Honda-SOHC

Hi Ash,
I've just done a set on the front wheel of the bike I got back from Hull.  They were in fairly good nick to start with but I cleaned them up on the lathe with emery tape, one end at a time. Take care not to wrap the tape around the spoke but just rest it on the surface.  Then with a wire brush in the pillar drill I went over each one until satisfied.  The nipples were put on a spoke and cleaned in the pillar drill, one at a time.  Next was a dip in brick/path cleaner (dilute hydrochloric acid) for about ten minutes to remove any bits of rust and original zinc.  Rinse off and then one minute in caustic soda, rinse again and you're good to plate.
I like to be in control of as much as I possibly can - obviously I have to farm out chrome plating but I have used Prestige in Mexborough for years now with excellent (but slow) results.  They did a brilliant job on my last set of DID rims with all stampings still legible.

There are some pics on my site in the What's new section

Ian

I have 2 genuine Honda ones, bought many years ago when they were cheap and the OE chrome quality was not fantastic even back then.  The main blade always had what looked like brush marks and the stays still had the press marks in them and only polished on the easy access areas, like a lot of Honda stuff.
I've just bought back my old early 400/4 from my Cousin and was contemplating buying another new one and had considered one of these replicas.
Temporarily I've put one of the new ones on this recent addition, which was really intended for my 'minter', but that one is still a way from being finished, the other new one is on the 350/4.
Can anyone really tell the DS copy from a genuine, not restored original?  If so, what is the real giveaway?

I too had a NU rider policy, then went to Footman James who eventually hiked up the price, so I moved with Peter James after he left FJ.  I pay £156 for 7 bikes including a 1500 'Wing.  All on agreed value and totalling nearly £20k, unlimited mileage - but I am VERY old (66 next)
I also have a US import 400/4 included which I bought and registered 10 years ago - a very early one only about 500 numbers in from the start.  The DVLA in their wisdom always went back to the beginning of the year on imports, so mine ended up with an M reg.  'Hoist with their own petard'  it means it will be tax exempt from Jan 1st 2015 - a result!!  I sold this bike to my cousin in Hull about 8 years ago, but bought it back very recently and I'm just tidying it up for next season.  I've put my spare brand new Varnish blue tank and side panels on it, plus a brand new front mudguard I've had for 25 years -  from DS for about £45 then!

Hi Drew,
If you refer to my much earlier reply, it would appear that you have come to the correct point, in that the blade does indeed stick up.  As I said, I don't have the exact measurement as I don't have an engine at that stage at the moment.  I ALWAYS use Honda bits (as long as they are available) but I use a wooden dowel to compress the blade via the top bracket, so that I don't put unnecessary axial load on the fairly small threads - the bolts are OK, but they are into the much softer alloy casting.  The other thing I didn't say was that I also overhaul the pivoting tensioner arm if it's been damaged/jammed by a flapping chain (I wrote an article for VJMC TANSHA on doing that)
I know you had to part the crankcases apart again after missing that starter gear lockwasher so you are now very familiar with the set up.
You will now know that the front of the chain will always be in tension as the crank drags the camshaft around, but the rear will have a correctly tensioned curve in it, produced by the bend in the blade, assisted by the 2 concentric springs - it's a good enough system, as long as maintenence is carried out correctly and after you have spent all of this time and money, I'm sure you will continue to look after it.  I will measure my next engine, which is nearing completion with all genuine parts - to act as a reference.

Looks interesting,
I'll wait till you've tried it!    and reported back.  Delivery to Orkney might be a challenge though,

Cheers, Ian

Hello and a very warm (read wet today) welcome from Orkney,
We were up there this year with a Mini Clubman Estate at your fabulous Classic motor show - a must for all other forum members!   We'll be back in 2016 with something different.  You have an unbelievable collection of very interesting stuff in Shetland and now they have a 400/4 to admire.  My tastes are similar and I've been working on a long overdue Norton Model 50, plus my 400/4 and a few others besides.  I have BSA's too and you will no doubt know of C and D Autos - I used to collect my stuff from them in Acocks Green before the Old Man passed away, now just done by post.
Best Regards,
Ian

Hello again Ash,
I'm in Orkney, retired here about 8 years ago.  It will be the black body kit I'll be parting with.
The reg is FRN which was issued in Preston as an age related when I registered it.  As an import and very early bike, the Dvla gave it an M reg, which means it's Tax exempt from next January 1 - their stupid system finally came up with the goods - yippee!  There are some pics of the bike on the 400/4 section.  I remember Patrick Ritchie.  Don't recall the RILEY names though.  As you read, we are having a reunion next July, so we might get chance to meet up for a natter.  I still have some relatives and friends in and around Hull.
Regards, Ian

Hi Ash,

I've been a member of the VJMC for a good number of years and met quite a few good friends along the way.  It's a matter of personal choice.  Writing an odd article also brings the benefit of a couple of months free membership and allows others to have the info - just the same as this excellent forum.  As you might glean from a quick look at my own site, I'm also into other bikes and cars and as a time served Aircraft Engineer with a well equipped workshop, I tackle most jobs deemed impossible (read too expensive) by the dealers and other 'experts' and usually try to engineer out some of the known weaknesses in designs by accountants when doing a rebuild.  Now retired and living in Orkney, I have more time to play!
Ian