1980 RM400 HYBRID

[LWC82PE]

you will find this place handy for all sorts of stuff like bearings, brake shoes, and engine parts

www.denniskirk.com

i was going to give you a link to a Moose brand steering kit but i cant find one listed for your bike and cant find the OEM part numbers on www.alpha-sports.com either to do a cross reference check on Zedder. I thought they might have been the same as The PE's but they dont come up as showing they are the same as RM400. The RM400 must have special size bearings maybe?

[80hybridRM400]

Frame is painted lol....I got bored and decided to sand it and paint it tonight, it has 2 coats.  I MIG welded the frame, and smoothed it out so it looks as though there was never a crack there to begin with.  I weld by trade and drive truck, so I did it all after work at the boss's shop.  He is quite an awesome guy, I can use the shop whenever I want and any tools.   And that is exactly why I love living in a small village of 400 people, none of my friends employers in the cities would let them do that after hours lol.

[80hybridRM400]

Upon finding numbers and info on the bike, I have now figured out exactly what it is, the chassis is a 1980 RM250 and the engine is a 1979 RM400.   Were there any differences from the 79 to 1980 RM400 engines?

[mainline]

looking better already, at this rate you'll be riding it by next week.

[80hybridRM400]

Quite possible LOL.  But I reckon that it won't, It just happens to work out that the first few steps in restoring are the cheapest, It will probably sit like that for a while.  I sanded the fuel tank down with 180 grit paper then wet sanded it with 320, turned out ok, but I think I will go over it again with 180 and wet sand it again, there are still some sun faded pieces

Made a  list

Mud guards
Number plate
Side panels
Swing arm repair (weld and new bearings)
Air filter
Handle bars
Chain
Rear brake assembly
Rear tire
Decals

plus other misc parts

Roughly $1000 Canadian

[mainline]

if you use the forum search engine there's a couple of good threads on polishing plastics. LWC3077 also wrote a good article in a back issue of VMX Magazine if you can get your hands on it.

[Wombat]

if you use the forum search engine there's a couple of good threads on polishing plastics. LWC3077 also wrote a good article in a back issue of VMX Magazine if you can get your hands on it.

Anyone know which issue?

[mainline]

sorry should have put that in, no33, the one with YZ250F on the cover

[LWC82PE]

issue 33
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/VMX-Vintage-Motocross-Dirt-Bike-Magazine-Issue-33_W0QQitemZ370187461903QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media?hash=item370187461903

i for got to mention the otherday that you will need to go finer than 320 wet and dry. go to 400, then 800 and then 1200 and also use some scotch brite scouring pads. Ive forgotten after what grade paper though. Probably after 320 or 400.

after 1200 then polish with Jif

you can get Jif in Uk and europe etc but its marketed under another name. i think its called Cif and Vim in some countries

here you go

http://www.unilever.com/brands/homecarebrands/Cif.aspx

http://www.unilever.com.au/ourbrands/homecare/Jif.asp

http://www.unilever.co.uk/ourbrands/homecare/cif.asp

http://www.unilever.ca/ourbrands/homecare/vim.asp

theres a few other polishes available at auro shops you can use after Jif for a more deeper glossy finish but the Jif is pretty good

you will be able to get your tank nice and glossy and probably better than new if you put the time and effort into it.

[Wombat]

sorry should have put that in, no33, the one with YZ250F on the cover

Of course it is... that's the one I lent to a Contractor coz he'd missed out at the Newsagent. Still awaiting it's return. :'(

[80hybridRM400]

LWC3077....thank you for the tips.  I plan on going over it again, as the tank needs some plastic welding, so I will smooth her out after that, I can;t believe how nice the tank looked after a little rub LOL