays!)
  
• get some gas!
  
• clean the thing - there is surface rust everywhere and the front fender is never going to be chrome again - my hubbo says he'll paint the thing for me.
  
• new brake pads
  
• chain MAY be salvageable, have to get it lubed and running to find out
  
• need new tires
  
• all electronics work, though I used my husbands bike battery to get it going (actually, HE did that for me)- bike still won't start, but electrical system okay - need to get new battery
  
• new handle bars and mirrors - the ones on there work, but have tons of rust that just won't do!
  

  Check out this picture of the front of the bike -
  
  
  
  This is one of our dogs, caught in a barking frenzy
  
  
  
  
  Here are some more pictures of the bike at various angles - again, day one!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Day Two (July 11,2000)
  
  Well, we took the tank off, and yanked the carbs off - here is a pic of the naked bike
  
  
  
  A lovely picture of the gunk in the carbs (look closely, there is some shellac in there as well as gray putty type gunk).
  
  
  
  And last, but not least, a picture of my husband, the man with the plan.
  
  
  
  If you have some info on this bike, or have one of these bikes, please feel free to email me at: saxophonegal@aol.com
  
  

  INFO

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