The engine's back in the frame but...

[Drew400]

Hi all,

A major milestone for me is putting the engine back in the frame today. All looks lovely and somewhat cleaner than when they were last together!

However, as the second picture shows, there's a gap between the frame and the bottom front engine mounting bracket. The washer I've slipped in there to demonstrate is 2mm deep. There is no washer shown on my parts catalogue/manuals.

Clearly, I can insert a 1mm washer on each side but wanted to run this by you experts. Can frames spring outward when the engine is removed (or should there be a washer in there all along)?

Thanks all,

D.

[Nurse Julie]

Iv'e just looked under mine Drew and it looks like there are no washers on mine if that help. My engine has been out sometime in a previous life so Im not sure if they were there originally 

[Nurse Julie]

Iv'e just looked in workshop manual and it says the hanger bolts at front lower crankcase have spring washers inserted, but I cant really understand the picture in the manual to see if they are on the outside or inside of the frame, inside i guess

[ColCB400 4]

the sprung washers go on the outside of the frame. the frame will tweek up... no problem. A good idea would be to loosen all bolts supporting the engine at the front and sequentially tighten them, then you know your getting a true alignment although I have never had any concerns of this myself, am sure the gap will slowly disappear.
NOTE... make sure you use the right bolt and washer for each side... check and check again, otherwise you will split the crank case at the oil blanking thingy if the bolt is too long.

[ColCB400 4]

nice build btw... looking good

[Drew400]

Thanks both,

I was made aware of the two different bolts issue recently. However, I'm missing the other bolt (curiously) so will have to order one. The one I have is 75mm along the thread (i.e. excluding the head) and it seems to fit comfortably in the tight hand side.

Which side has the shorter one (and is that less than 75mm)?

Cheers, D.

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Dont recall any washers on the inside they are all under the nuts on the outside
Cheers
Bitsa

[ColCB400 4]

parts listing has the bolt as 10x74mm for both sides of the engine. Careful with the nut, ensure it has the right thread.

[Nurse Julie]

Dont recall any washers on the inside they are all under the nuts on the outside
Cheers
Bitsa

Oh yes, I can see them now. I was looking for a washer on the inside of the frame but it makes sense to have spring washers on the outside. I learn a little bit more every day 

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Julie
Dont we all girl.Each day it happens for me.
Cheers
Bitsa

[Drew400]

Thanks again all,

I too spotted the same length bolt in the parts manual, despite the experiences of others to the contrary.

Cheers,

D.

[Drew400]

A couple more photos now that the engine is fitted (and tightened up) in the frame.

I've also ordered some nice shiny new bolts. I'd forgotten that the sump was held in by less than 11 bolts and the breather cover had a mixture of flanged bolts and assorted other rubbish.

I hope this bike appreciates all the effort I've put in to try to make her look gorgeous and work well (that's a plea to the rebuild gods pre-start up)!

Cheers, D.

[paul G]

Looking well Drew

[Drew400]

Thanks Paul,

We're at the 'statue stage' (i.e. it would now look fine in the lounge as a piece of art and wouldn't dirty the floor).

I'm hoping to get it to the animated stage at some point and will of course then update this forum.

Cheers, D.

[Lobo]

Looking fantastic Drew ... all very gratifying from this stage onwards.

Glad to see the loom in nice & early.

I'm sure we're all waiting with bated breath to hear your forthcoming trials & tribulations with the airbox / manifold fitment - when you do write it up remember ladies are present!

And bikes do look fine in the lounge...well, my dad's anyway...

Simon.