OAP Ted's CB400F2 rebuild - engine not run for about 12 years.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Instead of turning the engine upside down, just remove the tappet covers and squirt the oil onto the cam through the openings.

Not sure that would be as effective although it's what I did before I fired up my bike for the first time after 12 yrs.

[Johnwebley]

Take the plugs out and spin it on starter until the oil pressure light goes out.



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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Take the plugs out and spin it on starter until the oil pressure light goes out.



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Great idea but as the engine is out it would mean rigging up an oil light - not that it's that much work to wire one up temporarily!

[haynes66]

sent you a pm ted

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

sent you a pm ted

OK thanks I have replied - as you will see its effectively a positive response.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Started work on assembly today but it's ground to a halt as DS have not got the cam tensioner blade clips in stock!

The assembly lube is much thinner than I expected - I will need to mop up a bit.

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too much assembly lube lol by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Sesman]

Is the crankshaft the right way round. The primary chain appears to be askew?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Is the crankshaft the right way round. The primary chain appears to be askew?

It's just the way the chain has laid to one side when the primary gear is not in place.

I could be wrong but I don't think the cam chain would sit central as it does if it was the other way round.

[Sesman]

No idea, it’s just that the photo presents the primary drive out of line.

[Nurse Julie]

Looks the same as my 400 looked at that stage ( photo below) and it all came together spot on.

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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Good to see you confirm my photo is correct - the chain without the primary drive attached lies  between two gears so it looks odd if it drops to one side. Having looked again there is no way you could fit the crank the wrong way around as the cam chain would not fit in the block slot. I also know which side the points plate is fitted (No 4 cyl on the RHS of the bike) so no worries.

It might sound daft but I mark the upper crank case with a number 1 & 4 at the ends on the outside of the case lips so in my head I know I am numbering the cylinders correctly when the upper crank case is inverted.

I've contacted DS - they are posting all but a few parts out to me (including the tensioner clips) to arrive on Friday with the remainder being sent at a later date. I was slightly annoyed that the wanted an extra  £3.54  postage to split the order. A bit mean spirited I thought as I have spent around £1100 with them in the last 10 months - business is business I guess.

[Sesman]

Hi, Ted. All I was saying was that the primary chain in your photo was out of alignment. It’s not perpendicular with the crank. I’m sure there is a good reason for that? And yes of course you can’t have the crank the wrong way round. Nice build progress by the way…I’ve learned lots.

[Sesman]

Out interest, can you recommend an assembly lube. I normally use graphogen, but I’ve just finished the tube. That red stuff looks good?

[Sesman]

Of course, silly me…the primary is in the other case half .

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Out interest, can you recommend an assembly lube. I normally use graphogen, but I’ve just finished the tube. That red stuff looks good?

It's Red Line Synthetic assembly lube 12oz bottle cost about £20 last year on e-bay. If I was being critical it's a bit thinner than I imagined  it would be.

Enough to last me a lifetime!