Honda VRX400 1995 "barn find" restoration
Discussion
k ...Spend so far :
Total £555.16
Honda VRX400 Roadster £200.00
Delivery £20.00
Exhaust (rear silencer) £157.02
Japanese workshop manual £28.49
Caliper paint £7.49
Button bolts + nuts for exh £6.54
Front brake pads £22.03
Fork seals, calliper seals, fork oil, exh gaskets £105.60
Spark plug spanner £7.99
Total £555.16
Honda VRX400 Roadster £200.00
Delivery £20.00
Exhaust (rear silencer) £157.02
Japanese workshop manual £28.49
Caliper paint £7.49
Button bolts + nuts for exh £6.54
Front brake pads £22.03
Fork seals, calliper seals, fork oil, exh gaskets £105.60
Spark plug spanner £7.99
Mostly this week I have been ... cleaning up and painting parts I've previously taken off.
However, I've come to a conclusion today ... I'm doing this arse about face. I'm taking things off, reconditioning them, then putting them into storage. This is a daft way of doing it, as I'm risking parts getting damaged during storage or kicking around (already happened) ... I need to put reconditioned items straight back on the bike. So a change of tictacs, I'm now taking things off in as big a lump as I can and putting them into storage for now. The exception to this is where I need to get things reconditioned externally, e.g. I'm starting to create a pile of items to go to the chromer.
Work continues on the front end (I want to send the stanchions off soon). Fork seals off, it's a bit gooey inside, but I've seen worse.
Get yer bits ooot for the lads ...
What's coming out of the forks purports to be oil, but it's very creamy.
Continued stripping the top of the forks, headlight coming apart for rechroming.
The mound of rechroming bits mounts.
Bare-r and bare-r
Um. Not looking forward to tackling this. Think I need some labels ...
However, I've come to a conclusion today ... I'm doing this arse about face. I'm taking things off, reconditioning them, then putting them into storage. This is a daft way of doing it, as I'm risking parts getting damaged during storage or kicking around (already happened) ... I need to put reconditioned items straight back on the bike. So a change of tictacs, I'm now taking things off in as big a lump as I can and putting them into storage for now. The exception to this is where I need to get things reconditioned externally, e.g. I'm starting to create a pile of items to go to the chromer.
Work continues on the front end (I want to send the stanchions off soon). Fork seals off, it's a bit gooey inside, but I've seen worse.
Get yer bits ooot for the lads ...
What's coming out of the forks purports to be oil, but it's very creamy.
Continued stripping the top of the forks, headlight coming apart for rechroming.
The mound of rechroming bits mounts.
Bare-r and bare-r
Um. Not looking forward to tackling this. Think I need some labels ...
Cheers crofty ! I was starting to wonder if I was talking to myself on this thread ;-)
I'm actually quite enjoying this ... it helps that I'm not on any kind of timescale, it'll be done when it's done (I have other bikes to ride). Need to start sorting some boxes and storage in the loft above the garage today though, as I'm starting to get cluttered with bits everywhere.
I'm actually quite enjoying this ... it helps that I'm not on any kind of timescale, it'll be done when it's done (I have other bikes to ride). Need to start sorting some boxes and storage in the loft above the garage today though, as I'm starting to get cluttered with bits everywhere.
Today I'm mainly tidying up after myself ... got a load of boxes, labelled each one up ("for rechroming", "engine bits", "bodywork" etc) and cleared a load of space in the loft above the garage so I can start categorising and wrapping everything I take off. Ordered some tags with string from ebay.
Emailed off to another Honda spares place ... am having trouble sourcing : instrument pods (chromed plastic), air filter cover (ditto), rear wheel (may just get it rebuilt with a new rim and spokes), badges and stickers.
Emailed off to another Honda spares place ... am having trouble sourcing : instrument pods (chromed plastic), air filter cover (ditto), rear wheel (may just get it rebuilt with a new rim and spokes), badges and stickers.
I was worried about the bottom screw (that holds the lower damper mech in place) as I've read they can be a bit of a git to get free, but these cracked off fairly easily (with the sliders in a vice, a long allen key, and the shaft off my trolley jack as a very long lever tube on the allen key)
The parts washer took some abuse, getting all the mayonnaise off all the parts, but they've come up nicely. Very little or no wear, just one small rust spot on an inner tube, which emmery'd off easily.
For no particular reason, I took the pillion footpegs off and split them down ... the castings will go for polishing, the footpegs for rechroming (so into the rechroming box they go)
p.s. just had a quote for rechroming the stanchions ... 8-10 week turn around ! This is the same as the chromers (*). Wow, they must be busy.
p.p.s. (*) I mean ... the rechromers of all the other stuff ... the forks have to go to a specialist "hard" chromer
The parts washer took some abuse, getting all the mayonnaise off all the parts, but they've come up nicely. Very little or no wear, just one small rust spot on an inner tube, which emmery'd off easily.
For no particular reason, I took the pillion footpegs off and split them down ... the castings will go for polishing, the footpegs for rechroming (so into the rechroming box they go)
p.s. just had a quote for rechroming the stanchions ... 8-10 week turn around ! This is the same as the chromers (*). Wow, they must be busy.
p.p.s. (*) I mean ... the rechromers of all the other stuff ... the forks have to go to a specialist "hard" chromer
Edited by evil len on Sunday 23 November 19:16
The stanchions and sliders went off to www.pittedforks.co.uk yesterday, to :
- hard rechrome the stanchions and regrind to size
- polish the alloy sliders
- press in new bushes
Unfortunately they are quoting 10-12 weeks, as they are so busy !
I'm finding the task of tracking down parts actually quite fun, made harder than usual ... not only is it an older bike which Honda have stopped doing parts for, but it's an import bike, it was never sold here. Some basic parts are available in the UK ... more parts can be found in Holland ... but I think I've found a place in Japan who can send me a lot of parts. Even there though, some parts are not available new, but there's lots second hand. Last night I Paypaled 57,860 yen (sounds a lot, but that's £312
) over to them ... lets see what arrives !
- hard rechrome the stanchions and regrind to size
- polish the alloy sliders
- press in new bushes
Unfortunately they are quoting 10-12 weeks, as they are so busy !
I'm finding the task of tracking down parts actually quite fun, made harder than usual ... not only is it an older bike which Honda have stopped doing parts for, but it's an import bike, it was never sold here. Some basic parts are available in the UK ... more parts can be found in Holland ... but I think I've found a place in Japan who can send me a lot of parts. Even there though, some parts are not available new, but there's lots second hand. Last night I Paypaled 57,860 yen (sounds a lot, but that's £312
) over to them ... lets see what arrives !The strip down continues. So many little assemblies need taking off the bike.
The remainder of the front forks came apart a doddle.
Bearings and races appear to be in good condition.
The lower tree is chrome, which needs re-doing. Trouble is, the shaft is connected to it ... which has been welded on subsequent to the chroming. So not sure yet how to get round that, will consult with the chromer.
Started stripping the rear end, off comes more chrome, the indicators, and the mudguard. The front mudguard is plastic, the rear is metal and surprisingly heavy. Sheared the first two bolts on the bike so far, trying to remove the number plate bracket (the nuts were on the inside of the mudguard and in the firing line from the rear wheel for 19 years).
Also drained the coolant, and popped off the expansion reservoir. This is a shot of the underside of the bike ... mucky under there !
Currently puzzling out how to remove the rear brake master cylinder ... unless I'm missing something (I must be) the rear swing arm has to come off ?!?
Taking the footpegs apart, so I can get bits of them rechromed.
Early Christmas present from the Mrs, bought at Motorcycle Live ... saves the knees, especially as one is still dodgy after stuffing a motorcross bike in June.
The remainder of the front forks came apart a doddle.
Bearings and races appear to be in good condition.
The lower tree is chrome, which needs re-doing. Trouble is, the shaft is connected to it ... which has been welded on subsequent to the chroming. So not sure yet how to get round that, will consult with the chromer.
Started stripping the rear end, off comes more chrome, the indicators, and the mudguard. The front mudguard is plastic, the rear is metal and surprisingly heavy. Sheared the first two bolts on the bike so far, trying to remove the number plate bracket (the nuts were on the inside of the mudguard and in the firing line from the rear wheel for 19 years).
Also drained the coolant, and popped off the expansion reservoir. This is a shot of the underside of the bike ... mucky under there !
Currently puzzling out how to remove the rear brake master cylinder ... unless I'm missing something (I must be) the rear swing arm has to come off ?!?
Taking the footpegs apart, so I can get bits of them rechromed.
Early Christmas present from the Mrs, bought at Motorcycle Live ... saves the knees, especially as one is still dodgy after stuffing a motorcross bike in June.
The carbs need a rebuild, but I *think* (until I change my mind) I'm going to leave the engine intact. I've had it running, and there's no smoke. I will be semi taking it apart though ... for example to take the clutch casing off to get it polished up, same with the covers over the cylinder head. I think I'll be able to rub the main engine block (fins etc) down and repaint the engine as a whole in silver, but until it's sat on the floor I wont know. I may also get a price for an engine specialist to lightly strip it ... if it's not much money, it may be worth doing. I will, of course, be doing things like checking pumps, replacing thermostat etc, whilst it's on the floor.
## I like stripping, I like stripping, I like stripping and I like to strip ... ##
Rear end mostly stripped. The springs and wheel adjusters are off now, too.
Rear wheel out. Was talking to a local wheel rebuilders at Motorcycle Live, they'll be able to rebuild the wheels by reconditioning the hubs, then putting new spokes and rims on.
Shot from the rear (ooo eerr)
Dinky radiator out ...
... and what's behind that radiator.
Rear end mostly stripped. The springs and wheel adjusters are off now, too.
Rear wheel out. Was talking to a local wheel rebuilders at Motorcycle Live, they'll be able to rebuild the wheels by reconditioning the hubs, then putting new spokes and rims on.
Shot from the rear (ooo eerr)
Dinky radiator out ...
... and what's behind that radiator.
Was getting a bit frustrated with the engine area earlier ... on top of the engine is a LOT of things packed into a small space (carbs, air tubes, coolant chambers and pipes, electrics). There's no obvious order to remove any of these things, yet they've got to come off before I can drop the engine. Everything's so packed in, I'm worried about putting it back together wrong ... so many water tubes ! Taking videos should help.
It took me an hour to get this coil (front two plugs) and coolant expansion chamber (I guess ?!?) off ... not entirely sure they are supposed to come off together / like this, but it's the only thing I could get off first.
Maybe things will get easier now as I've got a bit of space to work in, top left (had to walk away after getting these off, as was losing my temper).
Must admit to have a minor "oh dear, what have I done, hope I can put this all back together !" moment earlier ... it's looking very stripped now. What was once a whole bike is now a series of cardboard boxes.
Hmmm ... powder coat or paint the frame ?
Just ordered a chain splitter/riveter from fleabay.
It took me an hour to get this coil (front two plugs) and coolant expansion chamber (I guess ?!?) off ... not entirely sure they are supposed to come off together / like this, but it's the only thing I could get off first.
Maybe things will get easier now as I've got a bit of space to work in, top left (had to walk away after getting these off, as was losing my temper).
Must admit to have a minor "oh dear, what have I done, hope I can put this all back together !" moment earlier ... it's looking very stripped now. What was once a whole bike is now a series of cardboard boxes.
Hmmm ... powder coat or paint the frame ?
Just ordered a chain splitter/riveter from fleabay.
Genuine Honda tool to remove the swing arm bolt is about £90, and you cant get pattern sockets for the NC33 ... had this beautiful bit of kit made by someone I found via ebay, all for just £25.
It's dog legged like this so you can get an allen key down the middle. Plus the factory torque settings are based on the idea you'll be offset like this.
Been working on removing all the air box / pipes / tubes, and coolant pipes, from above the carbs. Git of a job, just no room to work. Should be easier now though.
Not looking forward to trying to get this back on again (and right) ...
Also a fleabay special chain splitter/riveter arrived today. Also drained the oil, which was a bit sludgy. Wish I'd run an oil cleaner and oil change through it now, when the engine was still running ...
It's dog legged like this so you can get an allen key down the middle. Plus the factory torque settings are based on the idea you'll be offset like this.
Been working on removing all the air box / pipes / tubes, and coolant pipes, from above the carbs. Git of a job, just no room to work. Should be easier now though.
Not looking forward to trying to get this back on again (and right) ...
Also a fleabay special chain splitter/riveter arrived today. Also drained the oil, which was a bit sludgy. Wish I'd run an oil cleaner and oil change through it now, when the engine was still running ...
So with that fab tool, the swingarm pops off easily. Looks grungy but sound.
The wiring harness comes out. Yes, I did manage to drop some of the labels in the pan of freshly removed old engine old. Dur.
Rolling (whats left of) the bike on its side onto some carpet, the engine came out with only a bit of wriggling and wiggling. Tried to remove the carbs with the engine in situ to make it easier to get out, but they just weren't coming off for love nor money.
Leaving a bare frame ! The bearings all seem sound, so I'm hoping (?) to leave those in for the blasting and painting (yes, I'm getting it painted), but I'm not sure if thats possible or not.
Scary. The bike mostly looks like this now ...
There use to be a complete (kinda) running bike on this spot, lol !
The wiring harness comes out. Yes, I did manage to drop some of the labels in the pan of freshly removed old engine old. Dur.
Rolling (whats left of) the bike on its side onto some carpet, the engine came out with only a bit of wriggling and wiggling. Tried to remove the carbs with the engine in situ to make it easier to get out, but they just weren't coming off for love nor money.
Leaving a bare frame ! The bearings all seem sound, so I'm hoping (?) to leave those in for the blasting and painting (yes, I'm getting it painted), but I'm not sure if thats possible or not.
Scary. The bike mostly looks like this now ...
There use to be a complete (kinda) running bike on this spot, lol !
Only had an hour on the old girl today. Cleaned up the chain guide (didnt even realise there was a guide, the swing arm was so covered in oil and crud !). Cleaned most of the oil, mud and crud off the swingarm and frame. Emailed three local places about repainting.
Got the carbs off ... as above, it was just down to hardened rubbers plus alloy corrosion sticking things together.
Ah ... so that's what's under those little covers.
Got the carbs off ... as above, it was just down to hardened rubbers plus alloy corrosion sticking things together.
Ah ... so that's what's under those little covers.
Pushed the bearings out of the swing arm using the tried and tested method of various size sockets and a vice. Always knew the theory/method to this, but have never actually done it before. Needed far more pressure than I'd have thought ... though removing a circlip on one side made things a lot easier, doh. Strangely one 'leg' is a ball bearing and one 'leg' is a needle bearing.
GOODIES ARRIVED FROM JAPAN ! Impressive service, only took a week. Mainly chrome bits (cheaper than getting original stuff rechromed, where possible, though not all bits are available) and misc odds and sods. Import duty, shipping, Paypal charge and VAT actually doubled the cost of the parts
... but the one item that is available in Europe (from Holland, the air filter cover) still worked out cheaper from Japan. Work that out.
Transfers.
What was really cool was the padding im the box came in the form of Japanese newspaper !
Dropping the frame and swingarm off tomorrow to be media blasted and powder coated ... £80
GOODIES ARRIVED FROM JAPAN ! Impressive service, only took a week. Mainly chrome bits (cheaper than getting original stuff rechromed, where possible, though not all bits are available) and misc odds and sods. Import duty, shipping, Paypal charge and VAT actually doubled the cost of the parts
... but the one item that is available in Europe (from Holland, the air filter cover) still worked out cheaper from Japan. Work that out.
Transfers.
What was really cool was the padding im the box came in the form of Japanese newspaper !
Dropping the frame and swingarm off tomorrow to be media blasted and powder coated ... £80
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