Hello from Shropshire UK

[400 Cafe Racer]

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

To Julie and all who enquired.

Well today was good for photos, so I will have a go at uploading. As only 5 per posting are permitted , I will do several. Firstly the Honda and then the Velo GTP 250.

I have listed here the work done prior to my ownwership by the previous owner:

Full nut and bolt rebuild in 2015/2016 at 34,438 miles. Engine was sent to D&M engineering in Bilsthorpe for sonic clean, cylinder honing and painted black. Lots of new interior engine parts including main and end bearings, cam chain, primary drive chain, pistons & rings, new clutch and EBC heavy duty clutch springs, new seals, gaskets etc. Frame stripped and powder coated, new swing arm bushings. Running K&N pods and shorty exhaust, re-jetted to suit (running 95s). Fitted an innovative motorsports MTX-L wideband sensor to assist fuelling diagnostics. Electronic ignition & Dyna coils and new ignition leads. Falcon shocks on the rear, new springs in the front with TTR400 preload adjusters. Tapered headstock bearings. AP racing big break conversion on front (by D&M engineering) and new pads in back. Café clubman handlebars. Lithium battery with physical isolator. Custom café seat. Wheels re-spoked and balanced. TTR400 rearset, TTR400 kick starter blank, TTR400 engine brackets and cam chain adjuster.

[400 Cafe Racer]

Pics part 2

[400 Cafe Racer]

Pics Part 3

[400 Cafe Racer]

Pics Part 4

The last 3 pics are of my Lamborghini Countach replica I built between 1988 and 1991, 3000hrs work in my spare time. Plus hours of evaluating and designing parts etc. Not for the faint hearted !!!

Regards

Dennis

[K2-K6]

Very nice car, what power train have you used for it?

Strange how the 400 disc brake has so much detailed engineering in it but uses the old Honda hydraulic to connect to caliper,  just doesn't seem to match the rest, presumably the PO ?
Notice it's got an exhaust gas AFR read fitted, interesting to see what that says. Edit, just saw you put that in your description, I saw it in photos 

[400 Cafe Racer]

Hi K2-K6,

I used the Renualt 3ltr V6 with K-Jetronic Fuel injection and Renault 5 speed trans axle mid mounted.

The AFR is work in progress and I shall be monitoring what readings I am getting over a period of time to make an assessment.

Dennis

[K2-K6]

An observation that may be worth checking,  the photo of the full front brake "looks" like the axle clamp may be fitted the wrong way round (it could be the photographed angle) as the casting is not symmetric and has an arrow for orientation cast into it.

The high side would be seated first on front side of axle, with the secondary (rear) nut tightened to fully clamp the axle.  Usually you'll get no gap at front with parallel behind spindle if done correctly.  Possibly worth a quick check.

Looks like a good fun bike. 

[400 Cafe Racer]

Thanks for the observations. 

I will have a good look at what you have mentioned. I believe it was not a straight forward mod and D&M Eng had to some custom work to fit it.

Yes thanks, I hope to have get to know it well and have some fun.

[SteveD CB500K0]

Which is the best for the shopping?

The Honda, the Velo or the Lambo?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[taysidedragon]

Nice machines. 👍

Please tell me that you're going to improve the 400 rear brake pedal. I couldn't live with that Allen bolt sticking out! 😣

[400 Cafe Racer]

Which is the. Est for the shopping?

The Honda, the Velo or the Lambo?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well Steve, I sold the Countach in 2009 - so thats out, the Honda doesn't have any load space, - SO I thnk its possibly the Velo - with bags of low down torque.!!! 

Can anyone help with the following from your collective forum experiences please.

1. The thread size of the 4 manifold vacuum screws used for the test adaptors used on the vacuum pipes.
2. The kit model that you regard as successful.
3. Good UK supplier for service bits and "O" rings etc.
4. The majority concensus on the Brand and spec of the Engine oil for the 400/4. (Currently considering Motul 5000 MA2) (I know asking about engine oils can be a can of worms, so feel that the concensus may be the best approach.

Thanks

Dennis
 

[400 Cafe Racer]

Nice machines. 👍

Please tell me that you're going to improve the 400 rear brake pedal. I couldn't live with that Allen bolt sticking out! 😣

Hi taysidedragon, well spotted. Yes its on the " to do" list, but at least its solid for now until i can source a nice replacement. Any suggestions from your experience please

Thanks

Dennis

[philward]

500 vucuum guage inlet screws are 5mm - would imagine same for 400 - Nurse Julie does seals for all the SOHC cam fours (upgraded)
No ides of best guages as my dad made my set up in work 49 years ago - still working great! Thanks Dad!

[400 Cafe Racer]

500 vucuum guage inlet screws are 5mm - would imagine same for 400 - Nurse Julie does seals for all the SOHC cam fours (upgraded)
No ides of best guages as my dad made my set up in work 49 years ago - still working great! Thanks Dad!

Hi Phil, thanks for your help with those, I will make a note when I do my Internet searches for guages and may need to replace O rings when I check the valve clearances.

I forgot to add to my list - Rear sprocket - nothing fancy, just well engineered and durable, what do regard as best/good value

The chain is new and the g/box sprocket v.good.

Thanks

Dennis

[Bryanj]

Best vacuum gauges in my opinion, and most like original Honda, are Sealey and cost about £135 on ebay plus come with all adaptors. There are similar looking ones costing about £50 but the actual gauges are cheap and will not be as accurate.