NC24 - Norwegian "Formula 80-87" project

[Fenris]

Hello :)

I got my first VFR 400 about a month ago, a NC24 (RH) 1987, it arrived from UK in a pretty good shape, and runs well. I have spendt some houers in the workshop to prepare it for some Post Classic racing - so far I have made a new exhaust muffler (the old one was quite shabby on the outside and upon opening I di find it very rusty on the inside). The new muffeler is a standard type with dampning wool and made with the original pipe from collector box (which is in good shape) and the original top. Works well. I have also exchanged the CDI-box (?) for a chinese box purchased on Ebay, it starts easily and runs perfectly as far as I can judge.

I have now drained the fork oil, which was reasembeling muddy water - and found that the forks contained progressive springs - is this the original springs?? They mesure 30 by 395 mm, and are topped with thin wall spacers, same lenght left and right fork leg - can anyone tell me if this is ok, should I make new spacers in original lenght? I refilled the fork with fresh oil (weight 10) and did a test drive - works well. I have ordered Wirth springs and OEM fork seals and are planning to reopen them when this arrives.

I have searched the motor for an engine number - without luck! There is no number and no evidence of anything beeing filed off or removed - strange! The bike came with V5 documents saying engine number "not known". Framenumber and carb. number is clearly visible and corrosponds to the right model...

I have also mounted new clip-ons and footrests as the left clipon was bendt and the footrest was grinded down after a trackday flip over. I got fresh Battlax bt45 on it, it was the best option I could get my hands on at the moment. I will see what i think of them and maybe order bt39 from Japan for nest season - I do want to keep the original rims. Is it a good idea to put a 140 back tyre on this bike - and if so, have anyone used Dunlop TT900 GP tyres? Alsom avilable in Japan, but no 130/70-18. (The bike will onely run on track as it has no local street registration)
I am absolutely impressed with the feel and handeling of this little bike, and will be back reporting how it handles on track!

[amorti]

BT-45s are great street Tyres and even on track I suspect the nc24 suspension will let you down before they do.

Whatever other Tyres you try, avoid Avon roadriders. They come in your sizes but are the worst Tyres you'll ever try.

Good luck with the racing!

[Neosophist]

I tried the 140, it was no better, stick with the 130.. BT39's are the best 'racing tyre' you'll get.

from memory the left and fork-legs have different length spacers but if the suspsion has been 'set-up' and works well i'd leave well alone.

The engine number should be by the oil filler.

Look where you put the oil in, further back just by the cylinder head the number is there.

http://jpegbay.com/gallery/000854327-.html#7

If you look at these pictures you will see the engine number.

[Fenris]

Thanks :)

I will have another look for the engine number with the pictures in mind (but I do belive I have looked in the right place).

I also plan to have my rear shock reconditioned over winter, it handles ok, but I guess it will benefit from a service - I do not know of anyone doing this in Norway.
Is Elliot MC a good place to get this done? They list this service at £ 158, a new Hagon rear shock (without external adjustment) would be about double that price - any thoughts on what is the best thing to do? (Class regulations do not allow a external hydraulic preload adjustment unless it came originally mounted on the bike). I weigh about 150, and have a (female...) softer riding style than most of the guys on the track.

[duncan]

Elliots are a first class bike shop who give sound advice and do not try to rip you off.I have Maxton springs in mine.You will have to send Maxton the original springs and spacers and then tell them how much you weigh so they can make springs to suit you

[Neosophist]

Get hold of the TT-F3 book, it's got the parts microfiche for all of the NC24 racing stuff.

Have a look at that.

If your serious about things are you allowed to change forks?

[Fenris]

Thanks again - great forum with fast replies :))

As for the fork springs - I have allready ordered Wirth progressive springs, from Germany.

Class regulations:
http://www.crc.no/filestore/ClassicRegl ... nglish.pdf

Serious - yes, but I have no experience in the classic races - and will try to finish a couple of races 'rubber side down' before I make any big alterations on the bike. My track experiences are limited to doing the racing licence and a handfull of trackdays aboard my Triumph Daytona 675 last season (now sold). I do think that my driving ability will be the major thing to improve this first season!

[Neosophist]

Get hold of the TT-F3 book, it's got the parts microfiche for all of the NC24 racing stuff.

Have a look at that.

If your serious about things are you allowed to change forks?

http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh88 ... 320001.jpg

Start from there.. I took it from the TT-F3 thread in the VFR V4 general section.... thats the Honda Racing NC24.. some nice pictures of all the trick bits they put on. (twin rads / left sided exhaust, gearbox, cams, fancy valve / carb work etc)

[Yakama]

Get hold of the TT-F3 book, it's got the parts microfiche for all of the NC24 racing stuff.

Have a look at that.

If your serious about things are you allowed to change forks?

http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh88 ... 320001.jpg

Start from there.. I took it from the TT-F3 thread in the VFR V4 general section.... thats the Honda Racing NC24.. some nice pictures of all the trick bits they put on. (twin rads / left sided exhaust, gearbox, cams, fancy valve / carb work etc)

Yeah those pics came from a jap book I got hold of. And here is a TTF3 NC24:

[Neosophist]

Thats the one.. 74ps.

Cammo posted the microfiche to them in the same thread a few pages earlier.

Theres also an NC21 TT-F3 radiator system on yahoo japan right now! (will fit the NC24 too!)