Honda 400 Four - who bought one way back when?

Need a hand here, for the usual reasons....

I'm trying to track down someone, anyone, who bought a 400 Four when
they came out - so back in 1975-78. Anyone?

Just need to ask you hald a dozen questions, and if poss get a mugshot.
If there's a decent pic of the bike, that would be brilliant.

Reply on group or to chateau-dot-murray-at-dsl-dot-pipex-dot-com

 

A chap I worked with has one which I think he bought new, way back when.

e-mailed

--
Martin:
"For a minute there, you bored me to death."
VTR1000 Firestorm
TDR250 http://ukrm.net/BIKES/Yamaha/tdr250.html
martin dot smith nine zero three at ntlworld dot com

 

On 20 May 2005 01:29:34 -0700, "[email protected]

My elder brother bought one 2nd hand in about 1977. Don't think I've
any pictures but I might be able to answer your questions for him.
Blue, it was.

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

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, "[email protected]

"Have you still got it?"
"Can I have it?"
"Can I get it cheap?"
"Has it got good mudguards?"
"Can I have them?"
"Have you heard about the midgets and the lions?"

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets
and Ducati Race Engineer.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
ZZR1100, Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"

 

"can I sit on it, I promise I won't break it"

 

*Nice*

 

LOL

You utter, utter cnut. I hope the Blingmobile falls off the ramp and
squashes you.

 

bwahahahahaha!

 

Yes, I did - of course I don't still have it. (Repossessed).

What are the questions?

What's the mugshot for?

I've got a pic of the bike but it dependes what you call decent - cameras
weren't great back then!

Cheers, Mick.

 

Wanted poster, obviously...

<Looks at array of decent cameras ranging from the 1950s to 1980s>

Sir must've been buying the wrong cameras then.

 

Te he - Sir was a 17 year old on £40 a week who'd bought a bike he couldn't
afford, never mind anything better than an instamatic 120!

 

Sir must've been buying the wrong cameras then.

I would have had to wait 2 months for one with my newly found RAF pay-packet
weighing heavily in ones pocket, I bought a KH250 instead*.

* Big mistake, for spent the next 3 years riding from Gutersloh in Germany
to Liverpool and back every 6 weeks on a KH250!** (Did a 24hr return once)

**I must have been pi55ed, or in Lust! Though a UK registered KH250 got a
lot of + comments from the Germans at the Mohne Dam.

Which is why I have just bought a 400/4, better late than never, and having
taken up shares in David Silver parts, she is looking the Mutts Nutts now.
Sadly grounded for 3 weeks though whilst the wheels are rebuilt. However I
fully expect to role out a better than new 400-4 next spring after a total
rebuild when it gets a little cooler.

One for discussion:

After blasting the frame, pros and cons for powder coat or paint? I have
had several comments already and remain undecided. Apparently the original
form was paint, and I would like to know if powder coat will "appear" any
different, as concours is my guide rather than master.

Ride Safely

 

KH250 was my first bike too. And looking at your registration Number they
must have been next to each other in the paperwork department as mine was
OKB 438S Blue it was got it from Renshaws in Liverpool £680

 

Powder coating has one big downside over painting - if it gets chipped
or damaged it's almost impossible to touch up. Instead, you have to
strip all the coating off and redo it as there's a higher chance of
moisture getting trapped between the coating and the frame.

Plus, it does look different if you know what you're looking for.

The frame for the Motosport has been stove enameled - this looks more
like the original paint but still gives a harder, better wearing finish
compared to simply painting it.

 

OKB 178S is the Honda 400-4 presently draining my bank balance but giving me
a smug grin! The electric blue KH250 B3 originated from Sleaford Lincs and
was labled UDO 963S, and I kept her 5 years before falling into the young
family = no bike, an Escort just isnt the same game. The 4-4 is Liverpool
registered, and I would like to know which dealer originally sold her, as I
would like to replicate the original number plate. A mate with a very
similar plate bought his in 1978 from Cundle Motors, which sadly is no more.
For me Cundles or Bill Smith Motors are the most likely originators. Was
Renshaws the Kawasaki only dealer tucked away in a small cul-de-sac?

 

Lust was usually the reason why I did improbably long journeys on my
first bike. You'd go through snow, sleet, hail and rain to get a shag at
the end of it.

That and the fact that the bike was the only transport option, really.

"Ja! If ve had had zer schmokeschreen like zat, zer verdamnt Tommies
vould never have bombed zer dam!"

Nice. There's a picture of mine here:

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

Powder coat often has a slightly more matt effect than paint. Looks
perfectly good, though - and it's cheap. I'd recommend stove enamelling,
though, if you have someone round your way who can do it.

 

The 400/4 Restoration project bike (and the well travelled KH250) can be
seen here:

http://www.artistic.flyer.co.uk/Honda.htm

If anybody wants a serviceable seat, exhaust or shock absorbers, or
indicators, make me an offer I cant refuse and they are yours:

 

That's coming along nicely.

Ebay. YKIMS.

 

Sometime around Fri, 20 May 2005 21:01:29 +0100, Timo Geusch babbled on
about:

Modern shite, get yourself a Voigtlander.

 

1950s Leica does the job well enough, thanks.