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Topics - PatM
1
« on: March 06, 2019, 02:26:52 PM »
Hi- Has anyone had any problems with road tax and the 40-year Rule?
My 400/4 according to my log book was registered 1st in September 1978
However, I recived a V11 today to ask me to pay for road tax.
i called the DVLA and they said becuase their databse states my bike wasnt actually registered until December of 1978...? despite the log book suggesting differently, I have to go to a tax office and get a new log book?
Sound a load of beuracratic b**** to me, but has anyone else had simlar experience?
2
« on: May 21, 2017, 12:47:08 PM »
Boring sunday and avoiding looking after grandkids...Has anyone replaced their headlight- either with a substitute whole unit, bowl, reflector, lease or just the lease/reflector? i remember the CIBE conversion from the 70's that made one heck of a difference.
Mine is a rusty reflector and I've even considered HID'in it as kits are cheap these days. Power consumption a lot less using one of those.but the burner needs to fit. the transistor packs are small enough to 'hide' mount.
Im trying not to go down the H4 high-wattage road and damage the delicate gene or wiring.
3
« on: April 24, 2017, 08:06:53 PM »
I thought id say hello again to the Forum, as its been a while since I've been on here- No, I'm not dead yet.
it must be 2 years ago i parked the 400/4 up in the carpeted garage, plugged in the trickle-charger covered it up and just forgot about it. i had a couple of other projects- one was a Mobylette that finally defeated me and id brought a fun car to get to away matches as Im a non-league fan.
I rebuilt or got the Honda running about 5 or 6 years ago and due to a change in circumstances- not ridden bikes much over the last few years.
So, I thought id better get the Honda going or sell him- not something i could have imagined previously.
Oil out, filter out, rockers off and tappets- I forgot how fiddly they are to do in-frame. The bike had never been a good cold-starter. The simple things you miss- at least two valves were too tight.
I drained the tank of something that no longer smelt of petrol.
i managed to damage one of the tappet-covers as I had to revert to a hammer/chisel to get it off (new one ordered)
Fresh oil today, filter, and fuel- the carbs were empty! id rebuilt them 5 years back, so I knew the jets were good.
i rigged a petrol supply and tap and filled the carbs- they did leak!
As the battery was obvious charged (due to the Optimate) 3 jabs and he started and ran!
MOT Friday- I need to use him rather than just park him up.
4
« on: June 01, 2014, 06:00:39 PM »
Anyone use a capful of Redex in a tank...? Just wondering, as I had a bottle full and just did....(yet to go out for a run but the though process was to dissolve any glue/varnish over the winter break..).
I went out for my 2nd run this year before trying this 'trick' and she was popping on low/idle until it got warm and had done a few miles.
5
« on: November 09, 2013, 08:16:36 AM »
Roll up roll up- literally at my door if you want. Im having a garage clear out and have 2 of 4:1 exhaust pipes- both rusty but one not too bad and a seat with a plastic base- Im going to dump them on account Ive no room and need to create some- Im happy to give them to anyone who can pick them up- Maidstone. They might do someone a short-term turn!
6
« on: July 21, 2013, 05:45:36 PM »
Just done 100 miles now on my 400 and notice one pipe different colour to the rest- rich or week on one carb , gents?
They are new pipes- so its easy to see the difference!
7
« on: June 23, 2013, 04:33:40 PM »
With the MOT passed, I determined to ride the 400/4 this year and not just put it away and fiddle with it, I’m sure there’s a moral in there somewhere.
I took to the lanes of Kent this afternoon, stopping at Bearsted to watch some cricket on the green- the bike got a few looks from the watchers- and its distinctive noise as I pulled away must have stirred some memories.
In clad with my ‘fake Belstaff jacket’ but could de with some better quality jeans- that’s what we all used to wear, is it not? – I couldn’t afford the Bestaff in the 70’s, but I’m not moaning- I always seemed to find the money for a pint in them bygone days.
I rode back into Maidstone- bearing in mind this was the bikes first legal trip this year- now it seems to be running properly and I don’t have the run the gauntlet of the Law, trying to set the carbs and try it out. It pulls very well, just as well as it did- slightly hesitant if I don’t change down gear to pull away- but I’m happy and I’m sure that how I remember it running 2 years ago when I first restored it. I definitely runs better with a full tank of fuel- which means maybe the tank filter of cock is still restricted- I’ve got a another tank to fit when I get around to it- I’ve actually spent a few bob on it this year.
The DS replica pipes look good- the chrome is not in back nick for an original set of mudguards and the seat looks ok- even if its heart is fibreglass.
I saw a CX500 and an old R100 at the side of the road: I just had to double-back for a chat- and we did, sharing a fag and anecdotes about Hondas- until some village-idiot came along to tell us how much we would be fined for- a) parking on a bus stop- (have you ever tried to get a bus in Maidstone on a Sunday?) b. dissuading our fags- again, sign of the times- I’m not putting it in my pocket! And c. he notice my tax disc was 2-years old- I offered the truth that I taxed it online last Thursday, and was genuinely waiting for it to come through…but no ‘That’s a hefty fine, that is..’
Which is a shame, as the chaps I met were looking for a route to Canterbury which I naturally obliged- but I’m sure we would have been there longer discussing bikes we had owned, had we not been disturbed- Oh well, I takes all sorts.
8
« on: June 06, 2013, 09:06:12 AM »
Gents- is there an O ring that's supposed to go on the mixture jet when you get a carb-rebuild kit? Ive done mine but its not running right on the idle circuit- I also mindfully aware of 4 spare O rings which I didn't use after the rebuild!
If that's so- how do you get the old ones out of the carbs?
BTW- Ive brought and fitted the DS exhaust system replica- its a good looker but a bitch to fit- especially getting the final pipe- No 4 in my case- into the new collector box. I used a RUBBER tent peg hammer after the pipes were retained in the head by the studs/collars. I was worried about too much force breaking a stud off! I used plenty of Vaseline.. as we all have to of a certain age group. Highly recommend the product as looks nearly as good as the original and keenly-priced.
9
« on: April 21, 2013, 07:50:02 PM »
Not used my 400/4 for about 18 months-cant ride too many bikes! Reading some of the Cafe racer restor3s, what IS a good replacement for the dreaded stock master cylinder that delivers such a terrible brake,,,?
10
« on: November 02, 2011, 03:27:59 PM »
Im sure I wasnt the only one to have recieved and been suprised at the request from DS to buy our 400/4? I know my brother got the same email!
11
« on: April 24, 2011, 10:01:13 PM »
I took my bike for its first night-ride this evening- Id changed the headlight back to the original last year and not ventured out on it since Jan 11. I was on my way back from Swanley and noticed what I thought was a filament problem- the light kept on flickering in front of me, if you see what I mean- Headlight- or main beam was fine- but when I got back to Maidstone- I could rev the 400 and the headlight dimmed- any ideas? before I start replacing things willy-nilly! are they fed by a differnt fuse line? (I had my fusebox burn out last year leaving me stranded- but replaced it with one from Neil off Ebay)
Rgds
PatM
12
« on: October 10, 2010, 06:25:41 PM »
Hi
how do you get the 2 rear wheel bearings out-and the spacer? ive removed the bearing retainer ring , after fabricating a tool for the job but they are both inteference fit and wont budge?
PatM
13
« on: September 16, 2010, 05:58:13 PM »
Hi All
Been a few weeks weeks since Ive looked/posted. I question- looking at the photograph-(if it attatches..) in the Panels opinion- which groove- say from the top down, counting- should the circlip be in for the needle? I'm sure I put mine in 2 down...
One of the problems with carbs etc over the years is people sodding around with them, re-jet kits from the '70's, K+N upgrades... its difficult to know whats Right and whats wrong when rebuilding!
Ive alway thought my 400 a bit hesitant until it gets going- say over 2.5k- and a remark Yoshi made has had me thinking ever since we met at The Gamecock on the 2/9
Rgds
PatM
14
« on: August 30, 2010, 04:30:49 PM »
Hi
are 550 clocks/rev counter the same as the 400/4's?
I took my clock apart (again) to try to repair the oddometer/trip and failed- as the gears stripped because the grease went solid on the driven idler gear.
The s/s ring is a bit of a mess now- so I need to re-speedo it, if you follow.
15
« on: August 18, 2010, 08:24:35 PM »
Hi All!
I went for the MOT today after my rebuild and failed on front brake binding and the throttle cable snagging on full-lock. One is an easy fix- but the brake is a b'strd.
I fitted new pads and yep, it does bind- but as they are running in , I left it. the non moving pad has only just got a kiss on it and the moving- I cant tell (as Ive only done about 10 illegal miles, fettling- without an MOT..)
I have had problems with 400/4 brakes in the past- trying to get a good brake on a 400 is a black-art Ive never mastered- but the only way I can reduce the bind on this is to either loosen the capiper (err, a non, no) or fit the moving old pad.
The brake is still crap, but it might just do...as the rear locks a treat!
any comments/help or jibes, feel free!
Rgds
PatM
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