VFR owners' thread, for VFRPS members and prospective members

[Qkchk:Me]

Hey me and a couple of mates are looking at getting a bike to take to track days but aren't sure of what to get. Was thinking about a 1991 VRF 400R. Are these any good on the track? Any feed back will help

One of the best bikes for the track (in my thoughts). On the back straights it will get its arse kicked by 600cc+ but when it comes to corners, its like a cat in front of a bowl of milk.....

[Qkchk:Me]

So when are we having a VFR ride?

Seems to be all hot air and wind so far....

[Coyote]

Mine broke down this morning.


As much as I hate my bloody bike, I followed another NC30 on the way to tech yesterday and they definitely are the best sounding bikes ever.

[GerryAttrick]

Mine broke down this morning.


As much as I hate my bloody bike, I followed another NC30 on the way to tech yesterday and they definitely are the best sounding bikes ever.

I feel soooooo sorry for you I have decided to make an offer. I'll take it off your hands and won't charge you a cent. I'll even pay freight from Wellington to Auckland. I might even throw in my Minimoto that so far has never been ridden by me.

Whats wrong with your bike?

You might try this site for a bit of advice - mainly deal with the big brother 750s & 800s but there are a few clued up guys there when it comes to the "best bike by far"

http://www.ozvfr.net/

[Coyote]

I feel soooooo sorry for you I have decided to make an offer. I'll take it off your hands and won't charge you a cent. I'll even pay freight from Wellington to Auckland. I might even throw in my Minimoto that so far has never been ridden by me.

Whats wrong with your bike?

You might try this site for a bit of advice - mainly deal with the big brother 750s & 800s but there are a few clued up guys there when it comes to the "best bike by far"

http://www.ozvfr.net/

Funny how I always get offered that. It's like everyone thinks I'm stupid.

What's right with it.... It broke down do to something with the fuel line I think. Ran out of gas despite filling the tank up. Tried starting it later in the day and there was a brief moment of life as if it still has spark and such but not enough fuel.

It's a high mileage bike. Everything is falling apart.

Since I'm at Weltec I can hopefully chuck the bike at the motorcycle students to fix it up. Then I can paint it up and it should be mint again.

[GerryAttrick]

Funny how I always get offered that. It's like everyone thinks I'm stupid.

What's right with it.... It broke down do to something with the fuel line I think. Ran out of gas despite filling the tank up. Tried starting it later in the day and there was a brief moment of life as if it still has spark and such but not enough fuel.

It's a high mileage bike. Everything is falling apart.

Since I'm at Weltec I can hopefully chuck the bike at the motorcycle students to fix it up. Then I can paint it up and it should be mint again.

Worth a crack - I'd love a 400 V4 but if I buy another bike the missus will probably leave me.

..Hmmmmm...Nah I won't even think about that!

If its high mileage then the first thing I would check would be the condition of the fuel lines if fuel is in the tank and not getting to the motor. Often they soften and close stopping fuel from flowing. Try starting it with the tank cap off - breather may be blocked and creating a vacuum in the tank stopping the fuel flow.

If it ran out of gas and there is no sign of fuel around the bike and it has used it fast and I'd be looking at choke as if that is jammed then the bike will run rich and use too much gas. Might be able to tell from plug condition.

Just remember to be systematic in your checks and take it slow. Theres plenty of guys around here that will give you advice - good or otherwise. Just make sure that you spell out the problem clearly i.e did it run out of gas or was the fuel in the tank but not getting thru?

I guess if you are a student it is your daily transport so its hard to take it off the road and do a good overhaul but it may be worth setting up a planned resto programme. Start with the fuel system and systematically go thru and check/clean everthing. You might find bits that need replacing and if money is tight then advertise for used but good bits.

If you have some other mates with bikes organise a maintenance day in the garage with a few beers and a BBQ- just get the work done before you have too many beers.

Its a bugger when you have to fix your bike instead of riding it

[Coyote]

Worth a crack - I'd love a 400 V4 but if I buy another bike the missus will probably leave me.

..Hmmmmm...Nah I won't even think about that!

Etc.

The first thing I need to do if I wish to restore the bike is get another vehicle. The VFR has been a mess since I've got it and it's only been getting worse since it can't come off the road. Though now it's had to since it doesn't work.

I used to work at the local Yamaha dealer. Once I start making some money I'll hopefully get a Jog scooter on finance. It'll be excellent getting something that's brand new and reliable, all I need to do is lower my sights

I'll hear on Monday whether the Weltec motorcycle tutor is keen to have my bike in for fixing. The guys at my old work went through his course and have given him a good word.

[vifferman]

Since I'm at Weltec I can hopefully chuck the bike at the motorcycle students to fix it up.

That'll be a good scheme. I 'inherited' a XBR500RS Mutant that ran very badly, and while pulling it apart, I noticed the intake valves were leaking. However (luckily!) my uncle was a tutor at whatever Waikato Polytecnic's called (I think it's summat like "Waikato Polytechnic" ) and he got his elves to give it a valve grind. Very good value for money that was.

[Swoop]

...was a tutor at whatever Waikato Polytecnic's called (I think it's summat like "Waikato Polytechnic" )

Wintec.
Waikato Institute of Technology.

[Coyote]

That'll be a good scheme. I 'inherited' a XBR500RS Mutant that ran very badly, and while pulling it apart, I noticed the intake valves were leaking. However (luckily!) my uncle was a tutor at whatever Waikato Polytecnic's called (I think it's summat like "Waikato Polytechnic" ) and he got his elves to give it a valve grind. Very good value for money that was.

I'm hoping I get away with free labour, or I paint up some fairings in return. Can't afford much else.

The polytech can't be seen as taking business away from the industries, which was the case for a while since everyone wants to take advantage of cheap/free labour. So the majority of projects are tutors cars or relatives to you or the tutor. May as well take advantage of it whilst I'm there.

[Swoop]

There is now a social group set up here.
Everyone is welcome to join!

[monkey99]

Funny how I always get offered that. It's like everyone thinks I'm stupid.

What's right with it.... It broke down do to something with the fuel line I think. Ran out of gas despite filling the tank up. Tried starting it later in the day and there was a brief moment of life as if it still has spark and such but not enough fuel.

It's a high mileage bike. Everything is falling apart.

Since I'm at Weltec I can hopefully chuck the bike at the motorcycle students to fix it up. Then I can paint it up and it should be mint again.

Sad to say you have a very simple yet frustrating problem..Fuel tap..you might just find that the honda diaphram has given up the ghost..the rubber gives up in the NZ fuel mix.. I have had to replace one after the same thing happened!! was on the way for a hot date..filled up the day before..needless to say..I'm still single and have a new issue

say it with me people ~ HELP~ the rings are gone in my RVF and the cot to split the block is about the same to buy a 2nd hand engine..I have need for an RVF 400 engine & loom as i have a brand new HRC CDi unit waiting..waiting

let me know th love people as i have all the other bits & my girl sounds like a serious pissed Tiger in a tin shed as it is..gimme the extra BP & I'll teach u a thing or two mista R6

[Coyote]

Sad to say you have a very simple yet frustrating problem..Fuel tap..you might just find that the honda diaphram has given up the ghost..the rubber gives up in the NZ fuel mix.. I have had to replace one after the same thing happened!! was on the way for a hot date..filled up the day before..needless to say..I'm still single and have a new issue

Done the mod, it runs better now. But I keep on forgetting to turn the tap off and the bike's got numerous other problems that will deny it a warrant. What's more someone pushed it over the other day (here's the thread: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=75870 ).

I'm really keen to make a single tank and tail unit like a MotoGP bike to replace the tank and fairings. Need to make a subframe though to contort to the style I want.


By the way, does your RVF have no side fairings? I saw a rough RVF go past whilst I was on the bus (sigh).

[monkey99]

I'm really keen to make a single tank and tail unit like a MotoGP bike to replace the tank and fairings. Need to make a subframe though to contort to the style I want.


By the way, does your RVF have no side fairings? I saw a rough RVF go past whilst I was on the bus (sigh).

No..not me..I have the full original..only moderately tatty originals..cost is 1600 for a complete sand down, reprime repaint & clear..stickers I'd have to source from UK (easy there).. I used to know a guy that made carbon fibre body bits for any bike..lost details..But I'm still searching cos it would be half the price for these over Tyga body (yik, not my fav) and originals!!

I think the two choices i have for this bike/project is buy new lump & source wiring loom..pay same dollars to have the engine split & rings done (no guarantee of the fix) or sell the bike & start again with my own importer from Japan for a second hand RVF from some middle aged geezer in Tokyo

[Coyote]

No..not me..I have the full original..only moderately tatty originals..cost is 1600 for a complete sand down, reprime repaint & clear..stickers I'd have to source from UK (easy there).. I used to know a guy that made carbon fibre body bits for any bike..lost details..But I'm still searching cos it would be half the price for these over Tyga body (yik, not my fav) and originals!!

I think the two choices i have for this bike/project is buy new lump & source wiring loom..pay same dollars to have the engine split & rings done (no guarantee of the fix) or sell the bike & start again with my own importer from Japan for a second hand RVF from some middle aged geezer in Tokyo

I'm training to become a refinisher so lucky enough for me it won't cost so much. Would offer to do up your bike, doing an RVF would be an honour, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have to do everything I want to at Weltec. Colapop's bike is meant to be coming in soon, my brother has wanted me to do his van before I started the course, and eventually I should start working on cars (sigh... ). Maybe hassle me about it in a month or so's time if you're keen.

I had recently done up the tail on my bike. That's why having it knocked over was so heart breaking.

Would be interesting to hear how much engine work will cost. Think mine is due to bang any second... not that it'll be on the road for a while...

Edit: Painting up your bike would be even more likely if you're able to fix any cracks and imperfections that soak up workshop time. My tutor is happy to bring in spray gun practice jobs rather than restorations.