1977 Honda CB400F Super Sport - Basement Find - We Make It Run and Ride

We dig into a CB400F time-capsule to see what is needed for a solid runner. Carburetor rebuild? Leaking head? New tires?
Intro Riff by:
Mike Durst
Logo by:
ninecurses.com/
Montage Songs provided by Black Sire of Dayton, OH
Check out their merch and tunes on bandcamp or Spotify
blacksire.bandcamp.com/music
open.spotify.com/artist/44jyN...
0:00 Intro
1:54 Bike Info
4:02 Bike Triage
11:08 Under-seat Compartment
15:00 Bike Tear-down
17:42 Factory Toolkit
18:45 Carb Removal
20:00 Carb Rebuild
31:30 Petcock
34:30 Assemble and Startup
41:50 Whats Next

[@patrickhill8748]

I’m starting to work on getting my Dad’s old CB400f ready, lots of memories with this bike. Dad bought it new in early ‘78 and it’s a ‘77 model. 79k miles on it and it’s been in the family since New. Will be following your channel and looking forward to hearing that sound from the old 400 as it is like heaven. Ride safe friend!!

[@nikolaslarson6891]

Brilliant! Lovely bike… The “flowing” four-in-one exhaust is mythical.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

The so-called waterfall pipes are hard to ignore, im surprised Honda didn't use that style more often!

[@janzzen9095]

When your skin sticks to the exhaust, you know its hot.

[@manstersr]

That's one I would love to have. Anyone working on one of these old Japanese bikes, like he said in the video, you have to buy a JIS screw driver or bit that fits all the Phillips looking screw heads which the side engine covers normally have tons of. The alternative is to take a Phillips head and grind the tip down so it fits tighter. If you try loosening them with a regular Phillips, you will most likely strip the head. JIS screws have a little dot on one of the triangle points of the head.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Someone did point out that the toolkit has a JIS in it and i felt pretty dumb but I was also under some stressful circumstances, but the whole point is USE JIS for these bikes! Cheers and thank you for sharing wisdom and watching along, humbled every day

[@edtaylor6431]

A friend in high school had this exact Honda, another buddy in high school had a ‘75 red one. I had always wanted one of my own. If I ever find one I would definitely buy it. Great motorcycle, one of the most popular models Honda ever built.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Here in the US they might have been one of the least popular! It is a wonderful bike, I ride it most of the time now that its up and in decent shape, I can say its worth hunting one down!

[@michaelb.42112]

That bike is like winning the lottery. My God, it's a brand new small displacement 4 cylinder Honda. It's a work of art that sounds the way God meant.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

I cant say that there is some higher being, but this bike is a once-in-a-lifetime deal, and at a time where I really needed some positivity. If youre a motorcycle lover, its as good as hitting the lottery!

[@uTube486]

I sooo envy you. I'm banging my head doing a carb rebuild like yours.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

I have another video that goes a bit more in depth about the carbs. Not 100% perfect as I didn't intend for it to be a how-to but some good bits!

[@uTube486]

@@GoldenBoyGarage For sale??

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

@@uTube486 I would probably sell it for the right price or partial trade for an H1 Kawasaki

[@uTube486]

@@GoldenBoyGarage Send a note...

[@TRyanLearnBikes]

Very tasty find good sir . Congratulations thats like winning a mini lottery .

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Ill refrain from saying what I paid for it, but this was one of those once-in-a-lifetime deals!

[@TRyanLearnBikes]

Well it couldn't have gone to a better home .I know you will do it right .@@GoldenBoyGarage

[@CB400F]

Congrats on your find and resurrection.

[@GlenRobson-iv7ge]

I believe in the US the 400 four super sport was first introduced in 1975 to 1976 which was the 400f in blue or red. In 1977 they made some slight changes and changed colours to the Marrone/Red or Parakeet Yellow which is classed as the 400/f1 only in the US. Here in the UK we had the same 400f in the blue or red but in 1977 to 1978 we had the same two colours Marrone/Red or Parakeet Yellow which is classed as the 400/f2 here but also had some slight changes one being the rear foot pegs position on the frame. Honda stopped production in 1978 as they only sold around 105,000 of these bikes around the world and they didn't sell well in the US. I have a 1978 400/f2 in Parakeet Yellow which is about 95% original. The main things that aren't original on mind are the seat cover and the exhaust system but is replica of the original one. As some else mentioned in the comments keep it as is don't modify as these bikes are better the way Honda intented them to be! Anyway the rear mudguard/fender and tail light on yours doesn't look like the ones fitted from the factory, someone has changed them as I have seen other US 400/4 with the original ones fitted and they look much better than what's on your bike but that's my opinion. These 400/4 are a great little bikes that loved to be revved high on the open road so just enjoy the feeling!

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

The P/O took a hacksaw to the rear fender. I dont mind the light tucked under the seat really but, obviously the hacked fender is a bummer. Im working through the next bits of footage now, but I can promise folks who prefer original wont be dissapointed. I like that you can get CR carbs and Yoshi pipes for these, but it's too original for that sort of thing. I'd like to find a reasonably priced beat-up F1 around to customize a little without feeling bad. This is one of 5 other bikes, but my favorite no doubt. My 95 BMW is a close second.

[@davescupper5789]

Very desirable here in the uk

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Nobody in the US seems to know what it is to desire it 😆

[@lovett1200]

What a great find...good luck

[@Coldwarrior7781]

Very cool. A friend used to have a 1975 550 Four he got for his wife to ride and it was the sweetest. It had less horsepower than his 750 but would run with it because it was lighter and handled way better for the same reason. I had a 400 Hawk back then, a twin that was in no way the performer the fours were I would love to stumble on something like this for little $. For those days I want to bop around local without having to pull the Wing out. I was shocked watching this video to see the condition of the tank interior. I would have thought rust would be guaranteed.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Im always surprised what survives and what is totally roached on bikes that have been sitting. I too figured the tank would have been ruined. The P/O said he never cleaned it or anything. Im guessing it was stored dry? The trick for finding bikes seems to be getting known as "That guy who cant help himself around an old bike". Marketplace and craigslist prices are ridiculous.

[@roberthocking9138]

Beautiful looking bike, I had a 500 /4 here in AUS, wish I still had it, hope it all works out 🇦🇺🦘

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

She's doing very well, the old Honda fours are a treat, this is the first of a series of videos, most recent shows some action. Working on another with a new exhaust! Appreciate your watching cheers!

[@ralfbeier6185]

Hard to find in Europe now. Many CB 400 Four was taken back to Japan because the japanese drivers like this type very much and will spend a lot of more money then here. „Unfortunately“ the japanese Yen went down to the Euro €, so they demand from Japan has decreased, as my dealer in the Netherlands told me. That’s why some 400 fours more are on the market and I got one. It’s a yellow one. It‘s first registration was in 1977 it will be delivered in two weeks. Great!!!

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

They seem to be REALLY popular in Japan. 77 so f2 with similar tank graphics to mine? I really like the yellow!

[@ianh3333]

Sick work man. This one is a beauty.

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Cool bike. A buddy had one in Blue. I rode pillion a few times. Mine was an RD400. Instrument cluster on the two bikes was almost identical. JP design trend of the era I guess.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

You rode pillion!? On such a little bike, I barely fit on the whole seat haha! RD400 would have been pretty spicy!

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Buddy about 5'9", me about 5'6". Wasn't too bad. Gold Wing would have been roomier. 😆

[@lovett1200]

I rode old Hondas years ago...I recal lthe oil is checked with the dip stick unscrewed not screwed in; I think....

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

All the hondas I have had were checked unscrewed per manual, I appreciate you watching!

[@user-jn1jq4bi2d]

My first bike was a 1975 blue Honda super sport cb400 F . I did 1 mod to it. I put a little higher rise handle bars. That was back in 1976

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

I considered putting lower bars on this for the F1 style, but I will say I like the higher bars on this bike, much less fatiguing! Pretty cool first bike to have. I grew up hearing stories about my dad's H1 Kawasaki!

[@billmumbo2697]

I absolutely adore these bikes excellent drivers and expensive now had a couple wish I still had one👍👍👍👍👍

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

You wouldn't believe me if i said I got this for less than 4 digits. Ive been hunting for a second rough one that i could put yoshi pipes on and upgraded brakes without feeling bad, but even the haggard examples want 3k+ around here

[@billmumbo2697]

@@GoldenBoyGarage lucky dog treat her kind 👍👍🥸

[@badsport2008]

Had one in the early eighties, get it running right and they are dynamite. Loads of power, small bike with a low centre of gravity it's mad fun. Wish I still had one

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

it feels very solid despite being small, very decent handling esp for the age. Trying to find another less pristine example but people asking way too much!

[@RT22-pb2pp]

My 75 handled great and in the day wS fast for 400 only bike in the class that could get it was rd 2 stroke yamaha but mine was smoother almost as quick more comfortable and almost no maintenance

[@random_act]

what a beautiful bike

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

coolest looking bike ive owned to date!

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Sweet

[@robinberryman5949]

Please please keep this bike standard, (stock). It looks like a 400f2 however the frame is a f frame as the rear pillion footrest are located on the swing arm, on the f2 they are on hangers which form part of the frame. You have found that pot of gold please don't destroy it as it is worth so much more standard. Good luck, it's like brand new keep it that way.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

This bike will be more or less stock aside from a period correct NOS slip-on exhaust to replace the fudged existing muffler, and maybe some hagon shocks. I filmed most of this over the summer and the bike is much further along, but don't want to spoil too much. Have had some brits tell me I need to convert to lower bars and rear-sets, but I don't feel particularly compelled. I do appreciate you stopping to check it out!

[@CB400F]

@robinberryman, The North American version of all three production years of the CB400F had the pillion footrests located on the swing arm. There are many unique differences with the North American 1977 (F2) CB400F. It is also a very low production vehicle. More sandcast CB750’s were produced than were produced of this bike. I’m happy it is being restored to its original glory!

[@davebarrowcliffe1289]

You get a JIS screwdriver in the toolkit, don't you? Also, not changing the crispy 40 year old carb O rings is askin' fer trouble! Enjoyable vidya though... Subbed!😊

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

I didnt think about it, but thats probably JIS. At one point I was trying to avoid the toolkit to keep it pristine. Also, in some later videos I give the carbs a bit more proper justice, just wanted it to run for a few minutes! I was a bit hamstrung, being home not planning to work on a bike!. Much appreciate your watching and subscribing!

[@al4142]

One of the modifications from the series 1 to the series 2 was that the rear pillion foot pegs were taken off the swing arm and moved to a fabricated tube from the frame , unlike yours? Is it an earlier bike ? Was like that here in England as I owned one, with Yoshimura tuned parts fitted, would go but not stop so well especially in the wet! Enjoyed the video 👍

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

From the Facebook groups, and old scanned articles, I do believe the US models had different rear footpegs, as well as shift linkage. This is 99% original as far as I know, with the cut fender being an exception. Really do appreciate you folks watching!

[@al4142]

You are correct about the gear linkage , from what I recall it had a linkage to the input spline which yours hasn’t. Still have a Haynes manual on my garage shelf, yours if you want it ?

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

@@al4142 Certainly appreciate the offer, but probably prohibitive to ship across the pond, Ive got the Honda Service Manual though!

[@cerealtiller]

If the Crankcase vent is not clean the seals and Gaskets can weep.

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

Good looking out, crankcase is definitely venting proper! A basketcase I picked up for another project though, had the vents plugged into each other 😬

[@RT22-pb2pp]

Old Honda new gas clean carbs change oil new tires chain if needed and ride it for yrs

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

My dad always paid extra for a Honda engine. I pulled a small 160cc out of the barn, been sitting at least 25 years, and it started FIRST PULL. Really appreciate you watching and sharring!.

[@paulongley2033]

Why would some idiot cut the back end of this classical beautiful machine. Do you know how much a genuine mud guard would cost you ,if you can fine one .

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

The cafe racer fad strikes again. The fender is upsetting, but I don't mind the light being tucked. With that said, I ordered a new fender from CMSNL, Its sitting on my desk along with a tail light and bracket, with OEM hardware from webike japan! The fender cost me about $300 USD, which hurts a bit haha. I tried getting one from salvage, but they were all too ugly for this bike. I have a video to put out where I get the bike back together, then Ill have one last "build" video where I button up some of the cosmetics.

[@briandarnell5966]

You had all original JIS tool kit and you didn't use them 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@GoldenBoyGarage]

When people tell me how smart I am, I think of these moments 🤣😆