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Topics - TrickyMicky

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CB350/400 / Steering lock renewal.
« on: March 15, 2024, 04:22:22 PM »
Well here we are, halfway through March, so, the 400 was re-introduced to the wonders of daylight. Last use was late November. After checks on tyres/chain/battery etc., the petrol was turned on and left for about 2 minutes, no drips, OH JOY!.  I had not kept the battery on charge at all, so, seeking forgiveness for all my past sins, it was ignition on and press the starter. Engine turned over about three or four times, and it only bleedin'  started eh?  Couple of trips round the block then back into garage to change oil and filter.  Last time I rode it I had absent mindedly left a key in the steering lock, bad idea.  So,as everything had gone well so far today that I dug out the new replacement I had bought earlier this year.  My bottomless gratitude to all the people who have contributed to this forum on the subject of lock replacement, I wish you had warned me that I needed the Oxford Concise Dictionary of mechanical obscenities!! But I got there eventually. Thanks everybody, have a great weekend.  Mike.

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Where's My Old Bike? / My old 750. KLC 12K
« on: July 16, 2023, 10:59:41 AM »
Have just been messing around on the DVLA site, and seen this is still alive!!  I bought KLC 12K new in Dagenham. Sold it in 1974 to get thew readies for marriage. Daft or what???

3
CB350/400 / Familiarity Breeds Contempt (or stupidity?)
« on: October 07, 2022, 12:20:14 PM »
Y'know, I've owned my 400 for nearly 35 years now, and early this year I replaced the whole front brake system except the disc.   Early this week it suddenly developed the previously talked about sound effect of a pig being dragged along by its wotsits.  2nd bike was occupying the ramp so it was a quick 45 minute curving of the 75 year old spine to split the calliper, scuff the pads, and brutalise the disc surfaces a little. Managed this without having to disconnect the fluid pipe, so floating pad was inserted by feel as has been done many times before. I had put the little blobs of red grease on all the relevant surfaces, inserted the two main fixing bolts lightly using a 3/8dr ratchet ready to finish with a torque wrench. Before the bolts were even fully home, the brake was locked solid. Hm.  Loosen everything, including the adjuster screw, pivot arm nice and free, using thumb pressure managed to push the piston further in. So, re-assemble, same result!!  Rather than attack in temper, down tools, switch off light and go indoors for dinner.  2nd attempt this morning, fresh brain, spine nicely loosened off, split calliper yet again, removed the floating pad, and out fell the white nylon ring 'twixt pad and piston, nicely chewed up! It had obviously dislodged when I inserted pad "blind", and upon tightening the bolts I had destroyed it which meant the pad was sticking out too far. Is it just me, or has this happened to any other unwary person?  Oh God I love this hobby! Mike.  (PS. Yes I did have a spare one)

4
CB350/400 / Battery Cable Terminals
« on: September 27, 2022, 03:01:16 PM »
I hope I'm not losing the plot yet, but I've tried seemingly everywhere to obtain the right angled positive cable end for the 400. I want to retain this shape so as to keep the cable in its original location running down beside the battery.  Any help gratefully received. Mike.

5
CB350/400 / LED indicator bulbs
« on: September 06, 2022, 07:08:00 PM »
Greetings gang. Just to set the scene, I now own a 1987  GB250 Clubman grey import, great fun, has managed to release a few remaining 'moments' from this 75 year old carcass. The indicator relay failed last week, a genuine replacement being available in California at an unbelievable price.  Thinking outside the box, it's no different to a car unit, 12volts, 2 x 21watt bulbs plus idiot lights. I looked on the website of my LED bulb supplier (Classiccarleds), and they offer a unit which has done the job, it will cater for filament or led bulbs or even a mix of the two, the flashing rate stays the same, and costs £8.25 + VAT.  After completing the task, I then looked at the 400 and thought hmmm, ordered another unit plus 4 LED bulbs, straightforward swap over of units, just plug and play, and if you are nimble with you fingers the unit will fit into the existing rubber housing for the original. Bulbs were all replaced, and WOW! They're good. Hopefully might help somebody with indicator issues. Stay Safe. Mike.

6
Other Bikes / Maybe a momentary lack of sanity???
« on: February 24, 2022, 11:38:25 AM »
Having owned my 400/4 for 30 odd years, I am considering giving it a new garage mate. Am looking at a GB250 Clubman, built for the Japanese market only, but on sale over here, and it's taken my fancy!  Looking closely at the pics, it would seem that the engine is rubber mounted, but I cannot make out any corresponding flexible mounts for the exhaust system. Anybody with any knowledge out there who is able to tell me that I've got it wrong please? Thanks, Mike.

7
CB350/400 / Rear Luggage Rack
« on: August 31, 2021, 09:10:14 AM »
Good morning world, hope nobody is suffering from Bank Holiday Monday sunburn!  Have just been looking at pics of luggage racks from DSS. The one for the 350 is a chrome finish, and the 400 version is a bright paint finish.  My main query is are the dimensions for the fixing points identical? I have no knowledge on the 350 model at all. If they are the same, then it's just a case of me deciding which finish and price I prefer!  Thanks. Mike.

8
CB350/400 / Older and Wiser???? -- "NOPE"
« on: May 10, 2021, 10:05:11 AM »
Y'know, I've owned my 400 for 33 years now, and kidded myself that I was just starting to get the hang of things.  Couple of weeks ago, performed the ritual oil and filter change for about the 20th time, and decided to give it a special treat! I bought a NEW sump plug! Yes it has had plenty of new washers. Also this year, I purchased my first ever torque wrench. Oil was duly drained overnight, new filter fitted, taking great care with that bloody great centre bolt. Then, the new sump plug and washer were fitted, I looked at the nice new torque wrench in its presentation case, and thought that it was not ready yet to be covered in oily handprints, and used the 3/8DR ratchet as per all those previous years. Nip it up wrist pressure tight followed by that final tweak. I bet you'll never guess what happened!!!!  I tried to kid myself that it was caused by new bolt into 45 year old sump, and other idiotic reasons, but eventually gave in to the fact that I had cocked up!
     Fortunately DSS is only a 30 minute drive away, and I suffered an acute attack of the wallet with the purchase of a new sump and gasket,
    Yesterday I decided to install the new sump, putting bike on lift this time to save my ageing backbone. Working my way round the sump bolts they all cracked undone nicely until I reached the two on the right above the exhaust collector unit. Have I really got to remove the whole exhaust system just to reach two bolts?  That exhaust is an OE fitting that has not been disturbed for about 16 years, and at present does not leak anywhere. Which god should I be praying to?
     Anybody had recent experience of this dilemma?  Plus, should those in power look favourably upon me, I don't seem to be able to locate the torque figures for the sump bolts or the drain plug. I think it is highly likely that the torque wrench is going to be removed from its box. Mick.

9
CB350/400 / OE versus Pattern?
« on: November 06, 2020, 11:27:56 AM »
Without wishing to open too many old wounds, a condensed history of my 400.  It's a 1976 model, purchased in 1988/89, with 13,800 on the clock. Had owned various Hondas from 70cc to 750cc ( 2 of those beauties!) but never a 400! Had been 7 years without a bike and my mental wellbeing was suffering.  Travelled to Oxford to collect bike, filled the man's open hand with lots of money, (remember that stuff?), and rode home to East Anglia feeling like a dog with two whotsits.  Regularly washed and leathered, but I bought it to ride, not to show.  2 years and it started to rattle, AHA, camchain! I've heard all about these. Into unlit wooden garden shed, and out with the spanners, unlike the 750, it can be taken apart in the frame! Oh such joy. Also unlike the 750, the barrels are not secured to the crankcase, which meant that they lifted when I persuaded the head to let go. Oh look, the base gasket has split, Oh goodness me I said. Ok, barrels off accompanied by 2 pieces of broken piston ring falling into the crankcase which I hadn't protected. Ok, engine out, bugger it, the sump has to be removed first! Finally engine out, upside down on bench (old sideboard) ready to split the cases, and yes, the 2 bits of piston ring  fell out!!!!  I questioned the bike's parentage, and went in for my tea.
    The tea break took 9 years, during which time the shed roof had leaked meaning I lost a complete exhaust system, camshaft and rockers to the elements. Got quite a lot of new stuff from a Main agent in Dagenham, but he suggested that for some of the other bits I should contact this chap in deepest Suffolk who had set up a business selling new/old genuine parts. Magic.
   Finally finished in 2002, now living in Suffolk, 20 minutes from Leiston!!!!!  Bike was stirred back into life and obtained a nice new MOT.  Over the years, bits were replaced, pattern front forks from DSS, perfect, correct height handlebars and new switchgear (OE).  A few years ago I decided that the 1970's chromework was looking a bit shabby, mudguards in particular, but the metal was still very good, so re-chroming was undertaken by a restorer near me, and WOW, the finish was superb.
     Coming right up to date, I have just fitted a complete new front brake system apart from the disc, all pattern bits apart from the banjo bolts and washers.  It all fitted perfectly, especially on the 2nd attempt when I eventually got the top flexible hose the right way up!  A few bits of skin missing, but still got all 10 fingers. My original re-chromed 1976 front mudguard was showing quite a bit of rot by the bracing piece, my restorer friend told me that the plater does not do metal repairs, just plating, and the cost of chroming had gone ballistic. Lo and behold, on a well known auction site, there just happened to be some unused unopened OE parts for a 400, including would you believe, a brand new front mudguard and stays!!!  It was a case of MUST HAVE, and may my piggy bank R.I.P.  This week I decided to fit the new guard, and carefully opened the still sealed original packaging to reveal this 1970's chrome masterpiece in all its glory, Hmmmm??  Shame my original part had failed because the existing chrome plating knocked the OE new part into a cocked hat.  It was and absolute b-----d to fit, the loop that holds the brake pipe had to be bent to be anywhere near the correct position, and the enclosed loop for the speedo cable isn't much more than a piece of chromed wire that's been tacked on, compared with the old version which is formed steel fully welded into position. When finally all bolted up, the front of the guard had to be forcibly twisted round to give some semblance of looking in line.When it comes to fitting the stays, comparing the finish, ther;s a possibility that the originals might be going back on.
   So, OE or pattern?  I think that we have to remember that OE parts were manufactured at least 40 years ago, and on some parts, mainly cosmetic, this could have an effect. Happy fettling, and stay safe. Michael.

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CB350/400 / 'orrible 'eadlamp!!!
« on: September 10, 2020, 11:48:00 AM »
Last week I ventured out in the evening, which meant returning home in the dark on unlit and unknown twisty country lanes. This was my first night-time outing for many years on the bike, and it brought home how bad the standard front candle is. I was therefore wondering if anybody had been clever/daft enough to fit a light unit similar to the attached(hopefully) photo.

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Out & About / SOHC Four 50th Anniversary
« on: March 10, 2019, 10:01:35 AM »
Have just looked at David Silver's website, and he is having a 50th anniversary open day at Leiston on Sat. 28th September. Free entry to the museum, refreshments, and music to suit, plus you can enter for "Best This or That" for each capacity model. Y'know, with a bit of luck, we could fill Leiston to overflowing!!! Regards, Mick.

12
CB350/400 / Hunting for a bad earth?
« on: August 01, 2018, 11:37:46 AM »
Hi Gang,  for the 1st time in many years I took the dear old 400 out in the dark. Upon reaching empty unlit roads I sampled the piercing power of the 35watt main beam, no probs apart from looking at the warning light cluster showed the blue main beam light working along with a dim glow from BOTH yellow indicator warnings! When using the indicators, they worked fine, but the yellow warning light flashed for the WRONG direction! All the actual lights themselves worked ok. Before I disembowel all the spaghetti from the headlamp shell and dissect the warning light cluster, is anybody able to say "AHA, I know exactly what that is". I was hoping that when I got rid of my old Peugeot 406 I'd finished with vehicles that had become 'possessed' electrically! Regards, Mick.

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CB350/400 / Non Standard Mirrors
« on: May 28, 2018, 09:24:33 PM »
Have owned my 400f for many years now, it's original but not concours. Now that I'm retired I prefer riding it when wife & weather permits!!   Whilst I like originality I'm also a realist, and with todays traffic, mirror use is of prime importance, and the standard fare leaves a lot to be desired. Many years ago I blagged a ride on a pal's bike that had Stadium bar-end mirrors fitted, and I thought at the time they were superb. It now transpires that these are still available under the Halcyon name. Not cheap, but British made from Stainless steel. Just wondering if anybody has tried these, and wondering how out of place they would look on a 70's 400f?

14
CB350/400 / Smelly 400/4
« on: May 24, 2018, 12:07:19 PM »
Have always owned Hondas from 1967 up to now. Always used Shell Super Multigrade 20w50 with no problems whatsoever. (Dad worked in a Shell garage!). At present am running 1976 400/4, purchased in 1989, taken off road in 1991 for cam chain etc., rebuilt in 2005. You can't rush these things!!!!! Runs well, have been using Shell Helix 10w40 since then, but about 18 months ago I noticed that they now say that this oil is suitable for petrol and diesel engines. At about the same time when I checked the oil level, it wasn't using any oil, but there is a strong fuel like smell on the dipstick, and also from the base of sponge at the base of the air filter. Rode out with my son following me, he said there was no smoke whatsoever, and the oil level stays constant. At the moment the bike is sitting on the ramp, tank removed, no leak from tap, no leaks from carb overflow pipes, air filter removed, quite clean, sponge removed, stinks like hell, all breather tubes removed, all clear, breather chamber below filter box removed, all clear. Wiped round inside black plastic air chamber, all clean. Does this mean I've got to take those poxy carbs off again? Have bought some ordinary 20w50 mineral multigrade ready to change the oil and filter, bike has only done 1020 mile since last oil change. What am I missing, (apart from a few marbles!!)
        P.S. Has anybody ever let the engine breather pipe just vent to the open air, (Smog Specification)?

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