I’m an RVF Owner. This is my Story (Warning – LONG)

[Pete Diggs]

Hello All,

I’ve been a member of these boards for a few years and just began posting recently.

I’d like to introduce myself, and my bike.

I’ve owned my NC35 since July 2001. Yes. 11 years, and I’ve barely ridden it. Here’s why…

Back in 2001, the days of the glorious GP 2 Strokes, I was a young pup (19 years old) and living up my freshman year at the University of Florida. For a year I was aching for a road bike after I laid my eyes on the R1 and R6 for the first time. However knowing me, my style wouldn’t be to have any ordinary bike. I wanted something different but also user friendly, especially for a newbie such as myself. The Ninja 250 and the 650 didn’t appeal to my tastes. I needed a beautiful bike (probably because of the Italian in me). The R6 was too extreme for my ability, even though it was the bike I desired at the time. As I researched the net I stumbled upon that there were these 400cc 4-Stroke Sportbikes around, and I knew exactly they would be perfect for me. It seemed the consensus was that the NC35 was the Holy Grail of the 400cc class, but almost any would do. I came close to buying an NC24 (thank God I didn’t) and a ZXR 400. One day while browsing Cycle Trader, I found it…there was an NC35 for sale of all places in Miami, Florida. Only 45 miles from where I lived!

I begged my father that this IS the bike I needed, and we must get it. So it was destined to be, but not without its misfortunes. After purchasing the bike, I took it to GMD Computrack to revamp the suspension: reworked front forks, Penske rear shock. I received the bike back from GMD in early December. The day I also attended my first trackday at Jennings GP in North Florida.



At trackday, the bike had some issues firing up in the morning. We recharged the battery and it finally started. I was able to put in a few runs and loved every minute of it. With no formal training I did manage to have a few moments of target fixation and managed to runoff into the dirt at Turn 1 a couple of times, but by the end of the day I was dicing it up with against a Honda RS250 (and holding my own I might add) and passing Gixxer 750’s with ease in the corners.

My issue that I experienced on occasion was, when as I pulled in the clutch while entering corners. The bike would shut off as the revs came down, and then “jumpstart” again as I let it out coasting out of the turn. Not sure what the cause of it was, since after the trackday we tested the regulator, rectifier, and stator. All were working fine.

So I stopped riding the bike not knowing why it had this issue. It sat at GMD for a few years and while no one touched it.

Then in 2003, the guys at GMD recommended I bring the bike to “Prieto Racing”. A mistake on my end. I had asked them with their knowledge to help restore my motorcycle; to breakdown the bike and find any issues. I gave them my Haynes manual to use as reference in case they had questions. The owner of Prieto also suggested I buy replica fairings instead of trying to procuring originals (more on why later). Biggest waste of money that I spent. The fairings were cheap, cracked easily, and didn’t sit well on the bike.



Also during that time, I came in contact with another RVF owner in the South Florida region. While chatting it up with him we learned that he also owned my bike at one period. He had originally brought over two RVF’s from Japan, and one of them tipped in the shipping container cracking some of the fairings. When he received both, he commenced to take the best parts from both bikes and use them for one bike, while leaving the other as the runt of the two.



So my mission after college was to fix the bike, but moving to California and getting settled took some time. Since I’ve been in Sacramento, I was introduced to Larry Lovisone and have visited his “Busy Little Shop”. Larry’s a big Honda guy, absolutely loves V4’s, and is a phenomenal machinist as well. He owns the 2nd assembled RC 45. You can read about his story in a recent MCN article actually.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/ ... cn-may-16/

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/sh ... ?p=7335942

Larry and I have become good friends, and he has agreed to help me with my New Year’s Resolution: to get the bike up and running before Laguna Seca. While teaching me how to maintain my V4.





As we began pulling the bike apart, there were signs of foul play with the carburetors, air box, etc.





So far I have sent over my carbs to Mike Norman, who then entrusted them with another carb specialist, Jack Wagner.

I’m still trying to find the replacement piece for the bottom part of my air box.

Also since my quest for OEM bodywork is coming up short and since I refuse to downgrade, I’m planning on going all carbon. I’m planning on making the purchase within the next few days.

[Current Spec List to come]

Thanks for reading!
-Pietro

[Cammo]

Good stuff Pietro!

Place a wanted ad in the classifieds with 'airbox lower' in the subject title and I'm sure you'll find the part easily!

[Pete Diggs]

If I don't find one int he next week, then I most likely will.

Also, I will let you know once the throttle pulley arrives Thanks for that!

[Pete Diggs]

Just finished repacking the bearings for the refreshed rear axel thanks to the help of the "Busy Little Shop"

I think it came out looking pretty good.

[Pete Diggs]

Got my goodies from Rich O, and finally got my wheels painted white which will be wrapped around BT003 tires.

Unfortunately, I don't think the bike will be ready to ride by Laguna Seca, but it's coming along slowly but surely.

[RoninZX-10R]

Those wheels are looking pretty nice. Nice you get them painted or powdercoated?

Are you going to get Norman to do a bit of work on your engine, or leave it all stock?

[Pete Diggs]

Powdercoated. I had them put a low gloss coat on it so it wouldn't be too shiny. It did come out pretty well.

Right now I've sent out a carb specialist via Mike Norman. Once I hear back from him I'll go down to see him to give the bike a once over before firing her up.

Aesthetics and handling are first on the list now. If the engine is in good condition, I'll be saving up to eventually to get the Supersport Spec motor.

[Pete Diggs]

She runs!!!

Big shout out to Mike Norman and Jack Wagner at Old School Carbs.

Thanks for helping me out and getting the bike to fire up again!

[Cammo]

Good result mate!

Did you fit the carb body I sent over?

[Pete Diggs]

Yes Cammo! Thanks a bunch. It fit like a glove!