ANTON MANNING'S COLLECTION
CMM was kind enough to feature a couple of my bikes around three years ago so I thought you might be interested in the latest restorations, a 1974 Yamaha DT360 and 1997 Honda CB400SF Version R.
The Honda, although never sold officially in the UK, had been imported by BAT Motorcycles brand new in 1997. Admittedly, the restoration of the Honda this winter was mainly a cosmetic job, repairing and repainting broken plastics, as the irreplaceable nose fairing and tail section had both taken a bash. Items such as steering head bearings, wheel bearing, fork seals, etc., were changed as a matter of course and everything else had a general tidy with lots of polish. Being a Honda, the engine was mechanically sound, but has since had a full engine service. She also has a new Blue Flame end-can, which sounds fabulous north of 8000rpm.
The Yamaha (also never officially sold here) required much more work. I spotted the bike on a well-known auction website and must admit when viewing the pictures it did look pretty rough with assorted missing parts, but it was described by the vendor as a runner. What a joke! Consequently it was bought unseen. When the bike arrived the engine had no compression and no spark. Upon removing the head I found the piston had a hole in the crown you could stick your thumb in. No matter, I do like a challenge!
The bike was only showing 2500 miles and when stripped the found bore was still standard size and in remarkably good condition, so a new standard piston and rings were obtained from the USA. Aluminium shrapnel from the old piston had got into the main bearings, so all bearings and oil seals were changed.
On rebuild I had problems with ignition and charging so a new ignition system from Rex's Speedshop was fitted - very reliable and no timing to do, plus the bonus of great lighting.
The DT has had powder-coated frame and new paint. (Spray Bay of lmmingham. Thanks Alan, lovely job. He also painted the Honda), I rebuilt the wheels and forks, and even found on that same auction website a new old stock rear mudguard still in its original packaging. She runs well with easy starting, but you do have to treat her with respect when kickstarting as she's more than happy to break ankles!
Great pair of bikes and both good fun in different ways, but the Yamaha is definitely a keeper so just waiting for the lockdown to lift so she can get dirty.