Restoration Of A Ruined Legend - Honda VFR 400 NC30 - Part 4
Hooray! The VFR is back on its wheels.... finally! In this episode you will see the process of stripping back powder coat, re-applying it and doing a little bit of retrobrite for good measure.
Enjoy.
links to some of my other very interesting videos -
Ducati 916 - • Ducati 916 Restoration
Honda CR250 - • Honda Cr250 Restoration
Brembo Calipers - • 25 Year Old Brembo Bra...
Impreza calipers - • Subaru WRX Brake Calip...
Ducati 600SS - • Ducati 600 Supersport ...
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A new addition to my videos from now on will be a water mark and my channel name popping up in random places throughout the video as im getting rather tired of people re-uploading my content as their own i hope you guys understand.
If you like what you see and have any ideas for the channel or would even like to donate something to restore to the channel please get in touch. :)
And as usual if you liked the video please like share and subscribe and help the channel grow.
PATREON If you would like to help support the channel you can find my patreon account here / rrcrestoration
INSTAGRAM- instagram.com/rrcrestorat...
More videos can be found here- / @rrcrestoration
#Honda #Restoration #Barnfind
RRC Restoration
Restoration Of A Ruined Legend - Honda VFR 400 NC30 - Part 4
I am Japanese. I watched the video for the first time. I was impressed. This motorcycle was released in Japan on January 4, 1989. I bought it on the same day and rode it for 6 years. I'm watching this video feeling nostalgic. This motorcycle currently sells for $20,000 in Japan. We recommend that you take good care of it. I'm looking forward to this video.
God bless Japan for giving us a beauty of a machine!
You really are one of THE best restoration channels on KZhead :) Well done mate!
110% agree
You're too kind :)
Always fantastic work
Agreed
You should check for "Restore it" too!
Is it just me or does anybody else love the sound of the torque wrench beep. Sad I know. Loving the re-builds, great camera work and content. So relaxing to watch.
“Make the noise”
I love that these videos are just watching some good spannering. No shite music or filling the video with clickbaity crap.
Thank you, I appreciate that :)
Always nice to watch a craftsman at work, while I drink my coffee !!!
There should be a museum that buys your restored motorbikes with a video of your restauration running on a loop. Your skills are Simply amazing. Thank you for these incredible videos
He is creating his own. No need for anyone to buy them lol.
Now that would be cool... maybe one day ;)
Maybe, just maybe Barber Motorsports Museum will happen across this series. Never can tell!
that museum should be my garage.
Imagine being a collector of a piece that had the RRC stamp!
It is so refreshing to see a restoration where they actually powder coat rather than paint… Thank You!
Thanks for watching :)
Just a pointer on the curing time for powdercoating. It is the object temperature time that is important. So, if it says 190 C for 20 minutes on the box the total owen time have to be that plus the time the object uses to heat up to that. I usually run rims for 45 minutes. In the end of curing the powdercoat will get better chemical restístance and adhesion. I love your channel!! Big thanks!!
Thank you for your advice I'll be sure to keep an eye on metal temps from now on, cheers :)
Love the Mk1 prototype oven, very creative. One thing I was taught on the powder coating, is you should 'pre-bake' the items in the oven and let them cool to almost cold (still warm to the touch) before applying the powder, this removes any moisture in the metal left over from stripping, cleaning etc, otherwise there's a risk of the moisure effecting the adhereance on the poweder coat to the metal. Of course you may have done this and just not shown it in the video.
Great advice, cheers for that :)
Japanese bike technology this old, to this day, is extremely impressive. You're doing a great job restoring this one, to be sure. Can't wait to see the insides of this powerplant.
Some powder coating tips that might prove useful. Just like painting, prep is everything. You are already doing step one (stripping to bare metal). Step two is out gassing. Put the part in your curing oven and heat it to at least the same temp you plan to cure at and leave it in there for a little longer than your cure time. As someone has already pointed out, timing doesn’t start until the part itself is at the correct temperature. This is what is called “PMT” (partial metal temperature), that you may have seen on the curing instructions for your powder. Get yourself an infrared thermometer with a laser. That way you can crack the oven door open, point the thermometer and take a reading right off the part. Outgassing cooks the oil and other contaminants out of the part so it can be cleaned off now before it can ooze up and ruin your powder coat during curing. Let the part cool and clean it with a degreaser. Rinse with DI water, dry then apply a zinc phosphate solution. This will seal and etch the surface as well as prevent flash rust on ferrous parts. A final rinse with DI water, dry then coat. I’m sure this sounds like a lot of extra work, but it’s a process just like your plating and will yield excellent, repeatable results. Really enjoying your channel. The time and attention to detail you put into the media presentation alone, is a cut above. That A Tech is getting quite a workout, have you checked the counter to see what your total is to date?
The powder coating looks great and your naming of the oven is amazing it gave me a good laugh! Keep up the awesome work!
Look at the quality of that rolling chassis. It’s no wonder these were twice the price of an RGV250 back in the early 90’s. Beautiful 😍
Looking absolutely mint, can’t wait for the engine rebuild!
Cheers buddy :)
I watch a lot of restoration/rebuild videos on you tube but I’m a sucker for original classics, this video in particular is so satisfying your attention to detail ticks every box, keep up the great work, if I win the lottery I want you to restore my XTZ750 from the ground up 👌🏼
So great to see this legend coming back on it’s original look, thanks a lot❤❤
Cheers buddy, thanks for watching :)
I've watched more than a few motorcycle restoration projects over the years on KZhead and I can honestly say this is easily one of the best I've come across, in fact it could be THE best. Partly because I've always been a fan of Japanese sports bikes and the 400's in particular (I own an NC35 and NC29), so it's great to see another one back on the road in tip-top condition. I'm particularly grateful for the concise voice over, clear and comprehensive instead of the often-unintelligible and boring ramblings of some commentators, who clearly haven't thought it through. You should give classes on how to make this type of vid. Well done mate!
i did work in a powder coating factory - warming up or pre- heating the parts before baking gave a really good finish !
Pure magic 😃 I’m completely jealous of the space to work, the tools to use and most of all the skills you’ve/he’s got. Brilliant 🏆
Thank you very much! :)
@@RRCRestoration...he's not as envious as i am...i need all these skills to transform my KH250b1 back to its former glory of 1976...i can't get past the early stages...frame painted...engine back in...some parts re-chromed...that's about it...i'm afraid it'll never proceed further...help Mr RRC...I'm in London...that makeshift baking cabinet for the alloy wheels is only surpassed by the humour written in Sharpie ink on the door...had me bursting...
Yes, we do notice little things like you going in to the booth holding a jacket to suddenly wearing it in the next cut. I love and respect the effort you put in to these - magical! 😊
What a craftsman you are. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy watching these videos, especially this as the VFR 400 holds a special place in my heart.
The quality and production of this content is amazing. I can’t imagine the time that goes into producing and editing it. But given the quality of the mechanical work we see in the video the quality of the content production doesn’t come as a surprise. Keep up the great work! This is my unicorn bike, looking forward to seeing and hearing it finished!
Thank you so much for that kind comment :)
Brilliant the episodes can't come fast enough 😊
The best restoration channel, hands down.
you're too kind :)
The extra effort that you put into your restores shows in the finish product. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you for your kind comment :)
Really is a pleasure to watch these videos. Been a mechanic 11 years got me thinking I need a workshop at home 👀
From pile of nasty parts to a clean and shiny rolling chassis. Splendid Work!
Thank you very much! :)
Sure will be watching soon. You ARE the BOY. 👍👍👍My word.
Those wheels in white really make it pop. Looking good!
I totally agree, The black just looked terrible in my opinion.
Well that was a wonderful treat on a cold afternoon. I really enjoy these bike restorations.
Thank you, glad you liked it :)
Absolute craftsmanship. Stunning work.
Thank you :)
A good friend of mine had one of these and was kind enough to let me have a ride on it, I’d never experienced anything like it, for such a small bike to be so fast and agile, with today’s multi compound technically superior tyres I can’t imagine many bikes handling better. Powder coating 👌
I had an NC-30 that I reluctantly sold some years back and seeing you put this one back to life gives me pleasure. Thank you and I can't wait for the next episode .
Thank you, Im so glad you are enjoying the videos :)
Brilliant work. Im currently at the fairing stage on an RVF 400 and need this guy to rescue me. 10/10
Dude, I swear down, you're a motorcycle restoration wizard. Great job ❤
I try my best ;) lol
Besides watching Moto GP I'm not even into motorcycles, but I love watching your videos because the quality of work is top notch!
Thank you so much :)
Great stuff! 👍🏻, My 1st proper sports bike was a VFR 400 NC30 in red white and blue. I've had many bigger, much newer bikes since, but the VFR is still my favourite. Highly chuckable, lightweight and bags of fun, my mates all had CBR 600f's and R6's and on the twisty's I used to leave them behind but they would soon catch back up on the straights again 😂 those were the days!
Thank you, Im glad to hear you say that as i feel the exact same way, bigger bikes are all well and good but there is something so satisfying about a superlight small engined bike flying around the twistys that's super satisfying :)
@RRCRestoration You're not wrong there. It doesn't matter about power with a small lightweight 👍🏻
I have no experience with powdercoating but it looks good to me. The RRC oven seems to be working as well. Great video, as always.
Thank you :)
The maestro showcasing another episode of how things are done the right way. If I manage to come to Scotland, Ill have to come meet you and have a pint with ya just cuz, it is such a pleasure to see the values you espouse are expressed in your work i.e. no cutting of corners and the desire to do the right thing and paying attention to details. Awesome as always mate..
That powdercoat oven is the best thing ever. :)
Never change these vids. They're perfect as they are, keep up the perfection! You've inspired me to carry out a partial restoration for a friend. His old RG125 sat in a garage as a non runner for nearly 20 years, that's now back on the road and is coming back to me for an engine rebuild in the coming months. Without your vids I'd have struggled to find the motivation. Thankyou and keep going!
Really enjoying the rebuild of the VFR which you can prob tell is my favourite all time bike. Some pointers , the rebuilt rear shock (alot of us use s1000rr rear shocks as a upgrade to the now 30 year old tech in the VFR) Front fork rebuild also on the stock bike were horrible for the average u.k based rider as they were sprung for sub 60 kg japinese riders. You need fixed rate springs dont touch the progressive rate ones as they mess up the handling. alot of folk would fit an R6 front end from an 06 onwards bike as it gives a much better handling bike with uprated brakes and access to better pads. We still race these in N.I Or just keep it stock and remember the 90's era motorbikes were the best :D looking forward to the engine strip ( its amazing the level of engineering that went inside the wonderful gear driven cam 360 degree v4 :D
Cheers buddy thank you so much for the valuable information, I'll be sure to reach out to you if I get stuck as you seem very knowledgeable on the subject :)
Beautiful powder coat paint. I remembered riding an NC30 in the past.
Thank you! Cheers!
That single sided swing arm is so beautiful
I agree :)
Excellent work as always. True craftsman. Agree with the earlier comments that your work needs to be on display somewhere! Bravo 👏
This is one of the best series yet!
This bike is really coming up a treat! Well done on the powdercoating as it came out looking absolutely lovely.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it :)
i would’ve had the rims powder coated with a Fluorescent color, probably Fluorescent Yellow
Simply amazing attention to detail! Incredible rebuild....colour me green!
Amazing quality of work - building back up must be so satisfying!
Thank you, yeah it really is a great feeling when you start to see the bike taking shape again :)
Of all the bikes I've ever owned, this is the one I regret getting rid of most. Another great video, keep up the good work
Thank you, I cant wait to get this one finished so I can finally say I've ridden another one of my dream bikes :)
I really love your job on VFR! Nice, clean and.... I have no words! Awesome!!!
As always. Sharp and stunning
Thank you :)
Beautiful. I don't think honda put as much care into building it originally. It does belong in a museum, but I can't wait to see it on the road.
Why does restored look so much prettier than brand new? Is it just me? Excellent series.
Using the pinky to push that bolt....amazing restoration dude...👍
Lovely job once again. And nice to see that your oven setup is working well. But plz tell us what paint remover you're using. As in Finland (and probably most of Europe) you can't get any good paint removers anymore.
Please give details of this stripper, ta, u.k.
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I don't keep many secrets from you guys about my processes but my paint stripper is a closely guarded one as I don't want all of my competition knowing about it I'm sure you understand.
@@RRCRestoration I’m not sure I do understand… a) you have no competition and b) it’s a pretty niche area to be competitive in! What’s your ultimate addressable market?!
Hah the powdercoating oven / cabinet was amazing, great to see it came out so great!
Thank you, glad you liked it :)
The best restoration channel on KZhead. Personally I'd have went for a joey replica but that's me I'm biased. Your work as usual . Awesome.
Another much anticipated instalment!, 😢wanted it to be much longer. I love the engineering and design put into this bike. Can’t wait for the engine strip down…….👍love from Edinburgh
Thank you, really glad you enjoyed it... even if it was shorter than you would have liked ;) lol
Mate I’m stuck in hospital and watching and rewatching your videos are keeping me sane. Thank god for a new one mate
I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope you're able to get out soon fit and healthy :) Cheers for watching and leaving a comment .
@@RRCRestoration much appreciated. Keep up the great content mate
Awesome to watch - a real blockbuster 😊 Great work on one of the best bikes ever. Been there, done almost the same on my own 89 NC30 - admittedly on a much lower level. Rick Oliver helped me with upgrading the suspension and rebuild my shock. I left the engine untouched but re-jetted the J-spec carbs. I hope this pays off. Keep on going lad!
Cool bike! Cant wait to see this NC30 the way it's meant to look! I remember the days dreaming of owning an RC30!
Thank you, I cant wait to see it all done too, I cant believe someone would paint it all black, fit the wrong graphics etc etc but at least its being saved now :)
I love these nut and bolt restorations. ❤
Absolutely beautiful!!!! Fantastic powder coating! You are a true master at restorations. By far the best work I have ever seen. I attend motorcycle restoration shows by far your work would put ALL of the others to shame. Cheers 🥃
Cheers for the kind comment my friend 🥃
Love the build! Please put the bearings into the fridge and heat up the rim with a hair dryer. The bearings will fall in without any resistence. Looking forward for the next video
Drooling at the thought of the next instalment …… you sir are the very best
Thank you :)
VFR is such a great bike to see restored. It is crazy to see the level of detail in trying to make it look like it was when new.
Absolutely stunning ! THE best restoration channel on KZhead for petrolheads ! 👍
This is just so pleasing to watch… thank you 😊
Everything stops when I see RRC restorations has released a new video. Amazing to watch the bike come together
Looking absolutely fantastic and as always a pleasure watching you work.
I can watch your videos all day long .. such a great mecanic .. 💪🏻💪🏻🎉 love the details you do and the pressisions of all the work 🎉
Thank you so much :)
Its a good day when RRC uploads a new video, great work!!
Proper, proper job. Really enjoying the series.
Im starting a job as a tire tech soon, and this vid helped me understand tire machines a lot more, so i appreciate that
No problem, all the best in your new career :)
Anodised wheel caps, nightmare! 😆 Good job, loving this! 👍
That white power coat looks so nice! Well done!
Thank you :)
I find this calm gradual rebuild delightful. Such a pleasure.
What timing. in Nice, France i saw a SUPERB completely clean VFR 750. It looked gorgeous, gave the guy a thumbs up. And btw the yellow dot, YES!!!!!!!!!. You and I must be the only people who know about this i swear lol. Some tires have a yellow and red, and i think the red is the heavy part.
The red dot is something I was told about ~30 years ago, but virtually never see a tyre fitted in accordance with the dots
@@katywalker8322 yup exactly lol.
Nice, Its very rare to see a super clean VFR out in the wild these days most are tucked away where no one gets to admire them :( Yeah the dots are a godsend I love it when you get it spot on and the rim balances out perfect with no weights needed :)
@@RRCRestoration I had 2 of my 4 on my Honda integra balance out like that. I can tell dude kept it stored, it looked brand new it's gorgeous.
I had a black and silver nc30 , I absolutely loved that bike , I won a track day in the upto 600cc race at bruntingthorpe . I did the 2 mile speed trap clocked at 129mph back in 2003
Great work as usual. When this episode came to an end I thought "oh no is that it!!" just because I love watching. The 25 minutes or so just seem to rush by. Looking forward to the next one👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
I've been waiting a long time for the fourth episode... finally... it's a pleasure to see you work👍👍👍
Yeah sorry about that, nothing but problems on my end I'm afraid :(
Amazing work as always. NC30 will always hold a place for me as it was one of my first bikes. Sure this one will turn out to be a stunner.
Thank you so much :)
Looks better than new! Stunning piece of work...as always.
I can't wait for that to fire up soon! My first two proper big bikes were both Honda V4:s (a 1984 VF750F and after that a 1993 VFR750F) back in the nineties. The VFR 400 was sadly never all that common here in soon-to-be snowy Finland.
Just brilliant! 👏 👏 👏 Top work, and another V4 rescued
Thank you :)
Your work and attention to detail is amazing. Definitely my favorite channel on KZhead.
Thank you so much :)
The ONLY suggestion I can have is to ensure you always resurface the brake rotors if you don't want to replace them. This will make the bike practically look new. Other than that, you do an amazing job bro. Keep up the great work!
Cutie OVEN MK1. Hands down, you're one awesome person to idolize
About time you came back again Mr. RRC we missed you!
This series as absolutely brilliant. The attention to detail and quality of the finish thus far is just astonishing.
Extremely satisfying. I can't wait for the rest of the series 🙌
Probably the best restoration you’ve done yet!! Thankyou
Amazing attention to details. Not many mechanics in my country know why it's important to rescrew bolts in a X pattern.
I’ve just come across your channel. Watched the Ducati 748 restoration. Then subscribed. Then saw one of my childhood bikes. This VFR400 😮 I have to say your videos are inspiring. I need to find a VFR400 here in France 🤭 Can’t wait for the next episode to see that engine rebuild. 😊
From an old goat, lifetime auto tech, you really do some superb work, including video production, from my point of view great restoration and a really good view.
Thank you, Much appreciated! :)
Fantastic rebuild of a great bike. I used to have one, what a class little bike. Loving your work and i cant wait to see the next episodes.
Best thing on youtube. Attention to detail is awesome.. camera work and editing are 1st class. You make it look so easy.. which i know it isnt.
Thank you for your kind comment :)
Cant wait for the engine work to begin. Excellent project and channel.
I was watching you powder coat and wondering where the oven was. Love the DIY prototype oven!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it :)