Topic: Restoring my dads 400/4 opinions please.

[ComfySofa]

As above im just about to start on the weekend. Now, im going to keep it as "kinda" oem as possible with a few tweaks...

1. Once its apart (down to the frame) The plan is to have the frame, swing arm, and other large steel parts powder coated. Our local guy is really good. Does a 2 part process. Weatherproof undercoat and then the colour on top...

2. Replace bolts wherever possible with stainless or Ti (not for the weight saving) but because ti cleans up incredibly well and stays nice and bright.

3. Electrics: keep all the switch gear oem along with all the lights but, im thinking of one of these to replace the fusebox...ive got one of these in my 525 supermoto but without the bluetooth connectivity. A long way from oem and state of the art but my thinking is if this in there itll make the electrics a lot more reliable, plus notify of service intervals.

https://motogadget.com/shop/en/m-unit-blue.html

[robvangulik]

1. Cool
2. Excellent
3. The electrics on my 400 didn't fail me once since 1975, how reliable do you want it?

[Dimitri13]

When you powdercoat the frame, or really any part of the bike, prep work is key. Masking off mating surfaces, bolt holes, or any space something goes through is a lifesaver.

I had my frame and engine powdercoated, and I spent at least 10 hours with a die grinder and dremel taking down all those surfaces. The places where the engine mounts was paramount because your bike will not work unless it's properly grounded.

When you replace bolts, be aware of galvanic corrosion. For example, stainless steel bolts into aluminum engine parts. Use anti-seize to prevent it. Also note that anti-seize acts as a lubricant and some say it affects torque so don't overtighten anything. The stainless steel is harder than the aluminum, so that's where you'll get your damage.

I don't know anything about the m-unit as it wasn't around when I started my project (otherwise I'd most certainly have one) but I've been seeing it on a lot of bikes on youtube and such.

[ComfySofa]

The powdercoating bloke does the whole job, masking off, blasting and coating....hes really good - he did my 525 5years back and it still looks like new.

Bolts: Brilliant - ill bear that in mind.

Electrics: Well, it does away with the fusebox, relays, and just makes it that bit nicer to use/gives me a bit more faith in an old bike!

Once restored itll never see the rain or any damp for that matter, again. The plan will be to use it now and again just literally to turn the engine over and look after it...a lot of sentimental value (while ill be owning it)

[Tomshep]

Never, ever use a copper anti seize compound between stainless steel and aluminium. Only the uneducated do this because it increases the rate of corrosion massively by providing two galvanic cells instead of one. I used to design ROVs in a previous existence and designed quite a lot of corrosion detecting instrumentation for oil rigs  (Which they don't like falling over). We used a compound called TEF-GEL between dissimilar metals as an anti seize but where we used stainless for strength with aluminium for lightness, we always designed a nylon fitting between them because seawater would destroy both parts in a few days.

[jakec]

Never, ever use a copper anti seize compound between stainless steel and aluminium. Only the uneducated do this because it increases the rate of corrosion massively by providing two galvanic cells instead of one. I used to design ROVs in a previous existence and designed quite a lot of corrosion detecting instrumentation for oil rigs  (Which they don't like falling over). We used a compound called TEF-GEL between dissimilar metals as an anti seize but where we used stainless for strength with aluminium for lightness, we always designed a nylon fitting between them because seawater would destroy both parts in a few days.

how about aluminum?

[seanbarney41]

From the picture of your bike I saw in your other thread...Your freakin' crazy to do anything to that other than clean it and ride it.  It's only original once.  Leave it that way.

or your pic is not showing something really bad

[Tomshep]

Agreed.

[jakec]

Just saw the pics, I agree leave it alone. If you want to do a restoration I get it, but if you start getting “creative” with your restoration you’re gona wreck a perfectly fine original bike  and the next person to own it will be looking at your for sale ad dreaming of undoing the personal touches.. I know you’re probably thinking #$%* this guy it’s my bike i’ll Do what I want and I’m never selling it. But this situation plays out daily on the various bike forums

[bryanj]

What pics? Cant find anything to comment on!

[Alaxy Galaxy]

In his introduction post, there's a picture of his CB400F.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180935.msg2096602.html#msg2096602

It looks really great. I'd do as others have mentioned; replace worn or missing bits (tires, rubbers, chain, brake pads, etc).

My dad once told me that the next thing I should do with my CB400F would be to remove the dents in the tank and paint it. I said I wouldn't, because then it would look all shiny and new and all of a sudden the exhaust would look a bit dull and pitted at some spots. And then I'd spend 1500$ on a repro exhaust but then the frame would look worst for wear. So then I'd disassemble it and get it painted and then the engine would look road-rashed. So I'd take that apart to get it painted, but might as well... etc.

So, in the end, I'd have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars and in the BEST case scenario, I'd have a bike that would run no better than it did before but that I'd be weary of riding for fear of scratching it. And it the worst case - and typical - scenario, the bike would become an unfinished "project" in boxes.

If it were me, I'd ride the damn thing and remember the good times.

[Tomshep]

Your father kept it well. It is a tribute to his memory. Leave it alone and just ride it.

[carnivorous chicken]

I agree with the others, clean up what's there, get it running, replace the rubber, and ride it. That thing looks great the way it is.