Topics

I had a reputable guy build my motor a while ago. Finally got it legal and took it for a longer ride and when I got back home I noticed some top end knocking. I maybe have 3-4 tanks of gas run through it, so not that many miles on the bike yet. I did have the timing slip, so I reset the timing on it.  Just looking for feedback on where to start. It's super disappointing as I haven't even got to enjoy the bike and I'm afraid I'm already troubleshooting problems. My builder has not gotten back to me, so I think he may be MIA. Thanks for any feedback you guys could give me.


https://youtube.com/shorts/APU7rufTpWY?feature=share

Does anyone know where I can get a torque arm bolt for the brake support arm on an RD400.  Apparently, I can't tighten bolts or put a pin in. . . . I can't find one anywhere.

Thanks.

I prob need to get a helmet at some point.  So for someone who lives in Florida and does not like to wear a helmet, any recommendations?  Yes, I want to wear one, I just don't like it. . . lol.

I'm doing my best to gear up, but I've not been riding for long enough for all my gear to have wasted away.  Any points in the right direction with gear I should have would be welcome as well.  Just ordered riding gloves, have my boots I'm good with now . . . so  lightweight jackets? Summer is upon us and it's smoking hot. . .

Thanks to Chuck and the countless guys on here for answering all my questions, making parts, and collecting lots of info of which I would never have gotten here without. Thanks guys!  Still have the tail to finish off, but I got to take it for a spin today. Can't wipe the smile off my face. It has been a long time dream to build an rd400. 

So my good friends dad has a water buffalo he is selling. I'm having a look at it on Wednesday. Don't have any details, but know it's been sitting in a garage for at least 10 years. All the parts are there, mostly assembled from what I hear.

My question is what the heck should I look for and what's the value structure. It may not have a title, which would def have to be worked out, but he said he may be able to find it. Any info would be appreciated. I'll update with pics when I have them.

I'm getting to the end of my build, rd400, I keep second guessing things I can't change at this point. Still happy, but next one. . . Lol.

Sorry for my elementary questions. I'm prepping to get my bike over to Chuck for first startup. He is helping me tie up my last loose ends. Want to have everything in as much order as I can. Hoping you guys can help me out.

Assuming no battery

1. Blue from ignition coil goes to cut off switch?  Can I have an on/off switch for this. I have a 2 wire switch now, if yes what does the off position wire go to, ground?  In picture the two wires are the switch mounted on other side, I'm pointing to them. 

2. If red from regulator will be running lights (headlight/tail/brake) will I need a distribution block or fused distribution block?  Any guidance on how to distribute the load properly would be of help. All LED lights.

3.  I will not being using the relay, so this is a spare part until I add a battery?

Again wiring is voodoo to me so sorry for the obvious questions, I always hate when I ask stupidly obvious questions.

Hey guys, like the topic suggests, the rotor bolts, or studs that hold the rotor on the rim.  I think they are 8mm.  What do you guys use?  Do you continue to use the retainer washers that bend over, or is a lock washer acceptable?

I'm asking more for my front brake setup as I'm going to blue dot and haven't thought through it. Garrett did a great job with his plug and play setup, couldn't be more happy about the quality of the parts he provided.  I think he also told me what to use, just have lost the text as it was prob over a year ago.

I'm also wondering if you guys use stainless steel bolts for the rotor to carrier.  My basket case had mismatched bolts everywhere and I mean everywhere. Most are rusty enough to be concerned.  Some were original, some not and I have no idea where to find them, or just upgrade to something better.  I've tried to scour the internet, but my terminology is probably locking me in an echo chamber. 

Thanks for any info.

I'm looking for feedback on ideas. Would you wrap a seat to hide the frame, or snug a small seat into the frame and keep the frame exposed. I've got a friend that will build me a seat for some vapor honing on his bike. The guy is really talented with stitch work and custom seats.

This is a stripped down bike build. Nothing in the bike is not "needed", or very minimal, of course I'll regret all that, but it is what it is.

Did some fab work on my tank in prep for my seat. This was my first time at this type of fabricating. I adjusted the mounting points up under the seat, used the original mounting hardware. I guess because I'm cheap and makes it easier to replace the rubber. The tank was beat up under the paint, so I figured why not try. Looks like the handle bars hit both sides of the tank in a crash.  I'll have to paint. Every bike should be black right?  Lol.

I just had the opportunity to put a face with the name. Dropped my motor off to Chuck to have him work some magic on it.

Super excited for the next section of my build. I'm hoping to have the frame cleaned up and ready for mock-up by the time I get it back. Now what colors on a colorless bike?  Keep thinking I should keep the frame and tank black. Everything that I could vapor hone, I did. Yep maybe black silver and touches of white in the decals. May try to ghosts the decals so nothing pops to much. Maybe tank should be a dark silver/charcoal.

Either way I'm stoked. Chuck is a real nice guy.

I'm a bit out on my project for wiring, but wanted to gather information as I tend to build parts over time. Chuck mentioned some of you really have played with this in the past, and I'd love to pick your brains.

Probably go with a Vape ignition, headlights, tail, turn. Didn't want to run guages but, will want a tach, speedo I was thinking gps on my phone, but that may get annoying. If it doesn't need to be on the bike, it's out, or so my stupidity goes.

Some questions, are there kits that would help tie things together?  What can I run without a battery, or should I just run one. I don't mind everything being on all the time the bike is running, simplicity. Minimal controls/switches.

I'm half decent with mechanical, but wiring has always been voodoo to me. I'll do my best to follow along.  Thanks for any input. You all have been a big help on my build so far!

I am fitting my swingarm and I noticed a gap pictured below. I'm making an assumption that it is best to squeeze the gap closed but wanted to make sure. The front rim assembly I used a spacer that Garret provided when I bought the blue dot caliber bracket, which was awesome by the way. He was super awesome to deal with. The swingarm seems to be able to flex, so I didn't know.

I keep thinking that if I use a spacer in any way it will throw the alignment off and mess with the caliper alignment. I probably answered my own question. Probably should start a build thread so I can keep my silly questions in one place.  Anyway, thanks all for the encouragement on this forum.

Can anyone help me on pricing with both?  Just a fair price to ask, not sure what's OEM on the tail, if any??   Bassani pipes are used lol. I started to take the baffles out to repack, but I'm going a different direction with my build. Just trying to pull some money together to send the motor to chuck. I'm getting close whhooohooooo.

Sorry for asking, just don't want to show up on the greedy bastard thread. Lol.

Am I crazy for wanting to upgrade my rear brake?  I upgraded my front brake with the r1/fzr and find my rear brake is so stinking heavy.  I thought there was talk about this on the old forum.  I keep trying to talk myself out of it, but keep wanting to do something about it.  My assumption is to just get over it and rebuild my back caliper. . . . Is there any ideas out there that can fit with some fab work that anyone has tried?  Ideas?

Before anyone tells me, I know the back brake is fine and will work, but. . .

So I was cleaning up my barrels and don't know how I missed this. One barrel looks like it was ported on the sleeve. Can someone tell me what's going on here?  Not sure how I missed this, and why the heck one barrel is done and not the other. This basket case is sure proving to be a mystery, but I'm learning quite a bit.

Thanks.

So has anyone left your barrels unpainted. I picked up a vapor honing machine and am working through my rd400 build. Cleaned up some casting flaws and flattened the fins a bit. Vapor honing seems to get aluminum super smooth so I think cleaning won't be a huge problem. Obviously vapor honing was just the last step. For some reason I really making parts look new!!

Chuck, I know it's been a long process, but I'll swing up there with everything when I get my feet under me with all the important parts. By the way, Chuck you have been a huge help/encouragement for tackling this rebuild on my own. Thanks!

I picked up some hogan shocks without the bushings in them (used).  I also snagged a +1 aluminum swing arm.   Was wondering what everyone did for their lower bushings, as well as where I might find the upper ones as well.

I measued them out, just don't know where to order or what was the latest material being used. Any help is appreciated.

Thankful the site is back up. Thanks for all the hard work everyone.

Can I get some feedback on my exhaust ports. They look like someone before me did a bad job, just wanting to know if they look salvageable. Almost have my roller together and am planning ahead for the motor. Thanks for any feedback. Was hoping to send off the motor to chuck as I'm not to far from him, but it's taking a bit longer for this project to get rolling.