So I bought my RVF400 of a mate of mine last month, where it had been stood outside for the last two years under a cover.

The bike starts and runs after buying a new battery, however, I'm going to give it a general service. I've seen this service kit http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/part_19936/ which seems very good value for money, although I'm unsure what the 'best' oil is and what grade to buy.

While I'm at it, I think I'd also like to change the chain and sprocket. Would this be wise as the bike has been stood for 2 years? How can I check for excessive wear? I've been advised to get DID kit, but do I get O-ring or X-ring? Ebay seem reasonably cheap for these but is there anywhere else I could look at getting it?

Other than brake pads which I'll check and tyres which I think are OK for the time being is there anything else is should be doing? The bike is on 26k Km.

What I did notice was the temp gauge not working. Is the temp switch common to fail or could it be the thermostat? Whats the best way to check?

vr6will wrote:So I bought my RVF400 of a mate of mine last month, where it had been stood outside for the last two years under a cover.

The bike starts and runs after buying a new battery, however, I'm going to give it a general service. I've seen this service kit http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/part_19936/ which seems very good value for money, although I'm unsure what the 'best' oil is and what grade to buy.

While I'm at it, I think I'd also like to change the chain and sprocket. Would this be wise as the bike has been stood for 2 years? How can I check for excessive wear? I've been advised to get DID kit, but do I get O-ring or X-ring? Ebay seem reasonably cheap for these but is there anywhere else I could look at getting it?

Other than brake pads which I'll check and tyres which I think are OK for the time being is there anything else is should be doing? The bike is on 26k Km.

i always use motul semi synthetic, the grade for the nc24 and 30 is 10-40w the rvf is the same engine virtually so same oil but im sure someone will confirm this. dont use fully synthetic as it is likely to make your clutch slip

if the chain isnt seized or corroded and its within the adjustment range(indicator on swingarm behind sprocket),give it a good clean,lube and adjust and save yourself some money.

a general check over to make brakes arnt sticking, headbearings are good etc and genral saftey and away you go. if you have a haynes it runs through all of it in the back :)

cant help much on the temp gauge, may not have a stat, some people remove them for summer use, try earthing the wire to the sender to see if the gauge maxs out, if it does you know the gauge and circuit are ok and it will be the sender.

hope this helps

dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the advice, I will definately check the chain, like you say if its ok save myself some money.

10-40w semi synthetic for the oil then, is there any preferred make people use or just personal opinion?

I'll check the wiring for the temp gauge.

Hopefully be on the road very soon! Just a pair of boots and a jacket to buy, an MOT, some tax and I'll be off!

let me know how you get on

cheers dave

I have fuchs silkolene 10w40 semisynth in the 35 (18 for 4 litres) and 15w50 Motul in the 24.

Well, I've had the bike approx 9-10months now and I've done a little to it.

First up was for me to give it a full service. After being stood for 2 years it really didnt want to run very well. After the service the bike ran so much better. I then took it for an MOT to see what, if anything needed doing to pass - surprisingly it went straight through.

I then used the bike for a little bit, just to get use to it. I rode it a couple of times at night and could barely see anything in front of me, so next up was for me to sort the headlights. I bought some adaptor rings off ebay to allow me to fit normal H4 bulbs, and added a relay for the dip beam, lights at night are now much better.

I wanted a bit more noise from the exhaust, so a mate of mine knows someone who works at a company called Primary Designs not far from me. He went off and made me a one-off oval straight through can which bolted directly to the standard system. I am really please with the look and sound of the new rear can.

Then I decided to replace the chain and sprockets, I had tried cleaning and re-lubing the old chain and sprockets but not to much effect - I went with -1 tooth on the front and standard rear renthal sprockets and tsubaki chain all in a different pitch to standard.

I dropped the bike off yesterday to PDQ in Taplow who are going to dyno the bike before and after rejetting/balancing the carbs etc, although the service helped with the running of the bike, it was flat in places, and what with the different exhaust can i thought getting it setup would really help. Hopefully pick it up during the week and post up some numbers.

Plans for the future are to get the front fork seals replaced as they are leaking and two new tyres, and also to get the speedo working properly this stopped recently.

When I get the bike back, I'll post up some pics and also the numbers it makes.

Sounds good man - pics

Yep, will do when it's back.

One thing I forgot to say I also had done, were the collars on the downpipes...had the rotten ones cut off and stainless ones welded on by a fellow forum member - RCV4, top job and top bloke.

RCV4's work is top notch :)