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Being led by the heart
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:50 pm
by carpman
I'm not entirely sure why I’m starting this thread (maybe because my poor machine is looking like it’s been stripped naked and abandoned) but hopefully like other build threads that I have read and been inspired by it will help encourage others to have a go. I should really have started this thread when I got my bike in March 2010. She is still a work in progress and is currently undergoing some more upgrades and work which are mounting up fast.
A quick question for all the readers where do want me to start? At the beginning or start from current works I do have some pics in the original condition and a few of prior work done.
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:59 pm
by carpman
I’ve never done anything like a running commentary on works before but here goes, here is the history: - when I bought this bike she was in need of some TLC the body work had been badly stripped of its colours (Castrol) and paint was flat
As I knew very little about bikes, I didn’t want to play with the mechanics (if it isn’t broke don’t try and fix it) she was running fine so I left well alone. A few months past just spent riding and getting used to bike as you do. I bought myself a Haynes manual for future reference I knew it wasn’t going to be long before I wanted to play, time to hunt round for Honda 400 forums low and behold I find what I’m looking for 400gb forum full of info pics and hopefully friendly peeps.
Time for a change got fed up with looking at what looked like a dirty bike even after it was cleaned, time for a coat of paint as money was tight I decided I would do this with rattle cans in my garden (anything is got to be better than it is) after having a little look around at paint schemes I decide on a red white and blue sort of thing with black db screen this is how she ended up that will do for now didn’t paint tank I don’t know why….
The first upgrade she got I was forced into by my own stupidity and that was harris clip-ons and bars after I broke 1 of the original ones.
My internal work/mods started with converting the fascia’s in the clocks from black to white I liked the look. The headlight bulb conversion was next as the lights were useless, getting ready for my first winter.
Mar 2011 saw my next bit of work the chain was knackered so it had to go, New chain and sprockets fitted 14f 40r and a gold 525 on advice from another member on here, also been reading about good upgrades so forks was next. Mid-year called for a service while trying to undo the sump bolt I cracked the sump and that just created more problems exhaust off snapped studs. Summer comes and goes without any more headaches. Many of you won’t like my next move and that was the Tyga rc211 body kit (sprayed in white again with rattle cans just to protect panels) (no I’m not a boy racer lol) just like the look.
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/CIMG3285.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/CIMG3303cut.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/CIMG3308.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/CIMG3307.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/DSC_0605jpeg.jpg)
I forgot until i was looking at the pics about some other upgrades they were braded Hel lines f & r and shes now wearing a set of SES adjustable rear sets
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:24 pm
by carpman
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:16 pm
by carpman
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:38 pm
by rcv4
its looking good Dan,once you start tinkering the finish line get further away.
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:47 am
by carpman
rcv4 wrote:its looking good Dan,once you start tinkering the finish line get further away.
Yeap, I keep looking down the tunnel but I cant see no light.....
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:54 am
by carpman
Took some pics lastnight of some of the goodies that have arrived but they came out looking like grabage (cant stand jpegs). will try again tonight.
The exhaust, rads, carbs tank, and fairing are all off I start thinking about the aesthetics after reading other build threads especially Timon (he is a bad influence) but if I do any more I’m never going to be ready for Mayday run next thing I know is the front end is of loads of brackets and screw bolts are in a bucket for a local plater oh well now I’ve started something there’s no going back.
Here is my to-do list so far. Front to rear
Front fairing damage, fill and spray white
Front wheel, powder coat HRC gold
Forks, new seals
Fork lowers, powder coat satin black
Fork stations, check for damage as seals on ns leaking possible
Re-chrome,
Clock mounts, strip form zinc plating
Switch gear, faded badly rejuvenate
Rads, rejuvenate/replace
Hoses, replace
Hose clips, replace
Thermostat housing, clean zinc plate or spray
Water pump housing, clean zinc plate or spray
Fuel tank, fill and spray white
Frame, repair loose fixing and powder coat satin black
Loom, check and re-tape
Shims, measure and replace
Sump, clean zinc plate or spray
Engine, remove clean spray
Swingarm, powder coat satin black
Sub frame, powder coat satin black
Rear brake servo, service spray / zinc plate
Pillion steps, powder coat satin black /zinc plate
Rear axle and ass parts, zinc plate/ powder coat
Rear brake caliper, overhaul spray/powder coat
Rear caliper bracket, powder coat
Exhaust works, new collars, paint, and polish
Exhaust hanger, powder coat satin black
All relevant brackets n bolts clean and zinc plate
If I powder coat rear caliper I will do the same for front (Gold)
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:26 pm
by carpman
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 8:35 pm
by carpman
Re: Being led by the heart
Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:46 pm
by carpman
Off to the powder coaters Friday and the is whats going....
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/_DSC4976.jpg)
![Image](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/carpman1/Bike/Honda%20Bike/vfr%20works%20picks/_DSC4972.jpg)
Wheels and brake calipers are going hrc gold everything else is going satin black.