Keiths 400/4

[Coppertop1234]

Decided to play with fuse box today and make a blade fuse replacement.

Pic of finished blade fitted to bike and working all ok

Cheap enough to buy at 6.00 plus a couple of quid for spades

all wires soldered on blade fittings,i think with a bit of messing i could make the blade fusebox fit inside the old fusebox housing.

thats going to be version 2 i think

[Coppertop1234]

Link to bike finished on you tube
Only a short clip of her running steady at 1200 tickover

https://youtu.be/tCL0FjgBY5c?is=cVGDBP_qB1-c4qzx

[Johnny4428]

Very worthwhile mod to do. Have fitted spade fuse box on 750 need to do the 550 next. Countless main fuses blown due to crap springy contact thingys!

[Coppertop1234]

Well mines all sorted so now we can start on sons.

He had a bottom end oil leak where someone had overtightened a wrong size bolt and tried to fix with epoxy.

we have a full spare engine untested with all new insides but stripped head and rocker bolts
A full engine with oil leak at bottom but runs fine
Another engine stripped

So today engine with oil.leak out of frame and head off
Untested engine stripped and head and barrels off
Rings new barrels all fine refitted to bottom.end
Good head refitted and rebuilt 
Electronic ignition transfered and timing checked over ready to refit
2 rocker bolts were sheared redrilled and tapped out
Engine ready to refit  tomorrow
Unfortunately its over to son as I am away for a couple of weeks but sure I will get a message its up and running all been well by mid week. Or maybe tomorrow

[Bryanj]

Lower front engine mounting bolt by any chance? Usually when case guards removed and long bolt put back

[Coppertop1234]

Yup you got it in 1

[Coppertop1234]

Just as I thought up and running not bad for a 24hr rebuild
From memory running in was 600 miles below 6k revs?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vT9ElP2CqKc&is=5WqoHUDKKq6WzQEr

[Coppertop1234]

Just when you think your done.
Spilt petrol on tank
Petrol resistant lacquer not very good
So flat back and repaint with 2 pack lacquer
All sorted awaiting it to really harden off before refit

[Coppertop1234]

Once my tanks sorted and a few bits are done
I will post a walk round of project completed..

It has been interesting playing with it and 70s bike again and we have a couple more to complete at sons  a 750F1 and another 2 400/4 s.

This rebuild had a complete engine refurbishment in 2019 and never rode.
clutch was poor so this was replaced
Numerous incorrect parts and poor electrics to start off with
so most of electrics were replaced including harness

If it was not correct to the bike or in poor condition I replaced it
Complete front end and brakes wheels axels bearings etc, etc

I did make a few mods, not period ,but beneficial in my opinion.
Electric ignition
Bladed fuse box
All in one reg /rec
Loads of pattern parts like exhaust and clocks, but you dont get many of these in really good condition

The only parts I didn't change really were frame and swinging arm ,handlebars, rear light mount, mudguard and seat.

I did manage to source a original toolbox but pattern lid along with an original owners handbook

The next ones will not be in as much detail as mine but will still be good bikes when done.
As we are aware resto's are not cheap they are for enthusiasts to play in the garage and reminisce  on days gone past.

This resto including the £2,300 purchase was £5,273  in total but I think it looks and rides like the one I bought in new from DC Cooks two wheel centre in Goldthorpe south Yorkshire in 1978 replaced by a 750 F1 later that year.
.
I will add video in a few days away at moment, but I think this should now survive another 50 years

Keep up the good work and enjoy.

Purchase cost from ebay                                                                            £2,300.00
25/01/2026   Front brake caliper                                                        £127.00
25/01/2026   Brake hose joint switch                                                    £25.00
27/01/2026   Exhaust gaskets                                                                     £7.80
27/01/2026   caliper bolt,battery strap,Brake hose,
3 way joint,Brake pipe,Collars,,Complete Exhaust system,Bracket,side grip   £857.15
28/01/2026   Front and rear wheel bearings                                             £30.00
28/01.2026   Head bearings                                                                     £20.00
29/01/2026   Disc Spat                                                                               £4.99
30/01/2026   Front Forks                                                                   £184.00
06/02/2026   Clutch lever switch                                                              £5.75
06/02/2026   Clamp,Brake hose Bolt,Tail light,Front 
wheel rim & Spokes,rim Tape                                                                   £170.75
09/02/2026   Clutch switch,Left and Right Switch gears                           £119.12
12/02/2026   Electronic Ignition                                                           £164.00
14/02/2026   Mirrors (DS Pattern )                                                      £30.00
16/04/2026   Carb Kit                                                                             £55.00
18/02/2026   Indicators (DS Pattern)                                                    £45.00
16/03/2026   Rear wheel Rim & Spokes key blank.  Points cover          £205.22
26/03/2026   Rear footpeg bolts                                                            £10.78
18/04/2026   Battery,Tank and Panels repaint & decals                           £250.00
18/04/2026   Recrome Mudguard                                                          £100.00
19/04/2026   owners handbook                                                            £45.00
23/05/2026   New wiring harness                                                          £103.00
23/05/2026   New Coil packs                                                                    £40.00
25/07/2026   New tacho(DS Repo)                                                          £106.00
25/07/2026   New Speedo (DS Replica) All new engine parts rebuild   - restart milage at 0.00    £114.00
25/07/2026   New Clutch and Springs                                                   £61.00
25/07/2026   Regulator & Rectifier in 1 upgrade                                   £19.00
25/07/2026   Blade fuse box upgrade                                                     £6.00
06/07/2026   Generator cover                                                            £68.00
   
Refurbishment expenditure after purchase costs    £2,973.56   plus what i have forgot about of course.
      
Total Spend identified   £5,273.56 about right price for a nice bike i would say ?

Pic below was start project bike

[Laverda Dave]

Really nice work👍.
Yep, that's the going rate I think for the work you have done. Luckily there was no major engine work and a need for new pistons, rings, rebore, rocket arms etc because they really do push the price up and once you get into splitting the engine you end up vapor blasting and repainting the cases etc, etc.
Just enough left of summer to get it run in👍

[Rayzerman]

Not bad, I have similar money in my 350F....... it's for the love of the game, I tell ya!

[Coppertop1234]

It is it keeps us out of the missus hair for a bit unless she notices a lot of deliveries.

Fortunate for me engine in bike had been rebuilt  with new internals and spare engine that came was the same which is now in sons bike..

[Coppertop1234]

Just looking at bike tonight and noticed on the side stand end it looks like it was designed to take a rubber like the gear change or am i just looking for something thats not there ?

[exvalvesetdabbler]

The US models had a lump of rubber bolted onto the side stand  that was designed to flick it up if you forgot.

[Nurse Julie]

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