Author Topic: Unusual use of 400 four engine  (Read 2127 times)

Offline taysidedragon

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Unusual use of 400 four engine
« on: May 20, 2022, 02:07:50 PM »
Here's a combination that I never thought I would see!
In this month's Classic Bike mag, a 400f engine squeezed into a Douglas Dragonfly frame.
It's nicely engineered,  but I can't help think, Why? The owner said he wanted the ease of electric start in a good handling bike. That's what he had with the complete 400f project bike that he bought off DS. 🤪
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline Sesman

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2022, 03:50:48 PM »
Wonder if he put the Douglas motor in the Honda? Would probably have had the same pointless attraction….
« Last Edit: May 20, 2022, 03:55:15 PM by Sesman »

Online McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2022, 04:48:31 PM »
Maybe the original engine was knackered and the electric start was a bonus / excuse.

Looks like the Honda bars were fitted! 🤔
« Last Edit: May 20, 2022, 04:51:13 PM by McCabe-Thiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2022, 05:12:15 PM »
What's the betting the Douglas Owners club shun him for his sacrilege. He's made an old bike modern day rideable, what's not to like about that? probably better lights, better indicators (yep he used the Honda ones as well) and handling that suits him. Plus miles better brakes than standard, so whilst the other Douglas owners are going into the back of lorries he's staying alive and avoiding that as well.

Not mentioning the performance upgrade although TBH I don't know how good the original engine is but I'm betting it wasn't as quick.
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Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

Online Johnny4428

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2022, 05:16:31 PM »
Just looks wrong! Nice bit of work! Not the same flow with the down pipes.
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Online McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2022, 05:35:19 PM »
If he painted the crankcase the same colour as the frame it might blend in better.

He cold call it a Hoglas.
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Laverdaroo

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2022, 06:30:29 PM »
Nope, nice engineering but thats bloody awful and as already said........a waste of time but horses for courses and all that :-\
Mornings are the invention of the devil!

1977 CB550F (current money pit!!)
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Offline K2-K6

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2022, 06:57:32 PM »
If he painted the crankcase the same colour as the frame it might blend in better.

He cold call it a Hoglas.

Or perhaps a    DOUG-DA    ;D

Offline Laverdaroo

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2022, 07:01:36 PM »
Or a Hondoug ;D
Mornings are the invention of the devil!

1977 CB550F (current money pit!!)
2002 VFR800 VTEC (The Beloved)
1977 CB400F (the last money pit!)
1998 Ducati 748\853 conversion(sold :()
1980 ish CB750KZ in a billion bits (need to get rid, anybody want one?))

Offline andy120t

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2022, 07:45:42 PM »
or a Doug-loss.
andy120t

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Offline andy120t

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2022, 07:47:22 PM »
..or a Do(u)gs-dinner.       
andy120t

CB550f/k
Zephyr 550
ZX6R G1
GSXR 7/11 - I need to sell it
Triumph 5TA - and this..

Offline haynes66

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2022, 07:06:51 AM »
i think its a very nice job, but i've always liked oddball bikes. i have the VERY rusty remains of an ariel leader which may be honda-ized at some point
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Offline Rozabikes Tim

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2022, 08:22:39 AM »
..or a Do(u)gs-dinner.       
Should have "Doug" a hole for it!
One day I'll have the time to restore it, not just talk and dream....

Online McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #13 on: May 21, 2022, 08:36:01 AM »
i think its a very nice job, but i've always liked oddball bikes. i have the VERY rusty remains of an ariel leader which may be honda-ized at some point
I always liked the handling of the Ariel Leader owned two back in my youth then eventually an Arrow with a Golden engine. For an old tall bike I thought they were ahead of their time. Modern brakes might be difficult to fit on that leading link front suspension design. They seem cheap for a tidy one     last time I looked.
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Sesman

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Re: Unusual use of 400 four engine
« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2022, 09:12:10 AM »
And just think, with a 400 motor in it will be almost as quick as the Douglas…..incoming🤐😞🔥💥🌪

 

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