Author Topic: 1975 400F Rebuild Not A Restoration But A Nice Rider (Read 9491 times)

Apexxn · « **on:** November 25, 2012, 02:58:19 PM »

This bike was sitting outside for the past 15 years and was given to me to save it from being taken to the dump.

Initial tear down:

After 40 hours of work it's back on it's feet and moving on it's own down the road:

Torn down again for rebuild:

Frame, swingarm etc. in the booth for some single stage paint:

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2012, 06:55:00 PM »

The price was right! Good lord that fairing got beaten by the ugly stick. Good progress.

Apexxn · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2012, 07:28:54 PM »

I'm not sure what's worse the fairing or the seat.

Apexxn · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2012, 09:55:41 PM »

Ah freshly chromed og part, gotta love it.

jneuf · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2012, 11:09:43 AM »

Awesome! Another 400f build thread to subscribe to!

The seat, fairing, and luggage on that thing are hilarious. Probably doubled the bikes weight!

robnobrakes · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2012, 11:03:51 PM »

Would you know what the stock exhaust and headers weigh?

Apexxn · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2012, 11:11:39 PM »

I don't have the headers back yet from the chromer. When I do I'll weigh them for you.

robnobrakes · « **Reply #7 on:** December 21, 2012, 11:42:35 PM »

Quote from: Apexxn on December 21, 2012, 11:11:39 PM

I don't have the headers back yet from the chromer. When I do I'll weigh them for you.

You are very kind. Thank you.

Magpie · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2012, 09:29:22 AM »

Now THAT'S a nice save! Cliff.

Apexxn · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:22:35 PM »

I have all the chrome back but haven't had a chance to pull it all out of the box except the rims.

Cleaned up the hubs so I can get to lacing them up.

pencil9 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2013, 03:43:55 PM »

Beware of large rear mounted items, they cause wheel wobble !!! And CAN start a nasty wobble at speed !!! I don't think you plan on using this carrier but I thought I'd chime in on that just in case someone didn't know about that.

Apexxn · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:31:55 PM »

Started tearing down the engine.

Apexxn · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2013, 10:50:58 AM »

Finished lacing the wheels up.

Those are the original DID hoops with aftermarket spokes.

iron_worker · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2013, 11:03:51 AM »

Wheels are lookin great!

I can't imagine that 400 would be too happy pushing that fairing and big rear box through the air at highway speed though.

IW

thirsty 1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 14, 2013, 09:59:01 PM »

Where is the new chrome coming from? It looks real nice. Ill be doing the same this coming winter. I've started the parts buying process and am looking for a chromer.

jerry h · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2013, 07:37:10 AM »

Hi,
Wow, your chrome looks great!

Apexxn · « **Reply #16 on:** April 18, 2013, 11:16:51 AM »

A place here in California. I sent out emails with pics attached and asked for estimates. Not every place wanted to do it that way but enough responded that I was able to get a fair price on it.

To give you an idea. For all the pieces that you see on the plywood in the three pics above. I had a high of $1800 and a low of $750.

NobleHops · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2013, 12:50:40 PM »

Quote from: Apexxn on April 18, 2013, 11:16:51 AM

A place here in California. I sent out emails with pics attached and asked for estimates. Not every place wanted to do it that way but enough responded that I was able to get a fair price on it.

To give you an idea. For all the pieces that you see on the plywood in the three pics above. I had a high of $1800 and a low of $750.

Hey there!

N00b here, about to embark on a very similar project. Will follow yours closely!

Would you mind sharing your plater's info? I'm in NorCal. Also, how did you restore those hubs before you relaced the wheels? They look fantastic.

Looks great so far!

N.

Apexxn · « **Reply #18 on:** September 19, 2013, 09:29:49 AM »

Gorilla Plating

http://gorillachrome.com/get-a-quote

On the hubs mine were pretty bad so I started with 120 sand paper to get down to fresh clean material. Once I broke through the oxidation I worked smoother and smoother I'm sure you know the drill. On hubs that aren't as bad I can get away with a wire wheel on a bench grinder. The final stage I use Scotch Brite to give them a brushed aluminum finish.

Good luck on your project and feel free to ask any questions this is a good site with lots of veteran motorcyclists on it.

NobleHops · « **Reply #19 on:** November 05, 2013, 10:34:23 PM »

Awesome, thanks a ton for the info. Great work, I'll be right behind you.

...watching your every move. Muahaha. :-)

thirsty 1 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2013, 11:22:46 AM »

WOW good job!

Apexxn · « **Reply #21 on:** November 07, 2013, 10:24:03 AM »

These were tough. Both the legs and the tubes were in horrible condition. Probably the worse I've had to rebuild.

Much nicer.

Stev-o · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2013, 07:55:00 PM »

Looking good.....subscribed.

WIDave · « **Reply #23 on:** November 15, 2013, 05:12:31 PM »

Did you apply any finish to the front forks or just sanding and scotch brite?

Apexxn · « **Reply #24 on:** November 18, 2013, 10:09:50 AM »

I never apply any coating to forks. I've tried in the past and it will always chip. Once you get a chip you have to re-shoot the fork leg.

Leaving them raw works best for me or for those that I've done them for. I give them a fresh piece of "brite" and tell them how to maintain the look.

Hunter 1 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 18, 2013, 10:24:20 AM »

Wow, the forks turned out nice.

NobleHops · « **Reply #26 on:** December 20, 2013, 12:25:36 PM »

Quote from: Apexxn on November 07, 2013, 10:24:03 AM

These were tough. Both the legs and the tubes were in horrible condition. Probably the worse I've had to rebuild.

Apexnn,

Can you detail what you did to restore this fork please?

I was thinking along the lines of skinning the forks and putting the tubes in a lathe, and using a strip of crocus cloth to remove the rust and smooth the edges of the pits. But I am up for a simpler method for certain if that's what you have.

What about the legs? Same as the hubs as you mentioned above, eg light abrasives in finer and finer grits, followed by scotchbrite to get the final finish? Can you detail that please?

Much appreciated.

N.

Apexxn · « **Reply #27 on:** December 25, 2013, 12:21:10 PM »

On the tubes I've never seen anyone machine them. That is a special coating and I don't think you can turn it down, plus it would be smaller which might cause a leak from the seal.

I have had fork tubes recoated in the past at about $150 each. These that I had were in really bad condition and didn't want to chance it. I bought the tubes you see in the pic from David Silver Spares. Really nice tubes and worth the $120 each I paid for them.

The legs and the hubs are basically the same procedure with different grit and tools used based on the surface damage.

Not sure how much surface damage you have on your legs but start off with a finer grit just in one spot and see if you are getting down to fresh clean material. Mine were so bad I had to use a flap wheel on a grinder motor to break through. Then I went to 120 grit paper and finer and finer to get all the scratches out. If yours aren't too bad I have also had good results with a commercial wire wheel on a powerful grinder. There are so many ways to get it done it's hard to detail what exactly should be done on yours. Do you have a thread? Post what you are working with and what happens when you start cutting in to your legs and I'll post up with suggestions.

Just4fun · « **Reply #28 on:** December 25, 2013, 01:03:24 PM »

Very nice work, I have a couple of 400fs in process and will definitely be following your build. What scotchbrite do you use for the final finish? The white or do I need to ask a paint store for a certain grit?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Apexxn · « **Reply #29 on:** December 25, 2013, 02:09:57 PM »

Grey.

NobleHops · « **Reply #30 on:** December 25, 2013, 09:13:16 PM »

Apex, thanks a bunch, much appreciated. My build thread is here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=131210.0

Am out of town but will resume on Sunday, Dog Willing.

N.

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Author Topic: 1975 400F Rebuild Not A Restoration But A Nice Rider (Read 9491 times)