VF400F Revival

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by ShaunVF400, Apr 20, 2021.

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  1. ShaunVF400

    ShaunVF400 New Member

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    Hi All, greetings from the UK.

    Long time reader, first time writer.

    Currently deep in reviving a Honda VF400F that has been off the road since 1998. My dad purchased the bike new in 1983 and it was used regularly up until it was taken off the road.
    I have a lot of memories of the bike as a kid, mum holding me as pillion while my dad slowly rides to the end of the drive before work etc, cleaning it with my dad, so there is a bit of an attachment.
    Since then it has sat in his garage and shed, at one point around 2005 we began stripping the bike to start a restoration with a view to sell it but that project got put on hold.

    I picked the bike up from him on new years eve and transported back to mine. After about six weeks i had done the following:
    Flushed the coolant and replaced
    Drained the oil and replaced, new oil filter
    Stripped and rebuilt the carbs
    Temporary fuel supply (tank needs sorting before i can use it)
    New spark plugs

    After a little hesitation, the bike came to life, albeit only running on three cylinders. I am now in the realms of valve lapping due to poor compression on cylinder 1, and as a result will require head gaskets (i don't suppose anyone knows a source for these, in talks with a few suppliers).

    Hopefully i will have semi-regular updates for you guys if anyone is interested, i will attach some pictures when i have sorted out somewhere to host them.
     
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  2. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    Welcome ShaunVF400.
    It will be great to follow your progress.
    It is easy to post a photo. All you need to do is click on the "Upload a File" button at the bottom of the input field then choose the photo from your laptop or phone.
     
  3. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Totally interested, post away. I'll be looking for your updates.
     
  4. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Welcome! Absolutely will be interested! Subscribed already.
     
  5. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    :worthless:

    sorry, I've always wanted to use this. Excited to watch this thread progress!
     
  6. ShaunVF400

    ShaunVF400 New Member

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    Thanks everyone for the welcome, glad there is interest still in the 400. I was waiting for the obligatory :worthless:

    Without further delay, this is the bike after i got it back to mine:
    IMG_20210101_115741_041.jpg

    IMG_20210101_115753_783.jpg

    IMG_20210101_115831_184.jpg

    IMG_20210101_115843_966.jpg

    I'll get some more pictures up as soon as i can.
     
  7. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Cool man. Looking forward to seeing the progress.
     
  8. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    But I must say... I'm glad the early VTR250 were the only bikes that came to the US with inboard discs.
     
  9. Hellapet

    Hellapet New Member

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    I was going to ask what those were. I can't imagine what the advantage is besides maybe dust control? Anyway, I look forward to seeing this bike come to life.
     
  10. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Honda sometimes does that. Answers a question nobody asked. They can be a bitch to get apart and together for servicing, it is nearly impossible not to scratch the white paint on a VTR250 front wheel.

    If properly set-up, they work just fine. But just like Linked Brakes, I don't fucking want them on any of my Hondas.
     
  11. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Please don't get me wrong. I think the 400 is a lovely little bike. I was just venting a bit.

    Cheers!
     
  12. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Nice one...Another bike we did not see in the states. Looking forward to see the progress!
     
  13. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    complicated but the inboard disc works great. cast iron ventilated floating rotor makes it nearly fade-proof, but it does take 3 hands to mount the wheel back on the bike after a tire change or brake service.

    Picture1-12-2020 120.jpg
     
  14. ShaunVF400

    ShaunVF400 New Member

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    Glad this thread has sparked some interest and healthy debate, i was concerned after reading all the negative comments online regarding inboard discs, they look pretty cool in my opinion but agree they look a pain to service (far down the list of jobs to tackle).

    Trying to keep updates fairly regular, with a full time job and young family it can be days/weeks between working on it. Today i'll post up what i did with the carbs, my first real time stripping and rebuilding carbs (go big or go home, a theme with this bike it seems).

    As they were, removed from the bike:
    IMG_20210103_115838_685.jpg

    IMG_20210108_145824_418.jpg

    The worst out of the four bowls:
    IMG_20210103_115849_796.jpg

    First carb rebuilt:
    IMG_20210126_045338_851.jpg

    Last carb after cleaning:
    IMG_20210201_160943_091.jpg

    Ready for assembly:
    IMG_20210201_161401_618.jpg


    IMG_20210201_161044_107.jpg

    IMG_20210201_162323_224.jpg

    The finished article:
    IMG_20210203_192136_984.jpg

    IMG_20210203_192147_832.jpg
     
  15. ShaunVF400

    ShaunVF400 New Member

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    And a few more pictures of the finished article:
    IMG_20210203_192219_835.jpg

    IMG_20210203_192241_203.jpg

    IMG_20210203_192316_307.jpg

    I know they are not perfect, but pretty much as good as i could get cleaning by hand with carb cleaner and a toothbrush. As far as i can tell they function as they should now. All o-rings were replaced during rebuild.
     
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  16. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    great job - Its very satisfying rebuilding them - especially once done - lol
     
  17. Hellapet

    Hellapet New Member

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    Wow, they look awesome. You did a great job getting them clean. Lots of good info here on bench syncing them too, check out Colddevil's thread about rebuilding his yellow vf500 for some tips.
     
  18. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Nice work! Yeah, read up on a bench synch if unfamiliar.
     
  19. sixdog

    sixdog Member

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    Very nice!
     
  20. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Fantastic job! Those carbs are not easy to get back together after separating. Go big or go home indeed!
     
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