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Project RVF400 Project - A step in a different direction.

Discussion in 'Other Projects - Other Bikes (non 250's)' started by ZippiT, Jan 30, 2019.

  1. ZippiT

    ZippiT Active Member

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    Hi 2FIFTYCC!

    One of my first big posts here, let me introduce myself. My name is Jack, 20 years old from down under (Australia). I started riding bikes around 2015 firstly on a 2006 VTR250. I later upgraded to the legendary CBR250RR, in which I still own one, but now I have been stung by the RVF bug.

    This project has the aim of bringing something from the 1990s up to more recent times (and I know purists may have an opinion on this). But let's get started.

    This is going to be a long ride.

    The basis of this project was going to be my first RVF, as seen below. The fairings had fracture damage, and overall very flimsy. The mirror stay ended up braking on the way to work. Oh boy.
    XJeaERW.jpg

    So, as usual, new fairings were in order. I bought the brand new TYGA GP-T kit for the RVF, but did not like the single seat life (an extra seat and storage, that I've always loved from the CBR250RR). So I decided to do some reserch, and found the following:
    VFR400 Subframe
    VFR400 Pillion Pegs
    VFR400 Riders Seat
    VFR400 Pillion Seat
    VFR400 1 Key Lock Set
    VFR400 Boot Latch Mechanism

    With this, I bought the TYGA Dual Seat Kit, and converted my once flimsy tail on an RVF, to something more practical for daily road use. A few things to note, the HYOSUNG sticker on the tank was a joke at many of the problems I found with this bike, and I knew by the time I put these fairings on, I'd go futher. So the blinkers were temporary to avoid drilling unnecessary holes.
    81p6Jma.png
    5cpTo0F.jpg

    Later on, I stumbled on another RVF that was for sale with much lower KM then my engine (21,000 vs 55,000) for a great deal ($1200au or £671). It had been passed from learner rider to learner rider, and dropped a few times along the way, but everything under the damaged fairings was immaculate. This is now the basis of the build.
    x20r2hX.jpg

    First up: Strip both bikes (and figure the frames out later)
    19ig99k.jpg
    V6rRuBQ.jpg

    Second: Strip the low KM engine. Time to make this thing roar.
    CA6dUtE.jpg
    iokJzf3.jpg

    Now, I've acquired some goodies from a few friends of mine including:

    Mint VFR400 Gearbox:
    p8Bsqdg.jpg
    2Hts7G7.jpg
    KU32pNh.jpg

    Rick Oliver GSXR Flywheel Conversion Kit (I also have the flywheel and stator on hand):
    XvGO7A7.jpg
    TuoQvVJ.jpg

    Mike Normans 57mm Coswroth 428cc Kit (surprise?):
    TLW9HIu.jpg
    PkQVgEY.jpg

    And the last thing that bring it up to date, freshly ceramic coated in satin black:
    6gNFbxo.png
    m4iGNlj.png
    4lEuva5.jpg
    ucPLAp8.png
    x4b5Qe1.jpg

    Any tips or comments are appreciated. This is my first big undertaking (although I have done a CBR250RR, I have never touched an engine).

    At the moment it will be only part updates, as I'm waiting on some main things before I get to slap it together. Tho something nice to look at icon_e_wink.gif , freshly bored and blasted top case.

    EDIT: bores are now being improved.

    O5Vppqm.jpg
    nWVJE34.png
    Pv4xrqH.png

    More parts! Everyone loves parts! :D

    Translogic Micro Dash
    RVF400 HRC Oil cooler
    CBR600F4i Oil cooler (replaced by above)
    Stubby oil filter HF147
    CBR600RR 2016 Forks
    CBR600RR Tokico calipers

    RnFTZPp.png
    NIxLLvY.jpg
    GwCCfWL.png
    1HmzDmH.png
    KFCpKLx.jpg
    9G2wBk8.jpg
     
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  2. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Wow, a butchered RVF. Never thought I would see that, but like you said it made for a cheap buy. IMHO the standard RVF is one of the best looking bikes ever made.
    RVF400.jpg
     
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  3. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Welcome aboard... that is a pretty impressive first post.. looks like its going to be a bit of a screamer when its finished.. I will have to keep an eye on this one.. while the fairings etc are not to my taste.. I love the mechanicals so its all good :)
     
  4. ZippiT

    ZippiT Active Member

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    And the "butchering" will continue, it's no fun when everyone does the exact same thing ;)

    Going after something different, I can't wait to ride the bloody thing. Though there will be many juicy pics of the bike without fairings, so win win :p
     
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  5. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Hey jack

    Welcome aboard . I sold you the vfr sub frame

    Chris
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2019
  6. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    :welcome:

    Nice project, looking forward to seeing it running at some point.
     
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  7. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    I was talking about the $1200 special being butchered not your project. As for the original version I am just saying that it is hard to improve on. :)
     
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  8. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Totally agree , wish I find one reasonably priced
     
  9. ZippiT

    ZippiT Active Member

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    Cheers gimme moar

    Hopefully it actually runs going to be a hoot

    Oh, fair enough yeah she was avid sad. Very hard to improve on OEM designs, but with what I have;

    Better overall Headlights
    Able to double (over normal TYGA)
    Storage space (over normal TYGA)
    Support for Ventura rack with VFR subframe (RVFs don’t have one)
    Also belly pan which helps

    And styling that will go hand in hand with everything else
     
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  10. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    Did u do the satin black ceramic coating yourself or had it done? ... I like the look of that
     
  11. ZippiT

    ZippiT Active Member

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    Had it done at a shop.

    Coating King Cardiff
     
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  12. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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  13. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Well Jack I tip my hat. You are a brave young Padawan to take on a V4 engine without so much as a by your leave. No doubt you have seen the Force V4 website and are up to speed with all the mods they did. I have been using Cerakote on my bits and pieces but I am just crap when I have a spray gun in my hand.
    [​IMG]

    Cheers
    Blair
     
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    Last edited: Jan 31, 2019
  14. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Looks great Blair ,
    You are much too harsh on yourself
     
  15. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Haha, no I just don't post pics of my failures. When I was painting the MC22 carbs I did one of them 3 times and I am still not happy with it.
     
  16. ZippiT

    ZippiT Active Member

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    Have a few guys giving me tips and what not, Mike Norman for the engine bits, Rick Oliver for rebuild parts, Greame France for spares.
     
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  17. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Welcome - impressive first post and project!
     
  18. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    you should see his MC22, very tidy
     
  19. ZippiT

    ZippiT Active Member

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    Dis one?


    [​IMG]
     
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  20. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Are they NSR forks?
     

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