The engine is now all complete and the bike is back together, all but the carbs. I wanted to get the carbs fitted and fire her up as I am an impatient bitch but Trig said........ NO !!!. He wants me to wait so the first time I fire her up I can take her for a very long ride ie, 100 miles to start running her in. Now, I am a fair weather rider these days and just the thought of getting out on a bike this time of year for a couple of hours fills me with dread (and covers me in goose pimples !!!!). Therefore, as it's going to be some time before the first start up / ride of the year, I'm going to strip the carbs and give them a good clean, have all the necessary parts zinc plated, fit a new 'O' rings etc. Luckily, I have had these carbs apart a few times before and I know they function well just by being bench synced so will be no problem when I re fit them.
This engine strip and rebuild has been a MASSIVE learning curve for me. I knew my knowledge base was extremely limited when it comes to all things mechanical and engineering but I have always to be able to do basic routine maintenance on bikes and I though this would help but it was of no use to me at all.
It was my plan to do everything myself (except the machine work) and I suppose I did an awful lot of it but I had to keep asking questions like 'how do I do this?' or 'where does this go?' or 'why have I got this bit left over?', 'what tool do I use for this bit' and my favourite was 'no, your going to have to explain it again'. I just did not know enough of basic engineering / mechanics to do this job entirely alone. Using the Workshop Manual, the Haynes Manual and microfiches basically tells you diddly squat, they are books printed for people who know the basics of building an engine and no more.
I have learnt that building an engine is all about measurements, tolerances and individual components working together to perform a function, checking at every stage that something you have just re assembled actually works before you go on to the next component. I have also learnt that if you do it right, you do it once.
I was lucky this was a CB400/4 engine. They are compact, every component fits together really nicely and I can now understand why Ian (Orcadian) says they are like a Swiss watch, they are lovely to work on, everything is a manageable weight and size and feels 'just right'.
Would I do it again? Yes, of course I would if it were a CB400/4 engine. I feel I have learnt enough and gained an understanding of the basics of building a CB400/4 engine that I would probably enjoy it more next time.
More importantly, the damage this engine had sustained and ultimately the reason I did this strip and rebuild has been dealt with.
I have no doubts now that she will run and perform very well once run in and hopefully will be good for many more years.
Not only have I learnt the basics of the practical side of engine building but you guys have been so brilliant sharing your years of knowledge in the diagnostics of the initial problem and sharing your practical experiences, that to me has been totally invaluable. Thank you all so much for your input throughout, it has made it so interesting for me. And thanks for all the 'SOHC Banter' as well, I love it and it makes a job much nicer having a laugh. Thanks to all those that have sent me PM's, emails and texts as well, your encouragement has meant a lot to me.
Could I have done this without Trig, NO, most definitely not. I would probably still be trying to get the mullered nut off the head stud and getting nowhere fast. His theoretical knowledge and more importantly his practical experiences of engineering, engines and in particularly Honda SOHC engines never fails to amaze me. I know he is sick to the back teeth of me keeping on asking questions, wanting to queue jump for machine work and being in his workshops with all the tools out of the chests.
I will let you know when she is going on her first post rebuild run and let you know how it all goes.
Julie
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