1978 400f - part project

[blackeagles]

i cannot say this is a real project, not when i have seen some of the work many of you folks have been taking on, but for what it work this is mine.

this bike was (i believe) restored/part restored sometime in the early 2010's and since 2012 to when i got it it had been arround on the road and covered some 2200 miles in 6 years so not exactly a total rust bucket.

anyway, it had some bits from other bikes, loose sprockets, broken panels, various odd sized screws  and the like so i have been putting 'good' second hand parts on it where possible (i'm not into concourse or even repro if i can help it) and have just finished the carbs, fitted them, twisted the grip a bit and was rewarded with the cable snapping!!

as far as i'm concerned the 'rolling chassis' is all but finished and hopefully the engine will be ok!! since its been ridden until recently - some hope i suspect.

[Johnwebley]

Hey.it's a project. It requires rebuilding. Thought and application.
It's looking good so.enjoy.
When you get it running. The feeling is wonderful

Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk

[Nurse Julie]

Great work. As long as it is ridden, it really doesn't matter which bits are correct and which bits aren't. Nothing really matters as long as it goes well.

[Sprocket]

Nice to see another one being made to work again!

[paul G]

Welcome to another 400/4

What was the result of that pole recently !

[Athame57]

I'll be watching progress with interest! 

[blackeagles]

well, finally got the carbs back on and only pipes 1 and 2 getting hot - 3 and 4 stone cold - so carbs back off and appart again!!

back on and still cold so back off but i still could not find anything wrong so back on and blow me it started and ran with all pipes getting hot!!  it does not like choke at all and will start with it fully off but it starts .  clearly its too rich (settings on basic i.e 2 turns out of the pilot screw) so will have to adjust - (which way to weaken, in or out)

can the primary chain be adjusted or is it set and the engine has to be taken appart?

progress, slow but its there 

[Rozabikes Tim]

Primary chain not adjustable but sort and balance the carbs before worrying. That can transform things.

[mike the bike]

Best to synchronise carbs.  Unsynchronised carbs will make the engine sound rather rattly, whi h leads people to think the primary chain and cam chain are worn.

[blackeagles]

ok, do you guys have your own gauge sets or just find a friendly bike shop?

most of the 'kits' i see advertised seem to use m5 for the bit that screws into the carb but i'm pretty sure the gauge hole on mine is smaller.

[robvangulik]

M5 is correct for the 400 too

[Athame57]

Talk about carbs...is there an EASY way of getting them back into the Airbox inlets? I've bought new ones but the job is still awkward enough to make me scream!

[robvangulik]

I always put the airbox on the carbs when they are off the bike, and then slide the assembly in the frame from the right side. In my eyes the only way to make sure the air inlet is as smooth as possible on all four carbs.

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,16999.msg145183.html#msg145183

[Bryanj]

The absolute easiest way to get them in is before bolting the engine up so you can tilt it forward------but that only works on a full strip/ restore.

[blackeagles]

there is not a lot of room but i found putting the carbs on first then the overflow pipes in place then a light oil of the air manifold rubbers and it goes on - all from the right.

if the air manifold box is a bit distorted (i.e pushed away from the arbs) then its ever harder but taking the air filter and tunnel out and pushing a small piece of wood throu. the hole into the manifold to push the rubber onto the carb works.