XR400 Four - Skunkworks Special

[Pezz_gs]

I spent most of the afternoon yesterday sorting out what I have to do to fit what in where.

The Husky pivot end is wider than the 400/4, and narrower than the 400/4 at the axle end.

The rear wheel has a fair amount of spacing for the chain as can be seen below:



The Husky measures 200mm at the axle.



The 400/4 measures 230mm. To fit the rear wheel I would have to remove 30mm or 15mm from each side which I cannot do with out fouling the rear sprocket



Think I will just have to cut and extend the CB400/4 swingarm 100mm. The add some bracing.

[troy safari carpente]

To say that I was dubious from the outset about reaming a swinging viking member into the rear of an unsuspecting japanese recipient is an understatement. That kind of trans-gender fender bender is a surgical proceedure fraut with peril and best only attempted with copious amounts of amber fluid, a grinder, eye protection and a good dollop of KY gel!!!

Back to the jeckyll boad Dr Drawing?

[Pezz_gs]

Originally Posted by troy safari carpente

To say that I was dubious from the outset about reaming a swinging viking member into the rear of an unsuspecting japanese recipient is an understatement. That kind of trans-gender fender bender is a surgical proceedure fraut with peril and best only attempted with copious amounts of amber fluid, a grinder, eye protection and a good dollop of KY gel!!!

Back to the jeckyll boad Dr Drawing?

Thanks Troy Boy

I appreciate your wisdom Sensai . . . . . you have gone the Viking route before

Back to the front end today, will take the 400 forks off and look for some suitable steering head bearings and might, I say 'Might', luck out and not have to make a new stem. Then locate the XR forks and check for clearance. I have an oil cooler on its way too.

OldDog calls me yesterday and says I only have 46 days to get it finished

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by Pezz_gs

Thanks Troy Boy

I appreciate your wisdom Sensai . . . . . you have gone the Viking route before

Back to the front end today, will take the 400 forks off and look for some suitable steering head bearings and might, I say 'Might', luck out and not have to make a new stem. Then locate the XR forks and check for clearance. I have an oil cooler on its way too.

OldDog calls me yesterday and says I only have 46 days to get it finished

45 now, what are you doing on here, get out into the shed and get cracking!

[GSnovice]

Got your name and cause in the latest TBAM editorial, Pezz. Good show!

[twotyred]

Can't wait to see the actual story in the forth coming editions!! Good luck with you endeavors!!

[Pezz_gs]

As time is slipping away I decided I need to get a good look at the front ends of both bikes.

Stripped the CB first and unplugged a lot of wiring, its funny that you see something so simple and then you are reminded that the wiring is still to be sorted.

It all came apart pretty easily.



The XL on the crate ready.



I removed the Ball Race bearings and placed the XL forks in for a look.



As I thought, The stem is too short.So Off to the Steel Shop for some 4140 - 30mm bar stock. Dropped in for a quick chat with Laurie Alderton and pressed out the XL stem. Now I just have to work out the geometry and steering head bearing dimensions. The Standard 400 bottom bearing is 50mm OD with a 30mm ID. The top is a 48.5mm OD and 26mm ID. If I have to I can make up a few spacers to suit, just thing the 48.5mm OD might be the tough size to find. That being said you can buy a kit from the UK to update the bearing to Tapers on the 400/4.

[OldDog]

Whats the difference in fork leg diameters mate? Is there anything you can do there to make it easier?

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by OldDog

Whats the difference in fork leg diameters mate? Is there anything you can do there to make it easier?

Bill, pllllllease remember WHO it is you are posting to... BEFORE you put finger to keyboard in future mate... "anything you can do to make it easier?"... hahahaha!

You just gave me a "busted-gut" relapse... just call me rolling on the floor in fits of laughter make it easier...? please!?

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by troy safari carpente

Bill, pllllllease remember WHO it is you are posting to... BEFORE you put finger to keyboard in future mate... "anything you can do to make it easier?"... hahahaha!

You just gave me a "busted-gut" relapse... just call me rolling on the floor in fits of laughter make it easier...? please!?

I'm hearin ya!

[troy safari carpente]

Originally Posted by OldDog

I'm hearin ya!

Pezz' kids are the only tot's on the block with a PeeWee 50 that's got a boxer airhead shoehorned into the chassis...

[Pezz_gs]

Ahh Troy and OldDog, are you finished . . . . . .

You guys are so out of line . . . .

Well its been a busy weekend apart from the bike build.

After getting the XR stem pressed out, and with the suggestion of Terry - SOHC Forum, extended the shaft 20mm to align the steering head bearing surfaces.

Process was quite simple, part the shaft in the lathe, face the edges, fabricate a spacer which would be pressed into the shaft, took 6 ton of pressure, machine a groove, then weld and machine down to 25mm OD.

I ordered some Taper roller bearing kit from a UK which should be here in a few days. The bottom bearing has an inside diameter of 30mm, the stem is 26mm. I will make a sleeved spacer to take up the 2mm ID and locate the bearing in the correct placement.



Once the front end is mounted I then need to lift the back of the bike to get the desired steering head angle.

Whilst waiting for that, I am progressing with the instruments and headlight. I want to run the CB400 headlight assembly.

The mounting will be pretty straight forward, but the idiot lights need a new cover made to hold the coloured lenses in place. I will build this out of 2mm alloy plate and hand file into shape.




The head bearings, new cam chain and engine seals should be here by Wednesday, and that will allow a big leap forward.

BTW

Ever had a Brainfart??? You know when you do something you never thought you would do. Or buy something you never thought you would.


Well I had a beauty a few weeks back, bought a bike I didnt really need. Ebay is a terrible thing when ones imagination is left unchecked.

I sought the sage advice of tHE tREV on my momentary lapse of reason. His response

Originally Posted by tHEtREV

You did what?

... Idiot...

I now own this:



This cost me $800 and I have justified it by calling it my backup plan if the 400 doesn't get finished. I suppose it will be more like punishment plan.
Oh it hasn't run for 5 years and has no air cleaners. As usual the photos do overstate the condition of the bike.

Well better get back to it.

[tHEtREV]

Idiot.

[Pezz_gs]

Originally Posted by tHEtREV

Idiot.

Do you like this tREV

This is the reason I bid on the RZ, okay

[Pezz_gs]

Oh and this . . . . . . . . . . http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=404350