73' CR400 Restoration...

[retro rocket]

Here we have the start of what I think is going to be a pretty quick and enjoyable restoration of a 73' CR 400.

I intend to go racing.

I have started with the pipe as I had all the things needed to complete the job...

My restoration plan goes as follows:

- Leave all paint and platting finishes mostly as is ... I want a genuine fresh from the barn look. (any comments welcome!)

- Full mechanical restoration to the highest standard ...

- Perform some small modifcations along the way but only if I feel they are in good taste... as per my removable heat shield.

- Try and preserve as much of the original bike as possible ...


As you can see I have started with the pipe - The end of the pipe was bent inwards towards the rear wheel and there was some servere damage at the junction of the muffler pipe and the body of the expansion chamber..

I cut and removed all damaged metal. John at Vintage Husky sent me a peice of the correct tubing to replace the damaged section.

I have left that over-long for the mean time.

At the same time I removed the heat sheild as it had some dents and it also covered part of the section that needed repair. At this time I media blasted all the parts - straightened them out and as you can see made the heat shield removable by way of two bosses that I turned and then welded in place - I have since tapped them with a M6 thread.

All in all it looks good and the heat sheild fits perfectly.

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions regarding a good paint finish for the pipe as thats the next step... what is the best and most original looking way to do it???

If anyone has any original 73' correct parts Im interested - preferably not broken. Good aged patene welcomed.

I am away through the weekend so probably wont reply to any posts until Sunday night - that is if anyone posts!!

Enjoy your weekend folks.

 

[Leftcoast leftkicker]

Good to see you have a Mag swing arm, that's the best/easiest handling mod for the $. Next would be typical suspension upgrade, then maybe VH triple clamps but they're expensive. Regarding the motor, clean up the transfers & open up the exhaust port. It's amazing how much these 400s respond to the exhaust port clean up. No need to go huge on the compression. Swap out the Bing for a Mikuni and if you're worried about spark then a modern ignition. If $ not an object make it a reed valve.

 

[retro rocket]

Leftcoast

Thank you for your comments - I am interested to know what it is that makes my swing arm a Mag - I just assumed it was the original (??) - this is my first Husky so I am still learning the exact model specs....

Thank you for the other suggestions. Mikuni makes a lot of sense as does a new stator plate.

What reed cage do you use - a later Husky one ? ... I guess you would have to do some machining.

 

[Husq.fleet]

Good to know info as I'll be doing my 72 CR400 soon.

 

[Dirtdame]

I don't know about leaving paint and finish the way it is. I'd want to repaint the frame really good, to seal the metal against any further rust and corrosion. Just sayin'.....

 

[Leftcoast leftkicker]

As always, the Dame's right!

 

[Husky37]

Looks like this will turn out to be a nice restoration job... especially if it's for go and not show...

Perhaps this thread needs to be moved into the 'Restoration Projects' section if you decide to do a stage by stage and post as you go?

Stu

 

[retro rocket]

Husky37

I have nothing against the thread being moved to the 'Restoration projects' section...

Where abouts in the UK are you from? - I am originally from Devon...

 

[Husky37]

I'm from the West Country too.... I always explain it to people as the place where all the Pirates came from.... Black Beard being one of them..

Getting close to finishing off my '85 500.... It's always good to see other rebuilds and restorations that are going on.... I find I always learn something and try and pass on as much as I can.

Looking forward to what you are going to do with yours.

Stu

 

[HuskyT]

Moved this into Vintage Restoration Section.

Looking forward to seeing more of this build!

T

 

[Daniel508s]

My Dad had a early 70's CR400 when I was a kid. We still joke about the bike to this day. The power was ON****************************************! or off. Hold on tight and away you gooooo. I still can see him "supermaning up hills'" and holding on for dear life. Just all engine/power and so many buddies scared to get on the thing. Great Bike!!

 

[retro rocket]

Daniel508s

Great memories - I have some easy riding refined bikes and really really look forward to some of that raw all or nothing power that this bikes known for... (your dad knew all about it by the sounds of it)

I have made a lot of progress in the last few weeks and will post the pictures just as soon as possible!

 

[Daniel508s]

Yes, keep the pictures coming. Love those old Huskys!

 

[retro rocket]

Ok so I had thought I would do a quickish mechanical restoration and leave the bikes patene the way it was - rust and all, barn fresh...

Well that was the plan but it seems that has gone out of the window with the refinishing of most every part of the bike...

So I strarted by stripping the frame back and doing some thinking about powder coating or paint... I did a bit of reading and came to the conclusion that there are pros and cons for each and since the last bike I did got paint I figure I'll try powder this time...

My sand blast unit is not big enough to get the frame in but I did the fork legs and various brackets which are going in for powder as well.

The frame came back and I have to say the finish is first class, a couple of minor annoyances with thickish powder build up. My frame number is obscured which I will have to bring back by wet sanding the powder back and then color matching with a light coat of standard silver paint - or at leasts thats the plan. The powder seems pretty sandable.

The Fork legs could not be any better. I have assembled the forks with new stanchons from Steve (Huskydoggg) Thank you Steve
Anyone have any suggestions as to the best oil for them? I used a 20 weight and to memory 250mm's in each leg. They make a nice squellch squellch sound now!

 

[retro rocket]

The best bit of restoration is ordering of parts - which Im doing as fast as possible prior to A: Running out of money B: Getting busted by my wife.

I am in pretty good shape as my bike came with most of a second bike that has prooved useful source of good or non corroded parts.

Today I finished the cleaning of every last nut, bolt, washer, spacer, bracket and clip.... They have all gone in for cadmium plating so should look a lot brighter when I hopefully collect them on Friday!!! - I can do a bit of assembly at that point.

My shock absorbers arrived a day or so ago and I have not stopped looking at them - yes I am excited about the shocks... (I can confess that here at least)

They are produced by a UK complany called Falcon Shock Absorbers Ltd www.falconshockabsorbers.co.uk

Im also a Brit so feel like I should support Queen and country even if I live in the US. I have a set on a 77' Suzuki PE250b which have held up to some real punishment.

Other parts I bought were: Repro handle bars - magurs levers - magura throttle - oury grips - nos lower bearing cup - seat cover - seat pan - spoke set.

 

[retro rocket]

A picture of the bike the day I bought it... and where I am now.

 

[schimmelaw]

Retro,
I'm glad you went w/ refininshing your hard parts versus leaving them as you found them. Alot of extra work, I know, but oh so nice. Makes me smile w/ each new post.
Rick

 

[retro rocket]

Rick

Yep - so am I. I'll just have to ride this bike good and hard to get that patene back...

Your project is awesome - I had originally wanted to build this bike up using a larger four stroke engine in the style of a vintage super moto or old school desert racer creation... next time.

I was interested in the tools you used to push the swing arm bearings into place - I may make a similar device as thats one of my next jobs.

Cheers Tom

 

[retro rocket]

I have made a small amount of progress ...

Having removed excess powder coating from the kick stand shaft I fitted the stand to check for excessive free play and movement - lots of play... so here is my fairly simple fix, two bronze washers turned to fit. One each side. Not exactly rocket science but it made made me happy.

While there is still play it has tightened it up to a point that I am happy with it now. The bronze I used was salvaged from the suspension bushes from a 1958 Ferrari testarossa. (sadly I do not own the car)

I had also cut off the orginal foot plate of the kick stand as it was pretty beaten and welded in place a fresh piece - around 2 inches square as per the original.

 

[7point62]

Lovin' this thread.