Honda-SOHC
General => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: 400 Cafe Racer on March 25, 2021, 07:06:13 PM
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Hi Guys,
Its nice to meet you all and I look forward to participating in forum activities.
I am a retired Automotive Engineer and have had interests in Motorbike since 1956 the age of 12. I used to save my pocket money hard and managed to get an old Norton 500sv ex WD and taught myself to ride up and down our long garden path. Very soon my father managed to get permission from a local farmer for me and my friend to thash our bike around one of his fields and lanes.
Then I started the wheeling and dealing with my mates and I swopped for Royal Enfield 225sv, then sold that and bought a 1937 Rudge 500 four valve single ohv. Now at 14, it was this bike that got me seriously interested in stripping and rebuilding/modifying. Had great fun with this bike and wish I had kept it for later years.
I subsequently got into, got qualified and progressed through the motor trade and Automotive Engineering.
I have now rekindled my interest in bikes in the last 4 years, and started with a 1939 Velocette GTP, a bike which held great charm for many years. Solidly built, but lightweight, 250cc two stroke, with pressure fed oil and twin exhaust ports. These things were advanced in their day and will run forever.
Over the last few months I have been looking for and recently found my 1979 CB 400/4 with a Cafe Racer spin. This has recently undergone a major engine rebuild at D&M Engineering Honda Specialists and also had many new and upgraded mods fitted by the previous owner. I am looking forward to continuing the work on the bike to get it where I would like it to be. I admire the the advanced design for its day and the quality of Honda engineering.
Looking forward to getting on my learing curve with this bike with you guys, and fettling what ever is neeeded.
Cheers ;)
Dennis
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Welcome to the forum and hope you have fun with the Honda.
Quite a spectrum of different engineering approaches in that list of bikes too.
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Welcome Dennis. A photo of your bike is eagerly anticipated. Enjoy the forum.
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Yes welcome from me too. Loads of pictures, that's always appreciated.
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Welcome to the forum and hope you have fun with the Honda.
Quite a spectrum of different engineering approaches in that list of bikes too.
Thanks K-K6 for your welcome, and yes it's amazing how things have advanced over the years. The 4 valve Rudge was quite advanced in its performance, but all the valve gear was open, so you squirted the valve guides, pushrods and rockers with an oil can before you went on the bike. Crude but it worked well ?
Thanks
Dennis
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Welcome Dennis. A photo of your bike is eagerly anticipated. Enjoy the forum.
Hi Nurse Julie,
Thanks for your welcome.
I will take some pics for everyone as soon as we get a nice day.
Thanks
Dennis
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Yes welcome from me too. Loads of pictures, that's always appreciated.
Thanks for your welome Roy, I will take some pics for thhe forum as soon as we get a nice day.
Cheers ;)
Dennis
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Welcome to the forum and have fun. :)
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Welcome to the forum Dennis, enjoyed readng your biking background! Some great history there - the Honda is a big change (but a big advance!), hope you enjoy the forum - loads of 400 Four experts and general banter available on here.
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Welcome to the forum Dennis and for owning what some members on here might say (tongue in cheek) is the best bike Honda ever built 😁. Let's see a picture of your new stead.
It's funny how bikes have an affect on you from a very early age. I think it's because unlike a car you can see and hear a motorcycle engine. A family friends Velocette Venom Thruxton had me hooked when I was about 10 years old. The sight, sound and smell of the engine was amazing. Watching the chronometer rev counter 'ticking' it's way around the dial was mesmerising to a young kid like me. 50 years on and motorcycles still have the same effect.
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Hi Dennis,
I'm glad to here you got down the road safe.
I'm sad to see the bike go, but glad its gone to a good home.
Picture of the bike attached.
[attach=1]
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Welcome to the forum and have fun. :)
Appreciated. Thanks Moorey
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Welcome to the forum Dennis, enjoyed readng your biking background! Some great history there - the Honda is a big change (but a big advance!), hope you enjoy the forum - loads of 400 Four experts and general banter available on here.
Thanks for your welcome philward, and look I forward to joining in and absorbing your experiences of the 400/4with you all.
Regards
Dennis
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Welcome to the forum Dennis and for owning what some members on here might say (tongue in cheek) is the best bike Honda ever built 😁. Let's see a picture of your new stead.
It's funny how bikes have an affect on you from a very early age. I think it's because unlike a car you can see and hear a motorcycle engine. A family friends Velocette Venom Thruxton had me hooked when I was about 10 years old. The sight, sound and smell of the engine was amazing. Watching the chronometer rev counter 'ticking' it's way around the dial was mesmerising to a young kid like me. 50 years on and motorcycles still have the same effect.
Hi Dave, thanks for your welcome, you hit the nail on the head, "some members on here might say (tongue in cheek) is the best bike Honda ever built 😁". I like the advanced design for its day, the execution of the engineering challenges, quality of the R&D and end result. All hallmarks of a true classic I think. These are the same reasons I chose my Velo.
I agree, that smell, especially the Castrol R, is unforgettable, much better than Dior perfume. Ha Ha. Once its in your veins its there to stay !!!
Perthaps you can help me find the posts from the previous owner, who was a member here Malcolm from Winchburgh, Edinburgh. I forgot to ask him what his forum name was. It would interesting to see his experiences while he had the bike. ? :)
Thanks
Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
I'm glad to here you got down the road safe.
I'm sad to see the bike go, but glad its gone to a good home.
Picture of the bike attached.
(Attachment Link)
Hi Malcolm,
That must have been telepathy, it just answered my last post about members interest in your/my bike, which will save me a lot of describing.
Thanks for posting and all the best with the Indian search.
Dennis
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Welcome Dennis. A photo of your bike is eagerly anticipated. Enjoy the forum.
To Julie and all who enquired.
Well today was good for photos, so I will have a go at uploading. As only 5 per posting are permitted , I will do several. Firstly the Honda and then the Velo GTP 250.
I have listed here the work done prior to my ownwership by the previous owner:
Full nut and bolt rebuild in 2015/2016 at 34,438 miles. Engine was sent to D&M engineering in Bilsthorpe for sonic clean, cylinder honing and painted black. Lots of new interior engine parts including main and end bearings, cam chain, primary drive chain, pistons & rings, new clutch and EBC heavy duty clutch springs, new seals, gaskets etc. Frame stripped and powder coated, new swing arm bushings. Running K&N pods and shorty exhaust, re-jetted to suit (running 95s). Fitted an innovative motorsports MTX-L wideband sensor to assist fuelling diagnostics. Electronic ignition & Dyna coils and new ignition leads. Falcon shocks on the rear, new springs in the front with TTR400 preload adjusters. Tapered headstock bearings. AP racing big break conversion on front (by D&M engineering) and new pads in back. Café clubman handlebars. Lithium battery with physical isolator. Custom café seat. Wheels re-spoked and balanced. TTR400 rearset, TTR400 kick starter blank, TTR400 engine brackets and cam chain adjuster.
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Pics part 2
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Pics Part 3
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Pics Part 4
The last 3 pics are of my Lamborghini Countach replica I built between 1988 and 1991, 3000hrs work in my spare time. Plus hours of evaluating and designing parts etc. Not for the faint hearted !!!
Regards
Dennis
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Very nice car, what power train have you used for it?
Strange how the 400 disc brake has so much detailed engineering in it but uses the old Honda hydraulic to connect to caliper, just doesn't seem to match the rest, presumably the PO ?
Notice it's got an exhaust gas AFR read fitted, interesting to see what that says. Edit, just saw you put that in your description, I saw it in photos :)
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Hi K2-K6,
I used the Renualt 3ltr V6 with K-Jetronic Fuel injection and Renault 5 speed trans axle mid mounted.
The AFR is work in progress and I shall be monitoring what readings I am getting over a period of time to make an assessment.
Dennis
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An observation that may be worth checking, the photo of the full front brake "looks" like the axle clamp may be fitted the wrong way round (it could be the photographed angle) as the casting is not symmetric and has an arrow for orientation cast into it.
The high side would be seated first on front side of axle, with the secondary (rear) nut tightened to fully clamp the axle. Usually you'll get no gap at front with parallel behind spindle if done correctly. Possibly worth a quick check.
Looks like a good fun bike.
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Thanks for the observations. ;)
I will have a good look at what you have mentioned. I believe it was not a straight forward mod and D&M Eng had to some custom work to fit it.
Yes thanks, I hope to have get to know it well and have some fun. ;D
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Which is the best for the shopping?
The Honda, the Velo or the Lambo?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Nice machines. 👍
Please tell me that you're going to improve the 400 rear brake pedal. I couldn't live with that Allen bolt sticking out! 😣
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Which is the. Est for the shopping?
The Honda, the Velo or the Lambo?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well Steve, I sold the Countach in 2009 - so thats out, the Honda doesn't have any load space, - SO I thnk its possibly the Velo - with bags of low down torque.!!! ;D ;D
Can anyone help with the following from your collective forum experiences please.
1. The thread size of the 4 manifold vacuum screws used for the test adaptors used on the vacuum pipes.
2. The kit model that you regard as successful.
3. Good UK supplier for service bits and "O" rings etc.
4. The majority concensus on the Brand and spec of the Engine oil for the 400/4. (Currently considering Motul 5000 MA2) (I know asking about engine oils can be a can of worms, so feel that the concensus may be the best approach.
Thanks
Dennis ;D
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Nice machines. 👍
Please tell me that you're going to improve the 400 rear brake pedal. I couldn't live with that Allen bolt sticking out! 😣
Hi taysidedragon, well spotted. ;) Yes its on the " to do" list, but at least its solid for now until i can source a nice replacement. Any suggestions from your experience please
Thanks
Dennis
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500 vucuum guage inlet screws are 5mm - would imagine same for 400 - Nurse Julie does seals for all the SOHC cam fours (upgraded)
No ides of best guages as my dad made my set up in work 49 years ago - still working great! Thanks Dad!
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500 vucuum guage inlet screws are 5mm - would imagine same for 400 - Nurse Julie does seals for all the SOHC cam fours (upgraded)
No ides of best guages as my dad made my set up in work 49 years ago - still working great! Thanks Dad!
Hi Phil, thanks for your help with those, ;D I will make a note when I do my Internet searches for guages and may need to replace O rings when I check the valve clearances.
I forgot to add to my list - Rear sprocket - nothing fancy, just well engineered and durable, what do regard as best/good value
The chain is new and the g/box sprocket v.good.
Thanks
Dennis
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Best vacuum gauges in my opinion, and most like original Honda, are Sealey and cost about £135 on ebay plus come with all adaptors. There are similar looking ones costing about £50 but the actual gauges are cheap and will not be as accurate.
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Best vacuum gauges in my opinion, and most like original Honda, are Sealey and cost about £135 on ebay plus come with all adaptors. There are similar looking ones costing about £50 but the actual gauges are cheap and will not be as accurate.
Hi Bryan, thanks for your input on that, ;D I will have a look and add it to the list Also one other item I was loooking for was a correctly sized Magnetic SUMP Drain Plug, if anyone can help please.
Cheers
Dennis ;D
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Yet another please. ;)
FUEL PIPE CLIPS (spring fit)
Thanks Guys
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Can anyone tell me the normal running oil pressure range please
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Warning light extinguishes at approximately 15 psi and maximum pressure is capped at around 60 psi, estimated slightly as I think they may quote 59.something in manuals.
It'll dump excess out the relief valve to avoid risk to oil pump drive, as most engine arrangements do.
Flow is, pickup, pump, floods filter housing, exits through filter element centre via main bolt to internal galleries. Pressure relief also built in to filter bolt in case of filter blocking, so feed is maintained with unfiltered.
Barrel feed route to head has resistance in line to maintain crankshaft plain bearings in high pressure environment, with cam etc at low pressure open bath type oiling and spray bars for wetting effectively.
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Warning light extinguishes at approximately 15 psi and maximum pressure is capped at around 60 psi, estimated slightly as I think they may quote 59.something in manuals.
It'll dump excess out the relief valve to avoid risk to oil pump drive, as most engine arrangements do.
Flow is, pickup, pump, floods filter housing, exits through filter element centre via main bolt to internal galleries. Pressure relief also built in to filter bolt in case of filter blocking, so feed is maintained with unfiltered.
Barrel feed route to head has resistance in line to maintain crankshaft plain bearings in high pressure environment, with cam etc at low pressure open bath type oiling and spray bars for wetting effectively.
Gee thanks K2-K6 thats great info :) :)
I have been thinking about fitting an Oil pressure gauge and that gives me a good idea of the scale range to use. I'm thinking about picking up the feed from the pressure switch point but still retaining the switch, if I can find a suitable union/connection. I need to have a look what space is available tomorrow and the sizes of electrical senders.
Regards
Dennis
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When I fitted the oil guage to my CR750 Rep, I used a 'tee' off the oil pressure switch pickup point - its a few years since I did it so can't remember gallery thread for the 'tee' but think I searched the US SOHC site. Then worked back from the guage for fittings/pipe
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On a 400 there is not room to put anything extra where the pressure switch is(on oil pump under sprocket cover) so you need to drill and tap the screwed in plug under the points cover, just so happens i took one out of a 500 engine on Sunday you can have for post
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Nice machines. 👍
Please tell me that you're going to improve the 400 rear brake pedal. I couldn't live with that Allen bolt sticking out! 😣
Hi taysidedragon, well spotted. ;) Yes its on the " to do" list, but at least its solid for now until i can source a nice replacement. Any suggestions from your experience please
I would try and get a longer knurled bar made to replace the pedal that's too short.
For carb balancing I use the Morgan Carbtune set. Well damped and accurate.
Thanks
Dennis
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On a 400 there is not room to put anything extra where the pressure switch is(on oil pump under sprocket cover) so you need to drill and tap the screwed in plug under the points cover, just so happens i took one out of a 500 engine on Sunday you can have for post
Hi Bryan, thank you for your info and help, thats very kind of you. I will PM you and make some arrangements. :)
Cheers
Dennis
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Nice machines. 👍
Please tell me that you're going to improve the 400 rear brake pedal. I couldn't live with that Allen bolt sticking out! 😣
Hi taysidedragon, well spotted. ;) Yes its on the " to do" list, but at least its solid for now until i can source a nice replacement. Any suggestions from your experience please
I would try and get a longer knurled bar made to replace the pedal that's too short.
For carb balancing I use the Morgan Carbtune set. Well damped and accurate.
Thanks
Dennis
Many thanks for the info Gareth. :)
I will have a look at the Morgan set. The pedal if on my “to do” list for attention.
Cheers ;D
Dennis
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When I fitted the oil guage to my CR750 Rep, I used a 'tee' off the oil pressure switch pickup point - its a few years since I did it so can't remember gallery thread for the 'tee' but think I searched the US SOHC site. Then worked back from the guage for fittings/pipe
Many thanks Phil :)
I plan to have a good look around the space and clearance situation today, both near the o/p switch and the points cover. Plus placement of the gauge, possibly opposite the A/F ratio gauge.
Cheers ;D
Dennis
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On the 400/4, can anyone confirm the oil pressure light switch and oil pump casing thread size please ? :)
Thanks
Dennis