New Member/ Owner

scotchpie · 05-09-2008, 10:28 AM

Afternoon People,

On a bit of a whim I have just bought a broken cbr400 ( Nc23 ) to rebuild for a bit of a summer project. I know nothing about working on bikes; but I have restored a few cars in my time.

I have not picked it up yet so I have not decided what level of resto I will be doing. I have a couple of questions.

Can this bike be restricted to 33bhp? I have 18 months left on my restricited period., if it can be restricted I might go for the quick fix option and ride it right away. If not I may do it properly.

Can Honda sell me a set of keys if I take in the ignition lock barrel?

I will post pictures as the restoration goes forward.

Ta

Pie

LoopyLee · 05-09-2008, 11:27 AM

Hiya and

Its great to have another new member to our new forum.. If you look in the photos thread you can see other Baby Blades owned by forum members

I dont know about the keys but yes it can be restricted.. I know cos I have a NC29 which I got after passing my test in February this year and as I'm on a restricted licence I had to get mine sorted out..

There are a few good places to buy parts.. Insane Moto on Ebay are brilliant, I have had a few bits for mine from them and they are very reasonably priced and their service is ace.. David Silver spares is another, you can google their website, they practically everything for the CBR400 and if they dont have it as stock they can order it in.. plus of course there is the rest of Ebay..

Good luck with getting her sorted out... If you need any advice dont hesitate to ask.. we are a friendly helpful bunch on here..

soupnazi · 05-14-2008, 9:50 PM

I've only just finished restoring an NC23. They're nice little bikes that have an excellent torque and power boost over the 250's. Mind you restricting it to 33hp will defeat the purpose as they're significantly heavier than an equivalent CBR250.

scotchpie · 05-15-2008, 9:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupnazi

I've only just finished restoring an NC23. They're nice little bikes that have an excellent torque and power boost over the 250's. Mind you restricting it to 33hp will defeat the purpose as they're significantly heavier than an equivalent CBR250.

Not going to bother with the restriction, have decided to sit the full test (Booked for next week)

Started to strip the bike, seems pretty easy to work on.

LoopyLee · 05-15-2008, 11:55 AM

They are pretty easy to work on.. Ask Surffrog

although he could do with smaller hands to get into some places on his

Being a girl (sorry.. honorary bloke with tiny hands

) with little hands I dont have problems like that

Surffrog · 05-17-2008, 3:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotchpie

Not going to bother with the restriction, have decided to sit the full test (Booked for next week)

Started to strip the bike, seems pretty easy to work on.

Scotchpie. Great to have you on board. Do let us know how you got on with your test. Good luck

Stu748R · 05-17-2008, 5:47 AM

Welcome and good luck with your test

Twincam · 05-19-2008, 9:36 AM

Good Luck!

Ring up a Honda Stealership and ask them about they keys, if yes then im sure a smaller company which would be a little cheaper could probs do the same job - if not, breakers yard/ebay it is.

scotchpie · 05-19-2008, 10:09 AM

Fixed the key issue, Honda UK did not want to know. locksmith couldn't help. So bought a new lockset for £45.

Managed to get the bike running on Saturday, running really well, so I have not wasted my money.

Couple of questions.

1. should the choke only pull out about 20 mm? If not then I guess something has seized.

2. The alloy on the swingarm is really dull and corroded, whats the best way to bring it back to shiny? is there a polish that can cut it back to shiny? or will I need to flat it back and repolish?

Ta

Pie

Twincam · 05-19-2008, 10:54 AM

This Thread Is Worthless Without Pictures

About the choke, although I do not own a 400 I wouldnt worry about the choke cable aslong as it works ok. I dont believe my Hornets choke comes out any more than 20mm.

Do you want to restore the bike 100% original? If not, powdercoat it or get it chromed? Unless someone here knows of a way.

soupnazi · 05-19-2008, 11:07 PM

I don't think the choke cable should come out any more than 20mm.

If you want to get the crap off your swingarm you could try using degreaser and some elbow grease or perhaps an industrial type cleaner like acetone (just try it on an unobtrusive place first). When you've cleaned off the caked on grime use AutoSol to polish it up. An electric buffer would make quick work of it.

Surffrog · 05-21-2008, 3:42 AM

It's difficult to get the same original finish once that corrosion starts. Have you thought about a mild sandblasting using a fine grain sand?

scotchpie · 05-21-2008, 10:43 AM

Actually I have decided to get the thing to a good safe riding condition ( Not too Far off now) and use it over the summer and do a full nut and bolt refurb over the winter.

The Original finish is now long gone so I am thinking about painting the fork lowers and swingarm in a matt black if I can find a durable paint.

All I am really short of now is a new battery, and some bodywork and it is ready to go.

May well just take a shortcut and buy a ready painted set of bodywork from e-bay, although I am not too struck by any of the colours that I have see on there.

LoopyLee · 05-21-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotchpie

May well just take a shortcut and buy a ready painted set of bodywork from e-bay, although I am not too struck by any of the colours that I have see on there.

buy some anyway and give them a quick respray before you put them on the bike.. sorted..

scotchpie · 05-29-2008, 9:56 AM

It Lives! replaced the cracked clutch cover and gasket, replaced the ignition switch charged the battery and it ran, and it runs well once its heated up. Choke cable is definately not doing anything so will need to get the airbox off and have a look at that. Massive polishing and cleaning session this weekend in preparation for the new set of bodywork I ended up ordering. Decided to leave the serious stripdown until winter when I will send the frame, forks, swingarm and subframe to be powder coated in matt black.

Passed the test BTW.

LoopyLee · 05-29-2008, 10:40 AM

on all counts then

soupnazi · 05-30-2008, 2:30 AM

Pics or it didn't happen!

I'd love to see another NC23 out there. They seem to be outnumbered by the 29's.

Surffrog · 05-30-2008, 3:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotchpie

It Lives! replaced the cracked clutch cover and gasket, replaced the ignition switch charged the battery and it ran, and it runs well once its heated up. Choke cable is definately not doing anything so will need to get the airbox off and have a look at that. Massive polishing and cleaning session this weekend in preparation for the new set of bodywork I ended up ordering. Decided to leave the serious stripdown until winter when I will send the frame, forks, swingarm and subframe to be powder coated in matt black.

Passed the test BTW.

As you've managed to give a 400rr a new lease on life, I think that's worth rep points. Good man!

scotchpie · 05-30-2008, 4:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupnazi

Pics or it didn't happen!

I am off at an Alfa owners club meet tonight, but I will post up some pics I took of it when I first got it tomorrow, and next week when the bodywork is fitted I will show you the finished product. Better do that quick before I throw it down the road.

Unfortunately I found out that the lower faring brackets are missing, I bet they will be a right pain to get.

LoopyLee · 05-30-2008, 2:34 PM

I can see this is going to become my stock answer

but try Insane Moto on ebay or David Silver spares on the interweb

Twincam · 05-31-2008, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoopyLee

I can see this is going to become my stock answer

It already is

LoopyLee · 05-31-2008, 1:59 PM

I cant help it if both places are good for CBR400 parts and people keep asking for ideas where they can get parts from..