My BROS 400

[ggdav]

Hello,

My name is David, most people call me Dav

This is my NT400 I picked up for a few hundred bucks recently

It's not pretty, and has definitely seen some hard times. The bikes were never released in my country and this is the only one I've ever seen. (Have seen a few 650s though)

I've got all the parts here ready to go for a full strip to frame and rebuild

Last part I'm waiting on is the seat cowl and pillion cover from fabitappi and then I'll start a build thread

I'm going to paint it black to start with, but at a later date I'm thinking of painting the frame black and the plastics/tank in Mazda Soul Red

[squirrelman]

welcome !!

a shame to paint a red hawk black like it was stolen.

[DrPMC]

Hello,

My name is David, most people call me Dav

This is my NT400 I picked up for a few hundred bucks recently

It's not pretty, and has definitely seen some hard times. The bikes were never released in my country and this is the only one I've ever seen. (Have seen a few 650s though)

I've got all the parts here ready to go for a full strip to frame and rebuild

Last part I'm waiting on is the seat cowl and pillion cover from fabitappi and then I'll start a build thread

I'm going to paint it black to start with, but at a later date I'm thinking of painting the frame black and the plastics/tank in Mazda Soul Red

Welcome to the forum!

For its age, that looks like a very good example. I notice it still has the covers over the front engine bolts and the swinging arm, which suggests a bike that hasn’t been badly tampered with.

It’s a personal thing, but I’ve never completely dismantled my bike although every part has been off at one time or another. I suppose I’ve preferred to keep it together as the route back to a complete bike seems shorter.

As I’m sure your know, if your bike is a Bros it was originally black.

[ricksax]

Indeed, plenty of options for filling and paint on the fender, tank, cowl, sprocket cover.... But my goodness, your beautiful aluminum frame looks like it just needs a light cleaning with something non-abrasive. Personally, I would not paint one unless it were badly scratched. Maybe save that project for last after you have restored everything else. You might like it as it is.

[bk94si]

I agree on the frame. Two of the best and most unique parts of a Hawk are the frame and the swingarm. I wouldn't want to hide the frame with paint.

[6]

I love a black framed hawk. As long as the swingarm is done too.

I think the black with Mazda red will look good.

Congratulations on the hawk and welcome! These things are a blast to work on.

I have a bad habit of completely disassembling a hawk as soon as it enters my shop. Results are positive but always takes 5-10 times as long as I anticipate..

[ggdav]

I know the frame will be polarising. I work in a custom motorcycle workshop building custom harleys and victories. We did virtual mock ups of the bike in every colour combination you can think of. Almost all of them looked better with painted frame and swing arm to match.

I'm building the bike in 2 stages, first stage everything painted but the frame, swingarm and engine. Then stage 2 is ceramic coat the engine, frame and swing arm. I'm doing it that way so I have an opportunity half way through to change my mind and stay with the polished alloy if i want

[ggdav]

Welcome to the forum!

For its age, that looks like a very good example. I notice it still has the covers over the front engine bolts and the swinging arm, which suggests a bike that hasn’t been badly tampered with.

It’s a personal thing, but I’ve never completely dismantled my bike although every part has been off at one time or another. I suppose I’ve preferred to keep it together as the route back to a complete bike seems shorter.

As I’m sure your know, if your bike is a Bros it was originally black.

Actually I wasn't aware of that. I can trace the bike back to when it was imported from Japan and it arrived red. It's since been crashed and repainted in the same red

[DrPMC]

Actually I wasn't aware of that. I can trace the bike back to when it was imported from Japan and it arrived red. It's since been crashed and repainted in the same red

On reflection, I think I’m talking bollocks… I can’t remember ever seeing a standard Bros in the UK that wasn’t black but, looking again, I see that there were other colour options for the Bros, including red.

[bones]

Welcome to the world of Hawks.
You have a nice, solid bike to start and once you get it all together and on the road, your life will be forever changed.
Hawks aren't the fastest bikes out there, but there is just something about how everything works together.
Keep us posted on your progress.

[69Falcon]

Welcome aboard!

[ggdav]

So things haven't exactly gone to plan with my NT400 build

We had floods come through my town about 3.5 weeks ago and I had 2 foot of water through my house. My NT400 went under water and my car was literally floating in my garage. I was in bed asleep and got woken up by a very loud banging noise every time a car went past. I ran downstairs and discovered about a foot of water in my house and the banging was cars driving through the flood water making waves INSIDE MY HOUSE.

I didn't get a lot of pictures because we were evacuated after it got about 1 foot deep. The image I've attached is my front door 2 days after the rain stopped and the water had started receding

[ggdav]

And again, around 2 days after the rain had stopped after we started to be allowed to return home

[ggdav]

I'd already purchased about $2000 worth of parts from WeBike and WeMoto to start a full chassis up restoration of the bike. All of the parts went under water. None of it can be saved and none of it's insured. Even the bike wasn't insured because I'd let the registration lapse as I was about to start stripping it when my fairing from Fabian arrived

[tian647]

All of the parts went under water. None of it can be saved and none of it's insured.

Oof, sorry to hear. I'd imagine any 'hard' bits could be cleaned and oiled for future use, no?

Maybe your homeowner/renter's insurance would cover the bits not actually attached to the vehicle?

Either way, you have a mess to deal with - hope you can find some silver lining.