[Q&A] SBF CB400 Official Q&A Thread 2009 (PLS ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE!)

[PaLmEr]

A live Q&A thread to make it easier for our forumers to obtain answers to their questions.

Dear all, I have been getting quite a few questions about CB400s via PM. Perhaps this thread and its answers would help to answer the questions by other forumers too.

Please follow the following format when asking questions.

For those asking questions please put a [Q] in front of your post.

[Q]

Please provide as much details such as version of your bike, its age, mileage, what are the problems and its symptoms.


For those answering questions please put a [A] in front of your post.

[A]

Please quote the Post by clicking on "QUOTE" on the question.
Quote the post number for ease of reading for our other viewers.

Links:

2008 Archive

[overcrash]

[Q] What is the size of the oil drain plug for CB400 ?

M14 x 1.5mm? or M12 x 1.5mm?

And is it the same sizing for CB400 of different years ?

the M12 x 1.5 mm is for CB400 F 1975-1977;1989-1990, XR400, XR600R, XR650.
so is the oil drain plug for both the XR400 and CB400 same size?

whereas the M14 x 1.5mm is for the CB400 A 1978, CB400 T 1978-1981.

so which is which?

[Exu]

[Q] My Spec 1 just changed EO recently and on new year's eve.. i went down to shift my bike from the void deck only to realise that EO is leaking... I went back to my bike shop and the mech did a check on it.. he told me is the oil seal leaking.. and charge me $75 bucks. Is that the normal price?

[Qrisx]

bros & hos,

anyone know how to fix revtec? i fixed it directly at the battery but my friend say its wrong.... ?????

how ah??? and my petrol consumption tends to be higher, when its suppose to make me save!

[aixin]

bros & hos,

anyone know how to fix revtec? i fixed it directly at the battery but my friend say its wrong.... ?????

how ah??? and my petrol consumption tends to be higher, when its suppose to make me save!

Hi bro,
How much is revtec?

[Qrisx]

if im not wrong brand new is 90 buckaroos

[rayhunter]

Hi bro,
How much is revtec?

[A] Perhaps you can refer to this THREAD.

[plasticprison]

hello all..

i just bought a spec II recently. and would like to have some form of servicing done. what are the things that i should do for servicing?

current mileage stands at 94k.

[turbocharge]

any fellow riders experience this? wat should i do?

[rayhunter]

hmm..never notice if mine is like that too..have to check it out.
bro,yours looked quite bad??

[s4vtec]

any fellow riders experience this? wat should i do?

common thing seen on bikes.
ur front forks needs a servicing which includes replacement of fork oil seals, dust covers, fork oil...

[turbocharge]

today when riding i look at my fork and notice the seal pop out.
so take a close look lor.
my bike 2yrs old so fast need to service fork liao ar? T_T

[s4vtec]

today when riding i look at my fork and notice the seal pop out.
so take a close look lor.
my bike 2yrs old so fast need to service fork liao ar? T_T

wat happened on ur forks now is that water had seeped in through the dust covers and rusted the metal beneath the dust covers and hence it pops up. i think ur bike is always parked in the open and always kana rain? a fork servicing for ur 2 years bike should cost u abt +/-S$100.

if u wan a recommended bike shop for fork service from me, i recommend K&T.

[turbocharge]

not really always kana rain leh. will go service once im free. anyway thx s4vtec.

[Redk]

fuel sensor or trottle sensor? they tell me trottle sensor leh..

[quote=Lims;4918904]ya maybe.. cos when clutch in e rpm got till 1 rpm or slightly lower. then move off i die afew times lor.. so what did u do ar? QUOTE]



went to the bike shop..cause they know i got this problem..they just took out the small casing at the left side..remove the sensor and the cable attach to it and just clear the water inside..than put back..actually quite easy can DIY too..

but don know if you got the same problem with me cause they say my bike is the first got this problem..

[PaLmEr]

hello all..

i just bought a spec II recently. and would like to have some form of servicing done. what are the things that i should do for servicing?

current mileage stands at 94k.

Timing Chain/Timing Chain Tensioner? Valve clearance?

[overcrash]

[Q] What is the size of the oil drain plug for CB400 ?

M14 x 1.5mm? or M12 x 1.5mm?

And is it the same sizing for CB400 of different years ?

the M12 x 1.5 mm is for CB400 F 1975-1977;1989-1990, XR400, XR600R, XR650.
so is the oil drain plug for both the XR400 and CB400 same size?

whereas the M14 x 1.5mm is for the CB400 A 1978, CB400 T 1978-1981.

so which is which?

think no one knows the answer?

[s4vtec]

think no one knows the answer?

go bike shops to ask...

[overcrash]

go bike shops to ask...

that will be easy if i ride a S4, prob is i dun and which bike shop will be interested in just answering qn alone ? =)

[tancy]

Hi Guys,
i'm riding a S4 vtec 1
first time encountered this problem. ride for about 40mins and then park at a multistorey carpark.
10 mins later, decided to park my bike somewhere else but happen that my bike cannot start, dun know wat's the problem so decided to try later.
After 45 mins, tried again, still cannot start.
2 hours later, tried again, bike now able to start. don't think is the battery problem. Anyone know what's the problem or encounter this problem b4?

[Jchiang]

Could it be the spark plug?

[xXxRatedxXx]

1. Spark plug faulty
2. Spark plug cap loose
3. Choke pulled out
and lastly, but highly unlikely as u said....
4. Battery leaking voltage (something consuming the power, alarm)

[d0n^]

there can be a long list of possible areas to look into.
for a start, let us knw if u:
-can see the neutral light come on when u turn the ignition key
-hear any cranking sound when u press the electric start button

[bernardk]

Did you wack your bike before you park? If you did then thats the prob. Air and petrol choked.

[tancy]

Thanks for the reponse.
during startup that time, the neutral light is on, the headlight is very bright.
so dun think is the battery.

when try power on the bike that time, initially there's the cranking sound.
2nd time when i press, no more, change to a 'tick' sound.
Thought it's gone case, luckly after 2 hours, bike able to start.

Didnt really whack my bike hard, but when travel thru the expressway. got on the vtec.

[Demon]

Thanks for the reponse.
during startup that time, the neutral light is on, the headlight is very bright.
so dun think is the battery.

Even a weak battery will have no problem powering up all the lights. The electric starter is the single most battery draining device.

when try power on the bike that time, initially there's the cranking sound.
2nd time when i press, no more, change to a 'tick' sound.
Thought it's gone case, luckly after 2 hours, bike able to start.

Your description is consistent with a weak battery. the "clicking" sound is from the electric stater relay switching ON, and OFF.

Next time you won't be so lucky, get the battery replaced and check if the bike is charging it sufficiently.

[bernardk]

BTW TS are you using Revtec?

[spaiduhz]

sounds like a problem my pulsar has.

after whacking the bike at high(?) speeds, the bike has trouble with e-start. first try i push the e-start, it whirs like its going to engage, but then it would growl like an electric kitchen blender. The e-start just isnt engaging.

same problem plagues the YBR125s at my old work place.

had to change the starter carbon to really get rid of the problem. didnt find it so much of a problem since my bike has a kick starter, but it would really suck to keep push starting your bike, yeah?

when all else fails from electrical failure or overflow or whatnots, push-start will be your best friend. consult the nearest slope, or get a second party to push your bike. results may vary.

[tancy]

BTW TS are you using Revtec?

mine is vtec 1.

[tancy]

Even a weak battery will have no problem powering up all the lights. The electric starter is the single most battery draining device.


Your description is consistent with a weak battery. the "clicking" sound is from the electric stater relay switching ON, and OFF.

Next time you won't be so lucky, get the battery replaced and check if the bike is charging it sufficiently.

Yup, kanna once, the electric starter drain alot of energy.

This few days of riding seems ok. will try monitor for a few days first.
battery juz change 3 months ago.

[bernardk]

mine is vtec 1.

Erm do you knw wat is Revtec? Like power abuser thing. You dunno that means you not using then thats not the prob hahah.

[ckleejune]

I also cannot start my NSR150, parking at Kallang Bahru for months. Can anyone recommend a reliable nearby workshop for me to approach? Scared after kena chopped by the shop and my bike still down...

[xXxRatedxXx]

I also cannot start my NSR150, parking at Kallang Bahru for months. Can anyone recommend a reliable nearby workshop for me to approach?

UM tows for $20 to a place of your choosing.

U can tow it to UM at defu lane 10 or go to ah chong's planet at ubi

[DM]

moving to cb400 section.

[tancy]

Erm do you knw wat is Revtec? Like power abuser thing. You dunno that means you not using then thats not the prob hahah.

Now i think i know wat u mean... Ya i using the blue color voltage stabilizer...

[s4vtec]

Hi Guys,
i'm riding a S4 vtec 1
first time encountered this problem. ride for about 40mins and then park at a multistorey carpark.
10 mins later, decided to park my bike somewhere else but happen that my bike cannot start, dun know wat's the problem so decided to try later.
After 45 mins, tried again, still cannot start.
2 hours later, tried again, bike now able to start. don't think is the battery problem. Anyone know what's the problem or encounter this problem b4?

Thanks for the reponse.
during startup that time, the neutral light is on, the headlight is very bright.
so dun think is the battery.

when try power on the bike that time, initially there's the cranking sound.
2nd time when i press, no more, change to a 'tick' sound.
Thought it's gone case, luckly after 2 hours, bike able to start.

Didnt really whack my bike hard, but when travel thru the expressway. got on the vtec.

mine is vtec 1.

Yup, kanna once, the electric starter drain alot of energy.

This few days of riding seems ok. will try monitor for a few days first.
battery juz change 3 months ago.

TS, i think its the wornout starter carbon that caused the problem...
take down my mobile number. u might need it someday...

[Takeshi1]

maybe u can try planet motors, call ah chong to test ur bike and ask him wad

to service etc etc......


he is quite a friendly guy

[rayhunter]

that will be easy if i ride a S4, prob is i dun and which bike shop will be interested in just answering qn alone ? =)

call boon siew n ask,they should be able to help out..

[tancy]

TS, i think its the wornout starter carbon that caused the problem...
take down my mobile number. u might need it someday...

Hi, me not realli knowledgeable about bikes, wat is a starter carbon?
ok, has taken down your no... thanks for the assistance.

[thepunkz]

[Q]

hey guys, my bike is abt 6yrs old.
when i bought the bike, the stock horn is quite soft. i thot it's cause by the rust around it. but when i bought another stock horn, its still veri soft compared to my fren stock horn. ani reason for it? wiring? battery?

[rayhunter]

[Q] ermm..for chroming the endcan,beside d.i.y,
where can send for chroming? as in polishing...seng kwang?
anyone knows?

[khehBRYAN]

[Q] I'm interested in getting a S4 but there are so many models i'm totally confused as to which one to get. Can someone brief me of the total number of models in chronological order pls? wad spec I spec II spec III still got some revo thing. What are the differences? Which one is the newest?

[Raven7]

[Q] My Spec 1 is about to hit the 100K mark. I was thinking if any major servicing was needed. Hope to get some advice here. Thanks in advance.

[rayhunter]

[Q]I'm interested in getting a S4 but there are so many models i'm totally confused as to which one to get. Can someone brief me of the total number of models in chronological order pls? wad spec I spec II spec III still got some revo thing. What are the differences? Which one is the newest?

[A] Any budget? diff price on diff model and yes revo is the newest.revo is the fuel injection model for spec 3.

[Eray]

its been a week n there is still no news abt the replacement.. haiz.. i hate taking public transport..

[s4vtec]

Hi, me not realli knowledgeable about bikes, wat is a starter carbon?
ok, has taken down your no... thanks for the assistance.

starter carbon is 2 metal strip with carbon installed inside the starter motor. the carbon will wear and tear due to cranking.
this normally happens for bike 5 years and above.
i had replaced mine when my bike is 8 years old.
replacing them includes removing ur carbs and coolant hoses, a tedious job.

hope my 2 cents info helps...

[aixin]

gear shift oil seal leaks..
did any 1 noe how to fix gear shift oil seal??ma bike is super4 vtec.
http://www.singaporebikesonline.com/...read.php?t=859

Any comments

[slutgarden]

starter carbon is 2 metal strip with carbon installed inside the starter motor. the carbon will wear and tear due to cranking.
this normally happens for bike 5 years and above.
i had replaced mine when my bike is 8 years old.
replacing them includes removing ur carbs and coolant hoses, a tedious job.

hope my 2 cents info helps...

yes that is so very true.. next time if you cant start your bike and you hear that clicking sound again, you can try knocking on the starter area, otherwise you might want to push start the bike..

it's the carbon that will wear and tear, and at certain point you need to change it..

as for my case, mech says that mine was carbon build up instead of carbon wear and tear.. heh.

and i must agree too its a real tedious job, a very very tedious job to get the starter motor out..

tank out, carbs out, coolant hose out, then to ther starter motor..

btw, riding vtec 1 here, same prob as well.

fixed and now crankin good.

[sino74]

[Q] My Spec 1 just changed EO recently and on new year's eve.. i went down to shift my bike from the void deck only to realise that EO is leaking... I went back to my bike shop and the mech did a check on it.. he told me is the oil seal leaking.. and charge me $75 bucks. Is that the normal price?

[A] Different bike shops charge different rates.
Normally when oil seal is being replaced , engine oil will also be replaced.
As a customer , you have every right to ask the mechanic the breakdown for the total bill incurred.

any fellow riders experience this? wat should i do?

[A] Have your fork oil seals replaced including the fork oil.

think no one knows the answer?

[A] Best channel is to call Chong Aik as they are one of the Authorised Genuine Honda Parts Supplier.
They are more than willing to assist.

[Q]

hey guys, my bike is abt 6yrs old.
when i bought the bike, the stock horn is quite soft. i thot it's cause by the rust around it. but when i bought another stock horn, its still veri soft compared to my fren stock horn. ani reason for it? wiring? battery?

[A] If im not wrong , there is a nut in the front center of the horn.
Try 'play' with it first and hear if there is any difference.

[Q] ermm..for chroming the endcan,beside d.i.y,
where can send for chroming? as in polishing...seng kwang?
anyone knows?

[A] Can ask around bike shops in JB.

[Q] My Spec 1 is about to hit the 100K mark. I was thinking if any major servicing was needed. Hope to get some advice here. Thanks in advance.

[A] In my opinion , if your bike is running fine , don't need to do any major servicing. Just have your normal servicing as and when due.

[winim]

yes that is so very true.. next time if you cant start your bike and you hear that clicking sound again, you can try knocking on the starter area, otherwise you might want to push start the bike..

it's the carbon that will wear and tear, and at certain point you need to change it..

as for my case, mech says that mine was carbon build up instead of carbon wear and tear.. heh.

and i must agree too its a real tedious job, a very very tedious job to get the starter motor out..

tank out, carbs out, coolant hose out, then to ther starter motor..

btw, riding vtec 1 here, same prob as well.

fixed and now crankin good.

Can you advice bros here how much do you spent by changing the starter carbon ?