blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 18, 2023 10:16:53 GMT
I bought a 1981 CB400N Superdream in October 2023 as a winter project. It had stood in an ex-colleagues garage since 1991 and was extensively corroded. It had a repaint at some stage, probably because the fuel tank leaked at the back corners. It doesn't look too bad in the photos but everything chromed needed replacing or rechroming and there's lots of corrosion on the aluminium surfaces. There'll be nothing new in my posts, I'm sure, but I'll update the thread as I go along and add photographs when I find out how to do that.
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 18, 2023 10:27:23 GMT
The engine bores looked clean and it turned over easily so I changed the oil and added new fuel and the engine started and ran though it wouldn't pick up on the throttle. New carbs jets and a thorough clean on the 'to do' list. Had some parts rechromed by Chromefix (Birmingham) - the price was eyewatering but the quality is absolutely excellent, including dent removal on the exhaust box covers. The wheels have cleaned up nicely and I've fitted new tyres (Avon Roadside Mk2) and tubes. I've had the frame, swinging arm and some parts grit blasted and powder coated and they've come out very well. New steering bearings fitted, fork leg and sliders cleaning and polished and refitted with shiny re-chrome shrouds. Haven't yet decided on the repaint colour though I like the Tanzanite blue - the choice may well be driven by availability of a decal set to match.
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 18, 2023 10:48:26 GMT
I moved on with carb overhaul last week (11 Dec 23). The jets were very reluctant to come out and I had excellent advice from Daveh and Alfie on how to proceed. Eventually, heat and a reground screwdriver blade persuaded the jet to release their hold! Lots of carb cleaner and air blasting cleared the internal transfer ports (idle jet openings near the butterfly) from which a surprising amount of soft black rubbish appeared. Now everything looks clear so I've put in new jets & needles, smoothed the vacuum pistons and bores, put fuel in to check that the floats and new needles work and all seems well. That was a good weeks work, on and off. The carbs are now stored away safely until I get the engine cleaned up and the fuel tank stripped, re-lined and painted.
Most of the bolt heads were rusty so I used some stainless steel flanged bolts in non-critical strength areas and nickel plated lots of the original ones. Plating was a steep learning curve but I eventually found that simple distilled vinegar (5% strength) and 99.9% pure nickel sheet from Ebay gave the best results using a home-made power supply that gives 0.5 to 1.0 amps depending on size of the object being plated. The finish isn't anywhere near as shiny as chrome but it's very tough and polishes to a reasonable finish on a scotchbrite wheel. The biggest nuisance is the need to be meticulous in rust removal and degreasing to avoid non-adhesion and contamination of the electrolyte (vinegar) - it takes a long time when you have a box full of bolts!
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 18, 2023 10:58:18 GMT
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Post by BritPete on Dec 18, 2023 12:54:14 GMT
The engine bores looked clean and it turned over easily so I changed the oil and added new fuel and the engine started and ran though it wouldn't pick up on the throttle. New carbs jets and a thorough clean on the 'to do' list. Had some parts rechromed by Chromefix (Birmingham) - the price was eyewatering but the quality is absolutely excellent, including dent removal on the exhaust box covers. The wheels have cleaned up nicely and I've fitted new tyres (Avon Roadside Mk2) and tubes. I've had the frame, swinging arm and some parts grit blasted and powder coated and they've come out very well. New steering bearings fitted, fork leg and sliders cleaning and polished and refitted with shiny re-chrome shrouds. Haven't yet decided on the repaint colour though I like the Tanzanite blue - the choice may well be driven by availability of a decal set to match. The rack, collector covers and crash bars on my SD were rechromed 5 plus years ago by ChromeFix and still look good, as you say not cheap but they know what they are doing |
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Post by BritPete on Dec 18, 2023 13:00:47 GMT
I moved on with carb overhaul last week (11 Dec 23). The jets were very reluctant to come out and I had excellent advice from Daveh and Alfie on how to proceed. Eventually, heat and a reground screwdriver blade persuaded the jet to release their hold! Lots of carb cleaner and air blasting cleared the internal transfer ports (idle jet openings near the butterfly) from which a surprising amount of soft black rubbish appeared. Now everything looks clear so I've put in new jets & needles, smoothed the vacuum pistons and bores, put fuel in to check that the floats and new needles work and all seems well. That was a good weeks work, on and off. The carbs are now stored away safely until I get the engine cleaned up and the fuel tank stripped, re-lined and painted. Most of the bolt heads were rusty so I used some stainless steel flanged bolts in non-critical strength areas and nickel plated lots of the original ones. Plating was a steep learning curve but I eventually found that simple distilled vinegar (5% strength) and 99.9% pure nickel sheet from Ebay gave the best results using a home-made power supply that gives 0.5 to 1.0 amps depending on size of the object being plated. The finish isn't anywhere near as shiny as chrome but it's very tough and polishes to a reasonable finish on a scotchbrite wheel. The biggest nuisance is the need to be meticulous in rust removal and degreasing to avoid non-adhesion and contamination of the electrolyte (vinegar) - it takes a long time when you have a box full of bolts! I have a platers just around the corner from me - it usually takes days to clean the parts before dropping them off but preparation is everything- they always inspect the parts before accepting them |
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 19, 2023 9:28:47 GMT
This tank came with my CB400N and it's in good solid condition but doesn't have the rear lower extensions for the side panel attachment grommets so I won't be using it. Does anyone know from what bike it originates?  |
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Post by BritPete on Dec 19, 2023 9:52:28 GMT
This tank came with my CB400N and it's in good solid condition but doesn't have the rear lower extensions for the side panel attachment grommets so I won't be using it. Does anyone know from what bike it originates? Silly question have they been cut off? |
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 19, 2023 14:35:34 GMT
Hadn't thought of that. I'll drag it out of the shed and take a look. Thanks Pete
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 22, 2023 18:53:38 GMT
Pete,
Excellent call, they have, indeed. been cut off. Quite why is anybody's guess and, other than welding new ones on, which would be tricky with the thin steel, I can't think of a use for the tank! Thanks.
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Post by duffer on Dec 22, 2023 20:24:40 GMT
If you can't get anyone to weld it, I would be interested in it. Drop me a message.
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 23, 2023 9:17:23 GMT
Thanks. I'll let you know after I've stripped my 'original' and can determine whether its useable.
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Post by BritPete on Dec 23, 2023 10:36:21 GMT
Pete, Excellent call, they have, indeed. been cut off. Quite why is anybody's guess and, other than welding new ones on, which would be tricky with the thin steel, I can't think of a use for the tank! Thanks. It’s not the end of the world as it’s an N or NA tank - your NB tank will have knee indents |
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Post by duffer on Dec 23, 2023 12:53:39 GMT
I have the opposite problem with an early bike with a later tank.
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blue
Junior Member
Posts: 43
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Post by blue on Dec 24, 2023 10:13:02 GMT
Put the wheels back on yesterday (23 Dec 23) with the help of younger son who's here for Christmas. All was prepared so it only took a few minutes. I'd polished the heavily corroded brake plate, made a stainless steel rear wheel spacer to replace the rusty original and nickel-plated the front wheel spindle nut so it's looking reasonable smart. I'll back-track and plate other nuts and bolts over time in 'rolling restoration' fashion. I need the bike off the work bench for a while as I have to polish up my Weslake Triton ahead of a sale viewing sometime in January so I'll put the bars on the Honda and can then roll it off and around the garage. Time out for Christmas.   |
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