Hello from Wiltshire

[Tazaud]

Hi everybody, I'm Craig from the south west.

I personally haven't owned a bike for about 20 years when i was in my late teens but have always been around them.
At the beginning of the year i started renting out at garage at the rear of my property and decided i was going to fill my spare time with little projects.
My 1st little project ended a few weeks ago which was a road legal quad with a broken starter clutch and overheating problems that i purchased from a mates son for next to nothing, repaired, cleaned up and made a tidy £1300 profit. (money intended to purchase the next project and invest in a few new tools)
It was then that my father rang me up and said that instead of paying out for a new project, would i like to have a go at restoring his old 400 four supersport that has basically been sat in his garage, untouched for the last 25 years.
Needless to say i jumped at the chance and wheeled it round to my garage. It seems in quite good condition and has really low mileage for age. The frame paintwork and chrome are showing their neglect so i'm intending to attempt to restore it to to its former glory.
The bike is all original apart from the exhaust i'm told.
So, that's where i'm at guys, invested some of the money i made on some new tools and a ultrasonic cleaner, began researching and started the strip down.
I have a feeling i will be relying on advice from you guys along the way.

Gonna need a lot of help with this one guys, wish me luck. lol

[mickwinf]

welcome Craig, the 400 four is a great bike to restore, lots of parts available and lots of help on here

[Johnwebley]

welcome,lots of good people here,and very expert advice,

 times a bit short to get it ready for the Calne bike day,but maybe next year

[royhall]

Hi Craig. Good bike for a first restoration. Looks complete so not too much searching for bits. If you need any help just ask. Cheers Roy.

[Trigger]

Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC, looks like a good bike.

[UK Pete]

Hi craig welcome aboard fella
pete

[Tazaud]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

[Nurse Julie]

Hi Craig.
Sorry for the belated welcome. Good luck with the 400 and have fun
Julie

[Drew400]

Hi Craig,

Here here to Julie's and others' sentiments.

Unless the exhaust has sentimental resonance, you might consider an original style* exhaust to give it that extra wow factor when you complete the job.

Cheers, D.

* Real originals are hard to find!

[Tazaud]

I am going to try to keep it as original as possible.

Just don't know how far to go with it, I mean, do i strip it right down and get the engine casings vapour blasted and the relevant parts repainted? The frame i'm going to get powder coated and all the chrome parts re-chromed but not sure if should leave the engine as it is. (the paint on it flaking in places) I think i would be punching a bit above my weight stripping that down.( but willing to give it a go after researching)
I have read that the cam chain is prone to failing on them, should i change this or leave it as is? There was no rattle or noise when it was last running.

These are the questions i'm having trouble with.lol
Any ideas on what i should do?

[mike the bike]

Hi Craig and welcome.
I wouldn't say the camchain is prone to failure, they get a bit rattly after 20k or so.  I've replaced a few in my time, most of them without splitting the crankcases.   If it isn't noisy, I'd leave it alone.
Depending on how far you want to restore it, I'd leave the engine as is, or just paint it up on the bench.  I've just painted up a 650 Katana engine on the bench using Halfords brush on high temperature paint applied with an airbrush.  It won't win any concourse prizes but 90% is OK for me.

[Tazaud]

I think thats what i will do mike. I have a couple of airbrushes to hand.
The engine has only done 5877 miles (crazy eh?) and im really reluctant to split the engine when there is nothing mechanically wrong with it.

[Bryanj]

Its more the tensioners that fail or sieze leading to chain wear, you need to make sure the adjuster moves OK (BE CAREFULL THEY SNAP EASY) and that the "Horseshoe" moves freely

[royhall]

That's an interesting point about the tensioners Bryan. Am not far off building up the 350 now. Was going to re-use both cam chain blades as they look okay, but am a bit concerned about the Break Easy thing. Would you recommend replacing them whilst its still apart. Sorry about hijacking your thread Craig.

[Tazaud]

Thanks for the info Bryan, I'll be sure to check that when at that stage.
I finally have the engine removed from the frame and on the work bench. Im just cleaning up the carbs as the float bowls look like pots of marmite.lol
No worries Royhall. Its all relevant and useful info.