Honda-SOHC

I used the kit from Pyramid Parts and whilst it did fit there was only 1.5 turns on the castelated nut. I contact Pyramid and they requested photos and these were duly sent with the measurements. Pyramid admitted the kit was not suitable for the 400/4 despite their listing stating it was and gave me my money back. This was the same kit many have used on here. Pyramid agreed with my findings that it could be dangerous.
I bought a set of caged ball bearings in the end and they fitted perfectly using a 2mm shim on the lower yoke.
I have contacted Pyramid a couple of times since to request an update and I also voluntered to try the stepped bearing they were proposing but they told me they are currently speaking to several restorers of these machines to obtain a solution. Needless to say I had a pig of a job to get the taper races out of my newly powder coated frame!

I believe a member here fitted a Pyramid kit to his 400 without issues I think it was oldchuffer? Anglesey way. My 400 ended up with the caged lower ball race and a taper top as the none pyramid kit left not enough  top thread.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I will tap out the brake bit and the bearing cups and whilst Im at it will have a go at the shock bushes and see how bonded in they are. I will get a kit of the old-style ball bearings and races as if it worked for nigh on 50 years then thats going to see me out. Mike

Many of you have followed my journey with my 500 four named Lazarus. He is now roadworthy and undergoing final fettling and still resisting but gradually getting there. Was just thinking I would have not got here without the help of this forum, if only for the encouragement and banter! Lots of you have contributed spares and advice over the last 2 years, Nurse Julie and Graham with parts and machining work, Bryan who supplied stuff at low cost to help the budget, and many others with bits along the way. A big thanks also to Oddjob (Ken), no longer a member here but donated lots of engine parts to the cause, a star! So a big big thanks to you all from me and Lazarus, have a great day.
regards, Mick

I've just got home from the Kempton Bike Show and autojumble. I'd like to say I had a really good ride over on the VFR but riding through the London 'burbs' is  painful even on a bike, so many idiots and morons in cars. I actually had one guy next to me at a set of red lights who decided he'd had enough of waitng and just decided to go despite all the traffic coming around the roundabout!
The show was pretty good, the CR Rotary racer was there and was run up on the rollers, what a sound as was the Jawa 2 valve speedway bike.
The Best in Show was won by a Honda Phil Read Replica with a very nice back story. There was a 90cc twin Yamaha that was highly comended as well as a CB72/77?
I was hoping to get some 10/40 oil for Ratty but nothing available, plenty of 20/50 or straight 30/40/50! In order not to feel I had a wasted trip I bought a can of electrical contact cleaner instead!

I used the kit from Pyramid Parts and whilst it did fit there was only 1.5 turns on the castelated nut. I contact Pyramid and they requested photos and these were duly sent with the measurements. Pyramid admitted the kit was not suitable for the 400/4 despite their listing stating it was and gave me my money back. This was the same kit many have used on here. Pyramid agreed with my findings that it could be dangerous.
I bought a set of caged ball bearings in the end and they fitted perfectly using a 2mm shim on the lower yoke.
I have contacted Pyramid a couple of times since to request an update and I also voluntered to try the stepped bearing they were proposing but they told me they are currently speaking to several restorers of these machines to obtain a solution. Needless to say I had a pig of a job to get the taper races out of my newly powder coated frame!