The moment of truth...

[Johnwebley]

great resto on the 400,back in the mid 70's,I had a choice,
a new 400.or an as new s/h 500,off a close mate,
I decided on the 500,and still have it,

going on to the forks on C50,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_fork

are they modified Earls forks ??

[philward]

Drew
Only just spotted thread - really nice job. I remember that feeling and smile when 750 started after rebuild - wish I'd have recorded it for posterity like you.
Well done!
Phil

[Drew400]

Hi all, your appreciation is much appreciated. As are the various threads this thread seems to be spawning.

First proper ride is still over a week away, assuming she passes the MOT... looking forward to that!

Cheers,

D.

[Drew400]

Sorry Kettle, forgot to answer your tyre question.

Both front and rear are from DSS:
F - https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB400F-SUPER-SPORT-FOUR/part_190628/
R - https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB400F-SUPER-SPORT-FOUR/part_190645/

Total around £100 for both inc VAT & postage.

Cheers, D.

[AshimotoK0]

May be worth trying DK for those tyres they are main stockists for them.

I am going to fit them to my 400/4 and CB250SS and CB350K1 (all same size i.e 3.00x18 front, 3.50 x 18 rear) so that with be 3 sets so interested on a deal on them if anyone else knows the cheapest place. What does everyone use on early 750's as TT100's don't look 'period', as I also  need a set for my K0 750 as well.

Ash.

[Lynx]

I have a Metzeler ME 77 on the back . So have just ordered a ME11 for the front. Only £52 delivered 😊.

[kettle738]

Thanks for the tyre info Drew......I'd seen those at DSS but never properly looked at them.

Re tyres for the CB750.......I used a set of Dunlop Gold Seals from Z Power on my K0.

https://www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanager/product_info.php?products_id=1559

They are nominally the correct size and have the 70s tread pattern similar to the originals, but to my eye look slightly oversized.

Mick............kettle738

[Green1]

I still think the Continental RB2 and k112 are the best bet.
I'm guessing James agrees as Iv noticed he's fitting them to that old kwaka   

Mick   

[DayvW]

Hi Drew,

Dont suppose you were out on that lovely bike somewhere vaguely near Bampton in North Devon late this afternoon?  I was out on my (red) 400-4 having a fabulous thrash and I'm sure a 400-4 was going the other way (I was heading westish so the other was heading eastish) and it looked awfully like yours.

Cheers,
Dave

[Drew400]

Hi Dave,

Not me: been nowhere for a while as I have a small exhaust problem that I will publish on here soon. Probably be raining when I finally do get my MOT!

I did see a like bike when I was out on mine a couple of years back around the Chew Valley area. Was that you?

Let's make a pact: next time it happens, we'll flag the other person down and find out who the ghostly 400 rider is!

Cheers, D.

[tom400f]

This did occur to me a while back - they are not that common seen out in the wild, we could have an SOHC sightings thread !

[DayvW]

Ah .. shame your missing this lovely weather. That would not have been me as only got bike in 2013 and rebuilt engine later that year / early 2014.

Agree need to flag down:)

[Drew400]

Hello again all,

Apologies for the elongated delay in updating this thread.

Some will recall I posted some pictures of my lovely newly re-chromed original headers/collector that I was delighted with. They looked good on my little video too.

A few days later I decided to warm up the bike to adjust the cam chain tensioner. After about 2 minutes I looked down the front to see if there were any gas leaks around the exhaust fins only to watch the header pipes change colour and bubble up liquid-like! The photo says it all. I wasn't happy.

I contacted Chromefix who explained that double-skinned exhausts sometimes have micro-pores that trap acids between the layers (if I understood that correctly) and that is probably what caused my problem. Naturally they agreed to do it again at no cost.

Whilst it would have been good to know the risks beforehand (or would it?) I decided not to post anything here until I got them back. As you may have gathered by now, they're back on the bike. It's passed it's MOT and after a 20 mile ride home again, they still look damned good!

Thus, Chromefix's reputation remains in tact and they are clearly aware of the issue and how to correct it (they have a 400/4 on their website home page).

I created a couple of problems of my own too: after lots of messing about with the starter motor, I forgot to replace the oil seal. Also, got my copper head washers mixed up and managed to pinch the head breather pipe. Result = lots of oil all over the floor of the MOT place!

Any way, as mentioned the bike's now home, taxed, MOT'd, insured... and it's pissing down... what joy!

p.s. Now got a brake fluid leak, but that's under the category of general maintenance rather than restoration.

[Chris400F]

Glad you are pretty much sorted Drew - now you just need the sun to come out!
Where is the fluid leak - somewhere simple to fix like a joint or elsewhere?
Oh, and you will be able to change the 'Half way through renovating a CB400/4' bit of your profile now 

[Drew400]

Ha ha, good spot Chris, will do.

Leak is from the brake light switch, I think... we'll see!

Cheers, D.