Yet Another 400F build
- Thread starter bikeboy
- Start date
bikeboy
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: YA400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Well, been laid up a bit, but managed to re-assemble the motor in 465cc form, and fired her up. Took all of about 15 seconds on the starter I reckon. I post post vid. once my DSS replica exhaust arrives :
In the meantime, I've been experimenting with paint.
Don't worry, it ain't checkers ;D
I've actually tried a FOOSE finish on the silver, and brushed it in one direction with a scotchbrite, then cleared. I could probably make it work better, but this is just a mock-up and it doesn't show at all in the pics
It's actually a bit of an homage to the mighty CBX tank.
I've run some red pin tape down the sides which should tie nicely with the red pearl frame I think I've settled on :
My dilema now is the age-old "do I run the stripe against the edge (as on the left-side of the mock-up), or leave a silver margin like the right-hand side?"
This is where I'm asking for input guys, so don't be shy.
Just to put it in context a bit, the motor is also black, and as I mentiond, the frame will be red. Thinking of satin black side covers to match the stripe, and of course the CBX ;D
Oh. ignore the extra long plug lead - I'll trim that later :
cheers
ian
Well, been laid up a bit, but managed to re-assemble the motor in 465cc form, and fired her up. Took all of about 15 seconds on the starter I reckon. I post post vid. once my DSS replica exhaust arrives :
In the meantime, I've been experimenting with paint.
Don't worry, it ain't checkers ;D
I've actually tried a FOOSE finish on the silver, and brushed it in one direction with a scotchbrite, then cleared. I could probably make it work better, but this is just a mock-up and it doesn't show at all in the pics
It's actually a bit of an homage to the mighty CBX tank.
I've run some red pin tape down the sides which should tie nicely with the red pearl frame I think I've settled on :
My dilema now is the age-old "do I run the stripe against the edge (as on the left-side of the mock-up), or leave a silver margin like the right-hand side?"
This is where I'm asking for input guys, so don't be shy.
Just to put it in context a bit, the motor is also black, and as I mentiond, the frame will be red. Thinking of satin black side covers to match the stripe, and of course the CBX ;D
Oh. ignore the extra long plug lead - I'll trim that later :
cheers
ian
modifiedamerican
Been Around the Block
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
love the paint!
love the paint!
bikeboy
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Got my repro DSS exhaust. Finish is really good, but there seems to ba a problem with number 2 aligning with collector.
May have to return the pipe?
It also bit me! Lesson: don't reach around from the off-side to turn the (relocated to under-tank) key off without sleeves
Cheers
ian
Got my repro DSS exhaust. Finish is really good, but there seems to ba a problem with number 2 aligning with collector.
May have to return the pipe?
It also bit me! Lesson: don't reach around from the off-side to turn the (relocated to under-tank) key off without sleeves
Cheers
ian
biker_reject
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Yow! Bike looks great!
Yow! Bike looks great!
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Hey man! Sorry about the lack of reply! To be honest (and I'm ashamed to admit this!) This is the first time I've seen your thread! Bravo on what you've got going on man, looks stellar!
As far as frame bracing, unfortunately the weak point in our baby 4's is the stamped steel spine. It is the Achille's heel of the bike and allows for a little bit of slop in the ride. The rear is actually pretty well fitted being of the double cradle variety meaning that it has the down tubes on each side. It is good practice to unify the shock towers on the rear by bracing between the two with something but the cheesy 16g seat "perch" that goes between them. A rear hoop can do the trick there, as can a piece of tube that joins the rear towers directly between them. Where you're going to feel the most slop is in the front steering tube because it is enclosed stamped steel with a single front down tube. I am going to be removing the entire spine and replacing it with steel tubing to eliminate this problem, but that is not particularly the easy way to accomplish the bracing. On gretta, I reinforced the welds along the stamped portions and hoped for the best.
The common practice for race bikes with stamped steel frames was to use a CR style tank with what is referred to perimeter bracing. This joined the steering neck to the rear down tubes underneath the tank. Much akin to the way that the RC166 was done. Minus the engine being a stressed member of course:
This of course can be done, but it gets difficult. Here's a race bike Rick Denoon featured on his site. Pretty nifty, but some serious frame and bodywork mods:
http://www.denoonsp.com/frame-study.htm
This completely eliminates the stock tank. The one one this bike is hollowed out and just a skin and uses a bladder in place of the original that the tank "skin" covers.
Honestly, unless you are REALLY pushing it you're likely to never notice the flex. I noticed that you have upgraded the forks, and that is the best thing you could have done.
Those 33mm forks are the handling killers in the 400f. Upgrade the shocks, put a good fork brace, good bushings in the swinger, and dial all of that in and she'll be on rails.
Hey man! Sorry about the lack of reply! To be honest (and I'm ashamed to admit this!) This is the first time I've seen your thread! Bravo on what you've got going on man, looks stellar!
As far as frame bracing, unfortunately the weak point in our baby 4's is the stamped steel spine. It is the Achille's heel of the bike and allows for a little bit of slop in the ride. The rear is actually pretty well fitted being of the double cradle variety meaning that it has the down tubes on each side. It is good practice to unify the shock towers on the rear by bracing between the two with something but the cheesy 16g seat "perch" that goes between them. A rear hoop can do the trick there, as can a piece of tube that joins the rear towers directly between them. Where you're going to feel the most slop is in the front steering tube because it is enclosed stamped steel with a single front down tube. I am going to be removing the entire spine and replacing it with steel tubing to eliminate this problem, but that is not particularly the easy way to accomplish the bracing. On gretta, I reinforced the welds along the stamped portions and hoped for the best.
The common practice for race bikes with stamped steel frames was to use a CR style tank with what is referred to perimeter bracing. This joined the steering neck to the rear down tubes underneath the tank. Much akin to the way that the RC166 was done. Minus the engine being a stressed member of course:
This of course can be done, but it gets difficult. Here's a race bike Rick Denoon featured on his site. Pretty nifty, but some serious frame and bodywork mods:
http://www.denoonsp.com/frame-study.htm
This completely eliminates the stock tank. The one one this bike is hollowed out and just a skin and uses a bladder in place of the original that the tank "skin" covers.
Honestly, unless you are REALLY pushing it you're likely to never notice the flex. I noticed that you have upgraded the forks, and that is the best thing you could have done.
Those 33mm forks are the handling killers in the 400f. Upgrade the shocks, put a good fork brace, good bushings in the swinger, and dial all of that in and she'll be on rails.
bikeboy
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
thanks man. all good info.
I'e since contacted Rick on another list, and he's reviewing his perimeter frame CAD drawings to see if he can accommodate the stock tanks - even if we shift it up abit. He's hopeful we can get it to happen. I'd be happy with that.
cheers
ian
Kanticoy said:
thanks man. all good info.
I'e since contacted Rick on another list, and he's reviewing his perimeter frame CAD drawings to see if he can accommodate the stock tanks - even if we shift it up abit. He's hopeful we can get it to happen. I'd be happy with that.
cheers
ian
veloracermike
Coast to Coast
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Nice looking bike! Who makes that electronic ignition?
Nice looking bike! Who makes that electronic ignition?
veloracermike
Coast to Coast
Re: Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Thanks! Any comparison to the Dyna-S?
Thanks! Any comparison to the Dyna-S?
bikeboy
Over 1,000 Posts
Guess what the next job is:
yep. Take all this stuff to someone who knows what they're doin' :
Just kidding. You'd have to have a go wouldn't ya? What could go wrong? I've seen the youtube how-to videos.
Unfortunately the first step will be to prime and paint the hubs because they're just not cleaning up all that well. They will be the same silver as the (mock-up) tank.
ian
yep. Take all this stuff to someone who knows what they're doin' :
Just kidding. You'd have to have a go wouldn't ya? What could go wrong? I've seen the youtube how-to videos.
Unfortunately the first step will be to prime and paint the hubs because they're just not cleaning up all that well. They will be the same silver as the (mock-up) tank.
ian
neevo
Over 1,000 Posts
Yet Another 400F build - tank-stripe vox pop
Ian who did your boring and which 466 kit did you go for? Going to do the same on mine and currently looking at the $150 deal rather than the Aussie $300 one.
Also any more info on the front end swap? What hub did you have to use? Does it sit higher than the original? Do you use the same triples?
Cheers.
Ian who did your boring and which 466 kit did you go for? Going to do the same on mine and currently looking at the $150 deal rather than the Aussie $300 one.
Also any more info on the front end swap? What hub did you have to use? Does it sit higher than the original? Do you use the same triples?
Cheers.
