Author Topic: Tom's 400/4 Refurb begins....... (Read 13914 times)

supersport_CB400F · « **Reply #50 on:** December 21, 2006, 01:00:13 PM »

Quote from: malcolmgb on December 21, 2006, 11:30:29 AM

Quote from: _biffta_ on December 20, 2006, 04:05:14 PM
I’m in the same thoughts about my new/old spoke’d wheels, I like the alloys on my bike but the insurance company has knocked a chunk off the value of the bike because it’s not original! I thought I was a nit picker but those people are just knobs! Seems the wheels and exhaust are the key parts for a good agreed valuation and the alloys have de-valued my bike by about 1/3 and I’m going to fix that. So DiD rims re chromed is not a problem but finding Honda spokes…mmm, lets see if the knob picks up on that slight change from Honda with the new spokes.

hi Dave have you still got my name on those wheels when you are ready to sell ??

Mal, You have first offer once my wheel refurb is done, they pose lots of questions from ex 400/4 owners I meet when I'm out and about, most think I have Yamaha wheels on the bike

Tim2005 · « **Reply #51 on:** December 21, 2006, 03:11:24 PM »

Quote from: MadDogMcq on December 21, 2006, 05:09:28 AM

If I was doing an nut-&-bolt restoration I'd obviously want to do a tip-top job on the hubs, but since I'm merely doing a refurb, ready for the spring/summer, I decided to blast the hubs and paint them prior to having the polished stainless-steel spokes fitted. The brake-plate is going to be polished alloy finish.

Purely for practical reasons I'd prefer to have alloys like Biffta's but they do kinda take something away from the bike's originality. To be honest, I'm not even happy with the electronic ignition that's fitted to mine even though I know it makes perfect sense to have it.

Tom.

I'm not sure what a tip-top job on the hubs would be.. I can't work out what the original coating is! Anyway, paint seems the best idea but I was concerned about whether it'd crack etc around the spoke holes as you tighten the spokes. I think powder coat would fil the spoke holes/mounting areas too much (& you'd be forever retightening spokes too)... while polishing would look good but be so tricky to maintain. Did you use an etch primer & normal paint?

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #52 on:** December 22, 2006, 12:40:55 AM »

Yes Tim, primer and normal paint. You got me wondering now, what I would have actually chosen if I was doing a full-blown resto $:-\$ I guess I'd have posed the question to the more experienced guys on here and followed their advice.

jtb · « **Reply #53 on:** December 22, 2006, 06:10:46 AM »

Tom, That tank looks great! I saw a 400/4F at 29 Dreams motorcycle resort here last Sat, it was nice, but I am proud to say, "Not nearly as nice as my F2"

John

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #54 on:** December 23, 2006, 07:40:21 AM »

Just discovered that the head-gasket is leaking oil along the front edge. It was previously hidden by the exhaust downpipes but looking closely, it appears to be pretty excessive. I'm going to check the head-bolt torque-settings to see if they are significantly below what they should be but I've got the awful feeling that I need to take the head off.

Does the engine have to come out for that job on the 400/4 or can it be done it situ??

The money pit? You're right Biffta! $:-\$

aptech77 · « **Reply #55 on:** December 23, 2006, 07:46:36 AM »

You can do it in the frame.

supersport_CB400F · « **Reply #56 on:** December 23, 2006, 09:02:03 AM »

I thought I was the only money pit owner!

You can do the job in the frame and if you have to take the head off, check your cam chain tensioner arm while it’s off, good luck!

Dave

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #57 on:** December 28, 2006, 01:55:04 PM »

Decided to spend some time on the carbs this afternoon. It was one of those jobs that I've been dreading because they were in a horrible state and they're so damned fiddly to work with. Anyway, after sealing all the various orifices, I began work. As I've said previously, I've been soaking the carbs in cellulose-thinners, so I'm pleased to report that the job wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Cellulose-thinners will probably be banned by the boys in Brussels, so buy some stock while you still can!

This is before....

This is after the first bout....

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #58 on:** December 28, 2006, 02:11:04 PM »

By the way, to avoid any bits of dust, rust and other debris from entering the throats of the carbs, I sealed them with polythene secured with cable-ties front and rear....

medic09 · « **Reply #59 on:** December 28, 2006, 02:26:44 PM »

Are you telling us that was just from soaking?

Can't be.

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #60 on:** December 28, 2006, 04:47:10 PM »

Quote from: medic09 on December 28, 2006, 02:26:44 PM

Are you telling us that was just from soaking?
Can't be.

Hell no!

You should see the state of my fingers - they're bleeding!!!

736cc · « **Reply #61 on:** December 28, 2006, 05:08:34 PM »

Re: hub and wheel refinishing, I had good results by vapor-blasting (NOT sand or bead blasting) the hubs then rattle-canning w/ Eastwoods Clear Coat. Used unpolished SS spokes fom Buchanans; they only carried siver nickle plated nipples, so I ordered plain steel nipples and had them yellow-zinced.

736cc · « **Reply #62 on:** December 28, 2006, 05:09:00 PM »

Re: hub and wheel refinishing, I had good results by vapor-blasting (NOT sand or bead blasting) the hubs then rattle-canning w/ Eastwoods Clear Coat. Used unpolished SS spokes fom Buchanans; they only carried siver nickle plated nipples, so I ordered plain steel nipples and had them yellow-zinced.

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #63 on:** December 29, 2006, 08:00:18 AM »

736cc - Great men don't repeat themselves

Anyway, spent most of today finishing off the carbs and they're now on the shelf waiting to go back on the engine. The original air-filter is boxed and put away safely, cos right now I've got these third-party filters fitted. Look great and sound good - a great induction roar. I had them on the CB550 and they didn't effect the smooth tickover.

Tom.

spitfire · « **Reply #64 on:** December 29, 2006, 11:18:07 AM »

Great work there Tom, those carbs sure look good, know what you mean about bashed up fingers mine were none too healthy after cleaning up my carbs, lolly sticks, Brilo pads, solvol and my favourite little Dremel.

Cheers

Den

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #65 on:** January 01, 2007, 03:24:23 PM »

I've not gone overboard on them Den, cos this 400/4 thing is more of a "clean-up" than anything else, so I'm not looking for show standards. That's my excuse for being lazy

I've starting to get a bit impatient lately, so I've decided to walk away from the project for a few days so that I don't do anything rash and regret it later.

heffay · « **Reply #66 on:** January 01, 2007, 04:00:18 PM »

lazy

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #67 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:48:06 AM »

Well, I'm happy to report that I have at last got my engine casings back from the refinishers. The standard of polishing is poor but at least most of the hard work is done and that leaves just some minor work for my already bleeding fingers.

The final-drive crankcase cover was from a different (later) bike and had a painted factory finish (much darker). Thankfully that has now been removed and the case polished like the rest.

Last night I was able to whip the back wheel on and move the bike around in the garage for easier access. Reassembled the rocker cover, fitted a new gasket and attached it to the engine with new stainless-steel allen bolts. Reattached the generator and cover and fitted a NOS outer cover (the bit bearing the Honda logo). This weekend I should be able to roll the bike out into the fresh air and work in daylight - for two whole days!

Hoping to get a great deal done and bring the project to a close by the weekend after. Fingers crossed.

Only question that's going through my mind is whether or not I should seal the tank. It isn't leaking as far as I'm aware, but I feel I should do it as a preventative measure. I bought the stuff to do it with already. What do you think?

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #68 on:** January 27, 2007, 06:04:51 AM »

spitfire · « **Reply #69 on:** January 27, 2007, 06:54:41 AM »

Looking good there Tom, I'm still knee deep in parts at the moment, I dream of saying one week to go !
As to the tank I would not seal it if there are no leaks, if you do seal it and the coating starts to break up you will have lots of hassle, I cannot remember which bike it was but either the F1 or the Mach 111 had some kind of preservative in the tank when I bought it new and it broke up, kept on clogging up my petrol tap (stopcock). If it aint broke don't fix it !

Cheers

Den

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #70 on:** January 27, 2007, 09:30:48 AM »

Difference between our bikes though Den, is that you're doing a proper job

I'm just cleaning this old girl up for the spring/summer.

Tom

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #71 on:** February 03, 2007, 08:14:46 AM »

Well, I have to admit that over the last week I've been quite lazy and haven't done a thing to the 400/4. Instead of spending a couple of hours a night plugging away at things, I lounged around in the house instead. So today is the first time that I've got the old girl out and its becoming apparent that there's quite a way to go yet despite the outward appearances.

For example, the wiring for the rear indicators and stop/brake lights needs totally re-doing from scratch. Doesn't sound much, but it'll take me a while and its one of those jobs that I don't like. Anyway, I got lots of little "bitty" jobs out of the way today and took another quick pic. You might notice that I decided not to fit the power-filters, opting to use the original air filter instead.

Tom.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #72 on:** February 03, 2007, 09:20:17 AM »

Lookin Tight !

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #73 on:** February 03, 2007, 11:40:47 AM »

Just been back into garage and got that wiring job over and done with. Refitted indicators and rear lamp. From here on it should be plain sailing (fingers crossed). Just realised I don't have an oil-filter so there's no way its gonna be running this weekend

MadDogMcq · « **Reply #74 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:23:43 AM »

Wow! Can't believe I never showed people the finished project! Sorry about that.

Well here are some pix....

I sold it soon after and it went back to Japan believe it or not.

Tom
www.mcqart.com

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Author Topic: Tom's 400/4 Refurb begins....... (Read 13914 times)

supersport_CB400F

supersport_CB400F