The story so far.

**Bonez** · 20th October 2005, 19:28

Managed to source a spares bike over in Hawkes Bay on the weekend for a good sum. The engine has burnt exhaust valve so no real biggy to sort out. Thought I was in Bol'dor heaven when I visited the gent. Seems he has been given bit n peices over the years by friends and his 900 has over 300,000kms up. Loaded Gerties panniers up with spares and am waiting for mum and dad to get there van sorted so I can bring rest of the new aquisition home. Life is good.

**Bonez** · 25th October 2005, 19:21

On the ride down to see Cath to drop the 250RS bits off I decided to fill the ol gal up with 95 in Palmy. Didn't end up going back home via the Wiapara, running late, and decided to see how far I could go before it went onto reserve. I'd recalled it was around 280ks or so. It's been quite some time since I've done this intentionally. To my surprise I got 320ks before it started to sputter, about 50 yards from home. This thing has a 20 ltr tank with about 4.5 ltr reserve. Now after 19 years and 123,000 ks up on this ol air-cooled 550lb rattler I don't think this is too bad at all. It's not been to a m/c mechanic since around 1991 when I had the carbs "proffessionally" balanced. One tip I found interesting over the years was set the shim clearances to 5 thou of an inch instead of the factory recommended 3 thou.

**Bonez** · 30th October 2005, 15:24

Just had a new ME55 tossed on the back. One I bought 4 or so months ago, tis nice to have one handy instead of trying to get one at the last minute. Too lazy to do the lever thing today so got the young falla at The Tyre General to do it- young brute of a man he was, quick as too. So the ol gal is read for it's WOF in
in a fortnight. Will break it in on the commute to work next week instead of using the GB. Inspected the rear sprocket and decided it won't need replacing just yet, as it is wearing quite evenly and no hooked teeth. Better than I thought, so maybe next tire change. Double checked my work as I do tend to forget things more these days. I see she's due for an oil change in 500kms so have got the filter and oil at the ready. Sels1 popped in for a cuppa after visiting ANZA. It was nice to see you again Selwyn hope the ride home went well.

Edit- Got a WOF no worries. Seems the testing station I went to had a few pro bike blokes there.

**Bonez** · 14th January 2006, 21:56

It's been a while. Hope the 250RS still on the road Cath.

Picked up the remainder of the spares bike today, well dad and mom where kind enough to bring it over from Flaxmere and catch up with their great grandson. I rode the GSX750EZ over (managed to avoid getting a speedy ticket-phew!!) to pay the balance oweing and didn't expect to have the spares bike in the shed till around March, ready for a winter project. I'm going to seal the engine upon removal (tip- 44mm bath pugs fit the exhaust ports just nicely), spay copious qtys of engine degreaser and at attack it with the water blaster and stiff nylon brush tomorrow. A beer crate on a rollerskate comes in handy I've found. Picked up a full cb900 gasket set before Cristmas from ANZA for $10 so just need a 79-83 DOHC cb750f base and head gasket if anyone has them lying around.

Mainly got the the thing for the motor, which I'll pull down and inspect, but have managed to get a few more spares. Now have a set of wheels I can have tires fitted to and straight swap as needed. Though I am toying with the idea of fitting them to the cb550 to replace it's spoked items. Time will tell. Oh well, night night all.

**Bonez** · 22nd January 2006, 14:49

Picks below of the bits n peices I've picked up. Hmmmm been thinking about getting it up and running, with a bit of custom work. Funny how "projects" tend to esculate is'nt it?

**Bonez** · 10th February 2006, 14:54

Just scored another motor off trademe. Engines arrived. Turns out there is damage to the castings that the seller didn't let on about, even after I asked if there was fin damage. Oh well buyer beaware I guess, appropiate feedback posted. Worth it for the spares though. Casings will go to the scrap man.

Lifted the cam cover and the cams/cam spockets are in excellent condition. Bugger all wear on the camchain tensioners. Somebody has used silicone sealant on the cam cover gasket, which isn't terribly bright as it can block up oil galleries.

**ducatilover** · 11th February 2006, 21:11

nice bike

i like hondas

**Bonez** · 12th February 2006, 06:05

Originally Posted by ducatilover

nice bike

I like hondas

Thanks. It's been good too me. A few more things need to be tidied up astheticly. Thanks to KB I've gotten back into the groove, as it where, am meeting more folk and catching up with people I haven't been in contact with for years. All in all a great bunch.

**ducatilover** · 12th February 2006, 09:40

i know a guy in welly that used to have a 750/4.... and a triumph truxton... very nice bikes. id still ride my bros650 through the twisties anyday

**Bonez** · 12th February 2006, 09:49

Originally Posted by ducatilover

i know a guy in welly that used to have a 750/4.... and a triumph truxton... very nice bikes. id still ride my bros650 through the twisties anyday

That's exactly the reason I got the GB400-TWISTIEEEEEES

Oh and the daily commute to work.

**ducatilover** · 12th February 2006, 09:52

what do you know about honda tt500? my unlce has two of them [well 5 years ago he did] and i never really closely inspected them them but they are nice looking. what kinda engine are they?

**Bonez** · 12th February 2006, 12:58

Originally Posted by ducatilover

what do you know about honda tt500? my unlce has two of them [well 5 years ago he did] and i never really closely inspected them them but they are nice looking. what kinda engine are they?

Yamaha produced TT500s. Honda produced GB500TTs just a bigger engined GB400 realy, for the international market.

NZ was lucky enough to get the overflow of Jap market GB400s. My understanding is the 400 never had the top end problems the 500 had and a common fix is to graphed an XR600 head to them. Froggyfrenchman is a GB fan btw.

Maybe you'd like to continue this conversation here-

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=gb400tt

**Bonez** · 13th March 2006, 18:29

Stripped the spares engine. Parts scattered all over my workbench, as you do.
one gear tooth worn, crank looks good, cam chains are fine, primary chain is complete. So lots of reusable bits n bobs. Need to get of my backside and construct a cleaning bath/booth shortly. Well, maybe after the missus's craft room is built.

**Bonez** · 27th May 2006, 06:33

Time for another oil change. Off to Mitre 10 I go for that wonderfull golden liquid at $10 for 4 litres................... Yes I'm tight. Then again, maybe I'm just a discerning motorcyclist