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

[Laverdaroo]

Youre getting achingly close to some noise now Ted, good man

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

This afternoon I removed the exhaust so I can safely remove the front wheel on my bike stand. On re-assembly I plan to silicone seal the front pipes into the silencer.

It's put me back a little though I can do some tidying up of the wiring loom connections if it stays warm enough.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Front wheel collected by CWC to have the tyre issue resolved.
Chain guard now fitted as is the headlamp unit with nice new H4 LED bulb.
Cleaned out the pipes on the  Motad silencer where the front pipes fit to make fitting a bit easier when the wheel is back.

Warm spell will mean I can do some other bits and bobs before my wheel is returned on Friday. I feel confident that the bike should be a runner for my birthday in early May (fingers crossed).

I am keeping the tank & side panels as they are for the summer of 2022 - then looking at the possibility of re-paint & change of exhuast system for Phase2 in 2022/23.

I am assuming of course that the big guy in the sky continues to look down at me favourably for a few more years yet.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Wheel now back from CWS with tyre fitted the right way round - assembled front axle parts torqued up spindle, speedometer cable in place etc.
Wheel fitted clamps torqued up, starter cable connected ready for cranking over having turned it with the kickstart by hand to check everything feels right rotationwise.
Adjusted front brake caliper as per manual.

Exhuast system going back on probably Monday or Tuesday depending on weather & household obligations.lol

Not a lot left to do before launch day!

[Johnny4428]

Brilliant Ted! Looking forward to the start up report.

[Laverdaroo]

eagerly awaiting news

[Laverda Dave]

Once the exhaust system is on Ted all the big jobs are done and the wait is nearly over👍.
What are you going to do for the next project (you have to think ahead to the next one😉).

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Once the exhaust system is on Ted all the big jobs are done and the wait is nearly over👍.
What are you going to do for the next project (you have to think ahead to the next one😉).

I do have a spare engine so I might strip that down and rebuild it (when not fishing) - not sure tbh. Bonus would be I have a better idea of the costs involved plus the confidence to do the job.

Then there might be the Phase 2 option if I want to pour more money into the existing project and tidy up more areas.

Iastly I have our Mercedes R129 that we have had for 19 years that I could tinker with if I was desperate for things to do.

[Nurse Julie]

Getting very close now Ted by the sounds of it.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Nice warm day again so fitted he exhuast system with silicone sealant where front pipes enter the silencer.
Just as I thought I knew what I was doing I realised I had not fitted the front pipe clamp over the pipe after getting number 3 pipe into the silencer. Struggled to get it out of the silencer again  - re-fitted - did not make the same mistake with No 4 front pipe.

With spark piugs out I cranked engine over with starter until oil light went out - it took a little longer to go out than expected but once it went out it was quick to go out again pretty much straight away on the button.

Looks like it might be Friday before I can do the ignition timing then get the petrol tank fitted - inching  achingly closer!

There was a time I would have worked until midnight to get the bike running today - Wendy is on Holiday so I need to keep a perspective and be patient its been over 19 months . This morning I took my fishing tackle out of the garage loft ready for another summer distraction.

[smoothoperator]

Getting there Ted. The weather has been great for motivation recently, let's hope it's better than the forecast over the next few days, 8 degrees is going to feel bloody cold. As a matter of interest, where did you get the idea for putting silcone sealant in the exhaust joint? I have re-used the old gasket as it was in good nick but haven't checked yet to see if it has made a full seal.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Getting there Ted. The weather has been great for motivation recently, let's hope it's better than the forecast over the next few days, 8 degrees is going to feel bloody cold. As a matter of interest, where did you get the idea for putting silcone sealant in the exhaust joint? I have re-used the old gasket as it was in good nick but haven't checked yet to see if it has made a full seal.

It was mentioned on this site a friend gave me a part used tube of high temperature silicone sealant it was Grey in colour.
I was going to use normal clear silicone its just on the downpipe to silencer joint as the Motad system has no gasket.

[Bryanj]

Silicone not a good idea on high temp stuff as i remember, normal exhaust gasket paste there if you want but i dont remember using anything when fitting Motad or Dunstal as they will coke up eventually

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Silicone not a good idea on high temp stuff as i remember, normal exhaust gasket paste there if you want but i dont remember using anything when fitting Motad or Dunstal as they will coke up eventually

The product I have used made by Elring of Germany  Dirko HT Silicone based sealant -  temperature range -60 C to +315 C just a smear like Hondabond when inserting the pipes - fairly slow drying as well so it does not go off whilst fitting the last pipe in place.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Timing has finally been done thanks for your help K2-K6 via PM plus a U-tube video. Most of the pipework for drains etc now in place. I'm in the process of re-checking the cam timing for peace of mind before I fit the petrol tank & try to start her up. I've had a cough in the night that I've not shaken off so done a lateral flow test. Test negative but playing safe i'll stay indoors today.