[Clemonte]

Hello,
First of all sorry in advance for my bad English I'm from Germany and not really into posting on forums

I have signed up to this forum because I have a weird issue with my Dads '81 CM400T which is really annoying and I don't know how to solve it.

After pretty much standing still for the last 5 years I took the bike to my garage and serviced it (Battery, oil, airfilter, spark plugs, timing chain adjusted, valve adjustment, carbs cleaned and synced)

The bike starts right up runs super smooth and is fun to ride. I took it out 4-5 times, no issues.
Yesterday after about an hour of riding and stopping by a lake for about 5 minutes she wouldn't start.
Starter is turning the engine over lights are working but wouldn't start.

So I checked for spark and there was nothing.
Then I tried push starting it and she fired right up with little to no effort and ran great all the way back to my garage.
Back home I tried shutting her off and starting her again and as if nothing ever happened she started right up.

My Dad told me he had this happen a couple of times back in the day when he was riding around a bit more.

Does this sound familiar to anyone on here or can someone point me in a direction please as I don't really know what to do about this sporadic issue.

Best regards Clemens

 

[ancientdad]

Clemens, it's possible you have an intermittent problem with the electronic ignition, the SOHC 400 models are a bit known for it. While you wait for those with experience in the problem to help you, please check your Conversations as below

 

[longdistancerider]

I'll suggest starting here Ignition Diagnosis for CB/CM 400/450 and CB450SC manual trans 1978-1986

 

[Clemonte]

Did all the measuring and the only thing that seems out of the ordinary is the resistance between the light blue and brown wires.

Should range from 203-207, mine is at 133.5. 🙈

 

[longdistancerider]

That's the primary pickup circuit so that explains the problem. Now to locate a good stator or a rebuilt one. The pickup isn't available separately.

 

[Clemonte]

Had a Bit of a hard time finding a pick up but was able to finally source one.

Took it around the neighborhood a couple of times and it seems to work fine! 😊👍

Haven't had a chance to take it on a longer trip as I had an accident on the Suzuki which means I won't be able to ride for a while.

One thing I did notice on the Honda is that the front brake seems to leak a little bit of brake fluid at the lever. 🙈

 

[J-T]

Congratulations! Mind telling us where you found a pickup?

 

[Clemonte]

Well I bought a complete used stator with the pick up on it from a guy who parted out his cb400 🤷‍♂️