1994 RVF400R Build Project

Coming from you, that means a lot, Cap. Thank You!

 

Sure looks like you can cut the sensor wires and hook them back together...



Fluids are all topped off, everything is torqued up and checked. As per Mike Norman's break in procedure, cranked the engine on the starter until the oil light went off. Just need to put the tank and the seat on it and haul it over to ESP. Side note, the tach LED's are blue, and the speedo and analog temp gauge are red

 

I never expected to get it done, but hey, one less thing to think about. Got everything wrapped up to where I could take it to the tuner.



Got her all loaded up and strapped down, off we went to visit Evan and Phil at Evan Steel Performance.



Spent about an hour and a half shooting the shit with the boys, went over Mike Norman's break in procedures, discussed the plan of attack and just picked Evan's brain. The break in and tuning is a multi step process and will take about a month to get completed. She is in very capable hands now, so I'm interested to see what the guys can extract from it. They also have MotoAmerica certified scales and I will be able to get a very accurate reading of how much the thing weighs now. They are also going to set the suspension sag when I go back to pick it up. It's been quite the journey, but I'm about to see the end. Hoping it's a happy ending

 

Curious... Do you go and pull the carbs for them if jetting changes are needed?

 

Don't need to. It's super easy on this engine. These guys are serious pro's, anyway. Evan is a former factory WSBK crew chief and current MotoAmerica crew chief and Ohlins factory suspension tech. I wouldn't trust this to just anybody, Phil and Evan are the guys. Excellent pedigree.

http://evansteelperformance.com/

 

Chatted with Phil a bit yesterday. Even though I told him just to do it, he confirmed that they had ordered a couple sets of larger original Keihin mains and pilot jets.

They have also picked up a few filters and some HP4 oil from our buddy Cass at Musselman's Honda. Evan swears by getting it started and getting the heat cycles done and then immediately changing the oil and filter, then doing the initial tuning and changing it again. They are going to follow Mike Norman's supplied break in procedure to the letter....just in case. Once the baseline jetting is done, they are going to load up the HRC ignition map into the Ignitech CDI and then see what kind of HP numbers the engine puts out on a fully tweaked tune. Once that process is completed, the oil will be changed a final time to make it 100% ready.

Precision Coatings called me Friday and told me the powdercoating was done, so I went and picked up those two pieces, it's the new Tyga upper cowl support and the OEM chain guide mount. I had them PC'd white. Went Friday and picked up a variable speed Dremel, some grinding bits, and some clear nail polish to clearance the chain guard when it comes time to put all the bodywork on. For the tuning, the rear brake line is just zip tied to the exhaust mount to keep it safely away from the chain.

I also have a Tyga carbon reproduction HRC NSR500V brake hose holder, but I'm going to go with the chain guard first.....less mess. If I end up not liking the chain guard, I'll mount the NSR piece to the swingarm.

http://tyga-performance.com/product_info.php?cPath=72_1036_84_161&products_id=5086

I'm back to work again, so maybe in a month, or so, I can have it all dressed and road ready. Barring any unforeseen issues.

 

Do you mount the Dremel and move the guard or hand hold the Dremel?

 

Thats a really good question - not sure if there is a best way... both have plus's.. I suspect I would mount the guard in a vice, tape the line and free hold it.

 

Each to their own preference.

I am dangerous with a dremel so I hate cutting things in situ. Cutting the reservoir lugs to install Helibars was real stress.

So given the option I would test mount the part, and mark the required cut line onto a strip of masking tape. Then remove the part from the bike and slowly do any cutting with the part securely fixed on the bench/vice.

 

so just how i mentioned above ! lol

 

The trick is to remove as little material as possible, so it is a process of mark, remove a little, test fit, repeat. Use the correct bit and only remove as little as needed. It will be relatively simple to soft clamp the part and do it freehand. The clear nail polish just restores the gloss where the material is removed.

 

Got a call today....the RVF is running. Actually got to hear it over the phone. After two years, I almost shed a tear...well, almost, ROFL.

Phil at ESP told me it sounds "pretty cool". He said it started right up without any issues. The break in procedure is pretty extensive, so they are following Mike Norman's directions to the letter and Phil is hoping to have it on the dyno for tuning this week. I'm going to be back in Tucson Friday morning, so I'll be able to swing by and see it in person. Needless to say, I'm fairly stoked.

 

Hell yes. Congrats.

 

Thanks! Hoping to see it on the dyno Friday, but not sure what their schedule is. I know they are getting a few MotoAmerica guys ready for laguna next weekend.

 

Fantastic news....I hope it goes well in tuning!

 

I'm hoping to see it on the dyno Friday. If it's already done, I'm very interested to see the charts. Either way, there is a little bit of road left to travel. It's on the stock ignition map right now and the HRC map needs to be loaded, tested, and possibly tweaked. I'm also pretty sure it's going to need a jump on the mains. The guys are just taking it nice and slow on the initial heat cycles, the break in procedure is pretty extensive, timewise. One thing I do know, these folks know what's up and will get it dialed perfectly.

 

Thats fantastic news.. So do you get it back on Friday? lol..

 

I wouldn't think so, but who knows. I had them order a whole series of pilots, mains, and needles for it., so those are on hand. Just a matter of time now. I know they are pretty busy getting prepped for Laguna the 9-11 of July.

 

Fantastic! You have been so patient. At least now the project is moving forward again. Keep us posted, we are still interested. Maybe a video of it on the Dino?

 

If the timing works, maybe. I don't know what their schedule is for dyno time. I'll be there tomorrow talking to the boys.