So the plan is to get an old VFR400 NC30 and fix it up.
All the ones i’ve seen have no service history.
Is this a massive issue? I dont mind ripping the engine apart to service it.
What are your opinions on bikes with no service history?
if the price is right, & if you don’t mind engine work, as long as its straight does it really matter ?
Sod the service history. You’re getting a project bike anyway so you’ll be giving everything a fine inspection as you dismantle and re-assemble it. Just read up on common problems with the vfr400, look out for them when you view the bike.
Or take someone along who knows about vfr400s… OMC Matt would be the perfect man for the job if he’s available…
From what I’ve read, the reg/rec is a pile of **** that needs to be replaced. Electrex do one that isn’t great but it’s better and you can mod an R6 one to fit and work. Besides that and putting an RVF (NC35) wheel on it to make getting tyres easier I can’t really think of much.
I need a new rear tyre so I’ll be at the OMC pretty soon and I’ll talk to him then. Cheers for the heads up.
If you suspect that an engine on any of the earlier VFRs (NC 21, 24, 30 or 35 or RC24 or 36) isn’t up to scratch walk away, they are complex engines but you have to know them. Don’t expect them to sound like IL4s as the gear driven cams (the very thing that makes the virtually bulletproof) do have a very distinctive sound which many often think is cam chain rattle!
Have a look on the VFR forums (bikers oracle) or Grey bike (specifically for the 400s) for all the information you would ever need to know about VFRs.
You’re right about the R/Rs but you are very unlikely to find one with an original for the very reason you state. I (we) have 4 VFRs of different types and in the many years we’ve had them we’ve had two failures, oddly enough both on the same bike.
Ian
I dont mind stripping the engine but i dont feel like ive done it enough to be fully confident (and i’ve never worked on anything with gear driven cams).
To get the engine serviced, does it have to be in the bike?
I guess it’ll be valve clearances + shims (under and over) and possibly piston rings depending on the results of compression testing.
If it needs that much work it’s not worth it
yeah, I heard a lot that R1 reg/recs fit VFR750’s.
they fit, but they don’t work properly.
Shiver, Its really not that much work. It’ll take time but its far from impossible.
The plan is to strip the ****** to the frame and replace every bearing and bit of rubber so its no bother if the engine needs work too.
Valve clearance check at the very most, if it needs any more, even shim changes, walk away, ask when they were last checked and how close to tolerances, the gaps tend to close up rather than open out. There’s hundreds of the buggers out there that are well maintained and sorted, as I said have a look on grey bike, there’s invariably a few for sale there and from respected members.
Erm, the cams act directly on the buckets, the shims sit under the buckets, this isn’t the case with the earlier ones NC21/24 or RC24s which have the screw adjusters with lock nuts (sorry can’t think of the proper term).
Ian
[quote]
Ian Daly (16/11/2012)
So there are no over bucket shims? Thats pretty cool. I kinda get why Hondas are bullet proof. Everything is simplified xD
Get the engine out, slap it on your work bench, then get to work on it. You want to learnt don’t you? Do that then
I like this statement.
To eBay I go!
WAIT!!!
Drink loads of beer before you attempt buying anything off Ebay!. That way its a present when u wake up :hehe:
besides, its almost Christmas 
I think someone has woken up to a tea cosy, pokemon cards and legos with no memory of ordering them xD
Found one in my price range. Listing says the side fairing fell off while the dude was riding :crazy:
It looks good so far but I want to make sure that the fairing brackets are fine and it was just loose screws that let the fairing shake off.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181025923813?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
there’s no s on the end of lego. ever.
The big question you should be asking yourself/the owner is what’s underneath the frame covers?
Whilst they are a good proactive idea for protecting the frame in the event of a crash, they’re also very handy reactively for the unscrupulous to cover up potentially serious frame damage after a smash.
Personally I’d leave it if he can’t/won’t remove them before you hand over the dosh.
How are frame covers usually attached? If they’re glued I can see why he wouldnt remove them but if its screws, they’re coming off.
Usually held on by mastic hence the ‘can’t take them off’ bit.
One fairing side mising & what look to be fairly new frame covers fitted…
Also, the L/H clip on has a bar end fitted, the R/H doesn’t, possible a 2nd hand replacement bar?
Scariest thing though is that the brake & clutch levers appear to be fastened on with pink anodised aluminium bolts! :w00t: :crazy: