Hello from Shropshire UK

[400 Cafe Racer]

Hi Guys,
Its nice to meet you all and I look forward to participating in forum activities.

I am a retired Automotive Engineer and have had interests in Motorbike since 1956  the age of 12.  I used to save my pocket money hard and managed to get an old Norton 500sv ex WD and taught myself to ride up and down our long garden path. Very soon my father managed to get permission from a local farmer for me and my friend to thash our bike around one of his fields and lanes.

Then I started the wheeling and dealing with my mates and I swopped for Royal Enfield 225sv, then sold that and bought a 1937 Rudge 500 four valve single ohv. Now at 14, it was this bike that got me seriously interested in stripping and rebuilding/modifying. Had great fun with this bike and wish I had kept it for later years.

I subsequently got into, got qualified and progressed through the motor trade and Automotive Engineering.

I have now rekindled my interest in bikes in the last 4 years, and started with a 1939 Velocette GTP, a bike which held great charm for many years. Solidly built, but lightweight, 250cc two stroke, with pressure fed oil and twin exhaust ports. These things were advanced in their day and will run forever.

Over the last few months I have been looking for and recently found my 1979 CB 400/4 with a Cafe Racer spin. This has recently undergone a major engine rebuild at D&M Engineering Honda Specialists and also had many new and upgraded mods fitted by the previous owner. I am looking forward to continuing the work on the bike to get it where I would like it to be. I admire the the advanced design for its day and the quality of Honda engineering.

Looking forward to getting on my  learing curve with this bike with you guys, and fettling what ever is neeeded.

Cheers 

Dennis

[K2-K6]

Welcome to the forum and hope you have fun with the Honda.

Quite a spectrum of different engineering approaches in that list of bikes too.

[Nurse Julie]

Welcome Dennis. A photo of your bike is eagerly anticipated. Enjoy the forum.

[royhall]

Yes welcome from me too. Loads of pictures, that's always appreciated.

[400 Cafe Racer]

Welcome to the forum and hope you have fun with the Honda.

Quite a spectrum of different engineering approaches in that list of bikes too.

Thanks K-K6 for your welcome, and yes it's amazing how things have advanced over the years. The 4 valve Rudge was quite advanced in its performance, but all the valve gear was open, so you squirted the valve guides, pushrods and rockers with an oil can before you went on the bike. Crude but it worked well ?

Thanks

Dennis

[400 Cafe Racer]

Welcome Dennis. A photo of your bike is eagerly anticipated. Enjoy the forum.

Hi Nurse Julie,

Thanks for your welcome.
I will take some pics for everyone as soon as we get a nice day.

Thanks

Dennis

[400 Cafe Racer]

Yes welcome from me too. Loads of pictures, that's always appreciated.

Thanks for your welome Roy, I will take some pics for thhe forum as soon as we get a nice day.

Cheers 

Dennis

[Moorey]

     Welcome to the forum and have fun.   

[philward]

Welcome to the forum Dennis, enjoyed readng your biking background! Some great history there - the Honda is a big change (but a big advance!), hope you enjoy the forum - loads of 400 Four experts and general banter available on here.

[Laverda Dave]

Welcome to the forum Dennis and for owning what some members on here might say (tongue in cheek) is the best bike Honda ever built 😁. Let's see a picture of your new stead.
It's funny how bikes have an affect on you from a very early age. I think it's because unlike a car you can see and hear a motorcycle engine. A family friends Velocette Venom Thruxton had me hooked when I was about 10 years old. The sight, sound and smell of the engine was amazing. Watching the chronometer rev counter 'ticking' it's way around the dial was mesmerising to a young kid like me. 50 years on and motorcycles still have the same effect.

[Stuck86]

Hi Dennis,
I'm glad to here you got down the road safe.
I'm sad to see the bike go, but glad its gone to a good home.
Picture of the bike attached.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[400 Cafe Racer]

     Welcome to the forum and have fun.   

Appreciated. Thanks Moorey

[400 Cafe Racer]

Welcome to the forum Dennis, enjoyed readng your biking background! Some great history there - the Honda is a big change (but a big advance!), hope you enjoy the forum - loads of 400 Four experts and general banter available on here.

Thanks for your welcome philward, and look I forward to joining in and absorbing your experiences of the 400/4with you all.

Regards

Dennis

[400 Cafe Racer]

Welcome to the forum Dennis and for owning what some members on here might say (tongue in cheek) is the best bike Honda ever built 😁. Let's see a picture of your new stead.
It's funny how bikes have an affect on you from a very early age. I think it's because unlike a car you can see and hear a motorcycle engine. A family friends Velocette Venom Thruxton had me hooked when I was about 10 years old. The sight, sound and smell of the engine was amazing. Watching the chronometer rev counter 'ticking' it's way around the dial was mesmerising to a young kid like me. 50 years on and motorcycles still have the same effect.

Hi Dave, thanks for your welcome, you hit the nail on the head,  "some members on here might say (tongue in cheek) is the best bike Honda ever built 😁". I like the advanced design for its day, the execution of the engineering challenges, quality of the R&D and end result. All hallmarks of a true classic I think. These are the same reasons I chose my Velo.

I agree, that smell, especially the Castrol R, is unforgettable, much better than Dior perfume. Ha Ha. Once its in your veins its there to stay !!!

Perthaps you can help me find the posts from the previous owner, who was a member here Malcolm from Winchburgh, Edinburgh. I forgot to ask him what his forum name was. It would interesting to see his experiences while he had the bike.  ?

Thanks

Dennis

[400 Cafe Racer]

Hi Dennis,
I'm glad to here you got down the road safe.
I'm sad to see the bike go, but glad its gone to a good home.
Picture of the bike attached.
(Attachment Link)

Hi Malcolm,

That must have been telepathy, it just answered my last post about members interest in your/my bike, which will save me a lot of describing.

Thanks for posting and all the best with the Indian search.

Dennis