1994 RVF400R Build Project

I'm afraid I'm wearing it out, I've crammed 10 years of standard maintenance removals and installs into the last week.

 

I've the luck and pleasure to be around and see many 2 and 4 wheeled race and exotic vehicles. This is one of the best examples I've seen.

Very nice work!

 

Really appreciate your nice comments, Mr. Doug. These things seem to take on a life of their own, sometimes they behave, sometimes they need a little counseling, lol. I'm cautiously optimistic that I have worked out all the bugs. I would like to have a slightly longer shift lever, might have one cnc'd from carbon to fit the rear sets. But that is just splitting hairs. So far, I've been pleasantly surprised that everything just seems to work and has the right feel to it. The bike just seems to work good, right out of the box. Other than the fluid leaks, I don't have any complaints or annoyances that need to be addressed. I'm looking forward to getting it on the dyno and getting it tuned. It's a keeper.

 

How do the brakes feel?

 

The brakes are very good. Good feel and zero pad hang after release. Actually had somebody comment on them this morning at ESP...."that's how a brake lever is supposed to feel" were the exact words.

I took it out for well over an hour this morning and tried to get it hot. 85*+, intentionally rode in stop and go traffic, sitting at stop lights, etc, temp stays rock solid, fan didn't even come on. Not even a weep, cap never lifted to vent. Just like it should be. I will add the 1.6 bar cap to it when it gets here, but other than that, it's fixed.

The more consistent temp has the added side benefit that the bike runs a lot smoother, idles perfectly, no hiccups. The guys who are going to be running it on the dyno said that it sounded excellent. I would have to agree. We'll see what the dyno sensors say next week, but for right now, I'm not touching it. I can't get it any better than it is with the tools I have at my disposal.

 

Let's see some shots of it outside!

 

Um, OK, I'll see what I can do. My sis is going to take some nice pics of it with her wizz bang camera setup. Tyga would like me to do something for their website as well.

 

i can, but i'm sorry ! no disrespect intended.

i love this build and learned alot about materials and methods and the drive for perfection. however, the rear brake line belongs inside the swinger, no matter what the complications later.

 

I'll do that when I do the stretched swingarm mod with 200 series tire.

 

Hey NCB. Please excuse my ignorance. How does excelleration compare to the VFR800?
I know it is a 400 but it is also a bunch lighter, especially with all the ti parts you used.
Myself getting older, having a lighter bike with all the performance is appealing.

 

There is no comparison on acceleration, the 800 has a substantial advantage across the entire range. The 400 doesn't really start churning until it hits about 7k rpm. They are two completely different animals. You have to ride the 400 like a two stroke.

 

Thanks for the comparison. Maybe it is a little more like my wife’s VF500. Also a lot of fun to ride.

 

Updates to come, suffered a little issue with the engine on it's first real outing today. That issue has yet to be determined, but it certainly doesn't sound good. Just another challenge to be taken on, addressed, and tackled. If it requires serious surgery, it's going to get the best I can throw at it. For now, I will meet up with the brain trust next week, get some second opinions on why it is, why it it might be, and start making some decisions on direction. It won't be quick...but it should be decent. I have turned on the bat light for my secret weapon from the Bay Area....waiting to see if he responds.

 

Aw, MAN! It sounds like we are going the wrong way on the "hic-up" meter. Those hurdles are growing taller.

I hope the trend turns 180* for you.

 

It's not that bad at all...yet. I'm just trying to be as transparent as possible, it would be really irresponsible to give everybody the false impression everything is always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, things just don't go as you expect, you just have to keep plugging. If you're gonna get in the ring, you have to be prepared to go the full 10 rounds.

 

oh crap it still must a major pain in the arse for you, hopefully it may turn out not too bad

 

It runs fine, but the oil light was flickering at idle a couple times during the ride. It also seems like the engine is "noisier" than it should be, again, just need to verify. The pressure sensor is new OEM, just needing to verify that the sensor is good, the pressure relief valve is good, and that the oil pump pressure is what it should be. It's difficult to determine, as the available data for the oil pressure isn't at idle, it's provided at 5k rpm, 71 - 85 psi. Just being careful.

My fab guy wants to cnc machine an adapter that mounts between the oil filter and the engine that has a port in it for a pressure gauge, like the Honda part. Honda sells one, but it's $100. Then again, what's an engine worth?

 

Love this pic - great job..

 

Lovely. Good job man.

Also for what it's worth, I have 4 86 VFR's and friend's with 3 more. They all make different levels and types of noises for some reason. So sounds "noisier" is very relative and subjective. My "RC26" project is by far the "noisiest" of them all and everything looked perfect when adjusting valves and it runs ridiculously great.