Honda CB400SS anyone?

[iansoady]

Thanks all for comments. I think the standard XBR engine will do me at least for the time being. Having had both a Domi and SLR650 in the past I know and like the engine.

[KungFooBob]

The 500 is actually a bit revvier than the 600/650 (well it would be with less to move about).

If it ever becomes hard to start, it's probably developed a crack between the sparkplug hole and one of the valve seats.

The cam runs in a plain journal, at one point I had four heads that were all scrap. The lubrication is marginal at best to the cam and it picks up the journal and junks the head

[iansoady]

Yes, I'm familiar with the top end potential issues: the CB250RS had similar design failings. Apparently the crack is very common but many people say it's not an issue. I know some people have successfullly repaired worn camshaft bearings by sleeving but hopefully my gentle use won't present any problems. He said with fingers firmly crossed.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I had an XR250 and an XR600, never had any problems with the heads on either, and both got the tits thrashed out of them, I did heat seize the 250 riding it across a ploughed field, but it cooled down and got me home, it had got hot enough to melt the piston over the rings

[The Spin Doctor]

Yes, I'm familiar with the top end potential issues: the CB250RS had similar design failings. Apparently the crack is very common but many people say it's not an issue. I know some people have successfullly repaired worn camshaft bearings by sleeving but hopefully my gentle use won't present any problems. He said with fingers firmly crossed.

Strict 1000 mile oil changes kept my XBR turning over to over 90,000 miles.

That's a lot of oil changes

[iansoady]

... and a lot of miles!

[Taipan]

And a lot of money! Could have bought something decent and more reliable for less oil changes!

[A_morti]

And a lot of money! Could have bought something decent and more reliable for less oil changes!

True in sentiment... Bit they do only hold 1.6L of it so hardly going to break the bank.
Assuming £30 for a 4L tub of decent of oil, it's 1.2p per mile in oil, which is the absolute cost not the difference compared to a bike with longer intervals.

[The Spin Doctor]

And a lot of money! Could have bought something decent and more reliable for less oil changes!

Well, it cost bugger-all for everything else, aside from chains which it used to knock to pieces. I used to get 70+ mpg out of it.

[iansoady]

Off to look at an XBR in North Wales tomorrow - wish me luck.....

[Lutin]

Off to look at an XBR in North Wales tomorrow - wish me luck.....

Looks like a clean, tidy example.

[iansoady]

I hope so..... Only 20-odd thousand miles on the clock, virtually unused since 2006 due to previous owner's ill-health.

[iansoady]

Shook hands on it yesterday. I hope to get it delivered this week. Unusually, it looks as nice in the metal as it foes in the pictures.

[Lutin]

Shook hands on it yesterday. I hope to get it delivered this week. Unusually, it looks as nice in the metal as it foes in the pictures.

Nice one.

Happy new bike day.

[iansoady]