Honda CB400NA Superdream - new money puddle.

[Bryanj]

Ah well me and Ted are too old to look over our shoulder(s), the arthritis wont let us turn that far!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The brake pedal from T Northeast (Kens search) arrived today, I'm not sure if it's a period repro or NOS tbh. There were a couple of old labels on the shaft held on with very brown selotape.

It needs a little bit of Solvol-Autosol in a couple of areas to clean off a few minor rust spots, absolutely no movement using the existing center collar. That's saved the need for a new center collar as well, nice one Ken.

I think I have found an answer to tidying up the Comstars after a few email exchanges with Camcoat, another hot tip from Ken.
Full Ceramic coating was way out of my budget at £432 plus carriage for the pair. The manager Nick Adams has come up with an interesting alternative a matt silver Ceramic spray for £85 per wheel plus Vat, Sounds very promising.

[Oddjob]

If it’s got those labels it’s a nos one, I think they are attached by the main depots back in the day

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I'm going to have to remove the wheel bearings from the Comstar wheels prior to painting, the manual says no lock rings, just drift them out? That's not what I expected!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've just removed the wheel bearings  prior to deciding how far to go with improving the look of my Comstar wheels.

At one end of the spectrum I'm looking at an inexpensive option, a powder coated chrome/alloy look (like my fork ears) for £80 ish for the pair. At the other end of the scale £432 at Camcoat. I've never compromised on wheels rebuild costs before,  being mindfull of end cost v value I'm still uncertain what to do.

Anways enough of my blabbering thoughts, a new question here about wheel bearings. The rear wheel bearings were replaced in 2014 at 49,561 miles, the bike has only covered 1,117 miles in the last 10 years or so. The front bearings look original so I will replace them.

The rear wheel bearings are a bit of a conundrum as there is quite a lot of general surface rust where some water has managed to get into the rear hub affecting the outside of the left side bearing, some rusting of the hub steel band & the outside of the spacer.

Does the grease in a wheel bearing go hard with doing so little mileage in 10 years, the left seal is a modern fully sealed one, the right side is sealed only on the outside. Am I skimping to even consider putting them back in?

[Bryanj]

Ted, just go to a bearing supplier and order by number on the outer race, specify 2RS type, you will probably get all 4 for less than £20.
I would even use fleabay ones

[Oddjob]

Short answer, yes.

From looking it looks like you need a 63042RS and a 6303ZZ for the rear wheel and 2 x 6302ZZ for the front. If the bearings come out with only a metal or plastic seal on one side only then just remove one seal from the new bearings. Rs are plastic seals, ZZ are metal.

Try Hendersons, SKF or NSK are a good make. Around £5-6 each.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Thanks Guys, I'll check the markings on the existing bearings & oil seals.

Updated

Ordered seals and bearings from bearingsrus came to £19.18
Bearings are by Dunlop, I'll never wear them out at my age.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've just started to add a few items to the frame, I've fitted the wiring loom to the frame as the air box is so close to the frame the loom will not fit afterwards.

Honda never listed the air box to carb rubbers separately so there is no part number(s) listed.

Aftermarket ones are available as a separate item but do not seem to be handed. My rubbers look okay but appear to be handed, my two are either both left side or both right side?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My Comstar wheels arrived back from Camcoat today. I went for a basic wet ceramic spray satin silver/alluminium colour finish to save on cost. TBH they are a tad darker than I expected, that said they look much better than they did. I'll post some photos later.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Just a photo update, I'm presently cleaning some small parts for painting black before fitting to the frame.

Killing time whilst I wait for Bob Minions to source me some tyres of the right size, might be several weeks as Avon Road Rider 2 are out of stock.  Alternatives are Bridgestone BT46R / L303F - they are a tad cheaper, I've never been a fan of Bridgstone on cars.
PXL_20250320_162712065 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr
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[Sesman]

Looking very Tidy, Ted.

[Johnny4428]

Coming together nicely Ted, liking the alphabetical bins system!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Coming together nicely Ted, liking the alphabetical bins system!

I also keep track of the contents of each bin that contains bike parts on an XL spreadsheet - I've too much time on my hands.

[Johnny4428]

Better to be browsing the spreadsheet in the comfort of the home rather than rummaging around in the cold garage getting harassed! 😂