RVF400 - NC35 White

Discussion in '3rd & 4th Generation 1990-1997' started by Diving Pete, Oct 1, 2018.

  1. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    So as I didn't have any 'spare' fuel to put in the tank - Guess what happened - the moisture of cleaning it made it a 'bit rusty' again - ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....

    However, as I have plenty of fuel now (& also ACID - LOL) today was pleasant enough to redo it.. This time after washing the acid with 2 lots of water & Bicarbonate of soda to neutralise it then air drying it - from the compressor, I put in some Eastwood Metal Prep for 30mins.
    Then emptied that & filled it with fuel - IT LOOKS PERFECT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Now put into the technical notes - GET the fuel before starting this process..
     
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  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    So I'm aware that this thread looks like it stalled - LOL....
    It did a little.. partly due to too many bikes....
    However some work has been going on in the background. Basically, un-used bikes require everything to to taken apart..
    The carbs have been PAINFUL but onto some pics..

    So repair the leaky Fuel Tap = buy the kit..

    [​IMG]Fuel Tap exploded by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Then put it together

    [​IMG]Fuel Tap by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Showing its age - rear rocker cover with very clean V

    [​IMG]P1080211 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Very Clean internals

    [​IMG]Carbs apart by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Float testing

    [​IMG]Float Testing by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Clean Carbs

    [​IMG]P1080346 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Engine looking in good state

    [​IMG]Rear Head by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Old 'unloved' rear rocker cover

    [​IMG]Rear Rocker Cover by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    After the rocker covers have been painted & reinstalled

    [​IMG]P1080356 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Carbs installed - really easy - tiny bit of lube on new intake rubbers

    [​IMG]P1080361 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Currently resting in the garage until next weekend when I synch the carbs.

    [​IMG]P1080362 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    & something I did yesterday - rebuilt the front brake callipers.

    [​IMG]Rebuilt Brakes by Pete Smith, on Flickr
     
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  3. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Likin' it! Making some great progress. Looking really good there, Mr. Pete.
     
  4. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    So still have a 'few jobs' to do..

    Fork forks need to be stripped & overhauled - they are in very good condition, seals work fine, no real marks or damage BUT the fluid is at least 13 years old so a strip down is advised & I like to have the peace of mind especially as I lean on the front end - lol

    The rear end I haven't touched yet - waiting on NORCAL to tell me how great the eccentric Hub from Rick is - ha, ha, ha...

    But I know the rear brake is going to cause me issues...
     
  5. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Hey, if ya happen to come across a minty right OEM mirror in your travels and searches, drop me a note...have access to brand new left, but no right. I'm going reproduction, but it would be nice to have them original, if possible. was also contemplating what it wolud take to mill adapter mounts and going with different mirrors, Rizoma, etc., but I have enough going on right now and it's time to finish what I've started.

    As far as the hub, awesome piece, but as shown in my thread, might take some massaging to get it perfect. Mr. Rob is on the case, but I don't have an idea on estimated completion....you can't rush quality and I know he moves as fast as he can for me. Hopefully, I will have a solid answer and some good news shortly.
     
  6. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I'll take a look..

    Looking forward to it !!
     
  7. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Nice bit of progress. Good job! What did you shoot the valve cover with?
     
  8. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Thanks - Like all these bikes its a work in progress... lol
    The covers were cleaned & degreased.
    then a light rub with 400grit,
    then another rub with micro cloth & thinners,
    then painted with Hammerite Smooth Silver - light coat, wait 5 mins, heavy coat, wait 10mins, heavy coat, wait 10 mins then baked in the oven 25mins @ 40 C - the wife was out !! ha ha ha

    The oven made all the difference !
     
  9. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Thanks. I like the finish, might have to find some and experiment.
     
  10. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    I like the idea of baking it, good to do when the little missus is out. Beautiful write up along with pictures, total bike porn, 4 thumbs up, toes, thumbs etc. :rockband:
     
  11. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    So there has been some movement on this..

    The rear brakes were totally stripped & reconditioned, followed by a general clean & tidy of the rear.
    As it was a nice day yesterday I decided to synch the carbs.
    This would only be the 2nd time I have run it - 1st was abandoned due to fuel coming out of the overflows in the carbs..
    Well the bike started easily, got up to temp easily & then started to just leak a little (drops) - arghh.
    With some throttling of the fuel input (not quite wide open) it didn't leak so was able to synch the carbs fairly quickly. They are not perfect but close.

    P1080497.JPG
    The carbs will now be pulled & floats replaced - I think its only leaking from one & I have them so I'll just switch them all out...
     
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  12. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Thanks, Pete. That pic answered a few of the questions I have had floating around in my head. Ordered the 90* screwin'driver thing-a-ma-jig last night. Pit Posse version. Sorry to hear you had a little weep.
     
  13. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    I got the same carburetor tool, Love it!!! Beautiful paint scheme, You know I had a leak on one of my Gen3 bikes, it turned out it was perished o-rings on my fuel tubes, upon disassembly the old o-rings looked like hard flattened donuts. I replaced them with custom welded fuel rails with new o-rings and a happy ending to the story. Good wrenching
     
  14. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    its definitely coming from the over flows - so it can only be the floats needles - they have been ultrasonic cleaned at least twice now but are still failing - lol. You can't win them all.
    I have had this tool about 2 years & not used it - forgot I had it …
    But can safely say its the first time I have balanced carbs & NOT burnt the back of my hands, the tool with the correct head made it easy.
     
  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Are the float needles Viton tipped?
     
  16. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Yep - but the bike pretty much hasn't moved for 13 years & I think they are originals ! - Bike has 18527 km - 11,512 miles..
    The non-removable seats were polished with half an ear bud stuck in a Dremal with some autosol metal polish. This worked out very well...
     
  17. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I spin the Viton tips in my fingertips in a rag with a little lacquer thinner and polish the seats with a q-tip. It takes the residue off and gets down to "fresh" rubber. I have never replaced float valves.
     
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  18. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    That's really interesting to know - have 20 litres of lacquer here & the seats are already done. I'll give it a try.
     
  19. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    I had a similar situation with a leaking float bowl on the front cylinder, they were over-hauled 5 years ago, I pulled the carburetors and replaced above mentioned parts with OEM, rode bike for a month, maybe less. One
    I use K&L bowl gaskets sometimes as you have to buy a specific kit with other ancillary stuff to get them. I did end up using the other stuff though when I did the fuel rail. I had a leak that ended up fouling out a cylinder with gas, the only thing I could come up with was when the bike was on the side stand somehow that cylinder did'nt have gas in it. Anyway, upon taking them apart for the fuel rail, the needle/seats looked perfect. No crap in my gas tank, I did drain it though. De-racked carbs etc, everything went back together well and no issues. I have three 90 degree carb tools and only one of them works on my Interceptors, funny thing is I got it from Triumph. Anyway, good right ups and there is a wealth of knowledge out here from people that went through things the hard way and are not afraid to shed light on better ways. Peace - Oh no more gasoline stink either.
     
  20. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Last night I replaced the float valves, & then reset the float height. The old set I will keep as a spare emergency set - after following Captain 80's advice & the carbs are now back together & on the bike.
    Still a synch to finish but almost there.

    P1080621.JPG

    The front brakes have also been swapped out with the rebuilt set & lines switched for Hel items - Thanks Norcal..

    P1080581.JPG

    Still have to strip the forks but I'm impatient to get it of the road...lol
     
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