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Messages - Dave
31
« on: December 04, 2021, 02:08:53 PM »
My routine is based on various suggestions from members of this forum and a few other places - Go for last ride, get back to garage - drain and replace oil
- Turn bike over a few times to circulate new oil (kill switch enabled)
- Drain carbs
- Drain tank. Even after running on reserve, I take tank off and tip upside down to empty completely
- Fill tank with Aspen 4 (some people use R Storage Plus from aaoil as well)
- Fill carbs then turn petcock off
- Centre stand, carpet under front tyre
I keep the carbs full by turning the petcock on for a few minutes every couple of weeks or so. I also check tyre pressure. It might all be overkill, but that's what I do. It worked great for me last year. Drained the Aspen, filled with E5 and it started first time! The bike had been stored for just over 4 months. I should add I use my garage all year round and there is sensitive equipment stored in it - so I run a dehumidifier (it also makes the place much nicer to work in - no damp air which isn't good for me). That said, I do appreciate it's an additional expense. In that case, you need to look at alternative ways to stop your bike getting overly damp. Dave
32
« on: December 02, 2021, 12:33:43 PM »
Just put for 400F to bed for the winter.
I was talking to a mate about the fun I had over the summer, explaining that the bike only comes alive when revved quite high. And what a great sound.
"...but the bike is nearly 50 years old!" he said "you'll break it!!"
Mmmm.
So...assuming a reasonably well maintained 400F and assuming no underlying problems (that is an assumption!!) the questions are:
How hard can you work these old bikes?
Is there a rev limit under the one shown on the clock I should stick to?
In other words, can I still "give it the beans"?
33
« on: May 06, 2021, 12:33:21 PM »
Welcome from sunny Saltburn-by-the Sea!
34
« on: April 26, 2021, 07:02:19 AM »
Hi Andy
> my first thought was Rosedale
Very close!
Didn't quite make it that far - stayed around Danby then towards Fryup. If I had not looped back I would have passed through Rosedale Abbey...
Dave
35
« on: April 24, 2021, 09:09:26 AM »
Real shame I missed you Roy - I was there about 1PM-ish...
36
« on: April 24, 2021, 09:00:30 AM »
North Yorkshire Moors yesterday...
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37
« on: March 14, 2021, 02:49:47 PM »
Looks awesome. I like the styling...
38
« on: March 08, 2021, 04:39:17 PM »
At 5' 5" it's always annoyed me that a 400/4 is considered a womans bike. Shame on you. It's a riders bike that appreciates a very singular build, whether male or female...
39
« on: February 03, 2021, 05:49:57 PM »
My understanding is that screwing it in does not increase tension. It only locks the adjustment made by the internal horseshoe/ spring arrangement. If the horseshoe is seized or spring worn, tightening this further will only bugger up the thread.
40
« on: February 02, 2021, 04:15:14 PM »
Finally found front mudguard stay (both actually) on ebay for £15.00. Thanks for all the help...
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41
« on: January 20, 2021, 04:34:44 PM »
Looks extremely good. I think everyone on this forum will understand and appreciate the amount of work (and cash!) that's gone into that restoration.
42
« on: January 20, 2021, 11:05:15 AM »
> Thinking time is the most important part of a restoration...I can spend 6 weeks thinking
> about doing something, that in the end turns out to be less than a 5 minute job
snap!
43
« on: January 15, 2021, 07:52:43 AM »
That would be great - thanks!!!
44
« on: January 14, 2021, 09:36:09 AM »
Hi Ted
You raise a good point regarding seals.
Normally in a cold garage you probably would want air from the outside circulating to prevent the build up of damp / mould etc. When running a dehumidifier, you definitely want a closed system i.e. no leaks else you end up trying to dehumidify the outside world, which would be expensive ;-) I wouldn't get hung up about opening doors but clearly a side door would be better than an up and over door in terms of letting in damp air from outside. The main thing is when the dehumidifier is running, your garage is sealed.
In reality this can be a challenge. I have a side door and roller shutters on the main door. I don't have windows. The original side door was crap and didn't fit at all properly. I got a steel door from Lathams online (I have no affiliation with them). Best thing I could have done. Easy to fit (you will need a mate to help handle it) but it's sealed all around the door (like a uPVC door but much, much cheaper). It's also much more secure. The roller door has brushes but it does let air in, but overall I am happy with the set-up I have.
Dave
45
« on: January 13, 2021, 11:57:22 AM »
I bought a desiccant dehumidifier (MEACO) some time ago and it's fantastic. Desiccant dehumidifiers are more expensive to run than compressor based dehumidifiers but desiccants have the advantage they can work down to about 1 degree. They also have the benefit of heating the garage up very slightly (because it uses a heater element).
Not only does it keep the garage dry it makes it much nicer to work in (even when it's quite cold) - the air is not damp. None of my tools / bike parts rust in the winter now! It does not run all the time - once the target humidity is reached it shuts down. I have a hose connected to the outside world so I do not even have to empty the built in collector - set and forget!
My garage is not insulated, so it's quite expensive to run (about £15.00 PM) on its lower setting. But honestly, it really has made such a massive difference I do not mind paying that at all...
Dave
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