400 four

A Quick Update…..

400-4 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:08:15 +0000

Due to horrendous and over-whelming pressure of work over the past few months (damn this working for a living malarkey), the 400/4 rebuild (and this site!) has been rather neglected.

However, watch this space - will be getting a move on with it all soon!!

update

400-4 — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:49:41 +0000

Hello, first post in ages..
Been away from the bike, working on the website tho, which as you can see (If you’ve been here before) has grown a side column. Yet to be populated, I think the side column will be great for the future - single column layout was interesting, but somewhat limiting!

Bike wise still cleaning the carburetor rack, toying with idea of purchasing a Dremel tool. I think this would help speed up the de-rusting and general polishing tremendously.

Unfortunately - or fortunately since I’ve now decided on a different product, my Keyster carburetor rebuild kits are lost in the post. I’ve decided to go for Honda gaskets (without needles) likely from David Silver in UK.

I’m also looking at rebuilding the ‘between the gauges” instrument panel and the petrol tap I have with a kit from David Silver too.

Last day of January - update, & my intentions list!

400-4 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:44:26 +0000

Purchased;
Impact driver with 4 screw driver bits , through eBay.
4 float bowl drain screws from a supplier in the US.
A set of stainless steel carburetor screws from a supplier in the UK.
2 cans of ‘Gunk’
A Keyster carburetor kit from the US.
An engine rebuild magazine article.

Dismantled the carburetor rack (one mangled screw to report)

To do list;
Improved website layout
Finish history page, begin carburetor rebuild and tools, parts and costs pages.
More bag and tagging
Clean carburetor parts in ‘Gunk’

The last days of 2007

400-4 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:16:09 +0000

Well, still not really underway. Asked a number of local tradesmen to quote for plaster boarding & skimming the garage (and some work in the house). Resulting estimates vary rather a lot, from £460 - to £1600 for the garage work! Threw me a bit, two no shows and one more estimate to come in. So with the winter weather it’ll definitely be a job for next year. Pity really. I haven’t bought the flooring or an impact driver either.

I’ve been attempting to create my own side view of a 400 four too, and to write a 400 four history page for this website - not as easy as I had hoped!

Parts wise an after market seat of the type fitted to the bike has surfaced on eBay, so even though I was outbid I at least know the seat is known as a Giullari saddle

From the field

400-4 — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:05:02 +0000

A bit of a test post this, from my mobile phone remotely. Just to see if it works

Petrol tap

400-4 — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:28:57 +0000

One of these recently sold on eBay for £29.72 + postage, NOS (New Old Stock). Not sure how sortable mine is. Part number 16950-377-005

Frustration!

400-4 — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:39:07 +0000

The waiting is awfull, I really expected my garage work space to be underway by now, but I’ve decided to have the walls plaster skimmed. I’ve got the garage contents piled up in a sort of island, waiting for a plasterer. I’ve also got a mounting pile of rubbish waiting to go to the tip. Still no heater or floor tiles. Arghh..

Gallery live

400-4 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:15:46 +0000

I’ve added a gallery section to the blog, visit it here.

Knowledge

400-4 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:07:17 +0000

Have joined the sohc4 forums, seems a lively place to chat with much knowledge on offer.

Also embarking on a line drawn side view of the 400/4 to try some mods and colours on - not sure how long it’ll take but doesn’t seem to difficult. Looking to trace over a photo as a starting point.

Multi purpose cleaner!

400-4 — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:58:12 +0000

This is fun, found an excellent web page on Total Motorcycle with a list of good/ bad/ indifferent bike cleaning, waxing, polishing products and methods.

How do you remove 10 years of grease, dirt and grime? Total Motorcycle recommend Simple Green multi purpose cleaner and Palmolive Original. Simple Green is quite interesting, manufacturer claims it to be a safe alternative to hazardous chemicals and solvents. It is Non-toxic - biodegradable - non-abrasive - non-flammable and water based. Expensive though, 1litre of Simple Green is £9.99.