Hey guys its been a while since I was last here - sold my CBR400R (NC29) a couple of years ago... and recently picked up a NC21 that has been sitting for 10 years! yikes... After many late nights I finally got it running this weekend and other than a bent front rim / strong vibration it runs pretty good! I don't have an owners manual or shop manual so I thought I'd ask the experts a few questions:

1. What does the "speed" light indicate on the dash? Seems to come on at 100km... Does this have something to do with a restricted ecu?

2. does anyone know if a VF500F front rim is the same as the VFR400? Specs are the same - 16" x 2.5" but I'm not sure about rotor mounting points...

3. looking for an electrical schematic, carb boots and fairing mounting hardware - any advice?

Here are a couple of pics (I have the lower fairings - need to install)







Thanks in advance!
Ken

Hi Ken,

That looks good!

I know the red light is just a speed light - it is not restricted, but to warn you, when in Japan, to keep to the limits.

You can use nc30 carb rubbers, they'll fit it fine.

Looks great!

socalnc29 wrote:Hey guys its been a while since I was last here - sold my CBR400R (NC29) a couple of years ago... and recently picked up a NC21 that has been sitting for 10 years! yikes... After many late nights I finally got it running this weekend and other than a bent front rim / strong vibration it runs pretty good! I don't have an owners manual or shop manual so I thought I'd ask the experts a few questions:

1. What does the "speed" light indicate on the dash? Seems to come on at 100km... Does this have something to do with a restricted ecu?

2. does anyone know if a VF500F front rim is the same as the VFR400? Specs are the same - 16" x 2.5" but I'm not sure about rotor mounting points...

3. looking for an electrical schematic, carb boots and fairing mounting hardware - any advice?

Doesn't look too bad from the pictures, but its been crashed and cleaned up, hence the bent rim.

1. The NC2x was made before 1989, when it became compulsary for Japanese vehicles top speed to be limited to 180km/h. Instead it was fitted with a speed warning light.

Unless your clocks have been messed with (which will throw the needle off as a dead give away) it shoudl come on when the needle reaches exactly 80km/h.

This was the maximum speed a motorcycle could travel in Japan during this time. (yes.. only 50mph)

The bike is not limited in anyway.

2. Do you mean a VF400? They have inboard ventilated discs and wont fit. The NC24 front wheel will fit. I actually have one somewhere if your really struggling to find one, depending on where you are located.

3. Carb rubbers you can order from David Silver.. the NC21 has 30mm carbs so the rubbers are different to the NC24 / NC30 / NC35 which are interchangabel.

Thanks for the replys!

I was refering to the US Model - 1986 VF500F Interceptor (actually that was my first street bike back in 1987) - it has a very similar looking 16" front rim with dual out-board mounted disks...

So it sounds like I need to get carb boots specific for the NC21 - is David Silver on this forum? Is there a web address?

Not sure on the crashed part but the bodywork has been repainted and as stated the front rim is bent... The previous owner bought it in 2006 and never rode it. The owner before him did an extensive recondition (could have been crash related) - many parts were chrome plated (boo), the frame was polished and so on...

Final comment - although it seems to run good it doesnt "pull" as strong as I remembered my NC29 did... Is that typical for the V4 vs. Inline 4 4oo's?

Thx. Ken

David Silver carries NOS Honda parts over here in the UK but he ships overseas.

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/

Well the front nose-cone has been repaired, it also has a bent rim.

Besides most of them have been down the road at some point.

Get it on a dyno and see where you stand, unless your old bike was something special it should pull as good if not better than any nc29.

And ah you did mean the interceptor 500.

Then yes that should fit no problems. Brake discs are the same fitment.

Looks nice! My first VFR400 was one just like that in the same colour scheme.I notice yours has a black brake master cylinder.It should be silver to match the clutch master cylinder.It is probably a later one.Does it have a threaded hole for a handlebar mounted mirror?

duncan wrote:Looks nice! My first VFR400 was one just like that in the same colour scheme.I notice yours has a black brake master cylinder.It should be silver to match the clutch master cylinder.It is probably a later one.Does it have a threaded hole for a handlebar mounted mirror?

looks grey to me (check out the first picture of the side on bike) I thin kits just the camera lighting

duncan wrote:Looks nice! My first VFR400 was one just like that in the same colour scheme.I notice yours has a black brake master cylinder.It should be silver to match the clutch master cylinder.It is probably a later one.Does it have a threaded hole for a handlebar mounted mirror?

Both Clutch and Brake MC are grey. No mirror mounting points. I have a CBR Hurricane MC that is black w/o mirror mounting point - same bore so should be a direct replacement...

Actually just realized this is an original color scheme although at a minimum the tank and lowers have been repainted. Non OE graphics.