One for the Bros fans!

[mthee]

No one's bidding on this little beaut and I can't help but think his reason for selling isn't helping 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/honda-bros-400-cafe-racer-bobber-/132101219650?hash=item1ec1d8a542:g:s~8AAOSwfVpYqZky

[CrazyFrog]

Very nice, but I'd have back, shoulder and wrist ache before I'd got it off the drive......

[themoudie]

Aye mthee,

Keping an "eye on it", but nothing more. Insurance is not a problem if you haven't been a bam!    At present, for fully comp on a multi-bike-car-house policy with both of us as named riders, it's £30 a year! 

Grand wee motors, handle really well and the finish is up to Honda standards. Change the oil and filter at 4,000 miles or 2,000 if you're nervous and enjoy. Fuel pump points (trembler type), starter motor brushes and being a bit "cold blooded" to start are the only points I would make people aware of. If you require "performance", then a 650 BROS with tweaks, including a TransAlp 750 motor, are all possible. Just be aware that the 400's close ratio box is a gem and that it'll top the 'ton', naye bother.

Further links available if necessary! 

Toodle pip, Bill

[mthee]

a multi-bike-car-house policy

I must have a look into this - my insurance expires in a few days.

I've always liked the Bros - beautiful lines as standard, that beam frame and single sided swingarm! How's that engine for accessibility? It looks tight in there!

[Guzziless Steve]

  At present, for fully comp on a multi-bike-car-house policy with both of us as named riders, it's £30 a year! 

Who did you get that with?

[johnr]

it must be a cafe racer, its got rattle can paint a brown leather seat and exhaust wrap, quite why he felt the need to drop the forks two inches through the yokes is a mystery. i dont recall anyone ever saying 'bros is ok, but it could do with the steering speeding up a bit, ponderous old barge....'

[themoudie]

Insurance is with LV, with membership of CSMA (now marketed as "Boundless"      ) and LV Britannia Rescue.

Bros engine accessability, especially the front left pot and rear right pot plugs, can be a right pain!    But fortunately, so far (75K miles), major surgery has not been required. 

If I was going to modify the wee beastie, then a CBR600 front end and a Fireblade rear shock/spring would be the mods to make, but Kat just likes it the way it is and if that's the way she prefers her machine, who am I to argue? 

Good health, Bill

[BrendanO]

Lovely bike if you can get a 650 one, a friend has one. I have the duller NTV type, spark plug access poor, and reg/rectifier access requires swingarm off!! Luckily, you can remove the toolkit box instead and stick a new reg/rect there, the wires are long enough to reach. So my NTV has 2 reg/rects and no tools!

Think the 400 often totally shagged by nutters. This guy's reason for selling suggests he may not be a careful owner. I wouldn't...

[themoudie]

Aye Brendan,

"I have the duller NTV type", it's not that bad, the frame being steel means it's a bit heavier as does the shaft drive; but you don't have the fiddly chain adjusting and expense of purchasing sprockets and chains. Despatchers regularly topped a 100K miles with them, with minimal maintanence and depending upon your preference the more upright riding position is more comfortable.

When the electric fuel pump gave up the ghost, I replaced it with a lawnmower, manifold vacuum fuel pump, cheaper, lighter and less parts to fail. It has also lasted more miles than the original.

Like you, I think any "cafe racer" derived from old cheap, potentially abused bikes that might have been layed up for a long time needs to be treated with caution!  I have been bitten! 

Hope the Border roads treat you well. 

My regards, Bill

[BrendanO]

Cheers for fuel pump tip!

I like you deliberately chose the heavier bigger (physically) NTV - shaft drive, space for 2 folk and luggage, and a bit more upright.

I have bar risers on it, and a horrible ugly fairing, and it's very capable cheap wheels. My only disappointment after 6 years is it's not that comfy (very skinny owner, CX Euro to compare it with). I wonder whether I can sometime fit a Deauville or CX Euro seat on it, maybe onto the original base? It's on the list of projects...

Borders roads are fine, but Embra potholes have taken their toll in the last two years, head bearings, fork internals, a front tyre, and a detached top box all due to the Council Tax freeze.

[themoudie]

Aye Brendan,

BUT, you can only go 20mph!   

My regards, Bill

[BrendanO]

Yes, I do wonder whether Embra's 20 limit is a way to save on fixing holes!