1986 Honda NV400 has blown a head gasket

[daveyalderton]

Hi I have the above problem with my bike. Another problem is I am having trouble finding parts for it, rings and gaskets. One Honda dealer couldn't find the model on the parts register. I have seen on here the vn400 and vt500 are the same bike, so would vt parts do the job or not?
Any help would be good thanks

[Moi]

Have a chat with David Silver (http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/) in the UK, they may be able to help you.

Is the NV400 a Japanese import model?

[FJRider]

Hillside books in south Dunedin should be able to source a workshop manual for that model. They may even have one in stock.

[spanner spinner]

they are a jap domestic model that was bought in by blue wing. the bore is the same size and stroke is different between the nv400 and vt500 so you should get away with using a vt500 head gasket. both motors are the mostly the same apart for ignition timing, carbs and stroke length. being a jap domestic and how old it is there will not be a lot of parts still available for the nv as it will no longer be supported.

[daveyalderton]

Ok so what about parts for the vt are they still supported and easy to get hold of. Will the rings fit onto the nv pistons or will a vt piston fit in. I haven't pulled the motor apart yet and wont if I can't find parts. I haven't had it long and only lasted 4 rides. My first bad trade me buy. I asked the seller for a refund but I'm not holding my breathe.

[Moi]

Another English company worth talking to is wemoto (http://www.wemoto.com/).

I have used both David Silver and wemoto for parts for my bike and have found both helpful, especially David Silver.

BTW, have you done a google search for an online supply for a workshop manual? Might be worth while...

Cheers

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ok so what about parts for the vt are they still supported and easy to get hold of. Will the rings fit onto the nv pistons or will a vt piston fit in. I haven't pulled the motor apart yet and wont if I can't find parts. I haven't had it long and only lasted 4 rides. My first bad trade me buy. I asked the seller for a refund but I'm not holding my breathe.

If I was the seller I would be telling you no to a refund. Caveat Emptor, second hand goods etc. Your best bet is to suck it up and sort it out.

And look at David Silver, as others have said. also try cms.nl they are good too.

less bitching, more wrenching.

[spanner spinner]

Ok so what about parts for the vt are they still supported and easy to get hold of. Will the rings fit onto the nv pistons or will a vt piston fit in. I haven't pulled the motor apart yet and wont if I can't find parts. I haven't had it long and only lasted 4 rides. My first bad trade me buy. I asked the seller for a refund but I'm not holding my breathe.


vt parts will still be available but expect to wait for them as being a older bike they will not be held in nz. As for if the pistons/rings are the same you will have to buy a vt piston and compare it as the piston pin height may be different, ring thickness may be different. The other option would be to use Nv400c Steed parts as this bike shares a similar motor see http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-nv400c-steed-1995-singaporekph_model3794/partslist/ for a parts listing. This will give you some part numbers that your local dealer will be able to check for availability.