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Messages - smoothoperator
286
« on: October 12, 2020, 06:17:55 PM »
Managed to get the Master cylinder apart, internals looked good so gave it all a good clean and put it back together. Refitted and filled with fluid which went through with some pumps on the brake lever however no fluid is making its way to the caliper. Pressure was building up on the brake lever and the flow of bubbles turned into a flow of liquid from the hole nearest the instruments. The hole in the master cylinder that is. So next step is to remove the unit that holds the brake pressure switch. This is proving to be a bit of a pig so I've given it a rest for a while. Also I could do with a socket extension to get at the upper banjo. I need to check the hoses are clear but I'd be surprised to find them blocked.
287
« on: October 11, 2020, 06:59:38 PM »
Thanks for the encouragement about the bike choice. Just ordered some circlip pliers, funny to think I might be taking my angle grinder to them when they arrive! Due to this hiatus I have at least been regularly squirting plus gas then alternating with evaporust and I can now see the circlip holes. The cylinder moves more freely now and with the Master back on the bars the lever travels all the way back. The cylinder returns on the spring. Heating whilst in a vice will have to wait whilst I build a bench and stick a vice on it. First time project remember. The spare, I think original master is in more of a bad way so I have it soaking in plus gas and set to one side for the time being. Thanks for your help.
288
« on: October 11, 2020, 12:32:14 PM »
Thanks for the replies. Not your old one I'm afraid Lobo, this one is VNA---S. Just ordered some DOT 4+ brake fluid, as this also suits my car which is in need of a top up, hey that's cheaper than replacing the pads and watching the fluid magically rise as I push the pistons back. Ordered circlip pliers for the deeply buried circlip in the Master cylinder. Also been busy setting a google image album to which there should be a functional link below. Only one way to find out... https://photos.app.goo.gl/atHTWsQE4tgzLgcS8
289
« on: October 10, 2020, 06:28:40 PM »
Bought as a runner but not a roller. Went to see the bike before bidding and thought it looked about right for a restore. Plenty to do but on the face of it not a basket case. Engine was demonstrated and started and ran well. Advertised cam chain rattle didn't seem that bad to my, untrained ear. Looked carefully at the crankcase, cam adjusting bolt is snapped off. Signs of oil leak on rhs, confirmed now it's home but it's small. Petrol tap wept whilst it was running. History is interesting as the previous owner had it since 1980 and stored it for much of that time. Oil on dipstick is very clean. Came with a Haynes manual which has clearly been well thumbed by oily fingers and includes hand written notes in a number of the sections. Small box of bits included 1 valve and a set of rocker arms. Receipts show some head work was done including 1 inlet and 1 exhaust valve, in 1981. In the same year it was also treated to a new OEM silencer at £45, which sounds very expensive given the date. Still has OEM silencer, well anyway it says HONDA on it I haven't looked too closely yet.
So anyhow plan is initially to get it rolling as well as running. I've fixed the leaking fuel tap and I'm Evaporust treating the tank which is in pretty good condition really. I've installed a Motobatt MB12U having scoured these pages even though I have a bottle of 1.28SG battery acid in my garage the last 20 years and I still don't get to use it.
Front brake is the current job. Master cylinder is not original I think because there is a manky old spare one in the bits box. The one on the bike is not delivering fluid to the brake caliper. I'm currently working on the spare to see if I can get the piston out of it. It also has a broken mirror stem in it, which I see as potential good practise for removing future horrors. Perhaps someone can tell me if it is the original?
Looking ahead, can anyone recommend me an impact driver? Open to hit with hammer or electric, anything that works really. I have bought a Vessel JIS impact screwdriver No2 but I'm not convinced it's right for some of the bigger screws that are a bit gnarly.
290
« on: October 07, 2020, 01:14:17 PM »
Yes tool kit and Haynes manual. Only talking about the good bits for a while.
291
« on: October 07, 2020, 12:50:40 PM »
Exciting times, it's here!!!! Last owner had it since 1980 and kept some records. I can see it had a few bits done in 1981 including a cam change so that'll be fine obviously. New silencer £45. Small box of bits to rummage through, more excitement. Owners manual under the seat well there's a £50 bonus. Now for a serious garage clear out and bench install and possibly a new garden shed.
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292
« on: October 01, 2020, 09:11:27 AM »
Thanks for the feedback. The one you have linked could well be worth a look as isn't so far from me and looks like it has good potential. Thanks again.
293
« on: September 30, 2020, 05:11:51 PM »
Think this one was left unsold. The one I guesstimated at £2000 went for about £1500. Having said that I have looked at so many I could well be wrong. Have been doing a LOT of reading especially on this forum which has me swinging like a pendulum. If this one wasn't so far away I would be having a look. As it is I am only in the thinking of having a look phase. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-Honda-Cb400-4-Super-Sport/303617689189
294
« on: September 19, 2020, 10:56:31 AM »
I'm guesstimating it'll reach £2000.
296
« on: September 16, 2020, 06:46:27 PM »
Well that's in some way reassuring, members are helping, and there are better ones out there at this price point. One just went for 2K that was in bits but did appear much better, I was not ready to jump in yet, also it was a bit far away for viewing. Images weren't too revealing either. If it was as good as the spiel then I would think the seller would take some good images to back up the words. There are definitely some that look worse than this one! Thank you for the help.
297
« on: September 16, 2020, 03:21:02 PM »
298
« on: September 09, 2020, 06:59:10 PM »
Hi there. Mine was a 75, gold, teardrop tank, can't remember about the front brake but must have been TLS. I never liked the colour and always looked at my friends purple and white one with envy. Moved on to the coffin tank with an RD250.
299
« on: September 09, 2020, 05:02:51 PM »
Hi everyone. Just joined the forum so here's my introduction. Vintage, well my first bike was a Raleigh Chopper, first moped a Puch Maxi and first motorbike a Yamaha RD200. Looking from what I've seen so far makes me a typical new member! Moving on, current bike is a Triumph T100 that I bought new 3 years ago. Recently finished converting my Kona bike to mid mount ebike. It's already faster than my Puch ever was. Now retired and looking for a project with much greater longevity and challenge. So I haven't bought the bike yet. I'm looking for a 400/4, but will consider 550 or 750. Looking at ebay there are just a handful of candidates. Any advice welcome. Some thoughts so far. Only place I have looked as yet is ebay, is there somewhere else I should be looking? I've seen complete bikes looking tatty/reasonable around 2 to 3K. By 4k they look too good to need restoring although I'm sure some do! A dissembled fairly complete bike ending soon currently around 1K, better to buy a complete bike I think due to the fun of disassembly and the learning to be gained. I really want one that would benefit from a complete engine rebuild as I see that as the right level of challenge. Any pitfalls, newbie mistakes or money pit avoidance ideas and general advice really welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this and looking forward to your ideas.
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