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Messages - Harold 400/4
1
« on: December 27, 2025, 08:23:55 AM »
Apologies, it’s not a Honda or SOHC.
Managed a blat on the Francis Barnett Merlin yesterday. It's 1948, Villiers engine, rigid frame, girder forks.
It’s 3bhp, but such good fun to ride. The hand gear change is still a bit of a challenge, but it’s one of those bikes that makes you grin ear to ear when you're on it. It’s happiest at about 30mph, although allegedly it will do 40mph. Weather looks great today here in the South but it is getting a bit nippy for me.
Hope Santa 🎅🏼 bought you those bike bits you were after. Happy New Year!
2
« on: October 01, 2025, 07:36:51 PM »
Hi Alex. A pal I volunteer with has just had exhausts chromed by an outfit in Alton, Hants. Not a million miles from you. He partially fabricated them, but used the original headers. 4 week lead in with good results.
Worth chatting to them. Silvabronz. Let us know how you get on.
3
« on: September 30, 2025, 04:29:31 PM »
Thanks Johnny. PM sent 👍
4
« on: September 30, 2025, 06:59:30 AM »
Hi James. Many thanks for the offer, but as it’s just the one spring I need, I will decline.
Good luck with the sale.
5
« on: September 29, 2025, 08:27:05 PM »
Does anyone have a spare mixture screw spring I could buy pls?
Carbs are PD46A and I’m currently overhauling. Took the 4 mixture screws out, and one of the springs is in two pieces. All the other parts seem OK other than the O rings which I’ll renew.
Many thanks
Harold
6
« on: September 28, 2025, 09:04:47 PM »
Thanks for the replies. Having read how tricky it was to get the push fit jets out, I thought it was pretty likely I’d damage them getting them out, so I’ve got a new set coming from Sirius in Canada. They are #38s.
As it happens, I used some Plusgas, put some fuel pipe over the jets and they came out fairly easily with some pliers with no damage.
I agree with you guys in that if it ran OK before with the #42s it should be fine. The jets I have taken out are pretty mucky so a good clean should improve things.
I got the O rings size from a previous post on here, and N Julie supplied them (Viton). Thanks NJ 👍
7
« on: September 28, 2025, 06:14:39 PM »
Hi all. I’ve got my PD46A carbs in bits, as I had a fuel leak which turned out to be hardened O rings on the fuel supply tubes between the carbs.
Thought I’d give the jets etc a clean up while I had them apart. Got the push fit slow jets out and they are #42 whereas the manual suggest they should be #38. I have seen some comments that the K3 did in fact have #42 jets from the factory.
I'm running standard pipes and air filter etc, and bike ran OK before the fuel leak started, although it was always a bit of a pain to start.
Is there any point in putting in #38 jets instead of the existing #42??
Any advice gratefully received.
Many thanks. Harold.
8
« on: September 08, 2025, 02:04:46 PM »
Looking for advice pls.
I’ve got an annoying oil leak from my sump bolt. It’s only a minor leak but I need to sort. The sump threads look fine and the bolt torques up OK. I have tried a new crush washer, but to no avail. There is no sign of any cracking to the sump.
What I have noticed is the surface on the sump where the washer sits is scored, and the old washer I took off is also scored. I am thinking this may have happened as a result of the sump not being properly cleaned of muck when previous oil changes were done??
Is this scoring enough to cause the slight leak I am experiencing? If so, what’s the best way to sort??
Cheers
Harold
9
« on: August 27, 2025, 02:37:30 PM »
Thanks guys.
Great to hear from you Ken!
All the best for a speedy recovery. 👍
10
« on: August 26, 2025, 04:21:43 PM »
Hi. Hoping for some help please.
My 550 K3 is leaking fuel from the carbs (the dreaded PD type 😎)
I have traced it to the metal fuel supply pipe between the carbs, and I think the O rings on each end have had it, and fuel is seeping out.
Nurse Julie has kindly supplied replacement O rings, thanks NJ.
My question relates to the screws on the choke flaps. Apologies if this has been covered before. I need to remove the choke flaps to separate the carbs, and the screws are peened if that the the right term??
I have found a Honda bulletin which says that when you put them back, you should use hex screws and a locking type washer which you bend up to stop the screws working loose and disappearing into the engine.
Has anyone done this, or has a source for the screws and lock washers?
Is there an alternative method?
Many thanks
Harold
11
« on: March 29, 2025, 09:35:05 AM »
Hi Martin. I have one of these going spare if you’re interested?
My brother in law has a carpet/flooring shop, and he very kindly laid a pukka vinyl floor in my shed. He also sorted me some squares of ply with carpet glued to one side. So for each bike, I put the centre stand on the section of ply, carpet downwards, and the bikes slide across the floor pretty easily. Hence the dolly is going spare!
Let me know if you’re interested in the dolly. I'm not a million miles from you, so could easily drop it off. Cheers
12
« on: March 05, 2025, 08:02:56 AM »
Very Spring-like yesterday with dry roads and 12C. Went for a blat on the 400/4 which is running well apart from a high tickover when hot.
13
« on: June 24, 2024, 08:24:18 AM »
I managed to get an oil tank for my 1948 Merlin through the forum, so fingers crossed for your brother.
14
« on: June 23, 2024, 08:28:38 AM »
Hi Dom. Francis Barnett Owners Club have a forum, a bit like this one. Lots of experts on hand and advice on spares. Details below. Also Villiers Services 01384 265797 villiersservices.Co.Uk. They have quite a range of spares. Can be tricky to get hold of. Phonecall probably best. 'Joining the Francis-Barnett Owners Club could not be easier. Goto the club's website www.Francis-Barnett.co.uk To join on-line click on the "Join On-line" button in the menu at the top of the page.' Cheers. Harold.
15
« on: March 26, 2023, 02:41:11 PM »
Good choice Roy. Took a Trident for a test ride last year, and the dealer made me what I thought was an excellent offer for my Bonneville, so it was rude not to trade it in. Trident is very docile and you can ride it steadily if you're in the mood. Nice and light when getting in and out of shed. It seems to be very torquey right across the rev range. When you give it a handful it is very entertaining and it’s hard not to grin. Careful it doesn’t bring out the hooligan in you! Let us know how you get on.
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