View Full Version : VFR400 NC24 update.
Alpinestarhero
23-02-09, 08:26 PM
Some of you might recall that I'm all excited about a VFR400 NC24 my dad has been restoring
well, next week it has its MoT, its first in 11 years :D:D
From the top of my head, the work undergone has been:
New fork stanchions, new fork oil, repainted outer fork stantions, rebuilt brakes and painted calipers, refurbished rear shock and painted; all easily removable engine covers taken off, painted, and put back, with new gaskets; valve check done (all in tolerance!), new oil, oil filter, plugs; re-wired electrics; new screen, new radiator, rebuilt and repaired farings (my dad has made the fairings look so good, you'd never believe the state they were in before), repainted wheels (again, a fantastic job by my dad), new tyres. Cleaned up exhaust.
There may also be some more...
He's been doing half an hour each day since he took the bike in september.
I can't wait to get the bike out and go for a spin :D although I'm worried we'll discover the rear shock is a bit knackered after spending 11 years sitting doing nothing......
When i next go back to brighton, I'll get some pictures for you all :rave:
ThEGr33k
23-02-09, 09:17 PM
Nice... Look forward to hearing more :D
Sorry, just read the end of your post....when you next go to Brighton...:drunken:
DarrenSV650S
23-02-09, 10:40 PM
I got a shot of a mates vfr400 on saturday. Nippy wee things, they get to full speed in no time and feels like it has plenty to go. Tiny wee things! felt like it had bottomed out.
Alpinestarhero
24-02-09, 09:22 AM
Sorry, just read the end of your post....when you next go to Brighton...:drunken:
I plan a sort of photoshoot when i next go, if its a nice day then up to beachyhead...if its a bit overcast, then bury hill in arundel. if its raining...im taking the old mans GSXR out :lol: wouldnt wanna get the viffer all dirty after the hard work now ;)
vardypeeps
24-02-09, 11:25 AM
ohhh looking forward, I love those bikes
I used to own an NC30 (vfr400) - lovely bike! It did 65mph in first gear and could power wheely at 70 plus in second - sounded incredible with the carbon Micron end can as well.
I sold it and bought a Mk.4 Escort 1.3
I was young
I was stupid...
:rolleyes:
philbut
24-02-09, 01:12 PM
Matt, what paint did your old man use on the wheels. i've always been dubious about the longevity of any home paint job done on wheels as they take such a lot of abuse from stones / tyre changes. I need to repaint the wheels on both my bikes but have been considering powder coat for better results
ta
Phil
Alpinestarhero
10-03-09, 08:56 PM
Recent news: During an engine oil flush, my dad noted there was a cylinder not firing. This has since ben diagnosed as a fubar'd gasket :mad:
that was 3 days before the M.O.T. My dad is struggling to find a new gasket :( And here's me, hoping I was going to ride it this weekend :(
Alpinestarhero
10-03-09, 08:57 PM
Matt, what paint did your old man use on the wheels. i've always been dubious about the longevity of any home paint job done on wheels as they take such a lot of abuse from stones / tyre changes. I need to repaint the wheels on both my bikes but have been considering powder coat for better results
ta
Phil
good question, will find the answer. Pics of finished bike WILL come - some close up pics of parts will be posted soooon for you to all admire my dads workmanship
Alpinestarhero
19-03-09, 07:23 PM
Resurrected thread!!!
Ok, so the viffer was all ready to go for an MoT....just needed a good flush of oil to clean the engine then some fresh semi-synth and a nice shiny new oil filter
Oh dear. Misfiring on cyl. 3. Investigate usual suspects...nope, all ok there.
Ah
Head gasket.
Sooooo with the engine in bits and the search on for finding new gaskets (as difficult to come by as hens teeth), i whip'd out the Nikon and got a few shots of the engine
The offended head:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_001.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_002.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_006.jpg
Boooooooo bad gasket, boooooo
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_003.jpg
Carbs, cleaned up
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_004.jpg
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_005.jpg
Engine with tiiinnnyyy pistons
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_007.jpg
the gear train for operating the cam shafts. No cam chains here!
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/alpinestarhero/VFRengine_009.jpg
Enjoy!
Luckypants
19-03-09, 11:46 PM
Ohhh bike porn! God damn, I've been looking at RVF NC35's on Ebay and you do this..... must stay strong............
Leopard_lily
20-03-09, 12:02 AM
Firstly Hi, I'm new here
I also have a VFR400 NC24 - I went to the lakes on it last October for a 3 day biking trip, they called it a rat bike lol and named it scarface (it's a bit battered) but I loved it, it's very low and light and ideal for those hairy bends and steep hills,
I've been meaning to restore mine too though - I have a 07 sports SV650 in blue in the meantime - but I reckon for the next lakes trip we have in May i'll still be taking the VFR
Matt, if your dad needs a flywheel puller I have one here that I made for the NC24 I rebuilt for a friend. That is going to be a nice bike when it's all finished, but get him to check the reg/rec before using it, because if it's a duff one it'll burn out the alternator as well.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3369356000_ebcde33305.jpg?v=0
rictus01
20-03-09, 12:16 AM
Hi Leopard_lily and welcome (go start a thread in IB, then everyone will greet you/ well those that want to that is).
Nice Matt you building it or your Dad ?, I had a cbr400 gull arm ?(circa 92/93) for a couple of weeks, great fun, but couldn't get over how small it was, revy little chap to.
Cheers Mark
Firstly Hi, I'm new here
Welcome.
Get yourself over to Idle Banter and give us a proper introduction.
I predict at least 12 pages ;)
Sid Squid
20-03-09, 07:52 AM
Welcome.
Get yourself over to Idle Banter and give us a proper introduction.
I predict at least 12 pages ;)
12?
I fear you underestimate the testosterone level of org members, (fnarr!).
Alpinestarhero
20-03-09, 09:11 AM
Lozzo - thanks for that; I'll mention that to him, although I think he might have run electronics diagnostics already (since he had to re-wire the whole electrical system anyway...). I'l do my best to remember you have a flywheel puller - but if you don't want it at all, I'll take it anyway? Might be needed, I'm wondering what else is about to go *pop* on this bike :lol:
Rictus: I have done some bits (mainly the initial dismantalling) but my dad has done 99% of the work. I'm just the project archiver (my sole purpose is to take pictures) and also to help locate bits (friggin' gaskets) and also to go "wow! thats brilliant dad, what a great job!!"
luckypants: word on the street is the earlier NC30's are a bit more powerfull since they had slightly bigger carbs...I want an NC30 myself :smt049 but theer is a guy who lives near me with an NC35. god its gorgeous
leapord lily: welcome to the SV650.org! I'm hoping this VFR will be good handling too...but me and my dad are reserving opinon until we've ridden it. That rear shock could be fecked :smt038
Lord Squid: you're right - it'll be at least 35 pages by the end of the first hour :lol:
thanks guys
Matt
Leopard_lily
20-03-09, 01:21 PM
leapord lily: welcome to the SV650.org! I'm hoping this VFR will be good handling too...but me and my dad are reserving opinon until we've ridden it. That rear shock could be fecked :smt038
Matt
Cheers Matt - handling IS really good it's so light and narrow that you can just chuck the thing about, I certainly have a lot of confidence on it.
Downside - My rear shock is rock solid lol with a nice warped front brake disc too so braking to the extent the steering shakes and the bumps are the least enjoyable of experiences, it also randomly cuts out quite a few times, I suspect a fuel blockage there though, so nothing really major but still the most fun bike I have ever ridden.
Alpinestarhero
20-03-09, 01:24 PM
im really looking forward to riding it now...hopefully, it'll be done by my birthday (end of may, should be eough time to get new gaskets? be a great b/day present, a ride on a vfr)
I am also going to pursaude my dad to come to this years annual rideout on it :smt038 so everyone can bask in its glory
im really looking forward to riding it now...hopefully, it'll be done by my birthday (end of may, should be eough time to get new gaskets? be a great b/day present, a ride on a vfr)
I am also going to pursaude my dad to come to this years annual rideout on it :smt038 so everyone can bask in its glory
It's the 400 club......mine wins the ugly vote.
Alpinestarhero
20-03-09, 01:46 PM
whats it look like sosha
my dads VFR is gorgeous
well, its kinda dated looking, but thas more the limits of its design. But as far as NC24's go..its gorgeous
i want an NC30
_Stretchie_
20-03-09, 01:47 PM
Ohhh bike porn! God damn, I've been looking at RVF NC35's on Ebay and you do this..... must stay strong............
No.. NO..
BAD Mike... Save money for Disco
But back on topic. My first mileage on any bike was a mixture of CBR400's and VFR400.. I LOVE em and would have one in a flash even if only to look at...
whats it look like sosha
At soho - courtesy of Rictus... one 1 careful owner NC23
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1979/67/122/621884134/n621884134_1567556_9548.jpg
beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
benjyman
20-03-09, 03:51 PM
sorry for a noobish question, but you said the head gasket had gone, what does "gone" actually mean? is there any visible thing that shows that it's gone? i'm looking at the picture and it doesn't look like it's got holes in it or anything.
sorry for a noobish question, but you said the head gasket had gone, what does "gone" actually mean? is there any visible thing that shows that it's gone? i'm looking at the picture and it doesn't look like it's got holes in it or anything.
Leaking/Blowing/Not sealing.
(Disclaimer - I know nothing)
Alpinestarhero
20-03-09, 04:10 PM
Leaking/Blowing/Not sealing.
(Disclaimer - I know nothing)
benjyman, sosha is correct. To look at the gasket, you wouldnt see much wrong with it...but it only takes a little leak on it to loose compression. On some cars that my dad has worked on, you can take the head off and see right away where the gasket as blown; sometimes water leaks, and you get a "washed" piston. On a fiat punto (booooo) this happened, and I came in to my dads garage, took one look across the bank of pistons and saw: black, black, black, white...
Alpinestarhero
13-06-09, 04:21 PM
So i arrived home today
opened up the garage
and
She Lives!!! one VFR400RR NC24 back in full clothing, awaiting an MoT on monday.
Dad comes home, pops key in ignition, thumbs the starter. Fires up first time. Sounds absolutly brilliant. Smells a bit because of all the WD40 used to get the exhaust off and stuff....nothing a run up to boxhill that wont sort it out
So, folks, if you have a cousin / nephew with a 23 year old 400 cc sports bike that he;s giving away for free, and you have £600, a bit of mechanical knowledge, access to the internet and 9 months of life to spare (30 mins each day), then take that bike and fix it up.
The results really are quite brilliant, i cant wait to have a go myself :D Pictures to follow when I can ge the bike out in the light
Alpinestarhero
01-07-09, 07:40 AM
Another update, and follow the link in my sig for some new pictures
VFR400R is now running, finished, MoT'd and ready to ride.
Just waiting for the log book....boooo lol
I'll get a video of the bike running soon.
It.
Sounds.
Awesome.
Coolio. Bringing it tomorow then? :eek:
Alpinestarhero
01-07-09, 07:17 PM
Coolio. Bringing it tomorow then? :eek:
Ha! I wish! I asked my dad if i could get insured on it. he didnt say yes.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.