Author Topic: NC30 / VFR400R (Read 4636 times)

jas67 · « **on:** June 27, 2013, 08:00:49 am »

I just picked up this NC30 on Saturday. I drove all day to get it. The seller was kind enough to make a 3 hour round drip to shorten my round trip drive from 13 hours to 10.

For those not familiar with this model, they were never officially imported to the US. They were sold mostly in Japan, and some limited numbers of them were sold in the UK and other European countries. Titled examples are very rare in the US. The NC30 is the "baby brother or sister" to the rare/expensive RC30 VFR750R. Some of them even had the same red/white/blue color and graphics of the RC30.

It is wonderful to ride, so light and flickable. Yes, for what I paid for it, I could pick up any number of more modern, more capable 600cc sport bikes, I just love the V4's character. I also don't need the performance of a 600. The little 400cc V4 is more capable than you'd think for such a small engine. I do need to get a different muffler though. The stock Honda exhaust is typical Honda -- way too quiet.

Loaded up to bring it home:

toytuff · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2013, 08:08:17 am »

That is sweet! Never saw one myself.

Gotta be a blast to ride.

tt

davidtime · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2013, 08:24:15 am »

Sweet ride. Looks new it's so clean.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2013, 08:57:37 am »

Imagine everyone you passed or passed you who saw it and didn't realize what they were seeing was so rare.
Gorgeous bike.

jas67 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2013, 09:32:48 am »

Thanks for the complements. It does have a few scrapes here and there, which I'll need to deal with, but overall, looks good.

One of the things that attracted me to it was its rarity. The last time I took my CB400F to a biker breakfast, there was another one there

. I can't have that

I'm taking this to the next one. There was an RC30 there last time, if it is there, I'll park near it.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2013, 02:54:34 pm »

Very nice jas, here's a link to a pic of my UK model in RC30 livery.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=963&q=sam+green+vfr400&oq=sam+green+vfr400&gs_l=img.3...2829.13790.0.15412.16.11.0.5.0.0.122.1029.10j1.11.0...0.0.0..1ac.1.17.img.itGJRpxny8k#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=kzUgb6_LOqAnMM%3A%3BcjF4PJtdCy6bfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi1012.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Faf247%252Fbenlyben1%252Fimg038.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.fourwheelforum.com%252Fshowthread.php%253Ft%253D977%3B1023%3B591

Sam.

kghost · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2013, 02:59:56 pm »

Cool score. There's a few here in Australia.

Greggo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2013, 03:14:08 pm »

So very jealous. Well worth that drive for such a sweet little Honda. Congrats!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2013, 04:04:43 pm »

Quote from: kghost on June 27, 2013, 02:59:56 pm

Cool score. There's a few here in Australia.

You spelled Argentina wrong, WTF you doing in Aus?

Sam.

jas67 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2013, 04:08:36 pm »

Quote from: Sam Green Racing on June 27, 2013, 02:54:34 pm

Very nice jas, here's a link to a pic of my UK model in RC30 livery.

Sam.

Sam -- very nice! I like the airplane too. I used to fly as well, but can't afford both (flying and motorcycles).
The RC30 livery would've been my choice, given a choice, but these are so rare in the US, you get what you can.

A good friend of mine is negotiating a deal on an NC35, which is even rarer.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2013, 04:30:57 pm »

It was a squeeze getting it in, we had to take the door and passenger seat off the Cessna and the wheels off the VFR.

couldn't afford a van or trailer.

Sam.

kghost · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2013, 04:49:50 am »

Quote from: Sam Green Racing on June 27, 2013, 04:04:43 pm

Quote from: kghost on June 27, 2013, 02:59:56 pm
Cool score. There's a few here in Australia.

You spelled Argentina wrong, WTF you doing in Aus?

Sam.

Haven't been to Argentina since 1979......

Least I can fit motorcycles in the airplanes I fly.

Have hauled three across the country.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2013, 11:15:17 am »

VERY NICE little VFR400 !

I had an 86' VFR750F 1st Gen. model & would like to still have it.I still have the High Performance Engine/trans. unit w/ only 600 miles on it in a crate.I've been looking to find a set of Original HRC carbs(like was sold to the privateer racers back in the day as part of the racing kit) & meet someone who will build a custom V4 exhaust.I REALLY miss that bike

.
What RPM's does your powerband live on that sweet little engine ??

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2013, 11:28:15 am »

FREAKIN AWSOME! These are my favorite old school racers, post some more pics when you can!

....Tyler from Baltimore

jas67 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2013, 08:48:18 pm »

Quote from: 2strokeTRush on July 01, 2013, 11:28:15 am

FREAKIN AWSOME! These are my favorite old school racers, post some more pics when you can!

....Tyler from Baltimore

I'm planning on riding it on Sunday, I'll try to take some pics while I'm out. Maybe, I'll even finally try out he Hero 2 camera and get some video.

toytuff · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2013, 04:21:01 am »

Is this bike in the same family as yours or different.

tt

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3928122546.html

Greggo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:36:49 am »

Quote from: toytuff on July 11, 2013, 04:21:01 am

Is this bike in the same family as yours or different.

tt

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3928122546.html

That one is nice tt!! Thinking of picking it up? I bet it's a blast to ride

toytuff · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2013, 06:32:10 am »

Quote from: Greggo on July 11, 2013, 05:36:49 am

Quote from: toytuff on July 11, 2013, 04:21:01 am
Is this bike in the same family as yours or different.

tt

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3928122546.html

That one is nice tt!! Thinking of picking it up? I bet it's a blast to ride

Comes with a parts bike also. No nothing about them.

tt

toytuff · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2013, 06:53:00 am »

E-mail sent. Let's see what we have here. Asking $4550 for both.

Looks like it might be a 87 model titled as 88. Still researching. Single sided swing arm in 88.

tt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VFR400

tortelvis · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:02:08 am »

Gorgeous bike, but I gotta say I tried one out in the UK and it was like riding a 2 stroke. Let the revs fall a bit and you had to drop down 3 gears to get it back on the boil. I guess i had been spoiled by big bike torque.

toytuff · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:06:23 am »

Quote from: tortelvis on July 11, 2013, 07:02:08 am

Gorgeous bike, but I gotta say I tried one out in the UK and it was like riding a 2 stroke. Let the revs fall a bit and you had to drop down 3 gears to get it back on the boil. I guess i had been spoiled by big bike torque.

Interesting read on this model. They were almost as much as a liter bike.

Can't help to think it would be a good score around 4K. He offers help with shipping also. I have NO idea what they are worth, what they sell for. Seems to have had reliability issues back in the day.

tt

Tews19 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:15:37 am »

Not sure if I googled it correctly but god this bike sounds like a blast!

toytuff · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:43:21 am »

Appears to be a fair price given the work he has done on the titled bike. Plate it/ride it. A 90% parts bike is a huge plus. I would think it's an open market as far as pricing

Was suprised to even see one listed. Might already be sold.

tt

jas67 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:40:49 am »

Quote from: toytuff on July 11, 2013, 04:21:01 am

Is this bike in the same family as yours or different.

tt

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3928122546.html

This is an earlier iteration of it (earliest, in fact). It also has to be a 1986, not an 1988, as the '87 and '88 bikes are the NC24, which has a single sided swing arm.

Aside from the obviously differently styled body work (and single, rectangular headlight), the NC21 has a hydraulic clutch (I dunno why they went to a cable clutch on the later bikes), conventional (not single sided) swing arm, 16" front wheel (NC30 has a 17" front wheel. I think that the NC24 has a 17" front wheel as well). All three (NC21/NC24/NC30) have an 18" rear wheel. The RVF400R (NC35) that followed had 17" front and rear wheels.

This is a good buy, esp. considering the parts bike. If it was local to me, I'd have already bought it.

jas67 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:45:28 am »

Some pics from Sunday's ride, as promised.

toytuff · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:57:17 pm »

Now in contact with seller. Sounds motivated. Sent several large pictures so I had to upload them. Will deliver for $200. Cheap! Would cost me more to drive 500 miles round trip in gas and food.

OK, we know it's a 1986 titled as 1988. Concerned it's two different bikes. Need to find VIN numbers on this model.

Pic without lower fairing.

Exhaust is on right side. Yours is left side.

Chain guard?

Hydraulic clutch..check.

Fairing close up. Says there was plastic repair when he bought it on the inside. He repainted bike.

And PO chrome plated some parts. Looks like the rearsets to me.

Front wheel.

Thoughts?

tt

grcamna2 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2013, 02:09:09 pm »

That's nice tt;it reminds me of my 86' VFR750F which I went "full boat" on to the tune of $8500+ total investment,but I loved every minute of it

! You might want to google many images of the 86' model & compare w/ this bike so you can discern if it has all the original parts,etc.
Is the price with-in the range where you can enjoy the purchase ?

Tews19 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2013, 02:10:25 pm »

Jas would you do me a huge favor? I see the swing arm look very nice. Mono shock by the looks of it.... I am wondering if it would be possible for you to measure it? Could be a nice set up if I go with a mono shock

toytuff · « **Reply #28 on:** July 11, 2013, 03:56:05 pm »

I have been looking at the pictures magnified since the files were rather large. Here is what I can see.

Rear sprocket badly worn.
Rear rotor really worn. (see pic above)
Front rotors about the same.
Exhaust is probably aftermarket.
Rust around the chromed rearsets, rear footpeg brackets.
Cloudy windscreen.
Missing chain guard.
Repainted.

I'll give him a call after supper and discuss the items listed above. Take it from there.

tt

toytuff · « **Reply #29 on:** July 11, 2013, 04:24:05 pm »

OK, all questions answered satisfactorily. Everything is good.

Possible buyer on Saturday. If not he will call me. Right now he said $4550 delivered to my door.

Will see.

Thanks all.

tt

jas67 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 11, 2013, 05:15:18 pm »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 11, 2013, 02:10:25 pm

Jas would you do me a huge favor? I see the swing arm look very nice. Mono shock by the looks of it.... I am wondering if it would be possible for you to measure it? Could be a nice set up if I go with a mono shock

What part of the swing arm do you want me to measure? The NC30 swing arm and frame are completely different than the NC21. Are you thinking of swapping to a single sided swing arm? The NC21 is already a monoshock (but conventional two sided swing arm).

A good place to ask what parts interchange between the various versions of the VFR400R would be http://www.400greybike.com/forum/. If it can be done, it is possible someone has already tried it. Also try: http://vfrworld.com/forums/content.php.

Quote from: toytuff on July 11, 2013, 03:56:05 pm

I have been looking at the pictures magnified since the files were rather large. Here is what I can see.

Rear sprocket badly worn.
Rear rotor really worn. (see pic above)
Front rotors about the same.
Exhaust is probably aftermarket.
Rust around the chromed rearsets, rear footpeg brackets.
Cloudy windscreen.
Missing chain guard.
Repainted.

I'll give him a call after supper and discuss the items listed above. Take it from there.

tt

As you know, just like with the SOHC4's, all this stuff adds up in a hurry. Since these were sold in the UK, you can get parts from http://www.cmsnl.com/ or david silver spare's UK site. I'd check prices there.

My bike is far from perfect, and has various scrapes on the body work from having been dropped on both sides. The windshield is also cracked. I paid $5k for it. A perfect one can be $8-$10k, with nicer ones somewhere around $6,500-$7,000. I would assume that the NC21 is likely in the same price range. These bikes are, as you know, very rare, especially with titles in this country. Prices reflect that.

As far as the repaint -- that in and of itself isn't a bad thing if it was well done, and in the correct colors. If the color scheme is different, that might detract a little, but if well done, and you're more concerned with having a nice rider than with collectable resale, then it is not a bad thing.

In my experience, sport bike brake rotors are not cheap, and neither are sprockets -- again, check price.

Quote from: toytuff on July 11, 2013, 04:24:05 pm

OK, all questions answered satisfactorily. Everything is good.

Possible buyer on Saturday. If not he will call me. Right now he said $4550 delivered to my door.

Will see.

Thanks all.

tt

Sounds great -- please keep us posted.

Tews19 · « **Reply #31 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:37:42 pm »

No single sided swing arm. The one that is on the bike above.....

grcamna2 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 12, 2013, 11:47:34 am »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 11, 2013, 02:10:25 pm

Jas would you do me a huge favor? I see the swing arm look very nice. Mono shock by the looks of it.... I am wondering if it would be possible for you to measure it? Could be a nice set up if I go with a mono shock

Tews,
Which bike do think you'd swap that monoshock into ?
I know there are lots of VFR700 & VFR750's in salvage yards that'd be cheaper for you than a VFR400 piece...

jas67 · « **Reply #33 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:36:57 pm »

Quote from: grcamna2 on July 12, 2013, 11:47:34 am

Quote from: Tews19 on July 11, 2013, 02:10:25 pm
Jas would you do me a huge favor? I see the swing arm look very nice. Mono shock by the looks of it.... I am wondering if it would be possible for you to measure it? Could be a nice set up if I go with a mono shock

Tews,
Which bike do think you'd swap that monoshock into ?
I know there are lots of VFR700 & VFR750's in salvage yards that'd be cheaper for you than a VFR400 piece...

You guys keep saying monoshock. The NC21 HAS a mono shock suspension. Do you mean you want to change to single sided swing arm? If so, I've read that the NC24 setup is a bolt on upgrade (you, of course have to swap other components as well). See http://www.400greybike.com/forum for details.

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #34 on:** July 18, 2013, 08:03:57 pm »

Quote from: jas67 on July 11, 2013, 09:45:28 am

Some pics from Sunday's ride, as promised.

AAHHH looks so good! keep them coming!

News:

Author Topic: NC30 / VFR400R (Read 4636 times)