Honda CBR400RR NC29 Baby Blade

[Crapaud]

This little beauty has sat in my workshop unmoved for last six months.



This weekend we plan to use it at a trackday at Pembrey in Wales with my son Peter. I've got a track ready Yam 600 for me to use.

Last time I used the Honda, it ran perfectly but not today

It will start fine on full choke and tickover at 1,500 to 2,000 rpm but won't run off the choke at all.

Checked that there is sufficient fresh fuel in the tank.

Checked that fuel is coming out of tank OK and getting to the on-line fuel filter.

I'm guessing that the next step is to remove the carbs and clean out all the jets etc.

Took carbs off and amazed to find that the bike is fitted with 33bhp restrictors in the inlet rubbers. Can't believe this thing was restricted. When I last road it through the valley near here it easily hit 100mph Can't wait to try it in full power mode providing I can getit running right.

Working on this bike is like taking apart a Swiss watch, everything is perfectly made but tiny.


Anyone else got any other suggestions as to why it could be running rough after a six month lay up?

 

[ghiribizzo]

I suspect you have it in one - very carefully clean all the apertures, emulsion tubes etc. in the carbs.
Treat it to a set of plugs seeing as you're in there if they're a few years old. Not same issue but Ducati 750/900 SS bikes can be a pita when laid up and guys used to say they'd done xyz and it still wont start...
Yet you change the plugs and it starts on the button with one finger!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Fuel tap, gummed up also?

Vaccuum hoses?

 

[Crapaud]

Now running perfectly. Cleaning the carbs out did the trick. Decided against changing plugs as that was time consuming enough on my 900 Fireblade and this one looks even more fiddly. I've spent every waking hour for last four days getting the smashed up Yamaha converted into a track ready bike and then preparing this one. In the worshop at 8.00 am and SWMBO drags me back in house at 8.00pm for dinner.

I acquired a second petrol tank and complete set of fairing, bodywork and single seat unit for Honda. Spent hours with filler then rubbing it all down ready for spraying tomorrow. I'll just give it a coat of white primer on Thursday and bolt it together.

Need to drive up to Wales on Friday pm as track day starts with sign on at 7.30am on Saturday.

First track day in years so demoting myself to Novice group to ride with my son.

Should be fun.

 

[Neil W]

I've had three 400 imports and all of them have needed new plugs to run if left over the winter

 

[cookie]

i rode one of those once - fecking mental

 

[GS TRV]

Sweet

 

[Crapaud]

Lost a few hours of workshop time this morning as had to take SWMBO to hospital for her hydrotherapy. I need the brownie points as I'm away for long weekend biking.

Got home and finished rubbing down race fairings and tank etc. I realised I won't have time for decent paint job so just "quick and dirty" job in white primer. Set out the race fairing in three parts, the seat unit and the spare tank and sprayed 1/2 litre of white primer over it all.

Whilst first coat was drying, loaded up car with all bits needed for track day, ACU aproved helemts, full race leathers (damn, they always seem to shrink over the winter months ), decent gloves, bike boots and back protectors.

After the two coats of primer, it was time to rebuild the CBR. First job was fit the top part of fairing. Unfortunately race fairing are NEVER made exactly to spec so a certain amount of "modification" is always needed.

Then the replacement fuel tank. Swapped the fuel cap and fuel tap and refitted. Then fired the bike up and it ran great but pissing fuel from tap. Removed tank and refitted fuel tap. Overtightened it and leaked worse. At this point, I honestly thought I had completely fecked it all up. Then fitted new rubber O ring seal and all was good. No leaks and bike runs good.

Seat unit a complete bastard to fit with lots of cursing, swearing and lots of hitting but eventually it was complete.

I'll post up some pics in the morning but it is looking seriously cool and I'm looking forward to a great weekend on track with my son.

I've promised him I'll take the bikes out first for shake down runs. I can still remember sending him out in France when he was 10 years old in his race prepared (by me!) kart and a wheel falling off at top speed on his first run.

 

[Crapaud]

A couple more photos of the little beauty:

In action on track:






And after the new paint job:

Off to Brands Hatch next week but younger son (Crapaud Jnr) has blagged the Honda so I'm on the Yam 600. Once he gets dialled in on the Honda he will probably be lapping me.

 

[(RIP) MScotts]

Great work, the end result looks to be well proper
What level of work was needed to get the carbs back on-form?