NC29 - project "NotaMoneypit"

[Heds]

Hi,

long time lurker, first time poster (even though my profile states 6 previous posts?)

Anywho, I've just acquired an '91 NC29 and being painfully aware of the law of diminishing returns, I'm not about to spend huge wads of cash on a relatively cheap bike.

It's had all calipers serviced, though, if that's up to the standards I'd like is to be fully confirmed, so I'll be checking pistons, sliders, rubber boots etc etc. though it's looking promising as they've new bleed nipples and washers and liberally covered in copper grease and there's fresh fluid.

It's had both wheels re-powder coated and there's a fresh set of tyres on there too, so I assume that both have had new bearings fitted, again, I need to confirm if they've been done and if they've got properly sealed units.

I'm going to check head bearings, and probably change to tapered needle versions.

Suspension, it's standard rear, and front are the old type and have gold nitride coating, though they appear to be slightly weeping, so I'm going to wipe them over and see if they do it again or replace the oil and dust seals. Is there any quick fixes to getting the best out of them without major overhaul, new fork top adjusters, slot in cartridges from other models etc?

As it presently stands it all seems to be there, it starts first time and idles nicely, as the previous owner stripped and serviced the carbs, so I think that's the least of my concerns. The rear disc is rippled, so that needs replacing, it's got a new battery and had a (very) recent chain and sprockets and it has a full stainless system, but has a stubby can, which although is not bad to look at I think needs to go, possibly something a bit more modern looking or maybe a period aftermarket item, perhaps. I like rigid rearsets, so that will be sorted in due course (preferably road based ones with brake light bracket) and a seat cowl, I don't carry passengers.

It needs a good clean, which may highlight other issues as I pass over it.



So, the question is: what are the 'best most cost effective' modifications / upgrades to make and what are the 'must have (to get the best out of an NC29)' modifications to make ?

Hopefully, the Venn diagram of the two will have some great crossover.

Cheers

[royster81]

I have one but I've never ridden it but my experiences of other 400s tell me that the best thing you can do is decent suspension.

[Heds]

I have one but I've never ridden it <snip>

Er, how long have you had it and not ridden it?

<snip> the best thing you can do is decent suspension.

Erm, yeah. But how best to do it?

I could go and splash out thick end of a grand on a shock and some internals (emulators, springs etc) for the front, but, could I probably get 90% of the performance fitting a cbr600f3 shock with the right spring for my weight and just service the forks with the right springs in for my weight?

Thing is, most of you lot have talked these performance upgrades over and over again, as some of you have always had these kind of bikes, and probably tried most of the upgrade paths along the way. I on the other hand had an NC23 some 20yrs ago, and TBH during my time with it I didn't do much to it other than stick petrol in it and rag it, so I know very littel other than reading through the forum, and believe you me, I've read and read, and some of it is repeated but some of the advice slightly differs.

What I'm asking is, if you had your time again, with a fresh to you bike that is pretty much tired and standard, what modification / upgrades would you do to get the best out of it without breaking the bank?

Or are some areas really worth spending money on to get the best out of the bike, or can you spend half that amount to get near to that performance?

So, again, what are the most pound for pound upgrades that a new NC29 owner should really do to their bike?

I'm betting a certain Graeme France would be able to give me a direct answer, but I'd like to hear what the consensus of the forum is too.

[Jolan]

As said before, suspension. If it's stock it's matched for japanese riders.

Search for Graeme France (he has a website), he has all sorts of goodies and suspension parts which have been proven by experience. So it takes you less time to sort out what you really need.

Furthermore, steel braking lines will help with a fresh set of brake pads and oil.

In basics if you don't want too race the bike its allready pretty good in standard form for trashing roads in Europa with just a good suspension upgrade and some regulair oil+filter changes.

Just a quick note what goes wrong on all these bike sooner or later, rectifier and generator.

Enjoy!

[cbr400rrn]

Definitely suspension front and rear makes a hell of a difference to the bike, I've had my nc29 for 8 years and it still gives me a grin when I'm out on it and the suspension was done by gfracing

[Jolan]

Sorry didn't read your last post. On suspension then. I have my bike for 11 years and in that time done different suspensions tweaks . In the end what I would suggest:

Get 15W oil in front with linear springs, depending on your budget with emulators.
Fit a CBR600F3 rearshock (with rebound adjustment etc...) with spring to your weight.

[Heds]

Stainless lines are already on the list.

Just a quick note what goes wrong on all these bike sooner or later, rectifier and generator.

What are the symptoms of those failing?

And in your opinion, the pound for pound best suspension upgrades front and back, are..?

[Heds]

Sorry didn't read your last post. On suspension then. I have my bike for 11 years and in that time done different suspensions tweaks . In the end what I would suggest:

Get 15W oil in front with linear springs, depending on your budget with emulators.
Fit a CBR600F3 rearshock (with rebound adjustment etc...) with spring to your weight.

I should have pointed out in my first post that I appreciate good suspension, my main bike has Ohlins front and back set for my weight, so suspension upgrades were always going to be on the list, just what can I get for my money?

The emulator route looks good, but then some (on here and elsewhere) have suggested getting later NC29 forks and getting those sorted. I must point out at this point that I'd like to keep my bike looking fairly stock if I can, and I'm not particularly interested in doing things such as putting a whole new front end on just to get different calipers which will probably make little or no difference in performance over the OEM items.

[Heds]

In short, I want to get the most out of this bike as I can, but I don't want this to turn into a moneypit.

No, really, I don't.

Ok, maybe a little...





Thread title amended to suit.

[dunkenb]

Ring Graeme France, he races nc29s , he'll have everything you need http://www.gfracinguk.com