Honda VRX400 1995 "barn find" restoration
Discussion
evil len said:
Cheers for the kind words folks 
Here's a video to bring youtube up to the same point as this thread (i.e. waiting for seat and mirrors)
https://youtu.be/4j44HtR6o8M
By the way, Len. With regard to the "DRL indicators" - you mentioned them a couple of pages back - they're just stop/tail 21/5W bulbs - I've had a few 1990s Jap imports with these in the past and they've always been supplied with the new MOT when I've bought the bikes with the feed to the 5W filament (the DRL) snipped. Here's a video to bring youtube up to the same point as this thread (i.e. waiting for seat and mirrors)
https://youtu.be/4j44HtR6o8M
Thank you everyone !
Thank you everyone for the very kind words. Maybe I might see some of you at some event or show or other over summer (I'm sure you'll spot the bike !) in which case come over and say hello ...
podman said:
Smashing stuff mate, whats your future plans for it?
Ride it ! moto_traxport said:
Absolutely wonderful, it sorta doesn't deserve the level of attention you've lavished on it
True I guess ... but if everyone restored the same thing, the land would be full of 60's Bonnies and 70's Z1's and nothing else ... you gotta have oddballs ! Dog Star said:
the feed to the 5W filament (the DRL) snipped.
Yeah, thinking about it I'll disconnect them before the MOT. It's dead easy, a couple of connectors in the headlight.Thank you everyone for the very kind words. Maybe I might see some of you at some event or show or other over summer (I'm sure you'll spot the bike !) in which case come over and say hello ...
I'm so impressed with your work. And I'm happy to say I found a VRX400 myself.... In Singapore!! Although this bike is running, it is very tired and in desperate need for some TLC.
But like you, I can't find much info on the bike let alone where to purchase the parts. I definitely need a set of exhaust system for a start for sure. Will be awesome if you can point me to the right direction where I'll be able to lay my hands on some of the parts. Many thanks!
But like you, I can't find much info on the bike let alone where to purchase the parts. I definitely need a set of exhaust system for a start for sure. Will be awesome if you can point me to the right direction where I'll be able to lay my hands on some of the parts. Many thanks!
Paikia44 said:
I'm so impressed with your work. And I'm happy to say I found a VRX400 myself.... In Singapore!! Although this bike is running, it is very tired and in desperate need for some TLC.
But like you, I can't find much info on the bike let alone where to purchase the parts. I definitely need a set of exhaust system for a start for sure. Will be awesome if you can point me to the right direction where I'll be able to lay my hands on some of the parts. Many thanks!
Good luck and have fun ... you can always start a restoration thread on Pistonheads ! But like you, I can't find much info on the bike let alone where to purchase the parts. I definitely need a set of exhaust system for a start for sure. Will be awesome if you can point me to the right direction where I'll be able to lay my hands on some of the parts. Many thanks!
You can get exhaust back boxes, but downpipes are getting rare now.
For parts, start with :
David Silver (UK)
http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/
Isicar (Japan)
http://auctions.isibike.com/?catId=0&freeWord=...
Email them at isi@isicar.jp with a list of part numbers.
Wemoto (Europe)
http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/vrx_400_roadster...
Also John Oldfield (UK) though I didn't use them in the end :
http://www.johnoldfield.co.uk/
Specifications and information :
http://www.motorbikespecs.net/index.dyn?flag=2&...
Parts diagrams ... invaluable :
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByBVL6jbFW1_ZjM2MT...
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByBVL6jbFW1_ZTAzMj...
Lots of useful info here, including original sales brochures, servicing details spreadsheet, wiring diagram.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByBVL6jbFW...
Buy yourself an original (Japanese) workshop manual from ebay or isicar.
Hi Len,
I am also in the UK attempting to "tidy up" one of these bikes...
Can you tell me, did your swingarm come out easily?
I have the "Kev" tool, the castle nut is out and I've managed to get the long bolt turning (along with the threaded sleeve it locates into..) most of the way out.
However it doesn't seem to want to come out all the way, which I'm guessing may be just a corrosion issue?
Normally, I would "persuade" (heat n hammer) the bolt out, but don't want to if there's something else mechanical holding things in there.
Should the bolt just come out fairly easily (i.e. passing through that outermost threaded spacer)?
Kind regards,
Marc.
PS: Do you still have that fender extender?
I am also in the UK attempting to "tidy up" one of these bikes...
Can you tell me, did your swingarm come out easily?
I have the "Kev" tool, the castle nut is out and I've managed to get the long bolt turning (along with the threaded sleeve it locates into..) most of the way out.
However it doesn't seem to want to come out all the way, which I'm guessing may be just a corrosion issue?
Normally, I would "persuade" (heat n hammer) the bolt out, but don't want to if there's something else mechanical holding things in there.
Should the bolt just come out fairly easily (i.e. passing through that outermost threaded spacer)?
Kind regards,
Marc.
PS: Do you still have that fender extender?
Edited by autoalias on Sunday 14th February 15:09
autoalias said:
Can you tell me, did your swingarm come out easily?
I have the "Kev" tool, the castle nut is out and I've managed to get the long bolt turning (along with the threaded sleeve it locates into..) most of the way out.
However it doesn't seem to want to come out all the way, which I'm guessing may be just a corrosion issue?
Normally, I would "persuade" (heat n hammer) the bolt out, but don't want to if there's something else mechanical holding things in there.
Should the bolt just come out fairly easily (i.e. passing through that outermost threaded spacer)?
Kind regards,
Marc.
PS: Do you still have that fender extender?
Now you're testing my memory !! I'm pretty sure there's nothing else holding it in, not when you've got it most of the way out anyway. Suggestion ... long bar down the other side and try hammering it out ? I'll check the workshop manual / parts manual tonight just to be sure. Remember once the bolt is out of one side of the swing arm/frame the weight of the wheel may be dragging it down (if you've not supported it) which might be twisting the bolt in the frame on the other side (does that make sense ?)I have the "Kev" tool, the castle nut is out and I've managed to get the long bolt turning (along with the threaded sleeve it locates into..) most of the way out.
However it doesn't seem to want to come out all the way, which I'm guessing may be just a corrosion issue?
Normally, I would "persuade" (heat n hammer) the bolt out, but don't want to if there's something else mechanical holding things in there.
Should the bolt just come out fairly easily (i.e. passing through that outermost threaded spacer)?
Kind regards,
Marc.
PS: Do you still have that fender extender?
Yes I've still got the fender extender. Doubt I'll put it back on, but I want to see how much crud is thrown up at the radiator first.
RVVUNM said:
I have really enjoyed this thread, well done. Do you have any plans for another restoration?
Yes, definitely .... a) when I've finished ripping out and refitting the main bathroom, my current project (maybe I should have done a thread about that !) ... and b) when I find the right bike. I'm fancying something 60s or 70s ... so if anyone is selling, preferably in the Midlands area ... ? evil len said:
RVVUNM said:
I have really enjoyed this thread, well done. Do you have any plans for another restoration?
Yes, definitely .... a) when I've finished ripping out and refitting the main bathroom, my current project (maybe I should have done a thread about that !) ... and b) when I find the right bike. I'm fancying something 60s or 70s ... so if anyone is selling, preferably in the Midlands area ... ? evil len said:
Congratulations on getting it finished Nev! Now enjoy!evil len said:
Yep, awesome job! Onto the next!Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff