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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    Well my amazing wife allowed me to get another bike 3 weeks ago...

    Its done 18,000KM & only 500km since 2006...
    Although it had a current MOT - I decided to sort it out first before riding it ¬...

    [​IMG]P1070749 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070751 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    A little work was required !!!

    Carbs full strip & clean

    [​IMG]P1070788 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    Fuel tank - Hydrocloric acid time !!!!

    [​IMG]P1070759 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    sort out all the fluids

    [​IMG]P1070756 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    clean the engine !

    [​IMG]P1070795 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    order some paint..

    [​IMG]P1070849 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    take off bits that need attention... ha, ha, ha

    [​IMG]P1070852 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    fix the headlight, create 2 x new tabs with PLASTEX & fill in hole, then try to sort out the scratched right light.

    [​IMG]P1070851 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070854 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070855 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070861 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070862 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070861 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    [​IMG]P1070867 by Pete Smith, on Flickr

    The scratch was sanded down started at 600 grit W&D, then 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 then Mequiars Plast-RX to bring the shine back - pic to follow..

    The tyres are as you may have guessed are also fairly old - date coded - 2003.. !
     
  2. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Where is my drool bucket ?
    Very nice


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  3. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I hate you Europe and your 400s. Dammit! Stupid Americans with our small penises.
     
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  4. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    Very nice to see such gems in such loving homes! Keep up the good work and also keep riding 'em!

    Rolling on the highway
     
  5. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Thanks for the compliments guys, hopefully this weekend it will get some more lovin ! - if the weathers good..

    I'm trying to decide if the tank is 'recoverable. Its going to get another hydro-cloric acid dunk this weekend & I'll decide then - I was a little rushed on my first attempt & think it needed longer to remove all the rust. I'm just NOT that keen to put it on the bike & then have bits of rust go into the carbs that I freshly reconditioned (& work perfectly).

    I do have another MINT tank in another 'colour' but obviously I'd have to repaint that ¬! - which it's now too cold to do this year - ARGHHHHHH...

    I also removed & repainted the top Triple Tree's, which then meant the next jobs to follow will be to refurb the forks, ck spring length, change oil & then put back together - at least I don't have to repaint them - lol
     
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  6. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    I recently picked up a 1994 RVF Japanese import. Been watching your threads.
     
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  7. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    So you understand why I love these bikes then lol...
     
  8. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    :Cheer2: :Boob1::Cheer2::Clap2::Nod::Peace::Photo::Rockon::Wave: That's TITS !

    obligatory photo next to 15' cactus, please.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  9. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Nice work with the plastex. I tried that stuff with very little if any success. I am sure I was just doing something, or many things wrong because O read of people being very happy with the product.

    I heard or read somewhere that there is an UV protectant coating on headlights. Same with cars and trucks. Even though wet sanding you clear up the lens to look new, you strip that UV protection and the lens tends to cloud over fairly quick after that. I would be very pleased to have someone with personal experience with that to prove me wrong with that though.
     
  10. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I'm not sure that in the uk we even get UV.. LOL. It's raining today.....
    But didn't have a choice - the headlights are $4-600 and also hard to get. If I have to get one then I will but on this occasion it it was worth a try..

    With the Plastex it's VERY, VERY GOOD. But you have to be inventive on the making of the tabs & also be prepared to make it in steps. There is also 'you make a bit & WAIT' then make another bit & wait again.

    I am getting bettter the more I use it and please understand that the plastex video is crap - lol

    You cannot rush the process - to fix the 3 tabs & the back of the light took 20-30 mins for 3 nights & then very careful use of my Dremal to make adjustments - you have to let it set. I also placed captive washers into the holes so that the stress of the mounting isn't on the hole around the bolt but rather the whole mount itself.

    I'm happy to do a pic thread the next time I have to repair my fairings & that may help.
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I would watch it. I think I was just too impatient with my repair. I was double dipping so pension and new career allowed me to just go out and buy the part. But I am totally fixed income now.
     
  12. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    Yes, sanding and polishing is not a permanent fix with modern headlights (acrylic, etc.). In addition to what the sun does, Tthe surface is weaker than it was and gets scratched easier. I assume a clear film on top of the lens might help.

    I once used a dark sun guard film, but that is kind of counter productive :)

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  13. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I checked into covering my OEM windshield a few years ago with a dark tint but was told by the people at the install shop that tint cannot be applied to the plastic windscreen. Has the tint changed now that you can now apply it to plastics? I would really like to apply a light tint to my headlights. A light tint goes a long way aesthetically without really interfering much with the light to transfer though.
     
  14. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    Hi,

    I did it on glass lenses. But they do sell tint films specially made for car headlights and backlights, so I assume those should work. Actually I believe anything that has glue on it, will work.

    I've used clear adhesive film once and it worked fine on acrylic lenses. But it is a PITA to install correctly and could be quite hard to remove once it's scratched and needs a swap.

    Normal sunguard films attach without glue, it's just slightly sticky and when soap is applied, gets more so. Apparently that won't properly stick to plastic surfaces. So I assume you need a film with adhesives on it to apply to plastics.

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  15. DerekinHouston

    DerekinHouston New Member

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    I’ve had success with using vinegar on rust in the tank. It WILL eat corroded aluminum (aluminium?), so remove the petcock etc. to be safe. Perhaps it is a little easier to handle than HCl.


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  16. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I tried using vinegar on my wife's CBR tank. - left it for a week !. I'd suggest that's it's fine for the light stuff but acid just stomps it in both time & success. I'm now happy with the tank after the 2nd attempt and just waiting on a inline filter before it gets installed. I always remove all 'other bits' before putting acid in - you never know how they will react.

    There is something to be said about using the weakest kit first when it comes to doing this.. however having a big gun, sometimes you just have to use it...lol
     
  17. DerekinHouston

    DerekinHouston New Member

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    Agreed. I started with a couple weeks of reverse electrolysis, replacing solution daily, followed by the vinegar. I was most concerned about any spillage on the paint so I went with the least caustic method.

    In the end it was spotless, but living in a humid climate I got some flash oxidation after washing the vinegar out with ethanol. Next time I’ll wash it out with gasoline, then wash with gasoline+ethanol to “soak up” any remaining moisture.

    What is your experience with HCl vs. paint?


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  18. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    It doesn't like it - lol

    So what's I have done is tape up all exposed areas that potentially can get caught by the acid. It doesn't take prisoners...
    On this tank it NEEDS a repaint anyway so was less concerned at this time but the only spillage was under the fuel cap area - cap was removed for the entire process along with tap.
     
  19. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    The VFR/RVF400 is making a comeback.
     
  20. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    so please post up some pix of yours already !
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2018
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