'71 400 Issues/Restoration

Thanks Tom..
I used "Coastal" (28 oz) 80-90 gear oil Petroleum based (NO synthetic) the kind of stuff you use in an old truck/car..
I am using (200 cc) Yamalume (yamaha) fork oil 15 wt (clymers recommends 20 wt)..

really dialing in has been easy.. air screw 2 1/2 turns out.. throttle screw... about 1/2 turn out. I don't have a kill button (they weren't used back then..lol) so depending on my ride... I use the throttle screw to basically set my idle & Kill ..

I wanted to 'set' the high temperture paint on the exhaust & not blister it...so I started it up.. ran it for about 3-5 min...then let it cool...of course I opened her up...LOL..

right now I am seeing things that I thought were tight...needing re-tightening..
gear case drain, it has copper 'crush washer' and that needed re-tightening.

I figure I will run a few tanks of gas thru it & change all fluids..filters..
my tank is not new like yours (Tom)...

so Couple things:

anyone re-anneal their copper washers..or any sources?...

I decided to put number plates on Where may I find a bracket for the FRONT number plate.. I will use yellow Maier number plates

One thing I am trying out is "vibra-Tite" (VC-3)..instead of loc tite..
I was given a sample from the guy at a metric bolt shop.. its kinda pricey $$..not using it on everything just some parts.
you apply it to the bolt, let it dry for about 10 min then assemble. you can tighten stuff after assembly AND its reusable. Basically its like coating that is in the threads. Anyone else use this stuff?..

vibra tite, never really dries, it stays kinda goopy.
you really need a kill button.. easy to install, and yes...they used kill buttons.
ever have a throttle stick? or dump one over, and lay in the dirt as your bike revs its guts out, and nobody can figure out how to shut the thing off??
never ever had to do anything but tighten the drain plug on a Husky, if you have a leak, then you have an issue other then the brass washer.
20wt??wow. ill bet those forks beat the crap out of your arms...i use 10 wt. and i weigh 240 lbs.

Reverend...agreed that kill buttons were used....but not stock.
ohh yea dumped a few bikes & had them "tach out"...
Actually ..the front suspension with the 15 wt oil seems just right for my weight (205) Responsive, even over little dips, washboards..
I dunno why they recommended 20 wt....40 yrs & alot has changed!
I remember using something like a 5 wt or ATF ...but I was also about 50 lbs lighter
Gotta love the 3 1/2 inches of travel in the rear shocks.....LOOK out Supercross!..LOL

Finally... who would think that '0' weight oil would be preferred in cars?.. (I have research on this & the recommendation!)

noticed an unusual amount of gasoline leaking from the carb..
petcock fine...but as ambient temp in garage rose...gas in carb float bowl was pushed out...leaking from under the carb.. wasn't sure if it was the gasket on the 'bowl', the drain bolt, the NEW drain bolt gasket, stand pipe.....etc
Pulled the carb bowl..put gas in the bowl, put the bowl in a clean plastic container set it on a paper towel, and let it sit over nite.
found Gas on the paper towels.
long story...the stand pipe often gets hairline cracks.
I called BING today & they sell new bowls etc.....so waiting on that.

additionally I had BING rebuild my Bultaco BING carb..& they did a great job...pricey but well done

Anyone have suggestions/recommendations for number plate installation on the '71 400?
the mounting tabs are on the sides, & I know that I just need to "center" the number plates, but 'center' is a relative term...
I thought about a cardboard template, then see how it 'sits' between the frame & shocks, then make the holes in the plates.
Recommendations?

Mike, double faced tape on the frame, get the plate situated where you want it and mark the holes with a brand new "sharpie" marker. the tip fits in that 6mm hole perfect.

THANKS!...see I knew someone had a 'better way'... I would have never thought of that.

wayyy easier than what I was planning!

thanks again!

no problem, good luck with the resto.

well Finally got her 'together'......ignore the missing seat bolts...I just set the seat on the bike to photograph...
what a great sound she makes!

Mike,
Dang nice resto. A looooong and tireles process, I know, that family/friends don't sometimes understand. You should be proud of your accomplishments. Bike looks great! Congrats.
Rick

Awesome Very nice, right out of On Any Sunday.

thanks guys...I am gonna try & get her out this coming weekend. I have a silencer, the 'pickle/bullet' looking one. I Painted that this past weekend. Now I'm looking for a 'sparky' spark arrestor.. I want to 'try' to have a clean look

The inlet size may be a problem...


I have been working on a Bultaco Alpina also...LOL.. but taking a break I wanna ride this Husky.

Finally, I have the 'fever' (for more cow bell)... For another Husky.

> I have a line on a '72 360 (enduro, I forget the frame),
> Thinking about a vintage 250..
>or to a lesser degree considering a 450 Desertmaster
Any comments?

Mike, that is one sweet ride man it's almost a shame to ride it, NOT !! once again she really looks sweet. awesome job.

pretty damn sweet,,, now lets ride it, and scratch it..

LOL..ohhh ..thanks everyone. It will be ridden.
"Not riding your bike, driving a car etc..is like saving your girlfriend for her next boyfriend"

cars, bikes, guns, girlfriends...i try my best to wear them out...ride it like you stole it...

Got a spark arrestor, attached it to my silencer...really nice set up 'arrestor' is very compact...
so took it out today, and rode it in 'grassland area'.....wow this bike is scary fast & full of torque..

I did some riding in deep freshly turned dirt..It seemed as though I was getting some clutch slip (Revving up as I opened it up..) ....but was difficult to tell because of the soil..
any ideas how I can better test it...(riding on my street isn't really an option/ as an immediate diagnosis).
Also suggetions to 'fix it'/adjust are welcome

Please help me toss this rope over the rafter in my garage...I'm having some difficulty.....lemme sum it up.
last week decided to rinse out my gas tank with some gas...& dropped the tank right on the leading edge causing a pin hole - paint sustained a small chip...but that pin hole?...I Hate when I do clutzy stupid a$$ stuff....grrrr.
well wanted to celebrate the mile stones & the set backs.....

Hats off,looks good.I don't know if I could bring my self to ride it ,maybe around the Wallmart parking lot.