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Stevie B Racing - NC35 RVF400 log
NC35 RVF400 Log
Here we have the replacement for the XJR400.
When I started looking, I thought I might go for a CBR600. But, I would probably have wanted the one with USD forks
and it soon became clear that these bikes hold their price well. Too expensive for me. So when I started looking for
another 400, I was really after a VFR400. I looked around and the prices were quite variable depending on age
and condition / mileage. I confess to being a bit picky about colours - I was really after either the black/red
scheme or a late red/white/blue with black wheels. I thought I could do ok for about £1500 but the bikes I looked at
weren't great and would have needed a bit spending to get them to a reasonable condition.
I did some more reading of old magazine reviews and decided to widen the scope to the RVF400 - if I could find one
at a reasonable price. I chased a few around the £2000 mark that had already sold, then I watched one on eBay that
had a 'But It Now or Offer' which didn't sell when the BIN was £2300 - then it was re-advertised with a BIN of £2100.
I made an offer of £1900 and the bike was mine.
There were a few emails exchanged before I made the offer, but there's always a large element of risk when you buy
unseen. I went down to kent on the train to pick it up and was pleasantly surprised by the general look of the bike.
The glaring problem was the cracked nose fairing that had been 'repaired'. There was also a little bit of surface
corrosion where it looked as if the bike has stood outside at some time (more of this later....).
I decided to take a non-motorway route home but got lost a bit here and there. By the time I got halfway home, my wrists
were aching and my clutch hand was killing me. I'd forgotten how long ago it was that I last did a trip of any length
on a bike with clip-ons. One thing I was surprised about was the flat-spots in the engine's delivery. I didn't want to
rev it too hard until I'd had a chance to check it over properly, so I took it fairly easy. At least the weather was
fine for the journey although the wind was very buffety causing some neck ache.
Next was cleaning and an oil and filter change. All straight-forward expect that I had intended to use an oil filter I'd
bought for the XJR400 and although it screwed-on fine, it fouled the lower radiator as it's a bit longer than the
standard HF303 fitment.
Next up was a breakfast ride down to Brighton. The bike performed fine (apart from the flat spots) although I noticed
afterwards there were splashes of brake fluid around the front master cylinder. Investigation revealed an absence of
sealing ring and diaphragm. Luckily I had spares already, unused from another project.
The search for a rear paddock stand was interesting. I ended up buying a new Sealey stand from eBay but the pin didn't
really fit the rear axle properly. In the end it turned-out Sealey don't make a pin for a 32mm Honda axle. So, I ended-up
adapting the pin supplied to fit and it's ok now.
I did some background reading about the flat spots and decided to get an HRC mapped CDI from Jap4performance. They
sell an Ignitech CDI that's a direct replacement for the original but with the HRC map. I have to say I was amazed
at the transition. The bike now pulls harder and the flat spots have all gone! Much cheaper than a genuine HRC CDI too.
I've replaced the mirrors (both had cracked stems and the left one was completely seized and wouldn't adjust) with cheap
ones from Hong Kong. They work and look ok though. I've ordered a nose fairing from China so it'll be interesting to
see what that's like.
One thing that's annoyed me is the fake air ducts that start in the nose fairing and loop over the handlebars to the
top of the fuel tank - where they stop. Styling gone mad. Even worse is the fact that every time I put the bike away I
have to remove the mirrors. Plus, on this bike I have to remove the fake air ducts too. So, I'm not bothering with
the air ducts but that leaves an unsightly hole at the tank end of things. My solution is to buy another plastic part
for the front of the tank and fibreglass the holes. I've bought a broken part (missing a lug for the air duct) from
Japan (Yahoo auctions) so I'll put some pictures up when I get it sorted.
Better pictures coming soon....
