Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => Other Bikes => Topic started by: TrickyMicky on February 24, 2022, 11:38:25 AM
-
Having owned my 400/4 for 30 odd years, I am considering giving it a new garage mate. Am looking at a GB250 Clubman, built for the Japanese market only, but on sale over here, and it's taken my fancy! Looking closely at the pics, it would seem that the engine is rubber mounted, but I cannot make out any corresponding flexible mounts for the exhaust system. Anybody with any knowledge out there who is able to tell me that I've got it wrong please? Thanks, Mike.
-
I've no experience with them but many of that era have the footrest hanger (aluminium casting) rubber mounted to the frame with quite a lot of flexibility in it. The exhausts usually mounted at the rear most point of this.
They're a cracking looking engine though and look like a twin cam exotic from racer's past with the sizeable head casting and extended finning.
Looks an interesting bike to own.
-
A slightly belated update to my original comment, I threw caution to the wind and bought it!!! My ever-loving BMW(!!!) owning son rented a van and helped me collect it from Lancashire. On the plus side, it's very compact, narrow, 108lbs lighter than the 400, and goes round corners a treat. Negative points, after 34 years with the 400, I'd forgotten that singles can vibrate, it is slightly incontinent round the head gasket, clutch and gear change are not a touch on the 400, but it's and absolute hoot to ride! Playing round the lanes of Suffolk and Norfolk I'm achieving approx. 80MPG. Changing the oil filter requires a course in the Black Arts of re-assembly. Filter and front pads available from DSS, new front disc I obtained from Australia. Sourcing spares is a bit of a task, but, I thought y'know, at 75 years old if I start to try and cure its small niggles, it could be occupying the ramp until I'm too old too ride. So, I'm just going to ride it with a wad of kitchen roll in my pocket for my right boot, and an RAC card in my wallet, and have a stupid grin on my face.
PS. Is it legal for men in their mid 70's to ride at more than 45MPH? Stay upright everyone. Mike.
-
That's a cracking looking bike - was it an Australian import? (🤡 Just saying - from the pic) Anyway a good mate (also in Lancashire) had one and it's still languishing in the back of the garage of the chap he sold it to - shame. I have the 'cooking' version CBX 250RSE with the same motor which I ought to move on - too many others! I was out last Saturday on the very windy Orkney Bike run and Kirkwall display on my R100 RT Classic and at 73, even with that wind certainly went over 45mph. I think my 350/4 will be like your GB Clubman - last one to go when I give up. Always said that when I give up motorcycling, I might buy a BMW - got one and not given up yet!
Ian
-
Unusual - and very tidy bike......glad you are enjoying it. A crusty old Neighbour of mine mentioned that he has a Honda 500 Single in his Garage....I think it's a GB500.....but I'm not 100%. Twin exhaust pipes coming out from the single cylinder (I think).
He's never going to finish it or ride it (he's an old git like me but even olderer and even crustier - if that's possible), so if any sohc Member fancies buying his bike please let me know and I'll ask him about selling it.
The bike is complete (I believe), but will need recommissioning as it's been standing for years. He used to run Sunrise Graphics....so some of you may already know him.....John Kenworthy......he may be a crusty but he's also 'canny' so don't mess him about.
I must point out that I have no personal or financial interest in this......it's just a shame for an old Honda not to be used, and we would all like to see another Honda put back on the road.
Let me know if you are interested.
-
Tidy that, I like it. Like the colour scheme as well, suits it.
-
Nice looking bike you have there Mike - I like the cross drilled front disc - the lightness has appeal - I find my 400 is a harder pull onto the centre stand than I imagined it would be.
-
That is a very nice looking bike and I suspect easy to handle. 80mpg at current fuel prices has to be a bonus!!
Matt
-
An update on the GB250. Have enjoyed using it round the East Anglian countryside, to an old git like me the handling and cornering are superb, but, as feared the head gasket became even more incontinent than the driver. So, with the h help of the CMSNL parts diagrams, I managed to obtain all the gaskets, 'O' rings etc. that were needed. Bike was installed on the ramp, tank and seat removed. Ah, the joys of working on a single cylinder engine. (Oh Yeah!!). I got as far as removing the cambox cover, looked inside, and thought BLEEDIN' 'ELL! Hyvo chain from crank to central idler shaft, twin camshafts gear driven from this. 4 valves inclined for the penthouse roofed combustion chamber meant that the camshaft operated rockers, which in turn operated other rockers located at right angles so they could depress the valves correctly. I do not have full workshop facilities or hi tech mechanical knowledge, and as Clint Eastwood would say, "A man's gotta know his limitations". So I hereby confess that for the first time in my life I contacted a very nice man who came and collected the bike in his van and went away to perform the deed. I received a call on Friday telling me that the job was done, and he would return it when all the ice had disappeared. He then told me that to remove the head, the carburettor has to be moved rearwards, entailing the airbox also being moved, but to do this the rear mudguard has to be removed, which cannot be done with the rear wheel in place!!!!! If I had attempted this task I don't think I would have been riding it this summer. I happily crossed the mans' palm with silver and await delivery. If I solemnly promise to never, ever, grumble again about grazing knuckles trying to removed a 400/4 airbox, am I Forgiven? I hereby vow never to ever by another Honda manufactured after 1977. Regards, Mike.
-
That's a lot of work to get the cylinder head off - my neighbour took his 06 plated Merc B class to the local specialist this morning as the battery warning light had illuminated saying "VISIT WORKSHOP".
I looked under the hood yesterday - you can't even see the alternator or drive belt as its effectively under the front floor.
Alternator has cooked the battery so needs both - you have to part drop the engine /gearbox unit to reach the alternator - estimate is £700 to fix it!
-
Yes a complex little thing to get that radial valve arrangement Mike. Hopefully it'll all be up to scratch for you when weather improves.
In these situations this one cheers me up though
[attachimg=1]
Has top right chain already removed :o
-
Seems to be missing a chain for the front (or could be the rear) cams.
-
Yes a complex little thing to get that radial valve arrangement Mike. Hopefully it'll all be up to scratch for you when weather improves.
In these situations this one cheers me up though
(Attachment Link)
Has top right chain already removed :o
That is a thing of beauty and would look good on a plinth just to stare at. I know I am sad....
-
I missed the comment about having a chain already removed, was it there initially and I just miss it?
-
I missed the comment about having a chain already removed, was it there initially and I just miss it?
It is though the "back" of the engine looking from the gearbox direction of a V8. That's the flywheel mounting more or less centre.
-
Yes a complex little thing to get that radial valve arrangement Mike. Hopefully it'll all be up to scratch for you when weather improves.
In these situations this one cheers me up though
(Attachment Link)
Has top right chain already removed :o
. Y'know, if you want to talk timing chests, maybe we should forget about chains??? Good job that this is a two stroke, otherwise it would be very complicated.
-
That’s the phasing case of a Napier Deltic. I was responsible for the testing of 60 odd of these during my time at a test house in Leyland. It was the marine version as fitted to the Hunt class minesweepers, very noisy (>128dBA) and at times very ‘twitchy’ for a 44 litre engine but there was no flywheel! Beast of an engine but certainly interesting to test 😊
-
That’s the phasing case of a Napier Deltic. I was responsible for the testing of 60 odd of these during my time at a test house in Leyland. It was the marine version as fitted to the Hunt class minesweepers, very noisy (>128dBA) and at times very ‘twitchy’ for a 44 litre engine but there was no flywheel! Beast of an engine but certainly interesting to test 😊
. A noisy beast it may have been, but Oh boy, what a noise!!! Don't know about the acoustics of the marine versions, but as a child train spotting on the end of the platform at Kings Cross, to hear one of these locos, with both power units being given the works as it got a 12 car train on the move was pure music to our ears! My proudest memory is that of one of the drivers allowing me into the cab, and letting me start one of the engines, the stuff of dreams.
-
interesting properties of layout still being researched
https://youtu.be/UF5j1DvC954
Coupled with synthetic fuel :)
-
Y'know, one of my earlier posts contains a comment from me re. "Never going to buy another bike made after 1977". Hmmm! At the risk of eternal damnation I have to admit that after riding, and enjoying the little GB250, I was getting quite amenable to the feel and sound of a single. But I needed something with a bigger 'BANG'. So, one week ago I took delivery of an XBR500 of 1986 vintage(?). It was the test ride that did it, I've never changed great at such low revs before, nice feel. MOT'd and insured, just waiting for the start of April to tax it, and warmer and drier weather. So, the 400/4 still maintains its place as the grand old Duchess, smooth and comfortable, albeit a bit smelly! The 250 for seeing if some of the 1970's mentality/stupidity is still there, and the XBR, well, 'cos I wanted one! Is that reasonable, or should I be reserving a place at the Twilight home for Terminally bewildered? Stay safe everyone. Mike.
PS Click on photo and it changes from Australian to British!
-
Prefer the 250 TBH Mick, just seems to have more style.
-
At least you got the faster colour! I once has the Yam SR 500 and that was a hoot and cos when it was new it was altered by Paul Dunstall it was registered as a "Dunstall Yamaha" so the distinctly LOUD silencer? was legal
-
I've always liked the XBR. Slim bike though, which might count me out these days .....