Messages

More learning than overthinking.  I'm going as fast as money will take me. . .lol

How much power loss is taken from porting down to open it up. For instance on the barrels I posted. I've seen from my research on different 2 strokes a simple rounding off with the caution of not opening it up. I know I'll be compromising with these barrels, but it may effect how much I do to them in the long run.

Realistically, my bike will be a tool around town bike, not a mint example anyway. First one is to learn, so I am. . .

Just got my back rim finished up today. Should have brought it out in the sun for pictures. Super silky and shiny. Was hoping for better casting, but I'll take what I can get.  I didn't want to take material off the rims, there is no place to stop if your after perfection here. So it is what it is for the rims. Can't wait to get my roller together.

I've got one, easy to use. Still figuring out what media to use for what. If you take your time you can make things look new, or maybe better than new, but it still takes elbow grease if you want perfection. Carbs and the like are fairly quick. Side covers and the like in my opinion need sanding before going in the machine, but I'm particular.

I'll have my case done later this week and post some pics.

With all the work going into it I'd rather not close my eyes. I'm still learning. If knife edging is a no go it looks like I'm in the market for a set of barrels, or at least a replacement of one. I was close to sending them over to chuck to get a port job done as I knew they had been messed with, just didn't know how I missed this, and what the ramifications of it were. The left side case had looked like it got much hotter than the right side upon disassembly. The larger barrel on the crank looked like it got hot. Probably should start a build thread so I can keep track of things.  All things considered I'm excited to be able to learn. I'm sure this is just the first RD400 I build.

Just thinking out loud, the guy I bought the bike from seemed to throw this bike together. Everything on it was beat,  it looked put together, but nothing was put together. . Cheap is still cheap so I'm assuming he replaced a barrel but didn't have knowledge like me.

I'll do a bit of research, but if anyone can shed light to educate me I'd appreciate it.

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.

Practice it was. Was hoping I could sell them 😞

While your suggesting, if you could, I still need direction on carbs and pipes. I saw Garrett was making pipes now, what pipes for a Daytona bike just don't know what direction. I'm fine with fab work on the frame. Interested in a fun road bike, hopefully that will stay together.

I really like the painted look with the polished touches. Thanks for sharing everyone. I'm really into the raw look personally, have no clue why though. For my minimal build I'm going to go for as much unpainted surface as I can possibly do. Frame may stay black but I'm undecided. I've got so much work to do, just happy I've got my vapor honing machine. Carbs before and after although I'm going to upgrade to flatsides I think. Still have to talk with Chuck about how far I want to go for the motor work.

When I get done the case work I'll post more pics. Rims are well on their way as well. Rims look sick vapor honed.

Thanks guys, looks like I'm on the right track!

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'll keep my eyes out when you get into finished production. 

Thanks guys!  So glad to have you all around for help. Looks like I'll get started with cleanup before I call chuck and start the rebuild.

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.

This really is my first look into this motor, the bike is in pieces, so I was looking into cleaning and rebuilding the motor. Before I spend the time to clean up the case, I wanted to make sure it's workable.

Yeah, I'm not liking what I'm seeing. Exhaust ports. Left side looks to me like it's cracked and barely hanging on.  Could be from an exposed weak spot that the porting job did, but I'm not happy about how this looks.