The NC30 Thread

[Laverda Dave]

Welcome to my VFR400 NC30 thread.

I was gifted this bike by an old work friend last year when she emigrated to Aus. Now the Honda TL125S has departed it is the NC’s turn on the workbench.

This is going to be an occasional thread as I know it’s not a sohc and shouldn’t really be here but as its winter and we all get bored and look for projects to follow I thought I’d start this thread.

So, what am I going to do with this NC? Well, I don’t fancy doing a full restoration as it will become a money pit so the idea is to undertake a sympathetic restoration and get it back on the road for the summer.

First thing to do was to strip the fairing off to see what I have got. There are signs of gravel rash to both fairing lowers and although the paint and fairing is original there is a fair bit of pink going on and it looks like a 90’s shell suit so I am thinking of a respray in the original UK NC30 colour scheme (think mini RC30). The bike is filthy below the fairing and all the alloy is corroded as are the fork bottoms and the upper and lower yokes. The frame looks good with no obvious dents, twists or gravel rash. The wheels look ok from 50ft but are full of chips to the rims.

I’m going to attempt to start the engine but will first check the bores with my bore scope and I’ll whip the cam covers off and add some oil to the cams etc. I’ve had to buy a new battery, I think the reg/rec had cooked the old one, it looked like a waffle.

I don’t know how true the mileage is at 18,000 as the speedo is mainly in MPH with KPH as a secondary scale. Considering this is a 1992 model, I’m thinking the speedo was maybe changed when it arrived in the UK? If there are any experts out there on these bikes please let me know.

I am thinking of draining the coolant and replacing it with a litre of central heating cleaner, running the engine up and leaving it for a couple of days to clean the water jackets etc before draining it out and maybe repeating the process. I know these engines fur up if the coolant isn’t replaced with the correct type. Is what I am proposing wise or will it end in disaster, has anyone ever tried it? I know RRC on YouTube restored a NC and he used this method but it was on a stripped motor, my idea is to use it as a cleaning/flushing agent on a complete motor?

I’ll update the thread when I get it started.

[Laverda Dave]

Some more photos;

[Johnwebley]

Great

I shall really enjoy this



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[Orcade-Ian]

Me too!
Looks like most of the lightly corroded bits - brake unions and the like will respond well to a rub with ACF50 or Bilt Hamber Dynax.  Most of the materials in central heating systems are in the bike as well - I would give that a go and see what comes out on the first flush.  Ash might know better.  Pete Hamber at Bilt Hamber might have some sensible advice and suitable product - he's an industrial chemist and knows his stuff.
Another great project for us all to view instead of Strictly come Baking on Ice!
Ian

[Johnwebley]

There is an NC30 specialist

Rick Oliver

Search for his spares and website

He is very helpful



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[Rozabikes Tim]

You lucky man. Free and not such a challenge as the TL125 on the face of it. Parts more easily sourced too.

I'm surprised you are going for the standard colour. Few know but it's a historic fact that all yellow 400 Hondas were faster🙃

[Laverda Dave]

Thanks Ian, I'll give Pete Hamber a call on Monday and see what he suggests. The bike hasn't been run since 2008 so may well need a good flush with something (thoughts of Triumph Stag engines spring to mind and the internal corrosion they suffered if left standing).
I was looking at Rick Oliver's site John, he's got some trick bits on there and I was reading about issues with 6th gear?
Tim, yellow .......now that's an idea although they are supposedly good for 125mph I'm not sure adding another 25mph by the addition of a parakeet yellow paint job as I get with my 400/4 would be wise although yellow is better than the pink that is on there .

[Bryanj]

Just remember to mix whichever antifreeze it need you mix with distilled or deionised water, never worked on one but dont remember any special fluhing compound for the wings or CX's, i know Cummins use a special water filter unit to stop corrosion

[Laverda Dave]

Just remember to mix whichever antifreeze it need you mix with distilled or deionised water, never worked on one but dont remember any special fluhing compound for the wings or CX's, i know Cummins use a special water filter unit to stop corrosion

That's a good tip Bryan. I get plenty of distilled water from the dehumidifier, I'll have to empty it into an old anti-freeze container for when J need it👍

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Hi Dave,

Have you considered waterless coolant as an option ?

[K2-K6]

If it uses the pink coloured anti-freeze (OAT formulation) or possibly a Honda coloured version of the same, then thats highly resistant to degradation in my experience. 

Worthwhile draining to see whats actually in there as it is now.

That type is usually bought pre mixed, and very effective if no leaks are present. It'll easily complete 15 yrs without much change measured.

Unsure of practicality of using central heating product, thought they were focused on iron/ferrous/copper based materials. Not sure aluminium based is in much use for domestic system. Could be wrong though.

Triumph Stag, one of the issues with that, and running without corrosion inhibitors that are part of anti freeze, was the "silt" building up in fine radiator cores to reduce heat handling capacity.  Using a system cleaner, of whatever type, in this whole system, may run risk of aggressive action on the aluminium base that could do the same.

Is the radiator aluminium based too ?

Lovely bike it is though, another one with fab sound to it.

[K2-K6]

I've looked it up, no they don't use that type anti-freeze OAT mix.

But if its Honda spec in there, still a good chance it's OK, to empty and inspect the contents in assessment of what you've got would be first check.

If its not been diluted with water previously, it lasts fairly well generally.

[magpie114]

What a find, it looks complete and original. I'm jealous! I've been collecting parts for my own (long term) NC30 project for a while.
I think you're right about the speedo being replaced. Looks like a Type 7 1992 Japanese model which would have had the KPH version. Model information here:

https://vsource.org/VFR-RVF_files/Bvfr400r-mi.htm

Personally I'd keep the original colour scheme but I can see why you're considering the RC30 type scheme, its the best looking in my opinion.

Following with interest.

[Johnwebley]

I don't know if you intend riding at night, or with the lights on,

A fairly simple mod that allows the use of UK H4 bulbs of a much greater wattage, with out burning the switch gear out,

All that is needed is a relay,2 special bulb holders, and a bit of soldering

The location is Lh side



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[Laverda Dave]

Thank you all for the wealth of information, these bikes obviously have a special place in the hearts and minds of  the sohc fraternity  .

I'll go visit HGB tomorrow Nigel and check out the anti freeze and I'll also contact Pete Hamber. I think rhevrad is aluminium but I need to check.

Ted, I like the idea of waterless antifreeze as once in it is supposed to last a lifetime, again I'll check compatibility first (and the cost of it!).

Magpie, thank you for that link, I've just read it but will read it again (probably many times). Jury is still out about the paint scheme but originality is king etc but I do like the RC30 colours, a bit of a classic scheme and Tim wants me to paint it parakeet yellow, it's tempting......😁.

Nice tip about the headlight John, is that your bike👍. Are those fancy rad hoses or just direct replacements, I'll probably have to replace mine anyway.

The bike hasn't been run since 2008 so I'll be checking it over properly before hitting the button to see what I have. The PO did look after it though whilst she owned it and I know she bought the best one she could find when she did buy it. She also gave me a Haynes manual and the rear paddock stand. She wanted nothing for it but I couldn't do that and money did change hands but I still have a really nice bike to work on even though I've never heard it run I don't think I'll be disappointed 👍.

Thanks for all your help so far and I'll keep you all posted with progress.
Dave