This barn find was not exactly found in a barn, but definitely a find...
This 79 RD400F was purchased by my dad in 1993 for $100. It was sitting in a neighbors side yard, uncovered, since 1983. I took this project on and am saving its life, one dollar(and labor hour) at a time. My intention is not a full restoration, but a resto-mod of sorts. Here are some pictures of the bike as I got it. Fairly complete, but in a rough state.
Over the last two years, I have made slow progress, but progress! She ran for a brief moment before I started the teardown. Tons of noise from the engine.
Stripped her down to the frame and split the cases. I found two damaged trans gears, severely scored pistons and a bad crank bearing.
The crank was sent out, the frame repainted, forks polished.
The wheels were cleaned and refinished. Rotors cleaned up well, also. The trans and crank are now in good shape and ready to be assembled.
And this is where she sits today. The cylinders are at the machinists with the new prox pistons, the bike rolls around waiting for its engine. The seat pan was severely rusted out, so I am getting to know fiberglass and seat making!
Looking good! Nice work on the resto :clap:
:thumbs: you do nice work and I love that Super Sport Honda. My first street bike, as a callow 17-year old, was a '79 CB750F.
Thanks man! This was was also out of my dads stash. But not as bad as the RD...
Beautiful! Love the CRs
I made some good progress on the build recently. Seat pan complete, engine ready to be slapped in, rear brake master cylinder mounted with my custom bracket. It is actually from a four wheeler and works well with good feel.
Carbs are on order (PWK30mm) and exhaust ordered (Wicked chambers). Next up is finding what reeds to use and other small things.
Cant wait to ride this bike!
Very nice work.
What methods did you use to get the front forks to look so nice?
Also, how did you clean the wheels before painting?
Thanks!
Something done to that Daytona crank to make it a little more bulletproof, like a '76/'77 RD400 crank?
Quote from: Aloha808 on December 05, 2023, 08:01:21 PMVery nice work.
What methods did you use to get the front forks to look so nice?
Also, how did you clean the wheels before painting?
Thanks!
I sanded with 320, then 1200 wet, then 2000 wet. Then polished using a drill attachment. It was not hard at all, enjoy an adult beverage and sand away!
Quote from: 2steve on December 06, 2023, 03:32:06 PMSomething done to that Daytona crank to make it a little more bulletproof, like a '76/'77 RD400 crank?
No, I am using the original crank. Not the hardened earlier 76-78 models. I spoke with a few old timers, and they said as long as its not a crazy powerful/ported race machine, I will be good. None of them have ever heard of the cranks failing under normal use. Have you?
Gary from Specii said the 350's are also not hardened.
Finishing touches on the engine side of things.
looks nice. I liek what you did w the head there, that looks great w the black inset paint.
Great project !
Got the head on, carbs baseline jetted and installed, waiting for my wicked pipes to arrive and hear this bike run!
Oh fcuk yeah!
Quote from: rearwheelslider on December 06, 2023, 04:53:38 PMQuote from: 2steve on December 06, 2023, 03:32:06 PMSomething done to that Daytona crank to make it a little more bulletproof, like a '76/'77 RD400 crank?
No, I am using the original crank. Not the hardened earlier 76-78 models. I spoke with a few old timers, and they said as long as its not a crazy powerful/ported race machine, I will be good. None of them have ever heard of the cranks failing under normal use. Have you?
Gary from Specii said the 350's are also not hardened.
Only heard of those who put chambers on, experimentally ported and thrashed the living snot out of a Daytona having an issue. Scary when it happens when least expected.
I would trust those old timers, though.
...and excellent project, by the way.
Quote from: 2steve on December 14, 2023, 02:45:16 PMQuote from: rearwheelslider on December 06, 2023, 04:53:38 PMQuote from: 2steve on December 06, 2023, 03:32:06 PMSomething done to that Daytona crank to make it a little more bulletproof, like a '76/'77 RD400 crank?
No, I am using the original crank. Not the hardened earlier 76-78 models. I spoke with a few old timers, and they said as long as its not a crazy powerful/ported race machine, I will be good. None of them have ever heard of the cranks failing under normal use. Have you?
Gary from Specii said the 350's are also not hardened.
Only heard of those who put chambers on, experimentally ported and thrashed the living snot out of a Daytona having an issue. Scary when it happens when least expected.
I would trust those old timers, though.
...and excellent project, by the way.
What happens when the crank fails? I have heard the splines connecting the left and right crank halves fail. This should not damage the cases if that is in fact the failure point.
Does anyone know where I can find the brake pad hardware for RD400F? I have searched, but coming up blank. Thanks
what exact hardware? fwiw, the xs400 of the same years use that same weird rear brake setup.
Well, I got the Pipes in today from Wicked, and she started up first kick. Idle and off idle runs good, 1/4-WOT I think is way rich, it will not pick up rpm past 4krpm. I dropped the needle and it runs better 1/4-1/2 throttle. Going to change the mains probably 4 sizes down and see what happens. But damn she is pretty!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwl2HERdfZM
pilot seems rich. sounds healthy though
:olaf: Congrats! Looks great
Quote from: rearwheelslider on December 18, 2023, 01:59:31 PMWhat happens when the crank fails? I have heard the splines connecting the left and right crank halves fail. This should not damage the cases if that is in fact the failure point.
Sorry, don't know that very well. I believe it's butt-pucker factor, bad noises and possibly no case damage. I know who to ask though. He used to be RDScotty on the old forum.
This is sort of an overview of Wicked Exhaust Chambers with a few questions sprinkled in...
The packaging was nice and shipped quickly. The fitment is okay. I had to open up the holes to mount the flanges to the cylinders. They were just a couple MM too skinny. A burr on a drill worked fine. I had to reduce the length of the rear shocks to accommodate the LH pipe. This is not possible if one is using stock shocks. I need the ground clearance, so I am considering bending the stinger section of the pipe outwards to avoid clashing with the silencer. Anyone have any advice for this? The hanger looks braised on to the pipe, I suppose I could move the hanger...
Also, the kick stand does not fit. Totally expected. But looking for solutions. The kick stand adapter sold by HVC looks clunky, not sure I like it. But I do have an acetyline torch, so I can bend/cut the kickstand, but I want to avoid cutting the frame if possible. Anyone have advice for this?