Allright, thought I might as well do a little project thread on the rebirth. I got this basically because rd400 are far in between here in Denmark at least, and this was running and I have it licensed for the road. Plus, I just love the look and feel of these machines :metal:
I drove it for a few times, realising the guy i bought it from had it for 11 years and had maybe out 60 miles a year on it.
It ran bad, ignition /choke was off, and the brakes were mon exsisting.
SoI decided to give it a new life.
Plan is to make it look stock(ish) with some upgrades /changes.
Ive been working for a month and a half and status quo is '
Disc brakes ventilated
Calipers front and rear, fully rebuilt with stainless pistons and new seals and bolts. ( i had powder coated sets of calipers already from the other project build.
Same goes for the swingarm( as I used a ttac dynamics on the other rd, i decided to use this refurb on this build) so Its the textured Black powder coat with bronze bushings, ready to go on the frame.
I have cleaned and given the plastic new life with bumper spray?new bolts and a new uni filter, so Its ready to go on the frame.
Frame, rims, fork legs, etc are at the powder right now.
Iam Awaiting My rebuilt crank from PJME, UK, Including a new set of 64,75 mitaka pistons.
Had the engine cases, cylinders, heads, carbs, manifold and Bits and pieces water polished?
Cleansed and choke lever, and other non aluminium parts, zink and silver sprayed.
New parts ive got so far are ca
- yss springs in the back
- new fork stansion and springs in the front.
-power dynamo igniton
- brembo master in the front
- new master in the rear from hvccycle ( they have a upgraded Kit)
- lsl handlebar, flat Black, superbike low.
- new controls on the handlebar ( stock)
- a used ebay find, headlight with a Chrome ring in desent shape and h4 bulp
- new wiring loom from UK
- Chrome fenders front and back
- new wheels
And a lot more i properly forgot.
Enjoy, i Will try to take some better pictures.
.. Removed the bushings in the rear wheel, those are a f... Pain to get out.
But I have a new set Awaiting to be fitted when they return from powder.
Should be 3 weeks.
And oh yes, i dropped the tank, oil tank and side cover of for paint.
Hopefully He does a good job..
Going silver baby😁 :toot:
If he managers to get it done in 3 weeks time, i Will have to do the decal work My self, before He gives it clear coat. But should be doable.
So hopefully in a week or 2, the crank Will return and I can start looking at engine assembly.
:clap: Wow you have accomplished a lot in just 6 weeks! Nice work
Socal
Thank you, i wanted to do better then the other project - timewise😅
Its definately a different story on this one.
I build the other one starting with only a frame, so Second time around starting with a complete bike, work is smoother 😁
Hopefully it turns out awsome and Its gonna be one FUN ride!
Stay tuned :patriot:
indeed, going to a be a nice rider for sure. :toot: :vroom:
Nice project!
looks like a good bike to start with, is it a 400?
I thought they had twin front brake discs?
400 single like 350, only difference caliper front of fork on 350 back on 400.
Yet again iam forced to wait for powder guys to be done. Those guys work SLOW! Coming 7 weeks soon. I Will call Them tuesday
Still need to correct the tank sticker on the other side, but looks good so far. When its done, Its off for clear coat.
The paint and decal work looks great! I like that combination of colors.
:thumbs:
Small but important progress.
Got the cylinders back from the workshop, fitted with new mitaka 64,75 pistons.
Iam Awaiting parts back from powder more then ever. Just need to get the clutch fitted( need power tools to tighten the nyt on the clutch and crank)
The lighting is not so good so the sign helps a bit 😁
So, still Awaiting the powder parts.
Got the clutch back together and torqued up, now iam seachikg for a new shift shaft
So the engine can be finished.
Oh..
Yeah i fell over a Rd350 from 74, at a good price.
Its running and Will be Addressed further down the line :metal:
( sold My gt750 frame/engine and Bits and pieces to buy the Rd350)
Gonna stick with rd's for a while 😁
Advice is welcome
I put in 210 mains in stock carbs today, running y boot and k&n filter.
Plan on running spec 2 classic pipes as well
I have the Dave f mod lying around but have not done the work on the carbs.. Yet
I would start off with 240~ and work down.
Pilot jet around 30~35
Air mixture: Try to be in the range of 1 1/4 to 1 1 3/4 turns out from flush up and down jet accordingly
Allright..
Doing some progress..
But the rims and fork legs are still at powder.. The paint had almost boiled / the wheels and fork legs were ugly quite honest, so i really do Hope they can fix it Second time.
But for now
Tapered steering bearings installed
Engine in (oh yeah found that the engine bracket on the right side of the frame had a nasty crack!!
So ebay gonna fine me another and I would have to have that painted..
Found a Nice working seat latch/ helmet lock with key in my parts bin, so far so good..
Got the tank last decal on as well, Its at the painter now. Will get clear coat in the end of the month fingers crossed :)
Got a package from economy cycle, fast delivery! Thanks guys
Oem clutch cable
Gasket
16 tooth front sprocket
And a thick washer kit for my ignition.
So now iam gonna find a new left side engine bracket and get it to the powder
Will hopefully be next week. And have a talk with Them, i Want this done before Christmas.
Just threw a tank on for fun and I kind of like the colour. But hey, iam picking up a silver one in 2 weeks so Its All good :)
Awaiting next paycheck to get some last Bits and pieces and oh yeah
A new rear brake master arm ( splines on the one i got are a bit rough) wont go with the rear sets
So, still Awaiting rims from powder. Those guys SUCK. Not much more is gonna happen this year iam afraid.
Awaiting rims, fork legs and Bits and pieces from powder.
Got the tank back from clearcoat and did a test fit.
Also, Awaiting my spec 2 classic pipes from Gary Schumake, hopefully they arrive in a week or so.
Stay tuned
Happy new year :afro:
So, powder are still not doing their job. Just called Them, mid next week. Yeah right.. Will be the last effort.
I also got new pipes, spec 2 classic. Damn expensive to get sent and Taxes, plus the price.
But I wanted these..
And I Want Them Chromed.. Will properly see if i can get that done in the end of this month.
Stay tuned
So, got My hands on some original brand new rd400 parts, locally.
Now with a brand new speedo and original speedo cable, ready to clock km's.
:clap:
Its a brand new bike basically so why not
I really like the look of the Spec2 classics! Been pondering to get a pair for years....
Would it be possible for you to pull the silencer core out on one of them? And take a couple of pics of what ut looks like, maybe also inside the muffler sleeve?
Yes i can do that. When I eventually prep Them for Chrome they need to be removed
Don't be surprised if you find the silencers lacking in the packing material department. You should plan to repack them before install. Mine were packed sparsly.
Thanks for the heads up :patriot:
Some internals
Ups
Here some of the guts of the pipes
I use plumbing pipe wrap on mine overlaid with a layer of fiberglass body repair cloth. Wire to keep it wrapped in place.
Allright.
Got My rims back from powder plus other Bits and pieces.
Finally!!
Got the rear wheel bushings in tonight
Hopefully next week i Will address the front end(forks), new bearings in the rims and fresh tires
And oh yeah got My spec 2 back from chrome 👌
Dammmnnn :haw: That stuff looks great :righteous:
Lookin' good! :cheerleader:
Never been a chrome guy but damn! Those look sooo right in chrome!
Me neither but agree, these look just right in Chrome so i went for it :)
Allright. Had a minor melt down on assemble of the front forks, Jesus christ it was a pita.
Oh well.. Here we are.
Still lots to do just triel fitted on wheels to see and sit 😁
Stay tuned
Cant wait to ride it.
:cheerleader:
You should be able to grab the front brake and bounce the forks to see if they are working.
Yes when the front brake is installed 😉😉
So. Its a lot of back and forth
Had another set of wheels done for a future rd project, but the colour got me thinking..
I put Them a side the current rd build - yup, they Are going on.
So as it sits now, still need ignition timing, /wiring
A new speedo drive, oilpump mounting and the beautifull spec 1 classic pipes.
And on a side note
These rims were water polished /blasted and then just cleaned up, treated with a layer of wd40, wiped down and new tires and bearings
They look so nice
So, needs wiring and maybe fine tune of carbs, but. Starts and goes nicely
Nice!
Its located in Denmark, if offer is right, i Will sell, make room for other project that need founding and time 😁
Quote from: rd400greenhorn on March 20, 2021, 08:43:57 AM
And on a side note
These rims were water polished /blasted and then just cleaned up, treated with a layer of wd40, wiped down and new tires and bearings
They look so nice
That is what I plan for mine. Three days of scubbing with Scotchbrite and acetone have removed only ~3/4 of the paint a PO put on mine ('76 were bare). They will get water blasted this winter.
You wont regret water blasting Them, they Come up brand new.
I rubbed mine down with wd 40 oil and they ready to Rip. Hopefully should be easy to keep clean