The nut I believe sets the preload of the main spring. Possibly a spacer of some sort will help, comparison to the other fork might reveal sizing needed
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The Pinup Bike - CB400T II
- Thread starter Syco13x
- Start date
RobMan
Veteran Member
Found these on ebay, both listings show 2 available. Kinda expensive with shipping but if you need them.....
Syco13x
Member
@RobMan - Thank you for finding those. Definitely a bit expensive but something to consider. I'm still searching and thinking about alternate paths, but may have to just bite the bullet and spend the money.
@LongDistanceRider - Thank you for the input. I have both forks dismantled currently, both missing the nuts and seal washers. Do you know if that special nut is the same thread sizing as the top nut of the forks? I'm assuming it matches that and threads down to the end of the top threading I saw inside the tube. But I haven't examined it closely either.
@LongDistanceRider - Thank you for the input. I have both forks dismantled currently, both missing the nuts and seal washers. Do you know if that special nut is the same thread sizing as the top nut of the forks? I'm assuming it matches that and threads down to the end of the top threading I saw inside the tube. But I haven't examined it closely either.
No, I don't know the size/pitch
Syco13x
Member
Yesterday I was able to ride! Always a better day when I get to ride. And yesterday was my Friday at work as well, so even better!
The valve adjustment did a lot to making the engine sound better overall. Quieter I suppose and smoother. So I guess it’s good that task was forced upon me with the broken bolt and weepy cover gasket. Teach me to be lazy about things too.
My front end… man! It feels glued to the ground now that there is oil in the forks! I knew it would be a difference, but I didn’t expect it to feel quite so planted. Now I feel the inferior quality of the rear shocks. My butt bounces down the rode more. lol! So that may be the next thing to handle. I have some adjustment left on the stock shocks (which I assume are the original shocks), but I’m not sure how much an adjustment will help with that bounce. But I’ll try the various settings for sure.
Regarding the lack of the special nut and washer in the top of my forks… I cut a couple pieces of 1/2” PVC pipe, somewhere between 2-3” long, and used that as the pre-load for the forks. Seems like it’s working well.
The valve adjustment did a lot to making the engine sound better overall. Quieter I suppose and smoother. So I guess it’s good that task was forced upon me with the broken bolt and weepy cover gasket. Teach me to be lazy about things too.
My front end… man! It feels glued to the ground now that there is oil in the forks! I knew it would be a difference, but I didn’t expect it to feel quite so planted. Now I feel the inferior quality of the rear shocks. My butt bounces down the rode more. lol! So that may be the next thing to handle. I have some adjustment left on the stock shocks (which I assume are the original shocks), but I’m not sure how much an adjustment will help with that bounce. But I’ll try the various settings for sure.
Regarding the lack of the special nut and washer in the top of my forks… I cut a couple pieces of 1/2” PVC pipe, somewhere between 2-3” long, and used that as the pre-load for the forks. Seems like it’s working well.
Boosted
Veteran Member
Re-positioning the 5-way pre-load/unload dials should help significantly, you'll see !
#5 = SuperSport (stiff) mode
#1 = soft 'n slow joy mode
Syco13x
Member
Thank you for the simplified explanation. I had set mine to #2 a while back, but went ahead and set it to #5 today based on how it felt with the front end rebuild. Figure I’ll just work it down from there now as needed. Hopefully the adjustments do prove worthwhile. But at least the TEC shocks that are available aren’t crazy expensive if they end up being needed.
Denny K
Veteran Member
I put a set of TEC shocks on my bike 4 years ago. There is a thread in steering and suspension “installing new shocks” that might be of interest to you. The parts were priced right, I received quick responses to my question, and they performed great IMHO.
And here is the thread:
Installing new shocks
Folks, Have bought a new set of rear shocks from Tec Bikes for my 400T1. Checked the shop manual and all it says is remove the chain guard first. Changing the shocks looks pretty straight forward, but this bike does not have a center stand. I will loosen all the bolts first but wondered if it...
www.vintagehondatwins.com
Syco13x
Member
Thank you for the information and that linked thread @Denny K and @ancientdad. Informative for sure. I’ll play around with my current shocks, but worst case scenario is a replacement. Sounds like a pretty straight forward job too, even better!
I used them on the CB400T1, good fit and ride
tecbikepartsusa.com
CB250N, CB400N, CB400T/AT TEC shock absorbers | TEC Bike Parts USA
Pair of TEC replica chrome shocks with Progressive springs to fit Honda CB250N, CB400N, CB400t/at, super dream 1977-85 Correct spring rate, length and bushes. Fork top and Fork bottom mounts Unlike many pattern and universal shocks these are the correct length If you cannot find the type you...
tecbikepartsusa.com
Syco13x
Member
So I have the shock preload maxed to level 5. Feels a ton better! But I do worry that needing to be maxed and not being an overly stiff ride, means the shocks are worn. But I can live with that for now.
Had to lube the throttle cables and adjust the free play, throttle was a bit sticky on the last ride.
Also had to re-patch the fuel tank. I knew the previous owner had a JB Weld patch on there. It was very obvious. It started seeping last week. So I removed the old glob of JB Weld, did a little soldered patch and patched over that with JB Weld Steelstick. Cosmetically I made it look better than the PO, but I need to come up with a more permanent solution for my own sanity. Finding these tanks in decent shape at a price I want to pay is tough though! And I don’t really want to use the tank liner method. Still researching and exploring options for the tank though.
Haven’t ridden much though, because I’m in my on-call rotation at work and that requires to drive the company vehicle during the rotation. Has its perks, but not riding is definitely a con. Just need a clear weekend to give the bike a fun little adventure ride somewhere other than work. lol!
Had to lube the throttle cables and adjust the free play, throttle was a bit sticky on the last ride.
Also had to re-patch the fuel tank. I knew the previous owner had a JB Weld patch on there. It was very obvious. It started seeping last week. So I removed the old glob of JB Weld, did a little soldered patch and patched over that with JB Weld Steelstick. Cosmetically I made it look better than the PO, but I need to come up with a more permanent solution for my own sanity. Finding these tanks in decent shape at a price I want to pay is tough though! And I don’t really want to use the tank liner method. Still researching and exploring options for the tank though.
Haven’t ridden much though, because I’m in my on-call rotation at work and that requires to drive the company vehicle during the rotation. Has its perks, but not riding is definitely a con. Just need a clear weekend to give the bike a fun little adventure ride somewhere other than work. lol!
Remember that the damping action of the shocks is not changed by the spring preload adjustment, it just increases the spring pressure to handle more passenger or cargo weight. It doesn't necessarily mean the damping action is gone, though at their age it could be diminished some.
Syco13x
Member
@ancientdad That is a good point about the suspension. I’m not overly tuned into suspension in general. Always been somebody who just keeps what the bike comes with and tend to be ok with it. lol! This is the first bike I’ve had where I knew the suspension was in need of help. Currently it is completely rideable and comfortable as is though. Just need some more padding in the old seat now. lol!
Somewhere, someone sells a pad that can be strapped over the seat to add some comfort, I'm sure someone here has seen one or mentioned it before.
Syco13x
Member
After patching the fuel tank, I needed to touch up the paint. Decided to just rattle can it all for now, same blue that it was, just to have the patch protected and to get rid of the sticker residue from all the pinup stickers. I did sand everything lightly but ended up with some orange peel texture from the nozzle on the spray paint. This isn’t the final paint job though, so I’m not too worried about it. I’ll do custom paint at a later time.
While undergoing all of this I took the tired tank badges off and painted them with some black and white enamel paints. Maybe not a stock look, but I prefer it to the silver and black, and the paint helps to cover up some of the dents and dings on these things.
FYI: The overspray on the protective loom on the throttle cables was not from me, that’s the PO’s doing. I took the tank off the bike to paint it.
Here is the tank before the paint, to show the patch job. Not pretty, but I just need it functional for now.
While undergoing all of this I took the tired tank badges off and painted them with some black and white enamel paints. Maybe not a stock look, but I prefer it to the silver and black, and the paint helps to cover up some of the dents and dings on these things.
FYI: The overspray on the protective loom on the throttle cables was not from me, that’s the PO’s doing. I took the tank off the bike to paint it.
Here is the tank before the paint, to show the patch job. Not pretty, but I just need it functional for now.