1977 400F2 first restore project

[taysidedragon]

It's looking good Steve. 👍

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Great progress Steve - great looking wheels.

[smoothoperator]

Carbs finally leak free having fitted 4 new float valves, leak free for now for now anyway. Tried the starter motor, nothing doing. Checked continuity to starter button and found it to be intermittent, took it apart and cleaned it out, too liberal with the dielectric grease when I worked on it about a year ago I think. Continuity sorted, still a no go. Tried the spanner over the solenoid contacts and the starter turned fine. Traced the actual fault to an oxidised female connector to the neutral light on the solenoid so put on a new connector which sorted it. Didn't take many turns of the engine for the oil pressure light to go out so that was a relief, I had kicked it over quite a few times previously. Not many jobs left before an attempt at starting!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Your achingly close to D Day. 😊

[smoothoperator]

Sorry for the pre amble but a significant day in the rebuild. Dithered about starting the bike for the first time today as it started off badly, touchy negotiations with neighbour over a back fence dispute, puncture on dog walk, crap customer service by National tyres in Corby, 1/2 hour wait followed by we can't fix that, £195 quote for a tyre they can fit tomorrow, well I don't live that near to Corby it was the nearest place to the dog walk. Tiptoed back home and organised same tyre tomorrow for £120 by my trusty tyre fitter. Anyways sod it I got things ready for a start up, including tipping the bike from side to side and moving the overflow tubes into a viewable position as the carbs leaked again, and much to my amazement ..... it started. Lots of tinkering left to do! No oil leak from the area of the crank case I was worried about as discussed in my earlier posts. Touch wood! Sounds absolutely great!! Occasional reluctance for revs to fall back but did start to improve after a little bit of running, hopefully this will settle down. Enlisted wife to video the event, hopefully link works. Start was from stone cold, genuine first attempt, no cheating!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4HRLcECeZ7cqta2K8

[Nurse Julie]

I'm sorry you started off with a shite day Steve but, how fantastic is that.....running 👏👏👏👏👏. Well done you. That's a lot of hard work on your part.

[K2-K6]

Nice work, and lovely looking bike, great when you get to start one after rebuild.

Classic 70s juggle between choke and throttle too  engine sounds good.

Doesn't hurt to let them rev a bit as fast idle (anything up to 2700 rpm ) won't damage it when cold, it'll just get it off choke quicker.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Great news Steve you beat me to it.

[smoothoperator]

Video is a bit blurry but you get the full glory if you download it. Something to do with HEVC video on iphone not compatible with blah blah blah. Something for me to work on.

[Laverdaroo]

A shite day well salvaged. Sounds fantastic and well done. Like K" said, its fantastic when they burst into life after being in a heap of bits on the bench. Just like the Long Haire Generals did after a cough and a fart with the choke, ticks along lovely, you must be well chuffed?

Well done

[smoothoperator]

First ride out today having had the engine running last week. Took some pics and included an original from when I first got the bike to show the difference. Engine ran well, smooth pick up and stable tickover. First fill up, then first problem, bike started to stutter about a mile from the garage, erm, fuel tap off! Realised this and turned on and all well again. Amazing how we get used to our modern bikes and never having to think about these things, I had turned it off at the garage. Gear change too high needs adjusting. Some clutch slip but this improved during the short ride so need to monitor. However, one bigger issue, immediately apparent that handlebars were not square in order to achieve a straight line, they are slightly to the right. Balls.

When I rode the bike before the restore this was not the case. I have had the stanchions refurbed at Philpotts so they are now straight, there was a slight bend in them that was visible when removed. So I guess this means one or both of the yokes are bent OR I didn't put it together correctly. As I am not really happy about the balls, and I nicked the lower yoke with the dremel to remove the lower ball cup, I was thinking of putting in a replacement yoke with taper bearings in any case.

Anyhow not too bad for starters and, still no oil leaks!

Pictures:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UPuRWPzyKKcfhpAF9

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Great news Steve I've not managed any more work this weekend due to the cold spell I am planning on sorting out some bits & bobs if its any warmer next week.

I'm only a few hours work away from trying to start mine up.

[Johnny4428]

Great job! She is looking good. There’s always inevitably going to be some teething troubles. Big difference the before and after.

[Nurse Julie]

Great work Steve, that first ride is always so exciting but a bit nerve racking as well.

[Bryanj]

Standard workshop method for straightening frnt end is to stand facing the headlamp with the front wheel grasped tightly between your legs, grab hold of both grips and twist the way it needs to go, go slightly past as it will spring back.
Afterwards check all the clamp bolts have stayed tight