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Messages - TrickyMicky
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31
« on: October 10, 2023, 10:47:12 AM »
If it's true that confession is good for the soul, then yes, umpteen years ago on a CB750 I soon realised why Mr. Honda had equipped the filter bolt with only a 12mm head!! When I moaned at the supplying dealer about the stupidity of it, he silenced me by saying the the cost of a new bolt was far less than mangled engine cases. Lesson learned. And yes, I'm sure that there must be thousands of waste oil drums that contain that aggravating bloody washer, always carry a few spares nowadays. The common sense example given to me was fitting a spin-on filter to a car engine, and just giving it a final nip by hand to tighten, but invariably it needed a chai/strap wrench to release it on the next oil change. How we love this pastime eh?
32
« on: October 09, 2023, 01:41:11 PM »
Have owned Hondas since 1967, and it's always been:- before the first start of the day, put bike on centre stand on level ground, remove the stick, wipe, insert so it is just resting on the threads and then take a reading. Always kept them on the full mark, that's why it's there. Older air-cooled engines give the oil a hard time. If Honda had wanted less oil in the sump they would have put the full mark lower down. Obviously the only change to this procedure was on the likes of the CB750, which had a dry sump system, then the level in the tank was checked at the end of the day just after stopping the engine. Keep 'em well lubed, oil is cheap, engines are not!! Stay safe everyone. Mike.
33
« on: October 06, 2023, 11:23:18 PM »
Standard condition?.
Someone's drilled a hole in the headlight shell and fitted a toggle switch there, not exactly standard that.
If you zoom in on the photo of the right side handlebar, you'll see that there is no light switch. The American models were wired to have lights on all the time, so I'm guessing that is what the toggle switch is for.
34
« on: October 05, 2023, 09:00:57 AM »
I had this problem after the bike had been stood unused for a few years. After a couple of knuckle skinning episodes of removing/replacing carbs I finally stumbled upon the most simple (obvious?) cause, the floats were not moving very freely on the little brass spindles which had accumulated a nice coating of gunge!. Remove spindles, 30 minutes careful polishing with ultra fine emery, replace carbs and no leaks. Sit back feeling rather pleased whilst opening yet another packet of Elastoplast. I have owned my 400 for nearly 36 years now, and it's still my favourite one to ride,BUT, when it was designed I think Mr. Honda must have had an evil glint in his eyes, and assembled the carbs, rubber bits, and airbox, hung them on a bit of string and then built a motorcycle round them. Good fun though, eh? Stay safe. Mike.
35
« on: September 23, 2023, 08:20:11 AM »
It's the lower photo, the one showing just the type of brake fluid.
36
« on: September 10, 2023, 03:19:28 PM »
Went out today and checked the tappet clearance - they were .003"+ so I reset them all to .002" Then I synced the carbs with a gauge set after first calibrating the set so that all gauges read the same when attached to the same cylinder. I had bench-synced the carbs a few weeks ago and was pleased to see that they all cylinders were within a needle's width of each other. I tweaked them so they read exactly the same though I doubt that a needle-width difference matters.
I richened the mixture by 1/8 turn on each carb but it was raining so didn't take the bike out to evaluate the change. In the parking garage it accepted a quick throttle movement from idle with less hesitation than previously.
One thing that I was NOT happy about - when I started the bike from cold there was visible smoke from the exhaust though it seemed to disappear after it warmed up. Couldn't really tell the color but it smelled oily to me. However, the spark plugs all look good color-wise with no sign of oil or fuel fouling. My wife was behind me on her bike riding to Bristol the other day and she didn't mention seeing any smoke from mine. I hadn't asked her to look for it but I'm sure she would have said something about it had she seen any smoke. In any case, further evaluation is in order.
You mention that it was raining when you started the bike, meaning the air was quite moist, likely as not, it was steam from the condensation gathering in a cold exhaust. In my nearly days, this cost me a fortune in replacement exhausts (CB750), as I used it for riding to and from work in all weathers, 5 miles each way so did not get hot. As much as possible nowadays I do not start the 400 unless I'm going for a long enough ride to get its really hot. I'm still using the genuine Honda system that I fitted in 2006. If you say that someone following you did not see any blue smoke and it's not using oil between changes, I think I would just ride it. Stay safe. Mike.
37
« on: September 08, 2023, 12:42:14 PM »
Just looked it up or 0.002in if you are old school
Oops!! Old school, yes. Dippy old git, I guess so. Just as an aside, in case you are wondering why my brain is addled, am in the process of building a model railway layout, and when purchasing the timber I gave him the size I wanted and he replied "Oh, you mean 2" x 2" ". Yes I replied, what lengths is it supplied in, "!.8 metre or 2.4 metre" was the answer. Ho Hum.
38
« on: September 08, 2023, 07:47:49 AM »
'Ere Trig, did you miss out a zero in your reply???
39
« on: September 06, 2023, 10:58:23 PM »
I view it as a circular argument, if the oil does its job properly, then you dont "need" a filter.
Observing what's trapped in the filter, shows what failed in the lubrication abilities of the oil and system in which it's operating 
The oil is absolutely the primary protection for a running engine, the filter primarily stops SOME of that debris going round the system again, meaning the oil failed to what was asked of it.
The filter doesn't stop PRIMARY wear, the oil does.
. Firstly, I will admit to only using genuine Honda oil filters, and keeping a written log of mileage/oil changes etc., and yes, living close to Silvers does help! Re. the need for filters, during the 60'and 70's I worked for London Transport buses, and at that time they operated 7,000 RT type vehicles equipped with AEC Diesel engines using a dry sump system and NO oil filter! A strict service regime was operated and they lasted an incredible long time.
40
« on: September 06, 2023, 09:45:45 AM »
"Well, I don't think I've ever had a genuine oil filter."
Sorry, I should have specified that the "Genuine" and "Aftermarket" are descriptions used on the DS website. Their Genuine filter is £10.66 and their Aftermarket filter is £4.95.
Just a thought, do you use cheap oil as well?
41
« on: September 04, 2023, 08:56:01 AM »
The mudguards were just parts to Honda. Though in the UK we scraped front plates in 1973 they would of fitted them as it was on the assembly line. I have seen UK CB750K2 with front plates right up to 1975 
Spot on Trig, time to unearth a tear jerking memory!! Purchased in late '74, front plates removed and screwed to garage wall late '75. Bike was sold in '77 complete with number plate as the collection fad had not really taken off then. Ho hum. (Plate is now worn by a 500 Mercedes!)
42
« on: September 02, 2023, 06:50:47 PM »
Oops, typo!!! Should have read "that could be heard all the way across the Pentland Firth". Ancient fingers being operated by a scrambled brain.. Mike.
That makes more sense.😜
Impressed with your knowledge on the Pentland Firth though when you are so far away.
For my sins, until I retired 11 years ago I used to be a tour coach driver. Visited Orkney a couple of times, marvellous. Would have loved to have been on a bike!!
43
« on: September 02, 2023, 09:21:41 AM »
Oops, typo!!! Should have read "that could be heard all the way across the Pentland Firth". Ancient fingers being operated by a scrambled brain.. Mike.
44
« on: September 02, 2023, 08:07:46 AM »
Typical Yank pipes those
Yes. Similar to ones on the 750 when it was imported. Plenty room at the recycling centre for them!😂
Looking at the pipes on the advertised 350, I see that they have used the system of siamesing pipes 1&2, and 3&4. This gives a rather uneven exhaust note from each side due to those cylinders being at 180 degrees to each other. For a nice smooth note it is far better to join 1&4 along with 2&3. That would give a rather pleasant howl all the way across the Pentland Firth!!!
45
« on: August 24, 2023, 07:32:44 PM »
Just shows you what crap people like DS sell, not even a flush cut on the bottom of the cup like the original. I wonder if the poundage of the replacement spring is roughly the same? It's thinner but longer so the compression it's under may make the poundage it opens at roughly the same? Not exactly something you want to take a chance with.
I'd also suggest checking the relief valve in the oil pump, if it has one, I had 3 pumps apart and 2 were stuck solid. When cleaned up etc the plunger would fall inside under it's own weight, if it sticks even slightly, clean it until it doesn't
I notice that over time there seems to be a lot of hate directed towards DSS Spares. The only connection I have with this company is that I have used them for over 21 years. In that time, I have had to return two faulty items. One was a GENUINE Honda set of front exhaust pipes, which when fitted, two of them actually touched each other. I'm fortunate to live close enough to be able to visit the store. I was taken into the unbelievably massive warehouse and given a free hand in choosing another set. The other item was a fully loaded pattern ignition backplate, which I purchased to try and save money. Exchanged for genuine item plus cash adjustment. For my sins, I owned for a short time this year an XBR500, and I purchased a set of rear brake shoes from an online supplier of repute. When they arrived I saw that they were Ferodo, which gave me confidence even if they were made in Italy! They were rubbish, so I bought a set of OE shoes from DSS and they just fell into place. With something as important as parts for engine lubrication, is it not a touch risky buying unknown pattern parts, when the genuine item is readily available from DSS? Stay safe everyone.
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