What should I be looking for?

[Neosophist]

I'm a motorbike mechanics student so i'm hoping to do the work myself.

Besides tyres (not trained on the machine yet), I can do all those jobs myself.

The prices above were for parts only, it would be double that if you had to pay someone to do it.

Many people underestimate the cost to restore and old bike, or even to get it road worthy, which is why you see so many shitters about / unfinished projects.

Look over the bike properly and be sure you know what your getting.

[speedy231278]

Frankly, the only reason to buy a shitter is if you want to do it up as a keeper, it doesn't need expensive bits, and you can do most of the work yourself. If not, it would be cheaper to buy a bike in good nick. You won't get much return on your investment. In due course, I plan a new set of bodywork, new rads and a decent rear shock on mine, plus maybe upgrade the fork internals and get a twin stack pipe. For that money in bolt on bits, I could probably buy another RVF in average nick, and it's not going to double the value of it. It'll help by a few quid as mine is really tatty, but it won't add the cost of the bits to the value....

[Columbo]

I am not expecting to make money back on it...

This bike will help me through my 33bhp restriction and then hopefully a good few years past that.
NC30s are lovely bikes and I hope I own it until I can pass it to my son who doesnt exist yet.

[speedy231278]

33bhp, those were the days. I remember them well. The bike went very well considering it was restricted. I think I forgot to fit any restrictors....

[Columbo]

My mother worries too much for me to not have a restrictor.

I'm 18 and living at home with my family.

Rebuilding a bike is the only way my parents will support me having something larger than a 250...
At 16stone, a 250 would suck balls....

[speedy231278]

The way I see it, as a wise man once said, the throttle goes both ways. You can kill yourself quite easily on a 50 or a 1300. The only difference is how far you spread yourself along the scenery! In my old age, I wouldn't condone riding a derestricted bike as it will clearly void your insurance. Having said that, my TZR acquired the power valve kit when it had L plates, and I had to disconnect it before I went to take my test.

At 16 stone, you would probably benefit from a decent rear shock and maybe treating the forks to a spring kit. I recently got a pair of forks that is allegedly spring and adjusted for someone roughly my weight, and it has made a difference. However, the weather has turned to shit very quickly, so I haven't really been willing to explore if it's a good difference or not, but apparently tuning the suspension to your weight and riding style is the most satisfying mod you can make. Plenty of threads on here about it.

[Concrete Jungle]

If you are 16 stone, like me sorting the rear shock and refreshing the front will make a pretty decent improvement to the handling of your 400. Still need to do mine but have had a couple of rides on a NC30 that was set up for someone of a similar weight and it was fantastic.

[Columbo]

I'm looking at hyperpro progressive damping shocks and springs but I'd rather have something fully adjustable.

Anyone got suggestions? I'm comfortable buying something that needs modifications.

[speedy231278]

There's various sources for shocks and fork springs. Rick Oliver does a fork tinkering kit, and I think that Hyperpro and Progressive do spring kits as well. For the rear I think Hyperpro just do a new spring. If you want a whole new shock, there's Hagon, Maxton, Nitron, Ohlins etc.... A lot of people sing the praises of Nitron shocks, and they are available in several different options of adjustability. Allegedly based on Ohlins stuff. Ohlins stuff itself needs modifying to fit, but has a good reputation for obvious reasons, however it will cost silly money unless you can find a suitable second hand donor shock. I've heard good and bad things about Hagon and Maxton shocks, however everyone rides differently and will have a different experience.

Plenty of suspension threads on the forum, have a dig around and see what you can find. If it fits, someone has probably used it!

[CMSMJ1]

Linear springs are what you want - I'd get some off Rick Oliver on here.