Will it run? Still trying to start my Honda Superdream project bike. - Part 24

Continuing in my project to build a Honda CB250N from boxes of bits, I'm trying to understand why it won't start and hoping it will fire up any moment now.

[@stevegraham4336]

well done ryan getting it to fire up, check the head bolts as two of them have rubbers seals. it maybe your leak.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Steve, I know I did originally fit the rubber seals, but I've had the head on and off so many times, it's possible I have damaged or forgotten them. I'll be checking very soon.

[@nickyjenkins5381]

I've never cheered for a youtube video in my life. Well done pal

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Nicky. It was a very long time coming... Ryan

[@duncanmatthews1977]

I’m so happy for you.. it was a great moment that I rewound a couple of times when it eventually came to life. I’ve followed you right from the start and invested a number of hours in your bike too, so you better not give up.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Duncan, thank you for you words of encouragement. I have no intention of giving up anytime soon. Cheers Ryan

[@kihestad]

"so you better not give up" - haha 😂 best comment ever, seems like the pressure is on Ryan.. 🤣

[@RyansGarageUK]

@KI Hestad I agree. and Congratulations on reaching 1000 Subs.

[@kihestad]

@@RyansGarageUK Thanks a lot 😊Reaching the 1000 subs goal was quite satisfying! I had to take a break from the work on my CB400N build as I had some other projects I needed to get sorted before the winter. However, I am back on track now and I have already started the work on my next build video where I will be trying to get my bike running. It is hopefully not as stubborn as yours, but who knows - it has been sitting for three years now... 😋

[@martinowl]

So pleased you got it to fire up & run. Well done. Must be a big morale boost.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Martin, yes it was a huge boost.

[@NatsNackersYard]

Really chuffed for you mate. Always worth going back to the basics and that's exactly what you did. Sounds thumping too. I let out a bit of a whoop with you (and scared the dog). Nicely done buddy.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Nat, I need to say a particular thanks to you and your videos. I saw you had this style of fuel tank, and I watched your unexpected result when you changed the plugs in your CB400, so both guided me towards my efforts. I hope to learn more and continue to get better at this game. Cheers Ryan

[@NatsNackersYard]

@@RyansGarageUK we are all learning mate. I never claim to be an expert but I think that we are both proof that tenacity goes a long way!

[@NatsNackersYard]

@@RyansGarageUK dropped your channel a shout out today and a clip of your celebration in this upload. Hopefully you might pick up.a sub or two.

[@darrenpearce6797]

Well done Ryan. I am chuffed to bits for you.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Darren.

[@alanpatterson2759]

Soon as that fired the smile that came on my face, chuffed for you!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Alan. Your support is appreciated. Ryan

[@honda_boy3559]

New plugs done it the world of good pal

[@RyansGarageUK]

I'm sure the new plugs helped. Either way they are staying in.

[@HazmatSuitUp]

What a moment of triumph! Congratulations mate

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you,

[@johntray1462]

OMG in my videos I used an AUX petrol tank "bottle" made from an old bottle of bleach, worked a treat lol beautiful you gave the bike every chance to start up well done oh it was great when the little fella came out to inspect your joy make a sausage for the drafts lol well done well done well done

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks John. My little man was very pleased that the bike was working.. It would have been easier to make a sausage for the drafts, but I needed to fit the brushes to door, as it's not possible to put the sausage in place when I'm stood on the outside and my garage has been filling with leaves. Cheers Ryan

[@pmcdaidresilient8834]

You probably heard my woop woop all the way from New Zealand. Chuffed for you - Philip

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Philip, so that was you that woke me during the night then!! Cheers Ryan.

[@beowulf5982]

Absolutely so pleased for you after all your hard work. Many would have given up kudos to you. Well done.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you, you are clearly catching up with the project fast. :)

[@alcord2540]

I have a cb250n which I bought recently from a local used bike dealer.It started and ran when I bought it.I managed to get a haynes manual from a charity shop.The cards had been cleaned but I found it was missing the foam air filter which made the mixture too weak.When I first used the bike on the road the engine stopped after a couple of miles.It only re started when it had cooled.I found the valve clearances were slightly too small.I increased clearances to slightly above spec.This cured the reliability.I changed the instrument lamps to led.All good except the indicator warning.I found that the polarity changes on one side indicators.The let's only work on negative earth,so had to revert to the original bulb.The headlamp main beam warning(blue)had been very dim.now much better.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi, thanks for you comments. Glad your bikes now running well following your adjustments. I might change to LEDs although as mine are all working I'm likely to wait till something fails. Cheers. Ryan

[@MarkJames61]

Well done. Upwards and onwards Ryan.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Mark. Appreciated. Ryan

[@karlpascoewelldone4173]

Well done ,me and the wife have been watching this week by week she said last week I bloody hope that poor bugger gets that bike running soon

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Karl to you and your wife, I totally agree I was a poor bugger struggling with the bike. but now I'm a chuffed poor bugger with a running bike. So all is now good.

[@Paul.Gascoyneuk]

Brilliant for it to fire up and run I’d got tears in my eyes, We’ll Done 👍👍

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks. It was a rare good moment in a long build. 😀😀

[@lawrencew]

Yes!!!! Well done Ryan! 👍

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Lawrence. I appreciate your support. Ryan

[@flatpackteam197]

This has to be the best rebuild I've seen on KZbin. Enjoy, keep Going.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you very much for this comment. There are many far more professional channels than mine, but I am trying my best and improving all the time. Ryan

[@kihestad]

Congrats! 👍😁 Remember that reusung the head gasket is not optimal. I normally reuse the old one until the final assembly. The 'spring' effect will be gone or very limited if reused, especially if the engine has been hot. This can lead to oil and/or compression leak.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you. I'm sure you are correct, I'm going to remove the head and look for anything obvious and then order of new set of gaskets if not. Ryan.

[@honda_boy3559]

Nice one Ryan son 👌👍😎

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you for your support. I'm pleased it is now finally a runner.

[@andyshondaxlsrestorations4733]

Tfft it's alive m8 way to go . Well done

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Andy.

[@nuskaha]

Well done Ryan There was never any doubt, that you were going to get her running mate. Full credit to you and your perseverance. You’ve cracked it now, so can really enjoy the run in as far as getting the bike were it belongs……. On the road. 💪👍

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you for your encouragement and support. Once I soft this oil leak out it will be full steam ahead on the remaining items.

[@deandempsey264]

Never doubted ya 👍👍👍

[@RyansGarageUK]

Cheers Dean

[@ITZ2EZ19]

You got it man! So proud!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you. Ryan

[@edkorff7563]

What a great moment. I had the same feeling when after 8 years our bike began to run Its like a miracle that all the componants work together. The only thing i thougt was that you maybe blew a gasket for all the oil and smoke that came out of the head of the motor

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Ed, I've now stripped down the top end, and whilst I can't see an obvious issue I have ordered a full new gasket set for delivery in a few days time so be sure. Ryan

[@edkorff7563]

Hi Ryan. I was asking myself if you use a torque wrench to be sure that the bolts are tightened with the right torque. Do you have a manual?

[@edkorff7563]

Don't forget to put oil on the pistons when you put on the cylinder block. I think it's not necesary to spray fuel in the cylinders.

[@RyansGarageUK]

@@edkorff7563 Hi, Yes I have the Haynes Manual and I'm using it for the torque settings and following them to the best of my ability.

[@edkorff7563]

@@RyansGarageUK 👍

[@joshoebridge4414]

Excellent job Ryan, well done. Steve

[@RyansGarageUK]

Cheers Steve. Your comments and support do help me. Ryan

[@gbjeppm]

Well done ryan,👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Matthew.

[@gerardmcconnon9155]

Top.job Delighted for ya

[@andrewbunting7253]

Think I was as excited as you to see it fire up! I hope to get mine reassembled in the next couple of weeks and hope she fires up too!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Andrew, I have my finger crossed for you too. Thanks for your comments. Ryan

[@martinowl]

With gaskets for the cylinder base & head, it’s often advisable to use oem. If you are in a super dream club or forum, I’m sure the more experienced on there will advise accordingly.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Yes, agree as I'm sure the cheep alternatives are cheep for a reason, although sometimes the OEM parts seem extremely expensive. If I need to replace them again I will check out all possible options before I simply buy the cheapest. Ryan

[@colinculverwell325]

Well done for sticking with it. Especially in a freezing garage. I would clean off all the oil from the leak and then run it again to try and spot where it's coming from as it happens. It will also run a lot better once the air box is on. Stick your meter on the battery and check your charging system is working as well. Once again we'll done.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Colin. I hope my garage will be a bit warmer now without a gapping big draught. I'll did very quickly test the battery voltage when running and I suspect there is an issue, but didn't have any time to investigate further. I have the airbox so I''ll work on cleaning it up and trying to fit it soon. Ryan

[@matthewharmer1656]

Well done, things are happening now , a good fuel supply and new plugs must have helped... if I remember the gasket set came with black rubber oil seals that fit on the head bolts,the little tubes are called dowels there for alignment. New gasket set ,all torqued down properly might help with oil leakage. An air box and silencer also makes bikes run better. We'll done and keep going with the bike.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Matthew, I'm sure you are correct. I'm about to double check everything and replace all gaskets if nothing obvious is seen. I'll then try to fit silencer and airbox which I am sure can only help further. Ryan

[@projectclark123]

Really nice to see it running

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you. I couldn't agree more. Ryan

[@camperp195]

Ahhh the honda dream,nicknamed the wet dream!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Apparently yes is was, and it wasn't even water cooled. How ironic. 😉😉

[@chrisktm2010]

Nice one mate. Awesome to see you so excited when it fired up. The oil leak will be a small issue compared to what you have done so far. It was amazing to see the crap that came out of the jets, I told you white vinegar would help them. Well done again mate you deserved it

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Chris, without the suggestion of using the Vinegar I might still have failed to get it started. Ryan.

[@snowballed4]

Excellent videos Ryan. When it fired up I was like YES, oh YES! My first bike was a black SuperDream back in 1982 as a 20yr old, so I am keen to see you get it finished and out on the road. Really interesting diagnostic vids along the way. Bloody fantastic!!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you, I've never riden one yet, so I'm keen to get it all finished and on the road. I was back on it yesterday with the usual 2 steps forward and 3 back . Cheers Ryan

[@lewiscoleman8116]

Awesome that you've got it started, your oil leak maybe a bad gasket from being on and off, check the cylinder block for cracks aswell, because it maybe be opening up as it's getting warm

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Lewis, I suspect your right. I'll lift the head and look carefully I hope it's either an obvious omission or a damaged gasket so I can sort it easily. Ryan

[@roythearcher]

You probably handicapped the starting up by adding oil to the cylinders which then undoubtedly ended up all over the spark plugs. Your oil leak is probably the oil that was in the cylinders which was blown out through the leaking Exhaust joint.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Roy, Welcome to the channel. You are probably right, but I am still very much a newbie. Ryan

[@jimbo9310]

Fantastic Ryan so pleased to hear it working . I was shouting yes yes yes when it started. Didn’t you have a crack in the casing which you said needed welding?

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Jim, you're correct there is a crack in the top of the case at the back, although so far there is absolutely no sign of any oil leaking from there so I might just get away without needing to weld it. Ryan

[@jamesallen4050]

Dude! That went awesome, well done! I spotted something!... Your carbs are not mounted as the OEM intended. The mount/manifold rubbers appear to be upside down, there will be an arrow on them that points up. The carbs look like they are a couple or three degrees over-pitched. The carbs click in perfectly and satisfyingly when it is all correct. If you like I can take a mini video and upload it, so you can see? It's something that will effect the final tune/fuel delivery. Peace ✌🏾 Edit: Also, it will be impossible to connect the airbox until it is sorted.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks James, the inlet rubbers are not OEM, I built them and you may well have a excellent point I was trying to source a sensible priced set but could only see a new set at £50. I think my carbs are tilted and hadn't given it a thought. Cheers Ryan

[@jamesallen4050]

@@RyansGarageUK Wow! That's expensive! It's a shame as the cb400 inlet rubbers are cheap. There is a used set on ebay for £40, but there's no point when you can get new for a tenner more - expensive though that is. I'm really enjoying watching. :) Thank you for sharing your superdream adventure!

[@timparker9235]

you made one mistake Ryan..... you didnt leave enough room to do a cartwheel when it started 🤣 seriously though, many congratulations - well done, you deserved it! as soon as I saw the crap left in the vinegar I thought "this is it" and wow, when it started I cheered - dunno what my wife thought of that!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Lol. Tim, cheers for this. I promise to learn how to chartwheeel in my next series of videos (Maybe).... I agree, all that black stuff in jets was not helping at all. Cheers Ryan. Ohh, and sorry for causing disturbance to your wife.

[@SuperSMASON1]

Brilliant ... I was celebrating with you! Hopefully an easy fix for the oil leak. My restoration kick off has been delayed due to Covid precautions but hopefully will start soon.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Steve, I'm optimistic it will not be too hard to sort out. Hope you can get started on your own project soon. Ryan

[@daveyboyprice6351]

hi mate send over from nats love your videos got a 1982 cb400n in bit too lol

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi, thank you and welcome. Hope you get you 400 back together sometime soon.

[@rogerwebster1628]

Please see my comment left on the forum about cylinder head bolt seals. If you do a search on the forum there is loads of info.99% sure this is the cause of your oil leak

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Roger, I suspect you are correct. I'll be working on it again this week. Ryan

[@visionarioinmateria5659]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@mikefennelly3310]

Just watched this and im at this point trying to start , must be a great feeling lol , one question how do you know which lead going to which cylinder 😮😢😂,

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Mike, these bikes spark both plugs together, one side is on compression and the other side is just a wasted spark. So it wouldn't matter although I'd be surprised if both leads are long enough to reach the left hand spark plug. Best of luck to you.

[@mikefennelly3310]

@Ryan's Garage UK thank you 😊 im having similar problem to you with compression, I've seen online to pour transmission fluid into cylinders and leave for a few days 🤞, after that it will be head of time 😁

[@crabtree8822]

well done mate, could the oil leek be from the leaking exhaust pipe clamp might just be the oil that you put in cylinder and being blown out

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Geoff, I'm afraid not, it may not have shown up well on the video, but it was pouring out and getting worse the more the bike ran. I'm suspecting I messed something up when I last assembled it, so I'll be taking a look for the cause this week. Ryan

[@crabtree8822]

@@RyansGarageUK I do remember they did have head problems if not looked after back in the day

[@RustyWrecks]

Well done Ryan good to see you get her running, does your neutral light not work or is the bike in gear ? they spin over faster in neutral & then you dont need the clutch lever pulled in

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Pete, It was in neutral but the light is not working and I've not tried to see why not yet. I need to hold in the clutch lever to enable the starter. it's got a safety that only allows the starter to run if the lever is pulled. Cheers. Ryan

[@edkorff7563]

Torque wrench!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Ed, I have been using a Torque Wrench for all the bolts on the engine. Did I miss something else that I should have done? Ryan

[@JamesBenson-ji2si]

Head bolts

[@RyansGarageUK]

You are perfectly correct. I wasn't aware of the strange design of this engine at that point in time.