SIKKO's RVF400

[SIKKO_X2]

G'day Guys,

As some of you know, I recently purchased an RVF400.

It initially failed the RWC as the front discs were a fraction of a mm under thickness, so the seller has replaced them and is putting it back in for RWC tomorrow and will be delivering it to me this weekend

The bike already has braided front lines so when I take delivery i'll decide on a plan for what I want to do to it.

In the meantime though I found a brand new set of Tyga rearsets for a great price from a guy that is getting rid of his RVF race bike - I just couldnt resist

Here are some pics:
<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/_57%201.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/_57%201.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo _57 1.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/_57%202.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/_57%202.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo _57 2.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/_57%203.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/_57%203.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo _57 3.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/_57%204.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/_57%204.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo _57 4.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/_57%205.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/_57%205.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo _57 5.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/20150505_210931.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/20150505_210931.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150505_210931.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/20150505_210942.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/20150505_210942.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150505_210942.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/20150505_210952.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/20150505_210952.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20150505_210952.jpg"/></a>

 

[my67xr]

Very clean !
Is that a Delkevic rear wheel on it ?
Those bike's run the same plug's as the Daytona 190's, (ER9EH) don't they ?

 

[SIKKO_X2]

I'm not sure, I thought that it was the stock wheel but i'll be sure to take a closer look when it arrives!
Yeah they do use ER9EH plugs - bloody expensive. the plugs for my cbr are under $5 each but the rvf ones are over $20 each!

 

[motorman]

Can't wait to see the build on this one!!

Sweet as looking bike. Loving it.

 

[ringo]

I've always loved these!! Great looking bike and V4 glowl!!

[edit] is that muffler upsidedown??

 

[SIKKO_X2]

is that muffler upsidedown??

I did notice that, I will have to take a look when it arrives.

The seller says that it has always been garaged so hopefully there wont be any rust from rain getting in

 

[SIKKO_X2]

The plan at this stage is to keep the bike looking the way it is as I love the old Jap look of the RVF. The seller mentioned that it currently has an aftermarket fairing kit on it as he slipped on some diesel at the servo and dinged the original fairings, which are included in the sale, so I will look at repairing and possibly respraying them so that I have a choice of how I want the bike to look.

My list for work is as follows:
- Rebuild forks with Racetech springs, new fork oil and seals
- Install a double bubble screen
- Thoroughly clean the carby’s
- Install crash levers
- Reupholster seats
- Brake caliper and master cylinder rebuild
- Li-Ion battery
- O-Ring chain

I picked up a single sided swingarm stand for a good price too, so I will be able to do plenty to this bike.


As I have a soft spot for the RVF I plan on keeping it for a while. I will be unrestricted in August so if I decide that I want another bike I will look at buying a naked or something more comfortable in addition to this bike. Hopefully soon I’ll be living somewhere with a garage that will allow me to do a proper teardown and rebuild, at which point I would like to do the following:
- Full teardown, clean and rebuild with new bearings & seals
- Engine rebuild, including new piston rings, head skimming to bump up compression, full head reconditioning etc.
- A few aftermarket goodies like exhaust system, shock, triple clamps etc.
That’s a while away yet but I plan on getting the bike there

 

[timeeh]

Nice little toy, mate had one years ago, monster torque for a 400. And as was stated before the growl of the V4 is awesome, I had a VFR 800 for a while and i reckon the sound was the best part Carefull with those rearsets if you got long legs, they can make riding really uncomfortable, great for the track, no so good for decent rides

 

[SIKKO_X2]

Yeah dw, my legs aren't very long I'll see how they feel, if they are uncomfortable I'll just keep them for track days/twisties.

For half price I couldn't let them go

 

[ringo]

I did notice that, I will have to take a look when it arrives.

The seller says that it has always been garaged so hopefully there wont be any rust from rain getting in

If the muffler has four bolts a 180* rotation is easy, if it's got 3 it will be directed either down and in or down and out

 

[china911]

great machine . l have raced both the nc30 and the rvf. Gear drive cams and eccentric rear hub.. Honda v4 well ahead of the time . considering it has been around from the late 1980s. year back l was running HRC ignition box / air box and Daytona rear sets , wp rear shock and showa forks. Locally made RB exhaust my all time favourite ride. Good luck with it ..

 

[SIKKO_X2]

Yeah they are brilliant looking bikes. How much did the Rb exhaust cost you if you don't mind me asking?

 

[china911]

mate is was about 13 years ago ..$380 aluminium muffler . track only 98 decibel .the thing was loud.

 

[my67xr]

Yeah they do use ER9EH plugs - bloody expensive. the plugs for my cbr are under $5 each but the rvf ones are over $20 each!

$21 each inc delivery if you can wait 2 week's from the UK.
That's where i bought a spare for my 190
Spark Plug Glow Plugs NGK ER9EH ER9 EH Trade Prices 5869 | eBay

 

[SIKKO_X2]

Bike arrived today and she's beautiful came with a Haynes manual too which I'm happy about. Idles well and sounds amazing. First things to do will be to replace the battery and tighten the chain, then ride her and figure out what else I need to do

 

[SIKKO_X2]

Also, the muffler is upside down. It's an aftermarket unit so it was spun around to hide the logo for rwc

 

[SIKKO_X2]

And it appears that the bike has the NC30 shock with the remote res, which is great news as it is rebuildable, unlike the NC35 shock

 

[SIKKO_X2]

Also, the seller told me that he had to drill out the rivets on the muffler and put them 10mm to the side as they had corroded, so the muffler doesn't face down like it should, it's facing to the side and slightly down now that I have reset it but I'll have to drill and add new stainless rivets to have it facing down. I have an exhaust bung in it for the time being to ensure no condensation

 

[SIKKO_X2]

Small update:
Li-ion battery and Renthal grips arrived, looking forward to installing them this weekend.

I have also booked the bike in for rego on tuesday - can't wait!

<a href="http://s141.photobucket.com/user/nossta/media/IMAG0882.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/nossta/IMAG0882.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMAG0882.jpg"/></a>

 

[china911]

one problem that the vfr rvf 400 inherited from their big brother the rc 30 was a tendency to over heat. A good mate of mine was an ex HRC mechanic and brought this to my attention. Replace the radiator coolant (the best you can afford) with the highest temp . l went to an even further extent by running er 10 spark plugs. Careful not to foul thou. The 400 needs to be ridden enthusiastically. With such a tall first gear and a firm hand on the clutch it want to be at the pointy end all the time.