What with all my other 400 projects that I have going, I relised I didn't have a stock example of this little gem, so I decided to restore to original a 1975 varnish blue model. I am starting with a basket case frame with motor and not much else, luckily I am fortunate to have a whole heep of spare parts that will be good for restoring.  I will still have to source quite a few NOS parts. I am also going to restore the motor completly and also balance and blueprint.

Gloss Black:  Frame, swingarm, footrest brackets, rear indicator brackets, motor mount brackets, air filter/battery case, tach/speedo bracket.

Satin Black: Main stand, side stand, top and bottom triples.

Anodising: I took a chance and black anodised the brake line junction, it came out perfect (the standard part looks like it was anodised from the factory) I will try the master cyl next as I can't seem to find one in decent condition.

I got a complete set of decals from reproduction decals, very nice quality and just like the originals.

All the hardware was sent for re-plating in Zinc silver, Zinc yellow and certain parts were re-chromed.

The rear wheel axle, the brake rod and brake torque arm I also had chrome plated (It should have been zinc plated to be correct) as it is a much nicer finish and Honda should have done it from the factory.

The main harness from the bike was just to far gone to salvage so I have fitted a new MC again harness from the 400fourstore in Seattle.

Also fitted a NOS fuse box and regulator. NOS front headlamp/indicator bracket (DSS discontinued part) and a set of pattern UK spec indicators. quite good quality but I had to open the mount hole up a tad as they were very tight on the stems.

Well I bit the bullet and opened up the rev counter, the face and the red line mark was in nice condition (doesn't show to good in the pic) Painted the cover in a satin black, cleaned the glass and re-assembled.  I am happy how it came out probably a 9 out of 10. If I find an NOS one I will replace it later.

The speedo was another story, broke the trip knob trying to get it apart, I got one on ebay, about a 7-10 would like to get an NOS one later as I want to have zero Miles on the clock.  The south African CB400F model Had a KMPH speedo with UK indicators and a USA style tail light. also the ignition switch is the US type.

I didn't hesitate when I saw this NOS airbox on ebay $130.00 buy it now, yes... as this part is discontinued and very hard to find, all the other ones I have are basically shagged, the rubbers are rock solid..!! would have been a real pain getting the carbs on.

If you click on the pic you can see the before pic.  The rim was not damaged just rusty, so this was re-chromed, the spokes were not so good so a new set was ordered from DSS, I polished the hub and brake plate and then dulled the gloss with scotch brite. I tried a clear coat over the top and was not happy with the finish as I could just peel it off. so went back to my original dulled skotch brite finish.  From the factory the brake plate was a brushed alloy finish, the skotch brite replicates this quite well.

Fitted new bearings and brake shoes. Also thanks to ebay for a NOS rear sprocket, not yet fitted. 

In South Africa nobody supplies tyres in the correct sizes for the older bikes, normally I would have orderd some avon roadrunners from the UK ( I will be fitting these to my JPS cafe bike) budget doesn't allow for 2 sets.  I came across these tyres that a buddy imports, in the correct sizes and not a bad profile, Rear Kenda 100/90/18 and a 90/90/18 front.

Same as for the rear wheel.

Hub, polished and dulled with skotch brite pads.

Re-chromed, new spokes, new bearings, overhauled speedo drive, re-chromed cover.  Just have the disc to do.

Stripped and cleaned all components, the fork tubes are nice and straight but the chrome is pitted, so had them hard chromed and re-ground. polished the bottoms and gave a brushed finish with skotchbrite pads.

 fitted with new seals, dust covers and fresh 10 weight fork oil. the top caps were re-chromed as they were in good condition apart from some surface rust.

Next is to restore the Brake caliper and arm, I have a good condition brake disc that only needs the centre re-painting, so that's aslo on the list.

Well so far it;s not looking to bad.

NOS passenger footpegs, NOS rider footpeg rubbers.  I also got off Ebay a set of stainless steel footpeg and seat hinge pins.