Topic: What would you have done differently if....

[clarkjh]

I like the narrow tires too, the big tires on a bike seem kind of goofy to me.  I would like to see more parts for our bikes.  Anyone know where we can get the original molds .

James

[eldar]

Well I do see the idea behind fatter ires and it is valid in racing applications. The more rubber you can put to the road, the faster you can corner and less spin on take off. You dont see dragsters running car tires do you? Nascar does not use a small little 165/14 tire. So while a rocket would benefit from a wide tire to maintain traction while going 200 around corners, a "chopper" has absolutly no use for them.

[bill440cars]

                          I don't like the huge hunk of rubber look either but, on the other hand I want a tire 
            somewhat larger than factory.  Now the tires on that came on my CB450K7, CL450K6, CB500K
            and CB550K aren't too badly sized (even though I want a little wider) But, the tires that came
            on the 63' CB77 are smaller than I want (especially the rear one.) I mean, come on the rear tire
            on that bike looks like it should be on the front! I understand the beef about the monster tires
            but, after improving other features and warming up the motor, I'd want a little more rubber on
            the ground to go along with it.    Just my 2 cents worth. Later on, Bill

[byidesign]

 I figured I would ask this one,
    The earlier tensioners{one's with problems,
   Would It be that hard to retro/redesign one
    that really works.{if it will keep some of these machines on the road}
        If anyone had some {pic's} of some{and where damage occurs...
     that they could post, I would like to see.
          I havn't seen anything that couldn't be
      repaired/replaced yet, and some of the new
        materials are much,much better..
          {Toolmaker/designer},by trade.
              When in doulbt.go downstairs,..and...make it.
                    Hope it helps
                        Bruce
             

[supersport_CB400F]

I've fixed a couple with a needle file .....the chain grinds and locks the pivot solid  

[JHansen]

Biffta, that tensioner arm is nothing...

The arm I pulled out of my 400 was so chewed up, it completely opened up that boxed in part on the other (non pivot) side if the arm. What was once a 4 sided piece of metal was ground into 3. Also took some pretty good chunks out of the chain tunnel in my barrels.

[supersport_CB400F]

Biffta, that tensioner arm is nothing...

The arm I pulled out of my 400 was so chewed up, it completely opened up that boxed in part on the other (non pivot) side if the arm. What was once a 4 sided piece of metal was ground into 3. Also took some pretty good chunks out of the chain tunnel in my barrels.

JH ouch that sounds like it was well worn, I’ve not seen one that bad but I’ve heard a couple of engines with some nasty noises coming out of them, so I guess they must have been in the same condition as yours. I can’t understand how people let them get that bad it’s only a day’s work to fix the problem.

[JHansen]

That motor sounded like it had two dozen marbles rattling inside it. To top it off, the cam chain tension adjuster bolt had somehow snapped off and was seized up in the thread, also causing the spring loaded plunger to seize in its location. What a pain to put back to rights! Took some doing but got her done!!!

It was a nasty surprise for me as I purchased the bike not knowing this as I was primarily familiar with 550's (my first bike).

This is the ultimate lession in doing YOUR HOMEWORK!! before purchasing!

I knew the motor had issues, but I assumed it to be complete and not have bolts broken off, etc!

[supersport_CB400F]

JH, well at least you know about some of the issues that the 400 engine has now, even if it was a bugger to put right! It gives you a bike that’s just fun to ride, I think you’ll agree? I wouldn’t swap my 400 for one of those sandcast 750 things I’d rather ride a bike and enjoy it  ...... than polish it and wonder what its value is. 

[JHansen]

Amen to that-

[byidesign]

Still a little reverse engineering, could keep a lot of bikes
 in good shape,and  on the road.
       Now I'm curious, I will have to find an old 400, just to
    experiment with it..
            Thanks
                Bruce