M400 first ride

[He11cat]

Finally I have been able to get the little M400 on the way and on the road.

He went of to Carl Harrison with a scrap of paper with a list of things that needed doing and a service.

I got a progress report and all was good the bike was being sorted :)

Then I got a call to say are you sure you want to go ahead with this bike its terrible.

When I got the bike I looked at it and thought OMG....
Now the owner had stated wanted for nothing the wife's bike.
All I can say is at first glance I thought do you want to divorce your wife!!
I couldn't understand why it had a treasured plate and nice paint but the basics had been totally neglected.

Acid down the frame and all over the engine casings. (Reg rec)
The marks on the frame where not cable tie rubs but a sure sign of had been over.
I had asked about this as well!!!
The chain was hanging and well shot to bits.
The foothangers on one side where newer.
the standard cans where a mess .
The forks seals kept going and being replaced often... (forks not good pitted)
I didn't start it again when home as belts not been done for 4 years.

The only good thing was the paint!!
It was clear it had been over or down the road ...
Me being me and always having a soft spot fro the underdog bit my lip and took a chance.

The call came to say maybe this bike had seen its last days it ran like a sack of... valve clearances where dreadful and a list of stuff that was needing doing.
The worst thing was a bent frame :( by 3 1/2 inches ...
The bike had obviously not just gone over ....
Oh breaks in the loom
The wires to reg rec where melted.
Instead of buying a new reg rec they brought new batteries and surprise they boiled over hence the engine cases and frame.

Any how I had come so far and it would be criminal to break it and I just would had to cut my losses and go for it I guess.

Well the bike came back and I have to say Carl's done a sterling job.
I know he was ripping his hair out as the more that was done the more bad things appeared! Everything has been sorted even the frame.
He even got it low enough for me!!

But when he fired it up it was clear a good job had been done!
I can't thank him enough really and for what he undertook the bill was more then fair as always. He put himself out to sort it for which I am so grateful above and beyond !

I have to say I had set a budget to get the basics sorted and its gone way over.. not in the fixing bills but I had to get parts.

[He11cat]

Well Friday I was not great so just had to look at it.
Saturday I dosed myself up and bit the bullet.

First thing is ... errr wheres the noise!!!!!! its like sitting on a hoover!!!
Maybe its my imagination but it feels lighter.
The clutch was my fear as its an old style monster so no Oberon slave can go on.
Carl has worked his magic with the springs and adjusting lever so the clutch is lighter then Hector!!! I was stunned as dreaded the clutch.

Riding it .. its light and quite responsive although you feel like your thrashing it a bit.
Its like an M600 on acid.
That's the best way I can describe him.
very smooth as well.

I was out all day on him and then had dinner with a friend and rode him up the A12 at a nice speed at 1am !!
All in all he is total fun!

The bike is cosmetically bad ... the job of getting his mechanics is now done.
It look every penny I set aside but its done.

I really have to thank my Grandfather as without him I wouldn't have afforded to fix the bike.

Oh the noise I can't live with!!!
I went to the local bike shop and a few friends had a look at him.
When I fired him up they all laughed and put there hands to there ears and says wheres the noise~!!!!! ...hmmmph! got to find some cans!

I have to say since just before the Weekender my health went down.
I ended up on a morphine drip on the Monday night of the weekender and since then I have got worse .
I have lost the strength in my hands and legs and have constant bone pain and sickness and have ballooned out despite I hardly eat.. I have to sleep and rest up quite a bit but can't sleep at night due to insomnia and pain.I thought I was going mad.

Finally they ran loads of tests on me and I have a cyst growing inside my spinal chord that pushed my vertibrate out of the way and it eventually destroys bits of spinal chord if not sorted,and then they found I had no vitimins especially D in my body and anemic.
The reason being a tumor in my throat.
Should hopefully be benign but its effecting my metabolism and Im putting on weight and its destroying my vitimins and stripping calcium off my bones and my teeth I had to have my hair chopped shorter as it was falling out but seems to have stabilised without bald spots!
Life has been miserable.. however I say there is always someone worst off them me and I try and laugh it off.

On top of that other stuff has made this the worst few months ever... I think I have hit rock bottom well it feels that way now so I guess the only way is up right now.
So the bike is something for me to focus on.
Also if I am feeling a bit frail I an move him about better.

So he is on his way taxed and tested and on the road.
I have got some new bike gear and just focused myself on all this .

Next il have to save to get him stripped down and powder coated I can't do it.
I can't even undo nuts and bolts or even squeeze the washing liquid out for my washing just have no strength left in my hands..
But we will get there and it for a day made me happy and I managed to ride him.

Hopefully next year we will both get better !!
Only duff bit I have to sort is his seat locks playing up and the seat suddenly comes off!! I was pushing him and it cam off.. if you knock it it unlocks!

Oh the first ride I was greeted to a new paint job :(

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/helsinkvampire/barb.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/helsinkvampire/bikes/barbazoonew.jpg

[scrapps]

Glad to hear you have got the baby monster going and enjoyed your first ride. its nice to know you did not give up on him/her and gave the bike a new lease of life.
If i can help with the cosmetics in any way give me a call i have lots if glitter glue left :chuckle:
I am pulling my bike to bits and having loads of bits powder coated so if you want to bung a few bits in it may save you a few £££s

[He11cat]

The whole thing needs powder coating lol... I have spare engine casings laying about but its getting the bits off and putting it back .
I had to ring someone to open my marmite the other day :( its sad it really is ..
I think the haircut has sapped my strength as well .... like Samson.

He is a sorry sorry little thing ... so unloved.
Going to save next year to get him dissasembled and reassembled I dread to think the cost I have run out of gold teeth.... I can't sell my hair as its been cut or my kidneys as are shot !!
I could hold nexrt doors cat to ransome I spose.... but I think thats illegal.

[scrapps]

I am happy to help with the pulling apart and putting bits back on if you don't mind it living at mine for a while.
I can pull apart and Re-assemble but no good at the tech stuff you would then save on a lot of labour.(when mine is back together)

[J.P]

Sounds like you bought a sh*t heap and have paid the cost. A bit like buying a dog from Battersea Dogs Home.
But it doesn't mean you won't love it to death. :)

[He11cat]

Its not a sh*t heap now ... it runs smooth as... it just needed some love.

Its a hoot to ride and I love it ... a quick ride turned out to be all day a stop for dinner then got home at 1am...
I have always loved grey imports .. and 400's .

Im just glad its with me as if someone else had of got it they may well have scrapped it.
I can see hope in even a basket case.

I have to say its a blast ... it just upsets me to see such a nice little bike left to get in such a state.
he will be fixed and back to its former glory in time.

Im far from rich infact the oposite but things that make me smile are priceless and this bike makes me smile lots.
Apart from being an insect magnet!

I knew when I first saw it it was a bit of a dog but if everybody scrapped anything that was a bit old unloved and bashed we wouldn't have some of the stunning old bikes we have today kicking about.

Ita a marmite bike ... I think you have to ride it to find out ..it will either have you in fits or laughter or gagging!

Its perfect for me as I am not struggling with it .I sold my Katana as it was killing me and so heavy for a little bike .... this one is perfect!

Scrapps thank you thats so kind :)
I do need to get the engine cases I have spare done... that would so improve its looks!! The frame is minging!

[Paranoid Dave]

Hurrah for old projects. Eric the mighty 600 went out at the weekend with much bigger and newer machines but held his head up high next to S2r, 848's 1098s 1098R and the new multistimmer. Eric mumble along, straining the throttle to keep up but he's a hoot and we love him. To think he could have been a rusting heap sold for parts.

Mel - he may take time and money but its worth it. Eric will be round to say hello when he's done

[He11cat]

Ok no probs .. your welcome to come see the little yellow one.
I still think the oldies are the goodies.

He will get there ... il be happier when I get some nice cans on him and the spare engine casing powder coated and on.
I wouldn't have scrapped him... sometimes things take time.

[Albie]

Glad to see the 400 living. Like me I enjoy bringing life to unloved things. The little srx is a good bike with an engine that looks cool. Ok its not performance but will be light and nimble and economical.

Scrapps I have a few small bits I need doing black prior to the frame. I cant send the frame until the seat and zorst is decided and rearsets I may have sourced (tl1000)

Sorry for hijack

Yes yellow and flys. Hmm two yellow escorts remind me of cleaning them then regrets.

[He11cat]

Thats ok...
Scrapps what colour??? you can pm me if you want or dog and bone.
Id love my casings to be done just what do I need to strip off them ..and best way without buggering them up ! I can sort out pennys with you.

[scrapps]

Mostly i will be having black coating done. it just makes sense to do a job lot as PC is not that cheap. The people i use are a bit more than some companies but do a first rate job.
HC i will give you a call and sort and Albie you know its no problem to add a few bits for you.

[He11cat]

maybe black engine casings would be the way to go..... break him up a bit

[walpole68]

I have the how many app on my iPhone which says how many of make model of car/ bike etc left on the road. For monster 400 it's says only one taxed in the uk and one sorn so yours could be the only one or my apps crap !

[He11cat]

Really? There was a guy on here with one a while ago but I think I frightened him away :) ... I have a Guinness calling me pub here I come

[Paranoid Dave]

There was one listed on here years ago but it turned out to be a fraud and the guy didn't have a monster at all, he just selected the first bike on the drop list and assumed nobody would know. Unlucky for him Everybody wanted to know more about it as it was the ONLY one in the UK if it was.
This is the only one I know about so the app could be correct

[gary tompkins]

maybe black engine casings would be the way to go..... break him up a bit

I would stick to silver and keep it as original as possible

[uksurfer]

I would stick to silver and keep it as original as possible

especially if its the only one in the country, standard must be the key

[He11cat]

It is here I promise ... I will look after it.
I will be changing cans got to find some so he can be heard and I will one day get shot of the bronze colour on the frame.
Maybe I will be ok enough to get him to the weekender..
Some can have a little whizz on him then.

I thought there would be a few kicking about.
The cans are important as he is so quiet and the ones on him are a state .
Also been fitted badly.
This bikes had so much abuse :(
however it's recent holiday has got him running a treat.
Even if anything drastic happened I'm sure I'd do my best to get it back on the road.

I asked a guy about his 400 and got no responce. Thought maybe because I was a bit scarey :( I'm not really just look iffy that's all :)

[The Red Devil]

Glad to hear your lil 400 is on the mend.., as I hope are you.. I see from your pic you have had a paintjob!! What'll you name the lil one? I remember Hector's house as a kid... Hope you get better soon.. Am sending a pound to start the ' save the 400 fund'
Pm me the address!!

Am in Malaysia on holiday.. Thank god for hotel wifi.. I see they are unveiling a new monster on 20th here.. Bleeding day after I leave !! Typical... Anyone seen ducati site re this??

[He11cat]

Hi Red .. Hope your holiday is good..
I'd kill for one!
Hector did come from hectors house .
My house seems to be Hectors house it's filled with spare M600 parts!
The little one is called Barbazoo after the yellow child in barbapapa.
I was going to take him out today but having a duvet day :(
I've shelled out for most of his work now it's just cans and cosmetics nothing flash.

Have a great time .. Yes interesting to see the new bike how jolly inconciderate of them to do that to you!

[slipper40]

I have the how many app on my iPhone which says how many of make model of car/ bike etc left on the road. For monster 400 it's says only one taxed in the uk and one sorn so yours could be the only one or my apps crap !
yeah i saw that online, uhh?howmanyleft.com? i think something like that anyway

[He11cat]

Only one taxed and one sorned?

[He11cat]

I did another 70 miles today not far I know but bit of town and a bit of A road.
It really is very very smooth... very revvy.. sits happily at speed limit ... and easy going in town.
Clutch is as light as a feather. I really enjoy riding it and I feel a bit more confident with it.
It ticks all the right box's for me I have to say and is great fun to ride.
I think anyone with a big twin would get on it and go ewwwwwwwwww!!! It really is nothing like a little M600 even.
I was dreading the clutch as its an old monster .. but thats all sorted and also the conti attacks as I used to run conti's when you didn't have much of a choice back in the day hated them ... have to say the new ones are better and not bad at all :) have yet to ride in the wet on them though.

Really the bike needs to come apart and be powdercoated as it is a mess... but I am enjoying it so much ..