My NC30 - always things to do

[craigs23]

My bike, two years worth of faffing, collecting, changing, modifying, cleaning....and due to recent change of hearts, not sure where it's going.....but I think I'll keep it and plod along with the project when I have time. I recall when I first got this bike, I was working evenings after work sorting this that and the other. That patience has long since gone, and unfortunately I don't have time to develop the project at that rate. Neither will the bike be updated on a routine basis - I don't have the enthusiasm to carry on in the spare time I have. But hopefully, some time, it may get back on the road again.

So, a little introduction. Many regular members have Guessed Who I am. I used to be one of the top 10 forum addicts on the old site, amassing God knows how many posts, mostly about cleaning invisible components of my bikes, how to add 10% to a bike's value just by giving it a little TLC, reasons why I liked carbon fibre so much, whether bikes over 400cc are any good, and what that blasted ticking noise coming from the rear headers of my RVF were, to name but a few. I got a bit of a reputation, both on the forum, amongst friends, or random viewers of the bikes I've owned through the years, as a bit of a cleaning freak, but one who enjoyed riding bikes as well as modifying them.

I've had a few fine models over the years, these are just the projects I've spent time on, rather than every bike I've owned:

My first, beloved NC30. Written off when a Vauxhall Carlton ran into the back of me at 35mph barely a mile from home:



My RVF:



My RRN Blade:



And so, onto my current NC30. It started very different to how it is now, back in October 2006.

[craigs23]

When I first took delivery of the bike. Mechanically, it was sound, but I knew I was taking on an extensive restoration project. I'd had an NC30 in the past, as well as an RVF, so wanted to give the Tyga kit a go.







End of the first stage, with an extensive down to the frame restoration taking place, the bike resembled something I was a little happier with. I spent time servicing the bike as well - cables, filters, oils, electrical systems, valve clearences, suspension, brakes, etc were all refurbished.

A new job revealled a new budget, so the mods went a little crazy for the next stage of the bike. Namely the suspension was completely overhauled, lashings of carbon trinkets were designed and made and the Translogic was installed, to name but a few.

[craigs23]

Unhappy with the bike's cartoon looks, the fact that the fairings weren't that well put together and the ridiculous amount of attention the bike gained pretty much anywhere, not to mention the discomfort of riding the thing, I decided to strip the bike right back down and begin building it back up as a supposed 'R-Spec' NC30. Many of the modifications were either kept or improved, with the inclusion of tailor made Ohlins items, a spray job from my own design, yet another exhaust system, and of course, more carbon. Everything was now either held together with titanium or stainless steel. The fairings took about 7 weeks to source, than a further 6 weeks to have sprayed up, in a scheme designed by myself.

[craigs23]

The bike has been, and continues to be, in a constant state of flux. A money pit. The amount of items purchased, tried out, then passed on, has gotten a little ridiculous. It's had several exhaust combinations, a number of rear shocks, etc. I also tend to buy second hand items in trios, select the best parts from each, restore them, fit them to the bike, change my mind, then sell them on.

I'm getting tired of continuing to do that, but now that I think about it, the process is just continuing, albeit at a slower pace. Currently, the bike is yet to have an exhaust fitted - having recently fitted a TSR, standard and new Mercury system, I'm yet to make a decision on the final outcome. Each has their problems, and a number of other components to sort depending on which I fit. I'd be happy if it kept me busy as a hobby, as I did when I had more free time, but it does get irritating from time to time.

Oh well, onward bound...a couple of photos from this morning as the project dawdles on. Next on the agenda is aftermarket indicator fitments, which requires heat shrinking the supplied wires, as well as making up my own indicator spacers to cover the holes needed by the previous stock items. Hopefully they'd then be further away than when the next exhaust system's in place...I'm also considering another set of rearsets, but yet to make a decision on which to go for. Like the look of some Beets....

[superlite]

I was wondering when we'd get another marathon thread :D

It's very interesting to see the evolution of a bike and/or the owners change in taste. I think everyone is the same, in that they start a project and then change the entire vision. Hell, I once owned an NC30 that was almost entirely anodised red

As I'm not a huge fan of the Tyga look, I didn't like it so much in it's first incarnation - although the bolt-ons were impressive.

I much prefer the NC30 shaped fairing and paintjob, and it's clear to see that you've put a lot of money, time and effort in.

I know you love your carbon, alu, stainless bling, but have you ever thought of going the next step and going for performance (beyond the basics)? It would appear that you have the budget to go full F3 Or is it more about rideability?

[craigs23]

Thanks Superlite, it has been a long project; this thread's pretty much an edited-to-its-shortest version, the full length version on the old site got somewhat ridiculous.

In regards to the next spec; I've based this around what can be done with a relatively stock bike - in the notion that if I wanted more, the easiest route would be a bigger bike. I guess I like to make the most from the things I have at my disposal - in this case, a lightly "tweaked" 399cc V4. What I'm trying to say is, I like a 400cc bike to 'perform' like a 400cc bike; it's the reason I bought one, likewise, I like a 600cc to perform like a 600cc, etc...

[royster81]

craig i found the early 89 spec nc30 indos sat inside the TSR cans at the rear and kept the standard honda look.but when i fitted one of rick oliver aly sub frames i could put any nc30 indo i wanted in as it gave a bit more clearance

if you posted up what your where doing maybe some other could help with the problems.

[craigs23]

Cheers Rory.

I'm pretty settled on what I need to do to get everything fitted how I wanted. I had considered some NC30 items, may still do so, as I know I wouldn't need to make up some blanking spacers. I deliberately went for the aftermarket jobbies pictured on the front rhs - they seem to be in keeping with the geometrics of the bike, as well as the colour scheme.

The exhaust is back with Graham at the moment, rearsets are still to be decided upon, although there's little wrong with the items you supplied me. Not much to do before MOT time, but if the roads are salted between now and then, it'll have to wait until next year.

[RVFHooligan]

Like a fine wine, your bike keeps getting better and better with time. Looks great in it's present state!

[crash bang ouch]

oh dear lord, you've posted a pic of the bike without fasteners in the seat unit the shame of it all.......so is this a flying visit or are we getting some of your vast cleaning knowledge for a wee while longer :D just out of curiousity what would you have bought if it did sell in the konica costume another rvf