OAP Ted's CB400F2 rebuild - engine not run for about 12 years.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have checked the lobes on the camshaft and they are both pointing down on number one cylinder so by pure chance I think I have the sprockets bolted on in the right position on the camshaft.

That's my lot for today I have run out of energy!

[Bryanj]

Dont matter ted, rotate the crank till the 1 and 4 line up again and the lobes will point up BUT the other end (that fires at same time) will point down

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Dont matter ted, rotate the crank till the 1 and 4 line up again and the lobes will point up BUT the other end (that fires at same time) will point down

Is that because the camshaft rotates at half crank speed meaning  1 & 4 spark at the same time so unlike a car with a distibuter you can't get the ignition timing 180 deg out?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Another box emptied as I have fitted the rocker shafts in the upper housing.

.CB400 rocker shafts by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr


No I do not have any shares in assembly lube!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Camcover  fitted yesterday afternoon - clutch unit & cover today.



.cam cover on by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[smoothoperator]

More solid progress Ted, looking really good. Hopefully the petrol shortage will be history by the time you need a tank full.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Still waiting for some small items from DS so I've started the boring stuff - dismantled both of the front footrests - cleaned, Evaporust & painted the RH side first.
Replaced bolts with SS ones, used cordless impact driver to remove the two bolts throught the grip plate as they were tight. Cleaned the rubber part using soap & warm water - dried them - then used Auto Glym Bumper & trim gel to restore the blackness - it's a clear gel.


.right foot rest 1 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr


.right foot rest 2 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Laverda Dave]

Looking good Ted. It's all the small boring bits that take the time. I do a few boring jobs in between doing the 'nice' stuff like engine build etc. Nothing worse than seeing a large chunk of nearly finished bike on the bench for weeks on end whilst you do the small boring bits!
Have you put the wiring loom in the dishwasher yet?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

You can buy the pivot pins in stainless as well Ted, might as well complete the look. Plus it stops them rusting.

I can't PM you as you are blocked for messages from members.

Do you have a source for the correct SS front foot rest pivot pins please?
A link would be good.
Thanks in advance Ted

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Looking good Ted. It's all the small boring bits that take the time. I do a few boring jobs in between doing the 'nice' stuff like engine build etc. Nothing worse than seeing a large chunk of nearly finished bike on the bench for weeks on end whilst you do the small boring bits!
Have you put the wiring loom in the dishwasher yet?

My loom was a mess so I've a bought a new one - I've started to realise that there are other bits of smaller looms like the fuse box & alternator mini looms to clean up.

Does the dishwasher trick clean up the brass terminals or are they all in need of a wire brushing with a small brass suede shoe brush?

[Laverdaroo]

You can buy the pivot pins in stainless as well Ted, might as well complete the look. Plus it stops them rusting.

I can't PM you as you are blocked for messages from members.

Do you have a source for the correct SS front foot rest pivot pins please?
A link would be good.
Thanks in advance Ted

Hey Ted,

I used these and they were spot on even though they were cheap, see what you think mate....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294294447937?hash=item448550e741:g:6FQAAOSw-LJbdCNv

[Sesman]

I bought some for the 550. The front pivots were fine, but the rears were incorrect diameter, being to large.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My SS footrest pins arrived today - front & rear the correct size as per Laverdaroo link.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Another good reason to never ride in the rain - good shout Oddjob - they look well tidy!

As it lashes down in rain here in Derby I am reminded of my many trips from Derby to Chester in 1967/8 on my Honda 250 Dream in all weathers as a teenager- I could not afford leathers as a student (I dreamt of a Belstaff jacket) so I wore fully water proof rubber  leggings, hiking boots, an Anorak and for the winter some big leather Gauntlets - I did have a decent helmet.

[Laverdaroo]

Glad they're what you wanted Ted, (thumbs up emoji)