Project 400 Eliminator - First Steps.

[yambabe]

Well we got it out of the shed finally today - first look at it in daylight since I bought it back in November!

Took the tank (which is currently stripped to bare metal, with a good speckling of rust) off, to find that once all the cobwebs were dusted off the bike is actually in quite good order with only a few minor bits missing.

The sidepanels have now been junked as they were knackered (seems to be a bit of a thing with Eliminators, crap sidepanels), the radiator cover is missing and the back brake is a bit sticky. It started OK!

One of the rear shocks was also a bit rusty and will probably need replacing, but other than that it's all looking good.

Few bits of powdery rust on the frame, and the ally on the yokes, backrest & engine casings is somewhat furry, so a wire brush has been applied and the entire thing is now back in the shed cobweb-free and completely pickled in Super Maintenance Spray!

Will be getting it out again in about a month to paint the rusty bits and for himself to do some serious investigation of the mechanicals before we start thinking about the cosmetics.

His latest idea is to have the tank chromed.......

Took some pics as well, so later on when I'm on the other computer I'll try and post them up and you can all flame me for getting a bigger, better cruiser!

I have to say though, I'm kind of looking forward to having 54bhp instead of 28.........
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[yambabe]

Some pictures.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[garth]

Paint it matt black!!

Go on, you know you want to.... Join the rat-brigade!!
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[yambabe]

Nooo, matt black is so boring! It will probably end up being ratted, but sprayed pastel/rainbow colours, possibly with some black added for effect...........
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[stevo as b4]

When you get it all sorted out, you really need a totally unsilenced 4-1 with a slash cut exit on that! Then you can record the sound and post a vid for us to hear Please!

[instigator]

Is there supposed to be an airbox somewhere?

Looks good at the moment. Good contender for rat bike 2005 but I know it'll be nowhere near that when you're finished. I'm even a fan of the 400 eliminator!!

[yambabe]

The airbox is in a box in the shed, along with the number plate, fake tank console thingy, broken sidepanels and a few other bits & bobs.

Only thing we could see actually missing is the radiator cover, and I have plans for an etched stainless one......
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[stinkwheel]

Alloy chequer plate sidepanels.

You know it makes sense

Gloss black tank with orange flames on.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MementoMori]

Will avoid overly complicated mechanical/cosmetic reply.... Best I can offer is it looks like a good riding position. I think that'd be quite fun to ride when it's finished.

Excuse my complete stupidity regarding the engineering behind motorbikes but that suspension coil thingy looks to be in a strange place? Are you supposed to hop over the front of the handlebars and slide down the tank whilst simultaneously trying to turn the right way round? Meh... maybe it's just different with cruiser type bikes.... oooor when you sit on it does everything bend under the weight? That is in no way a bad gesture, I just can't figure it out. I think I'm gonna put the spade down and shut up....
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The tiger who came for a pint

[stinkwheel]

[yambabe]

Er no, I think you're looking at the photo with the back shockers of my other bike (which is parked behind it) showing? It does kinda look like they're coming out of the 400 seat......

You just swing your (short) leg over and sit on it, works for me!

And Stinkwheel, flames? Bleurgh! Although Hellkat and I have been discussing some interesting ideas regarding wax, paint bike in bright colours, drip wax on in swirly pattern, paint black, scrape wax off, apply fixing layer. I should then have black with interesting swirly pattern of pretty colours showing! And chequerplate may well feature, as I can get it from my brother-in-law for free.....
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[MementoMori]

[TheShaggyDA]

Pink fur!


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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[stevo as b4]

Its best me thinks to leave the airbox in the shed! You want open belmouths or individual K&N's for that authentic intake roar you get on a custom 4cyl cruiser!

[map]

First time I've seen a rabid bike, I mean it's foaming at the wheels





....oh, I get it now, that's what cleaning is




....and for a colour - BRIGHT YELLOW
(although the checker finish sounds ok)
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?