Post by hokum on Aug 31, 2024 22:43:39 GMT
Hi All
I have recently acquired an early CB400N which previously belonged to a distant family member who passed away. The bike is in very original condition and has only 8,000 miles recorded and I believe that to be accurate, the bike was still showing it's last tax disc which expired on 30th September 1983.
I have attached a photograph which if I am honest is very flattering, the bike has stood in a damp shed for 40 years and really does need a full restoration, my preference is always to keep originality but in this case I don't think it would be long before the rust started to win, I also think it would be a nice for family members who were closer to my late relative to see the bike restored to it's former glory.
Prior to starting the strip down, I did replace the battery, change the oil and put some fresh petrol in the tank and the bike started and ran surprisingly well and mechanically it was amazingly quiet so I am hoping that I can get the motor cleaned up and not have to do much more than a basic service. I have had the paint work refinished and the carbs are off for a strip down and ultrasonic clean. I am still stripping the last of the items off of the frame before sending the appropriate parts for powder coating.
I am sure I will hit challenges and have questions during the rebuild but any advice on recommissioning a bike like this would be welcome. I have some decent replacement forks, the original stanchions are shot, and I will change all service parts, chain and sprockets (the chain was solid!) wheel bearings, rebuild the calipers, new pads and shoes etc. just because it has sat for so long.
One thing has struck me is how different parts have survived the lay up, as an example the switch gear and calipers couldn't have looked any better when it was last parked but the bars and parts like the top yoke which are just inches away have really suffered a lot.
I have recently acquired an early CB400N which previously belonged to a distant family member who passed away. The bike is in very original condition and has only 8,000 miles recorded and I believe that to be accurate, the bike was still showing it's last tax disc which expired on 30th September 1983.
I have attached a photograph which if I am honest is very flattering, the bike has stood in a damp shed for 40 years and really does need a full restoration, my preference is always to keep originality but in this case I don't think it would be long before the rust started to win, I also think it would be a nice for family members who were closer to my late relative to see the bike restored to it's former glory.
Prior to starting the strip down, I did replace the battery, change the oil and put some fresh petrol in the tank and the bike started and ran surprisingly well and mechanically it was amazingly quiet so I am hoping that I can get the motor cleaned up and not have to do much more than a basic service. I have had the paint work refinished and the carbs are off for a strip down and ultrasonic clean. I am still stripping the last of the items off of the frame before sending the appropriate parts for powder coating.
I am sure I will hit challenges and have questions during the rebuild but any advice on recommissioning a bike like this would be welcome. I have some decent replacement forks, the original stanchions are shot, and I will change all service parts, chain and sprockets (the chain was solid!) wheel bearings, rebuild the calipers, new pads and shoes etc. just because it has sat for so long.
One thing has struck me is how different parts have survived the lay up, as an example the switch gear and calipers couldn't have looked any better when it was last parked but the bars and parts like the top yoke which are just inches away have really suffered a lot.
