VFR400s What do I need to know?

[JamesMio]

Dear 'Org,

I'm toying with the idea of picking up a wee VFR400 (or something similar) partly for playing on, and partly to try & keep some of the miles off the blade.

I think there's a part of me that feels like I've missed out on something by going straight from no bike, to DAS, onto an SV650 then up to a Fireblade all within a couple of years!

I've heard nothing but good things about these wee bikes, and there seems to be a raft of them going on BikeTrader between £900-£1400. I know a few of you on here seem to have one as a project or second bike - what are your thoughts on them?

Anything I need to know or should look out for with them? I love the noise that comes out of the bigger VFR's, I'm guessing the smaller ones are similar?

[fastdruid]

I've just posted some onboard footage of an NC35 RVF400.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...39#post2044439.

Druid

[_Stretchie_]

http://www.400greybike.info/newforum/ucp.php?mode=login

[JamesMio]

Originally Posted by _Stretchie_

http://www.400greybike.info/newforum/ucp.php?mode=login

Just registered, cheers

[fastdruid]

This is all for VFR400 NC30's but most applies to all the Honda 400's.

Ok, things to look out for, plastics are a *fortune*, original ones make all the difference between a cheap bike and an expensive bike.

UK bikes are more expensive (and rare)
Later bikes are fitted with better suspension.

Engines are reasonably bulletproof can be issues are with worn dogs on 2nd (accelerate WOT in 1st & 2nd, if it jumps out walk away unless *very* cheap). Replacement engines are cheap for that reason.

They are a pain to service, valve clearances and carb balancing makes the difference between a peach and a dog but some get neglected. Needs all the bodywork off to do *anything* and so it can suffer.

Normal reg/rec/battery issues.
If fitted with 55/60 headlight bulbs and no relay the hi/lo switch melts and stops working.
Need's M-Max (or similar) / Speedo altering to go faster than 112mph (most will already be fitted with one).

That's all I can think of at the moment, feel free to ask any specific questions.

Just to keep you interested here are a few pics of me on an NC30







Druid

[_Stretchie_]

: )

My dad has a very very very good condition NC24. It wasn't always though, it had been layed up in a shed for 11 years without moving a wheel, let alone cranking the engine. Bit of fuel, put in some water, attach a battery pack and the bike started up and ran really well, before the bike got stripped down, inspected and put back together

the engines are a work of art. If you get an NC24, and discover it needs head gaskets, those from an NC30 fit perfectly - my dad has had no problems since fitting NC30 head gaskets.

[fastdruid]

However if looking at NC24's (I wouldn't, NC30's are cheap enough) beware that the exhausts are rocking horse poo, walk away if corroded.

Druid

Originally Posted by fastdruid

However if looking at NC24's (I wouldn't, NC30's are cheap enough) beware that the exhausts are rocking horse poo, walk away if corroded.

Druid

lucky down this end dont be fooled by a rotting ehxaust silencer SLEEVE - underneath is a perfectly good stainless silencer.

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

lucky down this end dont be fooled by a rotting ehxaust silencer SLEEVE - underneath is a perfectly good stainless silencer.

Yes, pity I was talking about the collector.

Druid