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Re: nc31 project

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:24 pm
by royster81
bludclot wrote:The red bike runs! I put the fuel tank from the yellow bike on it, filled it with coolant, fitted a new battery and it fired and ran first attempt. I rode it up and down the road until it died.

Here'a a list of faults and what I think their solutions might be:

- can't find neutral. new clutch cable
- front right indicator lit with headlight - change the wires I've obviously connected it wrongly!
- one rear light bulb inoperative - change both bulbs, may as well while in there
- exhaust blowing from cylinder head join - fit new copper gaskets, they have arrived already
- won't idle without choke - strip and clean carb needles and float bowls, probably gummed up
- speedo needle doesn't work - find replacement clocks (?)
- front brakes spongy - try another master cylinder repair kit

Any suggestions welcome with regards that list!
before you do this do you want to check the cable isn't broken inside (not sure if you bought a new cable for it or not ) or the drive in the front wrong is sitting wrong or missing a bit or something

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:25 pm
by royster81
But im very happy it ran for you and you've only a small list of repairs.

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 6:27 pm
by bludclot
The yellow bike has been living outside, uncovered and used throughout the winter on wet and salty roads. The only niggle it has given since the headlight stopping has been the back brake binding. I traced this to the lever pivot point corrosion, it was sanded, copper sipped and re-assembled and it's been fine since. That was great as I didn't have to re-bleed.

As far as improvements go the spare bodywork returned from the painters, the seat was re-covered and the grab handles were powdered:

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The 'bargain box' wheels have been powdered in 'piano black' and look superb. There's a full set of titanium disc bolts and new bearings too, it needs putting together and tyres changing over and the wet weather bike is starting to look quite well kept at last.

I had a spare headlight bowl re-chromed and am looking for a good headlight to go with it. Can anyone help? The current fitted set is badly corroded and scraped. The grips are also very poor, they need renewing. The mirrors are from ebay, strangely the left one corroded within days of being fitted, the right one is still fine. Also on my radar for it are replacement rear shocks and a decent exhaust.

As for the restoration bike I have had the carbs cleaned and re-built. I bought new fuel hoses and clips too but that's as far as it has progressed. It requires re-assembly.

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 8:03 pm
by royster81
Any updates with these two bikes ?

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:29 pm
by bludclot
Yes, good progress.

The outdoor bike has received new wheels:

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Also new grips and powder coated side stand that now works as it should, no more heaving it back into position it pings back smoothly as Honda intended. Unfortunately I bought generic Honda grips not knowing that these 400s take 125mm grips so they are a tad short. I'll buy another pair.

I have had some parts from the first bike's shocks refurbished - the retaining rings re-chromed and springs powdered black so better shocks are imminent. The rear indicators have corroded themselves to their brackets so a replacement rear tail mudguard has arrived (and been cleaned and re-blacked) and I removed, straightened and powdered the brackets that came with it so the rear of the bike should look pretty smart and just about done in the coming days. The headlight screws are corroded in the shell, still waiting for a decent headlight to come up for sale then it and the front indicators can be changed. Annual service is also due, oil change and coolant flush at least, I'll inspect plugs and air filter and replace if necessary. I placed the spare exhaust with my local polishers - I couldn't face polishing it myself this time. They estimated £1-200. Once fitted that should smarten that side of the the bike.

All in all it's starting to look smart:

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With regards the restoration bike I sorted the neutral problem - I fitted the gear linkage rose upside down - doh! I have it booked with my trusted mechanic to finish it, he's having it this week along with a list of jobs to complete it. It's been over three years in my garage, bugger the cost I want it finished. I rather suspect that one dry sunny ride on it will suffice, then I think it will be for sale.

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:51 am
by bludclot
Yesterday I hit a set of plastics with 180 grit wet'n'dry in order to flat and key them ready for primer/filler. The yellow bike pieces had many large runs and other imperfections, it was most gratifying to see them disappear. The tank from the yellow bike is drained and stripped of tap, rubbers etc. and will be dropped at the blasters tomorrow morning for a complete paint strip. I've had two complete sets of decals made (imageworks as recommended here, excellent work! Honda decals have all gone NLA) so the lot will be at the painters by the end of the week:

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Now if anyone reading this is serious about buying the restored bike then speak now as a colour can be chosen, otherwise it's more of the same red. This set will go on the restored bike as I dropped brake fluid on the tank and marked it slightly.

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 9:56 am
by bludclot
The shocks that came on the restoration bike are back having been refurbished at Brook suspension:

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They are now fitted to the outside bike.

I took the springs to my local powder coaters £10 and the loose retaining rings and stepped pre-load rings I had chromed locally £15 before sending the lot to Brook. I was then contacted that one of the shocks was corroded together and I would have to supply another - an ebay £75 bill and Brook had three shocks. The refurbishing bill was £606, meaning a total of £706. I have yet to have reservoir stickers made. If I had my time again I would buy a new pair of Ohlins, it would be cheaper.

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 10:04 am
by royster81
£706, holy shit that's expensive

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 5:18 pm
by bludclot
The body set that was with the painters returned:

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This is in the process of going on the restored bike. The set that I painted had two problems - I dropped brake fluid on the tank and the paint on the tank continues to shrink over time leaving stretch lines all over. Seeing as both bikes now have good paint there's no rush to blast away my work and have it re-painted. The plastics that I painted are all still good, it's a complete spare set if anyone is interested....

Also today on the restored bike I replaced all four indicators with a good set, all lights now working correctly and righted the gear linkage. Only re-fitting of carbs left to complete the bike now.

Re: nc31 project

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 12:08 am
by Suzuki416
Now this has been a journey....
Good luck on the finishing of it.