Wednesday, December 9, 2015

My Custom Bike Build: Part 4

This is my rebuilt Honda cb400f.
Thank you to Devin, Neil and Alan from the WoodstockMancave and everyone else who helped me to complete this project.

To read about the rebuild process follow the links below:
My Custom Bike Build: Part 3

The absolute cherry on came when the Woodstock Mancave put on its annual Garage Built Show in December. The streets were filled with bikes and bike enthusiasts along with pro bike builders showing off their latest creations. Then there was the private or non-professional garage built bikes which were all listed and entered into their competition for the best bike build. My bike was entered and landed up winning the best bike award!! I was totally blown away by this prize and recognition.










My Custom Bike Build: Part 3

Strip down, clean, polish, paint and reassembly.
We had the bike 90% stripped in one day. I made sure to take pictures as I was pull it apart and to label things and put bolts, nuts, washers etc. in marked ziplock bags.

Alan gave the engine a great steam clean and helped me polish some of the parts. I am fortunate in that the wheels are in really good condition. The chrome shone bright with a little polishing and the wheel hubs came out really well with some metal polish and a fair amount of elbow grease.



 Reassemble went very smoothly, a little patience to label parts and bits went a long way. I've listed all the things that were done before reassembly below

- Powder coat frame, swing arm, both stands and the triple tree, handle bar and rear mudguard -
- Replace wheel bearings for front and rear wheels -
- Replace master cylinder -
- Attach new indicator lights and tail light -
- Replace fork seals -
- 2 new tires -
- New exhaust pipe -
- Made new side covers from fibre glass -
- Clean and polish wheels, wheel hubs, chain, exhaust headers, front forks, rear shocks -
- Replaced a bunch of seals -
- Vapour blasted 4 engine cover panels, not the engine -
- Respray petrol tank(thanks to Jamie) and fit 3D printed logos -




I have a mate who has a 3D printer, so I designed the Honda logo in a 3D program, then sent it off to him to get printed. I think it turned out really great. Lastly just a little hint of the final tail end.


 Once the bike was fully assemble the real trying part started... getting the engine running properly. I'm not saying I'm an expert in this department but I've learnt so much about tuning the engine. Pulling the carbs apart, cleaning, reassembly, and repeat. Adjusting air screws, idle screw, balancing carbs, measuring valve pressure, adjusting valve clearance. So much to learn, but it has taken me this whole process to be confident to try and do this on my own.

Thank you to Devin, Neil, Alan at the WoodstockMancave and everyone else that assisted along the way. It's been an amazing experience. Now time to ride!!