Mods for my new VFR400..oh and hello

[RougeR]

Been wanting to pick up a vfr400 for a couple of years, finally found one in great nick locally and from a guy i trust.
1800GBP - 17k miles, looks mint and has original panels + a spare set of black panels.

Anyway I cant get the bike until my current bike sells (bandit N600), having trouble shifting it. So ive been looking at toys for the new bike in my spare time.

A big bore kit, a set of sv650 risers, new wing mirrors, crash bungs and a down gear are the main things currently, was wondering what everyone else has done, will be going touring on it as well. Got a tank pack and tail pack ready to swing over.

what are the essential or most common mods?
how much am i looking at for the big bore all in, i know a guy who does 25GBP an hour labour out of his garage at home,
is the 490cc kit still about? whats the reliability like at different bores?

Only driven her once, and its the most fun ive ever had on a bike.

picture of the old gal, shes been assured to be in full running order by my mechanic.

[CRM]

Hi there - original panels you say ? assuming they are not the ones fitted to this bike in the picture ?
Original chinese i guess. and done loosely based on the type 1 import scheme and UK spec scheme.

490 kit is a new one to me. 440 is the typical one and i think from the top of my head is ok, was there some concern over pistons / rings ? am sure some of the others will be along to add some facts.

welcome along, and enjoy the NC30

[RougeR]

Hi there - original panels you say ? assuming they are not the ones fitted to this bike in the picture ?
Original chinese i guess. and done loosely based on the type 1 import scheme and UK spec scheme.

490 kit is a new one to me. 440 is the typical one and i think from the top of my head is ok, was there some concern over pistons / rings ? am sure some of the others will be along to add some facts.

welcome along, and enjoy the NC30

I think thats what he meant, im unsure still getting used to the world of grey imports etc.

as for the 490 kit http://www.fireblades.org/forums/honda- ... 500-a.html, theres some infor here. but the links are dead, ive seen the 444cc kits are still about though. I know a mate who has a 490cc bandit locally...things quicker than my 600

thanks for the welcome, cant wait to get on her.

[Drunkn Munky]

TTS do or did the 490cc, twice if not more than the price of the 444cc kits due to the amount of work involved and it also needing liners.

[Yakama]

I have some new 444cc pistons for sale, see this thread for pics:

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=42505&start=20

[CMSMJ1]

Welcome.

The advice from me - leave it alone. it is a 400cc supersports bike, not a small tourer and never will be.

Kepe thje bandit for high bars, luggage adn shit wheelies - keep the NC for learning about corner speed, "less is more" braking styles and generally playing out on.

Big bore is going to be well over a grand and unless your motor is already knackered then no point at all.


Anyways, I am waiting for Liam to offer me some 0% for 4 yrs on them pistons and then I'll have 'em...

[NGneer]

Welcome.

The advice from me - leave it alone. it is a 400cc supersports bike, not a small tourer and never will be.

Kepe thje bandit for high bars, luggage adn shit wheelies - keep the NC for learning about corner speed, "less is more" braking styles and generally playing out on.

Big bore is going to be well over a grand and unless your motor is already knackered then no point at all.
...

- Leave it alone. Ride it for a year, do a track day or two......and then see if you think you can improve on Mr Hondas design. I strongly suspect (appart from refreshing the suspension) you will come to agree he did a bloody good job.

Welcome anyway and enjoy the NC30

[dgunthor]

+1 as above, could improve the suspension but if you are going to spend £1K + on a big bore kit and riser bars, just buy a CBR600?

[RougeR]

Eh im pretty set on the big bore, going to see what life throws at me money wise. I love this bike and it really is a classic i dont want another I4 600cc like the cbr. tbh im not a huge sports bike fan, apart from the old 400s. prefer the speed triple and superduke

dont have the money for 2 bikes either, im only 20, had a few bikes, ridden a few more. wouldnt mine a couple of bikes in a few years, but cant see myself selling this.

[CMSMJ1]

*patronising reply alert*

You have not even given the bike time and have no idea what it is like. You come from a Bandit (one of the most monumentally poorly built bikes ever) to one of the high points of Honda quality.

getting a big bore - for what would be the value of your bike again (so yes, buy another) will not make the bike some kind of wunderbike.
It is a 20+yrs old miniature supersports bike. It is designed for whizzing about in relatively short bursts, carrying corner speed, flying places.

All they ever need spending on is to make sure the suspension is refreshed and set up. Also that the standard fuelling setup is spot on and that the brakes are in good condition. More power (75 instead of 60) is not going to make the difference at all. If you spend on a big bore without making it handle then you are so very far off the mark with what this bike is about. it is a classic as it is so very well built, with a nigh on perfect combination of engine and handling that to mess with these ingredients and upset the balance does not a good bike make.

*this is the patronising, but well meant, bit*
You are 20 - you think you know it all and that your way is the right and only way. Taking advice and appreciating that using others knowledge and previous experience is something everyone learns too late.

e.g - your school days are best - @ 15 you say, fuck off, it is shit. @ 25 you kind of think, yeah, this job lark is bollocks, school was easy. @ 35 you know that all of the guidance you ignored when you were younger was all true and you are about to start handing it out yourself!


You as in the general "you", not you personally..if you get me!


Please don;t take me wrong, it is your bike, your money - but take it from me (and I am going to assume most of the other long timers) - don't rush into it and don't expect that you can make the bike something it is not.



Stick about - do some proepr research into what is needed and what things cost - read this webiste for inspiration about how much effort it will be to buy, build and run a bike with the big bore (440 max)
http://mngforce.typepad.com/