New Member from North Yorks

[AshimotoK0]

Ash.

Has woody retired or relocated?

Oh, and I just remembered. I had a 400/4 back in 1977. You don’t make the same mistake twice….🥹

He's retired and sold the shop to a consortium of dentists. He gave his Vincent 1000 to his son I believe. He still lives in Nun-Monkton.

[Sesman]

👍 Thanks Ash.

[Murf]

Welcome to the forum, it’s very friendly and there is loads of knowledge and help about the bikes we love. I am currently restoring a 550 four, it was just a bit (loads) worse that I expected when I bought it, I have had some great advice and help so far and there is tons of info in past threads. Also the work shop manuals and parts books ind Ash’s Dropbox are invaluable.

[Mike_Berkshire]

Welcome to the forum!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Welcome to the forum, it’s very friendly and there is loads of knowledge and help about the bikes we love. I am currently restoring a 550 four, it was just a bit (loads) worse that I expected when I bought it, I have had some great advice and help so far and there is tons of info in past threads. Also the work shop manuals and parts books ind Ash’s Dropbox are invaluable.

The search facilty is very handy too - just two words entered into the Search Menu can bring up a list of useful replies to previous similar questions  going back years. It was whilst searching for something that I came up with a post from 2011 about a book by Tom Ratcliffe - I found a copy on e-bay it was an easy read that I enjoyed - so much of the content was bang on.

[SandyRob]

Hi Ash, I used to go to Dave Woods shop for parts and bought my sons moped from him, retired now though.

[SandyRob]

Welcome Rob. Your bike looks like it's in good nick. Not too much to do. 👍

Not too much but I think the head gasket is leaking so I need to get that done.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Welcome Rob. Your bike looks like it's in good nick. Not too much to do. 👍

Not too much but I think the head gasket is leaking so I need to get that done.

Has it affected the compression readings or is it an oil weep?

[SandyRob]

Welcome Rob. Your bike looks like it's in good nick. Not too much to do. 👍

Not too much but I think the head gasket is leaking so I need to get that done.

Has it affected the compression readings or is it an oil weep?

compressions are all around 135, it seems to be leaking after a ride out, 5-10 mile from the right hand side, oil on the fins below the head gasket

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

That sounds like the O ring on the cylinder head - replacement gaskets are a different thickness since the banning of Asbestos so there are issues when you fit the original O rings that come with the gasket sets.

[SandyRob]

OK, so what's the recommended parts needed, which make head gasket set, oil rings, gasket sealant, etc.., plus any advice before I start. Thanks all.

[AshimotoK0]

Hi Ash, I used to go to Dave Woods shop for parts and bought my sons moped from him, retired now though.

Bit of a character Woody ...visited his shop once on a social call and he asked me if I wanted a biscuit with my coffee and then handed me a box of Bonio dog biscuits he was busy munching  I went to college with him and another guy Chris Brack, who used to run Acomb Motorcycles. Chris is actually a pharmacist but in the late 70's/early eighties used motorbikes was more lucrative I think. How times have changed ! Woody took over the shop from Chris and Chris got it from the guy who went on to start York Suzuki Centre.

[Bryanj]

The 400 rather than an O ring has a tubular rubber sleeve and unfortunately you cant get a longer one, so all you can do is get a gasket kit which will almost certainly pattern not OE, then make sure all gasket surfaces are smooth, flat and clean.
A few of the washers under the head nuts are special sealing ones which by now probably need changing, a Honda part only im afraid.
Take lots of pics as you strip it as some head nuts are specials.
Could well be worth changing the inlet manifolds as they develop cracks and leak as well

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

You are right of course Bryan it's not an O ring but tubular in shape - I think it has been suggested that an O ring can be put underneath to try to close the gap, can't remember who mentioned it though.

[Bryanj]

There is a genuine complete top set available in the US on ebay, will cost you over$100 though.

Item number 362055099219