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Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 19 Aug 2018, 12:55
by kiwikrasher
http://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/detai ... AD-5466999

So the track bike money is still sitting in an envelope waiting to be spent. So had a bit of a gander on Bikesales as you do.

Found this, I’ve looked at a few GB’s but not seen one that’s as well presented as this seems to be. I used to go into the local bike shop as a kid and lust after one of these for ages. I like the ‘idea’ of having one as a second bike.

But does anyone has experience with one? Any things to look out for? I don’t expect it to be fast, handle well or be overly comfortable on long trips. But I have had an itch for a cafe racer style bike for a while and this would be fulfilling a childhood dream.

Due to its age I can register it under a ‘club rego’ and it can be used unlimited for club events and up to 60 days personal use and the cost is considerably less than normal rego.

What’s the vote??

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 19 Aug 2018, 13:55
by Kwacky
Go for it, that looks very smart without being too blingy or tarty.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 19 Aug 2018, 15:05
by C00kiemonster
Thats cool - simple as that.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 19 Aug 2018, 17:02
by D41
Do you want an honest opinion, or should I be friendly & supportive??

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 19 Aug 2018, 20:42
by duke63
We must all be getting old......or we gave all been there and done that and what to try something different.

That's a nice looking bike but I have no idea what it's like to ride.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 19 Aug 2018, 20:44
by StMarks
Fwiw I really like the way it looks. Tidy looking job that.
Don't think the idea of owning one (or even riding one much) appeals though.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 20 Aug 2018, 01:25
by kiwikrasher
D41 wrote:Do you want an honest opinion, or should I be friendly & supportive??
You’re honest opinion, but it goes to the bottom of the list of opinions till you start riding again :P

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 20 Aug 2018, 01:28
by kiwikrasher
duke63 wrote:We must all be getting old......or we gave all been there and done that and what to try something different.

That's a nice looking bike but I have no idea what it's like to ride.
I’d never have it as a only bike. But the Multi is a lump to just pop into town on and because it’s hot plenty of go I keep misbehaving. I’m quite keen to have something slower and more old school to just tootle on.

Reading online and those that have owned one seem to love ‘em even though they concede they aren’t rocket ships at all.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 20 Aug 2018, 01:32
by kiwikrasher
StMarks wrote:Fwiw I really like the way it looks. Tidy looking job that.
Don't think the idea of owning one (or even riding one much) appeals though.
It’s a real nostalgia thing for me St Marks. I learnt to ride on this era of bike, old CB250 & Z440 etc. I don’t have any expectations of a stunning ride, just something to tinker with and go for a casual bimble when it strikes me.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 20 Aug 2018, 12:30
by kiwikrasher
Got hold of the owner, scheduled in a chat about it tomorrow evening. If it’s as good as it looks in the advert and I can get him down to $4,500 I reckon I’ll get it.

I’ve done a bit of research and the engine is based on the XL 600 engine, bottom end is pretty much identical so has potential for getting more out of it, but doubt I’ll go down that line, i like
the idea of keeping it pretty standard. It’s just hit 30 yrs old so in Aus at least considered a classic so its value should hold or even appreciate in the future

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 20 Aug 2018, 15:36
by D41
kiwikrasher wrote:
D41 wrote:Do you want an honest opinion, or should I be friendly & supportive??
You’re honest opinion, but it goes to the bottom of the list of opinions till you start riding again :P
St.Marks pretty much nails it.
I think the idea of owning one is outweighing the reality of riding one.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 20 Aug 2018, 22:07
by Frankie
I like the look of that... buy it, have fun :)

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 26 Aug 2018, 03:37
by kiwikrasher
So I’ve decided not to buy this. Post surgery I don’t know when or even if I’ll be able to ride again. Plus money is going to be tight. I’m looking at a long stretch off work and the income protection is only going to cover about 60-70% of my current income.

If I make it through this bullsh*t I will buy a second bike and be damned with cost.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 26 Aug 2018, 12:14
by Frankie
Sorry to read this mate...lots of positive thoughts and wishes being sent..

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 22 Sep 2018, 10:57
by kiwikrasher
He’s still got it, going to see him Wednesday with $4,500 cash in my pocket. If it’s as advertised and he drops to that, i’ll take it.

I’m more confident I still have a riding life ahead of me and it ticks a lot of boxes for me.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 27 Sep 2018, 11:16
by kiwikrasher
Bought it today for $4,700.

When I took it for a test ride it was stalling heaps and dying, but being a old school bike with a choke I thought it was just me getting to know where the choke needed to be. After 5 mins it came good and rode well, well the motor ran fine at least.

It’s gutless, handles like a marshmallow and the brakes feel wooden, the rear drum seems to work better than the front disk.

But I love it all the same. It’s raw and old school and makes me feel like I’m a naughty teenager again.

If I want fast, smooth and great handling, I’ll jump on the Multi.

So got home, took it off the trailer. Started it up and let it warm up well. Off down the road and within two mins it stopped dead. A couple of mins later it started no problem. The fuel has been in the bike for a few months so wondered if it dragged some crap through. Well in the 10 km to Jess’ it died 5 times. Luckily most the trip is down hill so I rolled as much as I could. Waiting a couple of minutes and it started fine every time. So wondering if it’s a fuel filter. Had it before where it was sucking all the crap onto the filter and starving then withnit jot running all the crap drops away and it’ll run again for a short period.

Eventually made it to Jess’. So guess my first job is to drain the old fuel out, change the filter and see how it goes. They are pretty basic so I’m confident I can sort it ok. I’m guessing the two hours of bouncing around on the trailer has stirred up all the crap from the bottom of the tank and been dragged through once I ran it.

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 27 Sep 2018, 11:42
by Cavetroll87
don't you juts love old bikes with character ;) good luck and hopefully its an easy fix!

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 27 Sep 2018, 12:12
by kiwikrasher
Cavetroll87 wrote:don't you juts love old bikes with character ;) good luck and hopefully its an easy fix!
Me too!!

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 27 Sep 2018, 12:53
by StMarks
kiwikrasher wrote:.....Eventually made it to Jess’. So guess my first job is to drain the old fuel out, change the filter and see how it goes. ....
Part of the fun of bike ownership imho. -Our modern machines are so well engineered & reliable that we almost "miss out" on anything but basic maintenance.
Enjoy. :)

Re: Honda GB400 TT

Posted: 28 Sep 2018, 01:01
by kiwikrasher
StMarks wrote:
kiwikrasher wrote:.....Eventually made it to Jess’. So guess my first job is to drain the old fuel out, change the filter and see how it goes. ....
Part of the fun of bike ownership imho. -Our modern machines are so well engineered & reliable that we almost "miss out" on anything but basic maintenance.
Enjoy. :)
Looks like I’ve fixed the issue already. The clip on the fuel hose to the carb was not gripping and the hose had slipped off a bit and kinked. Cut it a bit shorter and squeezed up the clip and she’s all good! Got up my hill a lot better than I was expecting!