Old bikes and fuel

First post on this group:

Hi to all,

Apologies if this is a common thread but:

I have just got my hands on a Honda CB400f F2 with the intent of buying
(literally) another 30 years of life for her. Having only ridden/driven
modern cars/bikes for some time, the question of fuel post the unleaded
revolution has occurred (in my case) for the first time.

So, can I run her on unleaded - super unleaded without additive? If
additive is required, what is the nature - qualities of such additive? If
anybody here has had their fingers burnt and can offer words of wisdom that
may save me some heartache in the long run by all means chip in. It is my
intent to get the old girl back on her feet without any financial logic
being part of the equation. In other words, a first class job with experts
doing the bits that are beyond me.

Regards

OKB 178 S

 

Ordinary 95 octane unleaded is absolutely fine. No advantage will come
from using any other fuel, additives or whatever.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

Lovely. See my sig!

Yes, absolutely. No worries.

You are aware how much this may cost? Some parts are now unobtainable
new and extremely hard to find used - rear mudguards, some trim, etc.

OK, if money is no object, that's fine, but in some cases it's a matter
rather of parts being made of unobtanium.

Worth doing, though. Probably.

 

You are aware how much this may cost? Some parts are now unobtainable

Thanks for the advice, this bike will be better than new when I have
finished regardless of cost. I do not intend to have it strictly concourse
as I propose to make the modifications that I would have done in 1978, that
is rack & crash bar. New shockers (probably Konis) and consider K&Ns.
Paint scheme will remain metallic red.

I have a Honda VFR800 Fix Anniversary as a toy, and now it has a companion
in the garage, so there is no rush to get the job done. Quality will be the
buzz word. RWHS motorcycles which are nearby suggested spending the money
on a superbike, but I have one already and have intended a 400/4 project for
years. Now is the time for reality, and once done, I will never part with
it.

Regards

CB400f OKB 178 S

 

Konis are now the proverbial hen's teeth. Hagons are about the only off
the shelf solution now. There's always the bespoke option...

 

I got some of the last Konis for the 400/4 now resident in Blaney's
garage. Still got the old OEM ones if anyone wants to rebuild 'em...

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

Worth doing. I sold a decent pair of OEM shocks for about ukp70.

 

Fair enough. Be warned that good quality racks are the sort of items
that really are made of unobtainium.

This is my 400 Four:

http://cgi3.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=bike-pusher

And it took me five or six years to locate a good rack. I bought a
complete bike, removed the rack, and sold the bike on.

Tip - racks for the old CB250G5/CB360 and CJ250/360 are the same item.
But any one you buy now will almost certainly need complete refinishing.

As for K&Ns - just don't. Incidentally, the standard paint isn't
metallic red. Just red. Or blue. Or yellow. Or maroon.

 

On Mon, 2 May 2005 14:18:07 +0100,

FFS. Actually, now I think about it, ISTR they were Konis too,
although not as big as the replacement ones. Were Konis the OEM
fitment?

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

No.

 

Ikon in Oz make repro Koni shocks to the original spec, and have UK
distributors:

http://www.ikonsuspension.com/content/bikes/honda.html

 

....and they're also a bit steep at around £220 for Guzzi ones.

 

In that case, he wants these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10460&item=7971568087&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

Heh. That'll be the first 500 squids gone on a proper paint job then.