Author Topic: Another 400 Lives  (Read 1378 times)

Offline andut

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Another 400 Lives
« on: September 05, 2018, 11:09:08 AM »
Apparently there are far too few Parakeet Yellow 400’s around these days, so I’m happy to report that one more is now alive !

I know we love a pic, so here’s a snap of my recent project having completed a quick test ride at the weekend – I have since discovered a minor oil weep that I suspect is oil pressure switch related, and a brake fluid leak from around the lever that I’m hoping a repair kit will fix – lesson learned there as the master cylinder was the only part not stripped and rebuilt as it actually looked in good shape !

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I ‘accidentally’ bought the bike in boxes 18 months ago from a chap who was emigrating and I was very pleased to find a lot of the small, hard to get original parts were still in various boxes and bags.  It has/had a few period add-ons with a Dresda arm that has now been replaced with an original, a Cibie headlight and some engine work apparently carried out by Dixon racing in the 80’s comprising a Yoshi big bore kit and some head work.  On stripping the engine, I found the bores were heading towards the upper piston / bore clearance and borderline oval, so had to bite the bullet and get Cruzinimage’s 54.5mm pistons to give me a last chance oversize vs. Yoshi’s 54mm item – we’ll see how that goes, and I now have a spare set of std bore barrels as a fall back plan !

A quick thanks to Ken (Oddjob), Kev (fryerk) and to Graham & Julie who very kindly donated a few engine bolts, clips and oil galler caps to help me along the way.

Hoping to get the oil switch and master cylinder sorted and get a few miles on Peter (Kent400)’s shiny refurbed gauges before the weather changes – will also get a few nicer images to share !

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2018, 11:17:55 AM »
Well done Andut it looks fantastic.
It gives me the incentive to get my parakeet yellow 400/4 back up and running for next year.
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2018, 11:27:21 AM »
Lovely looking bike. Well done. Enjoy the ride.  8)
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline petermigreen

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2018, 11:37:06 AM »
Congratulations on completing your puzzle! Looks like you got everything back in the right place


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Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2018, 11:42:05 AM »
That looks bloody lovely...well done Andy. I think it's time I bought a Parakeet Yellow CB400/4 again. I had one in 1981 and still think it's the most iconic colour.
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline AshimotoK0

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2018, 11:53:56 AM »
Lovely job you must be really proud. ... I have a couple of bikes that came totally stripped in boxes a CB450K0 black bomber and a '64 CB72 ... a real challenge to jigsaw together from a Parts Book.

Sadly, my Parakeet Yellow 400/4 was stolen in 1985 but still on the DVLA register  :(  CAG 242T
« Last Edit: September 05, 2018, 12:16:54 PM by AshimotoK0 »
“Alright friends, you have seen the heavy groups, now you will see morning maniac music. Believe me, yeah. It’s a new dawn.” Grace Slick, Woodstock '69 .. In the year of the Sandcast.

Offline paul G

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2018, 12:21:14 PM »
Looking good Andy nice to see another back on the road.
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
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Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2018, 12:48:12 PM »


   great job,it looks really good,

  well done
lifelong motorcycle rider,and fan

Offline kent400

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2018, 01:19:42 PM »
Absolute peach always a bigger challenge when you start with a dismantled bike.   

Offline Sprocket

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2018, 02:32:24 PM »
Top job - well done indeed!  8)

Davelu88

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2018, 03:06:45 PM »
Very Very nice looks like a keeper

Offline Athame57

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2018, 03:19:12 AM »
Looks great! :D
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

Offline royhall

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2018, 07:54:59 AM »
Lovely job you must be really proud. ... I have a couple of bikes that came totally stripped in boxes a CB450K0 black bomber and a '64 CB72 ... a real challenge to jigsaw together from a Parts Book.

Sadly, my Parakeet Yellow 400/4 was stolen in 1985 but still on the DVLA register  :(  CAG 242T
Morning Ash. If it was reported stolen and it's on the DVLA register (assuming the registered owner is not still you) ask the police to get it back?

Well done Andut, a fabulous piece of work.
Current bikes:
TriBsa CCM 350 Twin
Honda CB350F in Candy Bacchus Olive
Honda CB750F2 in Candy Apple Red
Triumph Trident 660 in Black/White
Triumph T100C
Suzuki GS1000HC
Honda CB450K0 Black Bomber
Honda CB750K5 in Planet Blue Metallic (Current Project)

Offline AshimotoK0

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2018, 09:17:39 AM »
Lovely job you must be really proud. ... I have a couple of bikes that came totally stripped in boxes a CB450K0 black bomber and a '64 CB72 ... a real challenge to jigsaw together from a Parts Book.

Sadly, my Parakeet Yellow 400/4 was stolen in 1985 but still on the DVLA register  :(  CAG 242T
Morning Ash. If it was reported stolen and it's on the DVLA register (assuming the registered owner is not still you) ask the police to get it back?

Well done Andut, a fabulous piece of work.

Think it's a bit late for that Roy Probably my name on the register for some strange reason.   ;D  I remember arguing with Norwich Union about the insurance value, as they only offered £295 but I knew it was worth £700 so I stuck by my guns. Two years later a guy called me and was so fed up with having to handle the claim  that he asked me if he sent me a cheque for £700 could we close the matter. I originally got that bike from a mate as he dropped it and dented the tank and there was a small tear in the seat and broken mirror. It was considered uneconomic to fit a new tank and seat, so they you paid my mate out less the scrap value.  I was gutted when it got nicked though as it was in lovely condition  and I scoured the country for a decent replacement one but with no internet then, they were really hard to find in the same condition as mine, so I bought a Z650B1 instead.

I think my yellow one was the last to be sold new in Hull and had remained unsold for quite a while .... evidently the yellow ones were unpopular but times change and they are much loved in yellow now.
“Alright friends, you have seen the heavy groups, now you will see morning maniac music. Believe me, yeah. It’s a new dawn.” Grace Slick, Woodstock '69 .. In the year of the Sandcast.

Offline Spitfire

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Re: Another 400 Lives
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2018, 09:46:02 AM »
Apart from the battery charger that could be a period 1970's photo, nice one

Cheers

Dennis
1976 CB750F

1977 CB750F2 In bits

1964 BSA A65R In bits

 

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