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OAP Ted's CB400F2 rebuild - engine not run for about 12 years.
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
More frame stripping, handlebars removed, frame supported on wooden blocks to fascilitate front wheel removal. Noticed the steering was like a three-penny bit when wheel removed.
Both telescopic fork legs removed together with top & bottom yokes plus searching for lost ball bearing that went everywhere - so far I think I have recovered 34 in total!
My Haynes manual reads 37 off - odd total. They will need replacing anyway due to general rusting, likewise the bearing cups etc.
Update I have now found 36 of the ball bearings !
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
This morning having examined the steering outer bearing races have decided they need replacing due to rust etc - upper & lower bearing surfaces drifted out with ease.
No key for the steering lock so old one drilled out (followed guide on a previous post here to choose the hole position) - kept the spring as not sure my new lock has one or not.
Hardest job today was removing the brake stopper/stay pivot bolt from the rear swing arm. The inside nut was well rounded so had to cut the nut off with junior hack saw. If they are readily available I will get a new one as it's a sholdered bolt with a narrow top head.
Only item left on the frame now is a wire hook thing near the steering clumn on the rhs- I guess its a wiring /cable run retaining hook of some sort .
Rear swing arm bearings nice and free - move out by hand pressure so they will be pushed out to check for wear. I suspect they have been replaced at some time as they are too clean & well greased.
Next is thinking time to decide if I'm sending the frame for powder coating or if I'm going to flat it down & rattle can paint it. I have decided I do not want black - thinking of a midnight blue instead.
I'm back inside as it's pretty cold in my garage today - just made a Kidney Madras sealed meat first then sauce out of a jar - its' in the oven for tonight as Wendy has been called into work again for Covid Vaccine administration work.
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
It was bitter cold in my garage today so all I managed to do was remove a broken off grease nipple on the rear forks.
As I started to drill it out it rotated freely screwing all the way down instead, I reversed the drill action - it almost came right out.
Last few turns done with the aid of a hammered in allen key and out it came.
Not very exciting I know but in the grand scheme of things just wanted to share my good luck.
Nurse Julie:
You're making great progress Ted.
Laverda Dave:
Good work Ted, no use rushing. I've brought bits up into the house to clean them up, much to cold in the garage.
As for your frame, I have just sent the z400 frame to a company in Windsor called Microblast (they advertise in Classic Burke, sorry Bike 🙂). They have quoted me £300+vat to blast and powder coat the frame, swing arm, main and side stand, yokes, headlight bowl and 31 yes, 31, brackets (Kawasaki knew how to make a bike heavy!). Turnaround time is 10days. I'll let you know about the quality when I get it all back. The price includes some parts that are satin finish.
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