i have a spare set of carbs that came with my bike. how do i tell if they are standard or not? what fittings/components are different on the HRC kitted out ones? and what should be the standard jet size?

It would be easier if you told us what you had. Early VFR's had 110's all round iirc and the later ones had 115f and 118r. Now a lot of people will have changed this to suit an end-can, but you'd recognise a set of HRC modified carbs without even taking them apart. The velocity stacks will be tiny, the top plate will have lots of holes in it, then, after opening them you will have domes slides with 2 holes, large main jets and bigger pilot jets, emusion tube holes are different too. If you have HRC one lying about just randomly in the garage then get a few pics up and let us see. We all love a bit of HRC goodness.

okay, well i'll investigate them. i havent really looked at them hardly since i've bought the bike [they went into the cellar in a box while i was finishing my work off for the term] but i'll dig them out when i get back and have a look. mine is a 1989 so from what you said 110s all round. i dont think there is a top plate.

what sort of power difference can you expect from a HRC setup?

the chances are they are standard, but the bike was a track bike before the last owner had it, so it could be possible... for all i know they could be shafted.

i have a spare set of standard calipers too - funny this is... why is the nissin writing on the inside pots? its the same on the pair on my bike too!

if they are HRc carbs they are getting rebuilt and put on the bike!!!! i suppose we can all dream though..

All VFR calipers are like that.

Truth be told, if they are HRC carbs, they are no good to you on the road as its not a simple as fit them and ride on. You have a fair few other bits and pieces to do to the bike to get it running right. Not worth the hassle really, just sell the carbs and kit and spend that on getting your suspension refreshed, you'll get more for your money that way.

yeah i have been reading about the HRC carb setup after googling it. it seems that the NC30 setup doesnt run a filter, which is not what i'd want to do. to be fair i think they are standard when i was looking at the pics of the HRC to the standard. it definately doesnt have the tray.