My RVF Journey......

[Zippy]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I can assure you the bar end weights are deffinetely going in the bin.

Looking forward to sending off the bodywork, not looking forward to the bill for the paint though.

[Zippy]

Well it's been a while since I've updated this thread. Mainly because I've not touched the bike since this time last year for various reasons. However I've now had a new roof put on my garage and a bench made for the bike so I can now work on it at my leisure in the evenings.







I've got new bodywork coming for it apart from the tank and the nose cone. I seem to have collected loads of old original panels but ended up buying new panels instead for that fresh out the factory look. Will need to get the tank and nose cone repainted though.

It's been sat for a while so I'm going to strip the carbs off and clean them and check the jetting at the same time, check the valve clearances and then pop her back together and see if she works.

[Mavirick]

Its good to have this thread revived

[racingt]

Hi guys, bought my rvf last may, with 42000 on the clock, just done 3000 miles on it since. Tobe honest it looked as good as yours, but with an exhaust repair. I've changed oil and filter, pads, had forks and shock serviced and it rides like new. Haven't checked valves or plugs or air filter yet, but if it redlined ok, I figure why bother till winter.
My inclination is to do as much seeded but no more, as it's easy to screw things up.
For what it's worth, this is one of my favourite bikes of all time. Just fix it, ride it and troubleshoot it when riding.

[Neosophist]

Hi guys, bought my rvf last may, with 42000 on the clock, just done 3000 miles on it since. Tobe honest it looked as good as yours, but with an exhaust repair. I've changed oil and filter, pads, had forks and shock serviced and it rides like new. Haven't checked valves or plugs or air filter yet, but if it redlined ok, I figure why bother till winter.
My inclination is to do as much seeded but no more, as it's easy to screw things up.
For what it's worth, this is one of my favourite bikes of all time. Just fix it, ride it and troubleshoot it when riding.

terrible idea.

Valve clearances should always be checked at the required service interval.

Why wait until something breaks if you can prevent / fix it before hand.

These bikes are very reliable if they are serviced regular.

Only main issue is poor electrical system, an old battery will easily over-strain the small reg-rec.

Providing you change the battery every couple of years, make sure the wiring plugs for the genny and reg/rec are intact it should be fine.

Regular oil changes.

The service manual can be downloaded from this website, if you follow the routine maintance guide you shouldn't go far wrong.

[racingt]

Hi Neo, you are right, of course.
Just need to pluck up courage to start on a perfectly running bike. It may not run so well once I've serviced it...

[Neosophist]

Relax, take your time.

Providing you take time and make sure you understand what you're doing as you work on the bike you can't go far wrong.

There are many good guides on here and people to help you if you get stuck.

Don't try and force something that is tight or carry on if you get stuck, just post up a message!

It's not a difficult job at all, just fiddley and takes a while to do!

[Zippy]

I'm not in a hurry to ride mine yet. I know it'll be fantastic but I've got a Domi and a lovely Fireblade to actually ride. The RVF is as much about restoring and improving a fantastic little sports bike as it is about riding it.

I've been busy buying stuff for it since I last touched it with a spanner though. I now have brand new lower and mid fairings as well as a V piece, a brand new front mudguard and I've just ordered a completely new rear panels and H piece as well as the front tank cover. All original Honda parts as well which I'm happy about. I do need to get the tank and the front nose cone repainted and repaired though just to make it perfect. I have spent far too much on fairings and will soon put a load of the bits I have left over up for sale.

Bought a Maxton shock for it off ibby4585 for the rear and will fit a RO fork upgrade kit to the front. Also got an HRC CDI for it last night and was wondering is it best to fit one of RO HRC carb kits to it as well. I am going to be running a standard exhuast for the time being byt may add an end can at a later date.

[Zippy]

I want to do all the work myself, even the bloody impossible things like the carbs and valve clearances. I'm going to be buying an ultrasonic bath at some point soon so I can get the carbs all cleaned out inside properly.

Although I expect I'll be shouting for help every now and then.

[Drunkn Munky]

The HRC kit isnt worth it on a road bike its not pratical, unless your not bothered about it being pratical in that case do it but you'd benefit from atleast a half system.