[longdistancerider]

In 1980 Honda in their infinite wisdom did away with kick starters on the 400 engines. If you have a manual transmission 400/450 without one it can be added.
400's:The lower engine case is machined already to accept the kick start parts. You need to split the case to install it. This fiche has all the parts needed to do it except for the actual kicker arm and side cover. You'll need to buy a side cover for a 1979 CB/CM and a arm. 1979 Honda CM400T A KICK STARTER | PartsFish.com . Section 11, Page 9 of the FSM covers the installation.
450's: The 450 motors are similar to the 400's in that the lower case is machined to accept the components. However due to having a 6 speed gearbox you will have to change the transmission to a 5 speed.
There are pictures and more info/answers about the process of checking this conversion out here; http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtop ... 14#p154614

 

[ahm1]

My cb400n has a 6 speed :?: would i still be able to put one on it or would i need to drop the 6th gear. is the shaft listed different to the one already on the bike

 

[longdistancerider]

My cb400n has a 6 speed :?: would i still be able to put one on it or would i need to drop the 6th gear. is the shaft listed different to the one already on the bike

I'm not positive on that. I'm having trouble finding a fiche w/numbers for the '81CB400N Aussie model. I'll assume that Honda kept the mechanicals the same for the 6 speeds and in that case you'd have to use the 5 speed gears and shift drum.

 

[ahm1]

http://www.cmsnl.com/- not that i'm telling you to go look at it for my sake haha but i find this site the most comprehensive for fiches

 

[longdistancerider]

http://www.cmsnl.com/- not that i'm telling you to go look at it for my sake haha but i find this site the most comprehensive for fiches

:lol: :lol: That's where I went for your bike. Shows an '83 which knowing Honda is the same. Unfortunately the trans fiche starts with item 8 and I wanted the part # for item 1 to compare with the US 450 version which is probably the same 6 speed. In the US however 400's only had 5 speeds and the 450's got 6 speeds. The rest of the world got more interesting versions. I'll keep trying to figure out a definitive answer for you.

 

[Elilang]

I have a 400 with a kick. 1978... I went on a long ride today and noticed that the kickstand started making a light buzzing / grinding sound if it was not in the perfect place. If I hit it with my leg a little it grinds and sounds bad... Anyone know a solution for this?

 

[66Sprint]

I'm assuming you mean kickstarter lever, not "kickstand".......
Remove lever, allow shaft to fully return (it's spring loaded) and reinstall lever in a position that won't interfere with your leg......

 

[Elilang]

I'm assuming you mean kickstarter lever, not "kickstand".......
Remove lever, allow shaft to fully return (it's spring loaded) and reinstall lever in a position that won't interfere with your leg......

Yup, kickstarter lever... Thanks I will give that a try.

 

[slctracker]

Looks like my starter went out, so I have decided I am gonna have to give up riding until spring and would like to spend the money on the kick starter switch over instead. Looking at the link for the 400 I see that it says quite a few of the pieces are now discontinued. Any idea on how to go about getting these or any other suggestions for making the switch? Thanks!

 

[longdistancerider]

Everything will be used parts from a 78 or 79 CB/CM 400. Kick starter went away in 1980. The lower case doesn't need to be changed since it's already machined but you will need the right case cover.

 

[jjb226]

can i do away with my battery after i put in the kick start?

 

[Franchesco_94]

i think your battery powers your lights and horn, as well as starts it, unless you have something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-Nor...-eliminator-/201020218937?hash=item2ecdbd1e39

 

[longdistancerider]

Yes, that can be done. Use the search function for battery eliminator. The link from Franchesco is for a positive earth unit and won't work since we are a negative earth electrical system. I would suggest that keeping the battery is a better idea even one of the smaller ones

 

[Franchesco_94]

good to know cause i almost bought one

 

[LandofRath]

I know the kick starter from the CM200 will bolt right up to the rebel 250 so it doesn't surprise me that this works with other models.

 

[Drey6]

Everything will be used parts from a 78 or 79 CB/CM 400. Kick starter went away in 1980. The lower case doesn't need to be changed since it's already machined but you will need the right case cover.

Looks to be all there except for the plate stopper?, then will need a kicker and case cover and that would be all correct?

http://bit.ly/1j3YUeq

 

[longdistancerider]

I only see 1 of the 3 washers and the square piece is missing also.
Hammond Indiana, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Polaris, Ski, Tucker Rocky, Parts, ATV, Motorcycle, UTV, Accessories, Apparel,

 

[Drey6]

I messaged the seller and the square piece could be under the spring? And the other washer on the other side of the gear out of the photo ? So hopefully only one washer missing.

 

[Douglittle]

I am in the middle of converting 1981 CB400T to kick start. Bought a side cover, kick assembly, and kick lever on Ebay with not much trouble. Upon installation I realized that the set I ordered was missing a couple pieces. I didn't do my homework properly and bought an incomplete set. I found a complete set today and ordered. The only thing I have doubts about is that the kick shaft slides in and out a little bit like it's missing a spacer, but the fiche doesn't call for one. Hopefully the new set I ordered off of a 78 CB400 will work better.. are all these parts the same or are they a little different?

Drey, if i have pieces left over that you need i would be happy to send to you.

Thanks, all!

 

[longdistancerider]

There is a bit of play in the shaft, not a problem