Honda 400 Four - gentle hmmmmm

The Doctor and I have been ruminating about selling the 400 Four which
has graced the Chateau's garage for the last nine years.

This one:

http://www.chateau.murray.dsl.pipex.com/CB400F.1.jpg

and

http://www.chateau.murray.dsl.pipex.com/CB400F.2.jpg

This would be rather a reluctant decision, but it's really not used that
much. I've not gone as far as Ebaying it, but could be tempted to pass
it onto to a regular here as long as we get first refusal to buy it
back.

So, details:

One of the nicest unrestored 400Fs you'll see. All paint is original. I
actually fitted a new fuel tank (quite possibly one of the last ones in
the country) a few years ago. Both mudguards were replaced with new ones
at the same time - and they were undersealed. They're like new. It also
had new fork legs and rebuilt wheels. Oh, and a new OE seat. The exhaust
is OE Honda and perfect.

It's done 23k miles from new. The engine is superb. Plenty of ukrm-ers
will testify to its ability to hammer along at surprising speed for a 30
year-old ShiteOldBike. I think I'm only the third owner - might be
fourth. I'd have to check.

The front brake has a stainless steel hose and the operating arm has
been regularly stripped, greased and reassembled. It actually stops. In
addition, I fitted dogleg levers (kept the originals) to improve use of
clutch and front brake.

It's got a decent rack, as you can see. That's hard to find on its own.
The chrome lifting handle was removed to fit this, and has been salted
away in a box of bits (see below).

I have an incredible history for it: original purchase receipt,
handbook, warranty book, sheaves of bills going back decades, MoTs, tax
discs, plus period brochure, adverts, you name it. The paperwork
collection is sublime.

Non original bits? Erm, the rear shocks are Hagons.

I have kept a spares stock, and added to it over the years. So in a tin
are brand new cables, points, brake pads, a master cylinder repair kit,
front brake piston, fuse box, air filter, left-hand switchgear,
condensers, fasteners, other bits. There are also plenty of used spares
- carbs to rob for jets if ever needed, brand new pattern indicators,
brackets, sidestand, generator, tail light, oh, the list goes on and on.
This is worth a few hundred quid on its own.

It's not concours, because it's been used. There are small chips in the
frame paint, patina on older components. That sort of thing. For me,
this adds to its charm. It's a working bike.

So, what's it worth? I'd suggest a decent original 400 Four starts at
£1500, and I know a concours one is worth £3500. Some people ask £4k and
more - that's too much.

With all the parts, history, and everything, but everything, I might be
tempted at £2k. South-west London.

 

Hmm, you as well eh.

<stares at bike sized gap in garage>

Must resist.

--
Mike Buckley
RD350LC2 GPZ750 Turbo
http://www.toastyhamster.freeserve.co.uk - deleted by Orange - f*ckers
http://www.toastyhamster.plus.com
BONY#38

 

Someone else has emailed me, saying it would be a bad idea. Hmmmm again.

 

message

That's a fine looking bike that is.


Geo
Geo

 

So this is the same 400 Four as you were talking about the other day
when you said...

"And the Honda 400 Four - I have spent, literally, years and hundreds of
hours working on that bike. I have resurrected it from a skanky bike
with a holed Motad and terminal camchain rattle into a cracking usable
classic. My blood has gone into that bike."

Sounded then like you'd hate to see the back of it. Now you're ready to
sell it for a reasonable sum? Men can be so fickle!

 

I'm tempted...

--
Cab :^) - I'm dyslex-spic apparently
GSX 1400 - Speedy Zimmerframe.
UKRMMA#10 (KOTL), IbW#015, BoB#4, POTM#3, SKA#1
email addy : ukrm_dot_cab_at_rosbif_dot_org
The gingeometer: http://www.rosbif.org/ukrm/gingeometer/

 

>,
says...

Odd take on unrestored you have there.

 

Just don't.

 

The Older Gentleman says...

You will regret it for ever more. I sometimes regret breaking the blue
RD250D...but then I look at the Triumph and think about how I raised the
money to acquire it and that's enough justification.

--
Lozzo
Triumph Daytona 955i SE
Suzuki SV650 K3
Honda CBR600 F-W
Suzuki GSX-R750L
Yamaha SR250 SpazzTrakka

 

ginge says...

That's not a restoration, that's just keeping it looking good.

--
Lozzo
Triumph Daytona 955i SE
Suzuki SV650 K3
Honda CBR600 F-W
Suzuki GSX-R750L
Yamaha SR250 SpazzTrakka

 

Trigger's broom.

 

Terrible, innit. Yer right, cancel original posting.

 

Yeah. I suppose it's because the engine has never been out of the frame,
and the frame has never been repainted. I've just fitted new parts....

....so, er, whatever.

 

That is a "A Yorkshire Broom" you iggerent bloody norvenor. Nothing to
do with horses or cowboys or anything.

 

On the subject of ignorance I shall simply state that I am a midlander,
and leave it there...

 

The Older Gentleman secured a place in history by writing:

I'll swap you for that lovely SORNed Sprint RS in a garage not far from
you. And you can retain all fettling rights. Cutting me own froat etc etc

 

Wanna swap for this fine Russian combination?

 

Are you nuts? That's far to nice to sell and I'm fairly sure you don't
need the money.

 

I've got a 1960 Landrover being stored in a barn waiting for me to find
the time to get it back on the road but I won't sell it because I don't
need the money and I know I'll regret it.

Tell you what, you can put the Honda in my garage, pretend it's sold
then when you want it back, because you surely will, just come and get it.

Good looking bike btw.

 

I've got the 4x4 sierra outside for much the same reason, also, when in good
nick it's one of the most fun 4-wheelers I've driven.. Must finish building
the garage and get it under cover, though, before it rots beyond redemption.