My Winter Project - Honda Bros 400

[Tiggy_dorset]

Just pulled my mini beast out of storage. Looks like a lot of work ahead of me

I might post up some updates as I go, for anyone interested.

 

[roofman]

How far you going with it?

 

[Robotstar5]

Chuck a bucket of water over it, job's a good 'un.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I might post up some updates as I go, for anyone interested.

Yes, please

 

[lchris21]

Yes, please

me too

 

[CRB]

I remember some proper hot Bros out there, this one however is particularly interesting.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

How far you going with it?

Simple answer...I don't know

I can see it being an ongoing project, like a house.
I was planning to keep it original, but that would be boring. At present, the rear panels are from a Firestorm and are bodged on. The original Bros panel is all one piece and wraps from one side, around the rear, housing the tail light, and to the other side. One day I arrived home from work and found only 12 inches of the orignal panel attached to the bike. I can only guess the wind caught the front edge and ripped it off. I hadn't even noticed until getting home.

Parts are becoming scarcer for the Bros. I cannot find an original panel, but can buy an after-market one from the States. I have since found a single seat unit on Ebay and is currently in the post. I can start to cut bits off reducing weight, starting with the pillion rests

I will concentrate on externals and cosmetics for now. I have a spare engine, so perhaps I might touch on engine tuning at a later date, for now getting it running and tarting it up cosmetically is priority.
The fuel tank is dented and will need work, so that will be a project on its own. The panel arriving in the post is unpainted, so I might as well get all the plastics and tank sprayed together (I havn't decided on a colour scheme yet)
I havn't started to strip anything yet, but so far have noticed: brakes binding, forks pitted, all cables siezed, anything aluminium is furry, anything steel is rusting....

I have had this bike since my apprentice days 18 years ago (damn, where does the time go? ) and has been off the road for about 10 years with it being ridden probably 3 times during those 10 years. It does have sentimental value to me.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I remember some proper hot Bros out there, this one however is particularly interesting.

I have always considered the original Bros to have a rather unique look to it, with so much potential for tarting up in so many ways.

 

[CRB]

One day I arrived home from work and found only 12 inches of the orignal panel attached to the bike. I can only guess the wind caught the front edge and ripped it off. I hadn't even noticed until getting home.

I lost the tail piece from the LM111 one night. Never saw it again.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I lost the tail piece from the LM111 one night. Never saw it again.

It was 35 mile journey from work to home for me, I rode back again hoping to find it, but same as you, never saw it again.

 

[dobbslc]

I remember some proper hot Bros out there, this one however is particularly interesting.

Britten V1000 copy!
The Britten is one of the most stunning bikes ever built!
If it had a bit more development it would have beaten the best world superbikes of the day.


I think if John Britten were still alive he'd be on this forum.
He was a genius.

 

[CRB]

It was 35 mile journey from work to home for me, I rode back again hoping to find it, but same as you, never saw it again.

6miles, and still never saw it again.

Following your rebuild with interest.

 

[CRB]

BrittEn V1000 copy!
The BrittEn is one of the most stunning bikes ever built!
If it had a bit more development it would have beaten the best world superbikes of the day.


I think if John BrittEn were still alive he'd be on this forum.
He was a genius.

They did beat the superbikes of the day, wheelying past Ducatis at Daytona, only to be sidelined by a bought in regulator/rectifier.

Nine of the ten were together at Barber earlier.

I certainly agree with your statement he was a genius, forward thinking and determined, and from what I have seen and read, a thoroughly lovely man. RIP John Britten September 5th 1995 at 45.
Just in case someone has no idea what we are blathering on about. Look it up, but here is a picture, and no apologies for this at all.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

And so it begins...

Carbs out...

Looks a bit fluffy to me...

Fuel lines were solid, side cutters came to the rescue. I am expecting to replace a few hoses along the way.
Thankfully, a long time ago I got into the good habit of greasing bolts and screws. Now years down the line, I met no resistance from rusted fasteners.

Battery showed 0.8v on the meter. Probably fooked, but the Optimate has surprised me before. Lets see how it goes, might take a few days to fully charge if it happens.

 

[pedrobedro]

I had a 600 Revere for about 20 years, nice bikes. Bros is chain drive though isn't it ?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

You'll be plugging those inlet tracts, just in case.......?

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

You'll be plugging those inlet tracts, just in case.......?

Look in the first picture of my last post, spot the white cloth?

 

[HughF]

Pardon my ignorance but is that basically a vfr400?

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I had a 600 Revere for about 20 years, nice bikes. Bros is chain drive though isn't it ?

Yes, chain driven. I seem to recall the Revere was a very popular choice for couriers back then?

The 400 is the little brother of the Bros 650, which I believe is the same engine as the 650 Revere. I am guessing the 600 Revere is the same engine again but short of a few cc. I am not aware of any Bros 600 though.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Pardon my ignorance but is that basically a vfr400?

I am unsure of the differences, but I think the VFR (NC30?) although was a V, had a different engine.