RVF 400 Issues

[riktrik79]

Hi All


I'd like to ask peoples opinions on a few issues i'm having with me NC35 i just bought

Firstly, the bike does seem to run pretty well, picks up in all gears, no dull spots etc, electrics seem good


However:

-The bike has 18" rear wheel , obvioulsy from VFR, is this ok?

-Guy before me has installed 'blueflame' exhaust over standard. he said carb jets are 108 front, 110 rear? this sound right?

-Bike starts on choke, after 5-10mins idles no choke about 1400rpm.

While running about town 15 mins or so, i can feel engine heat on me legs through them little ports on fairing, and on turning off bike engine is hot as is radiators(both) however, temp gauge is very slow to rise, gets to about 1/4 way up? i would expect it higher as everything else is hot to touch

- Gear selection is a bit sticky, hard to select, more noticable, 2nd or 3rd gear?

- And finally, ahem , i noticed while applying throttle or removing it while riding, gives a very slight clunk.
the head stock has no play in it, it feels like its coming from gearboxy area, or there abouts

Any help with this is greatly appreciated. Its going in for full service but not for another week, just want to know if i should still be riding it until then

THanks in advance

Rik

[hardnutdvd]

i thought jets should be same both ends, front and rear. a quick advanced search in the V4 section will clear that up
these bikes run hot, when they first came out i think asbestos crotch jeans came as an optional extra

you shouldn't need choke for that long. does it die if you turn it off sooner? you can lower the idle slightly (when the engine is at normal operating temp) using the left hand dial a bit further down from the choke lever.

as for the clunk, is your chain properly tensioned?

[riktrik79]

I'm not sure about jets, i've just spent the last few hours going through the workshop v4 section looking for bits n bobs. seems they differ with setup ie exhaust, airbox etc. its in for full service next week on dyno etc, so hopefully should get it set up properly

As to heat, i was just wondering how long it normally takes for temp gauge to rise, i never seen mine higher than 1/4. longest run i done was half hour i guess (only had bike few days and weather been pants too)
The radiators get warm and pipes etc, never had fan kick in, also side of frame gets warm too on main frame just above foot pegs

As for choke, i guess after 4-5 mins i take choke off and its ok, seems to idle about 1400 normally, havent played with idle setting below choke. it did idle earlier a bit lower at about 1100rpm

Chain was a bit slack on purchase, i've tightened a bit. when i push chain up at point shown in haynes manual, it touches swing arm. is this too slack?
Also dont know if its because of the 18" wheel fitted or length of chain, but that chain stretch indicator is 'weird' no red section on mine, its bluey/green colour, and at present, is about 5 mill in front of that (towards front of bike) and its all in japanese so no idea what it says. i assume as chain stretches it moves back in to this coloured section.

[skinnydog0_0]

Hi and welcome to the site :) also good choice on the bike!!!
As Hardnut said, the bikes do get fecking hot, the frame gets hot enough to light fags off
I dont think my 35 has the green and red stripes for the chain i think that sonly on the 30 I am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong. Also it will depend on what size rear sprocket you are running as to how the measurement marks line up.
I would get shot of the 18" rear ASAP it will affect the handling to some degree and it also limits your tyre choice.
I would think it best to run 110 front and rear on the jets, but if you put it on the dyno you will get it set spot on. Where are you going to take it to have it dynoed?

[riktrik79]

Many thanks for the welcome
Yeah love the bike, wanted one ever since having the poster on me wall and playing rvf on the amiga many many moons ago!

Ok, that puts my mind at rest about the heat query. not that i'm complaining its quite warming while tootlin along.

I not sure about chain gauge thing, think nc30 has sprocket wear gauge, and nc35 has chain stretch thing on right side of bike (not sure :S)
Bike came with 18" on it, no idea why, have looked for 17" on ebay but no luck, i heard tyre choice is better for 17", cant really comment on handling, as nothing to compare it too, but no complaints with it.

Taking it for Dyno locally in malton, john warringtons, so hopefully see if its as should be.
Like i said, it runs pretty well, only had it up to 140kph but think i was still in 4th gear, pulls ok, definately more thump after 7k rpm tho

[Cammo]

As to heat, i was just wondering how long it normally takes for temp gauge to rise, i never seen mine higher than 1/4. longest run i done was half hour i guess (only had bike few days and weather been pants too). The radiators get warm and pipes etc, never had fan kick in, also side of frame gets warm too on main frame just above foot pegs

That seems about right to me. The water temp will be hottest when you're sitting in traffic on a warm day (no airflow through the radiators), on a cool day and at speed it will cool right back down. The cooling system on these bikes isn't terribly efficient. The fan will only come on when the temp guage is near the red zone (over 100C).

As for choke, i guess after 4-5 mins i take choke off and its ok, seems to idle about 1400 normally, havent played with idle setting below choke. it did idle earlier a bit lower at about 1100rpm

Sounds about right too, depending on how cold the weather is.

And finally, ahem , i noticed while applying throttle or removing it while riding, gives a very slight clunk. the head stock has no play in it, it feels like its coming from gearboxy area, or there abouts

Sounds like your chain could do with adjusting. These bikes have no cush drive whcih can make the driveline a bit snatchy. making sure the chain and sprockets are n good condition and teh chain adjusted properly will go a long way to reducing the snatch.


The 18" wheel will improve the handling of the rvf, it quickens the steering a little bit and helps with corner tip in. Stock standard they're fairly slow and heavy to steer. There is a better selection of tyres available for the for the 17" wheel though. If you fit a 17" you can raise the rear back to where it was withy the 18" with a simple spacer on top of the shock. S

[Ben_OB1]

- And finally, ahem , i noticed while applying throttle or removing it while riding, gives a very slight clunk.
the head stock has no play in it, it feels like its coming from gearboxy area, or there abouts

Mine did that too when I first got it. 18,500kms and still original chain and sprockets.

Check for chain stretch: If you can pull the chain off the back of the rear sprocket then it needs to be replaced. It should be tight and firm against the sprocket.

Check front sprocket for free-play in the spline: Loosen the chain, engage a gear, rotate the front sprocket by hand... it shouldn't move. If it moves then this is the "slight clunk" you describe - just lie mine had .

New (quality) chain and sprockets, correctly adjusted as per the Haynes guide, and that clunk should be gone.

Enjoy the bike - pretty innit

Hope that helps,

Ben.