I have a number of viffers - including the nc30 - and let me tell you; the engineering behind these little bikes is amazing - that V-4 is an absolute jewel. Brand new in 1989 they cost more than the equivalent 600cc bike (Honda's CBR600) which is a big reason why they never sold. But the quality is there as this was modeled upon its bigger brother - the RC30 superbike (VFR750R). 60 brake, gear driven cams, 360 degree firing order - we'll never see the likes of it again. Would love to know your impressions of it. I'm just a wannabee engineer. Subscribed...
Oh Andy you've opened a can of worms! The whole family of Honda V4's is a bit of a legend. Look at Carl Fogarty and Joey Dunlop on Isle of Man. The noise is distinctive. Build quality Honda's best. I think the ace tuner of the race bikes was a guy called Shepherd. Or Scott.
As a longish term biker myself - please take it very easy on the VFR - it's a missile. Do NOT ride it like you drive the Imp😅. Smooth and gently does it with bikes. Oli (Norwich)
Buy a crashed VFR 1200 pullout the motor and power your space frame with it, do a Millyard chop off the gear box and modify clutch housing etc to fit the imp gearbox.
I'm not big into bikes but a mate of mine had a bit of a name for tuning bike heads & used to have a low inertia steady state bike rolling road. I helped him with the electronic stuff on it & general dyno room stuff, These V4 Hondas are not your run of the mill bike. Their big brother had square pistons 😮
Just think if there was a 1200cc version of that engine that would fit in the back of your space frame IMP! It might be worth a whole race series on a one make basis!
It is all down to age related engine size and power! When I was 18 I bought a BSA 500cc and was allowed to ride it solo as it was fitted with a de-stabilizer third wheel, but that was back in the good old days of 1965!
@@johnmoncrieff3034 😀My late Uncle had a variety of exotic motorcycles during the 1930`s .Rather in the vein of T. E .Lawrence. In my youth of the late 1960`s he stearnly opposed me getting into bikes as it was too dangerous on the roads nowadays. As you say anyone could buy a ton up bike back in the day.. However,i did buy a Honda 50 like Andy when in the early 1970`s in view of obtaining a Kawazaki later. Fortunate that the main driving test examiner failed me on my first test..That and commuting to work during the Winter and falling off going up hill on a icy rural road put me off the Motorcycle route. Strange that in 2024 anyone can buy ( subject to insurance status (?)) a 400 bhp + motor vehicle at 17 straight after the L plates are redundant.
You, now have the bug! Get your licence and don't go giddy! Do yourself a favour and buy some JIS screwdrivers (no I'm not being rude). Japanese Industry Standard, posi or phillips, will eventually knacker all your screwheads, they look the same, feel almost the same, but don't fit snug enough to do the job properly. Shiny side up!
I have a number of viffers - including the nc30 - and let me tell you; the engineering behind these little bikes is amazing - that V-4 is an absolute jewel. Brand new in 1989 they cost more than the equivalent 600cc bike (Honda's CBR600) which is a big reason why they never sold. But the quality is there as this was modeled upon its bigger brother - the RC30 superbike (VFR750R). 60 brake, gear driven cams, 360 degree firing order - we'll never see the likes of it again.
Would love to know your impressions of it. I'm just a wannabee engineer. Subscribed...
JIS screwdrivers will prevent mangled screws. They are not Philips heads.
That bike you’ve got your hands on Andy is THE DOGS doooooodaaaaaaa’sss I really don’t think you know how good they were “back in the day” 👍👍
RRC restorations on you Tube did a full restoration on one of these. Fabulous little gem of a bike.
Oh Andy you've opened a can of worms! The whole family of Honda V4's is a bit of a legend. Look at Carl Fogarty and Joey Dunlop on Isle of Man. The noise is distinctive. Build quality Honda's best. I think the ace tuner of the race bikes was a guy called Shepherd. Or Scott.
As a longish term biker myself - please take it very easy on the VFR - it's a missile. Do NOT ride it like you drive the Imp😅. Smooth and gently does it with bikes. Oli (Norwich)
Great wee machine you got there Andy, glad you are discovering bikes and are excited about them, i have a few bikes to say the least 🤣
Welcome to the club... coolest bike ever made.
Nice little machine mate. Biking is probably the best fun you can have with your clothes on!
That's a lovely bike Andy
Excellent job get it done right don't make any mistakes. Have fun .
just perfect
Buy a crashed VFR 1200 pullout the motor and power your space frame with it, do a Millyard chop off the gear box and modify clutch housing etc to fit the imp gearbox.
Motor really sounded good
I'm not big into bikes but a mate of mine had a bit of a name for tuning bike heads & used to have a low inertia steady state bike rolling road.
I helped him with the electronic stuff on it & general dyno room stuff,
These V4 Hondas are not your run of the mill bike.
Their big brother had square pistons 😮
Go Andy - love your style - enjoy your bike but take some learnings with you from guys that know
I thought the engine should be in the imp 😀
Really cool looking machine even to a car guy!
Its a great idea to have plenty of projects on the go and none of them finished😂
That way you never get bored and there is always something to do! come rain or shine!
Haha,,So true! Get Jeff Day to repair the Imp and carry on with that ..Says mr with three projects on the gp..
G'damn man, show us where the tacho ends! 😅 No idea if this is one of those mental 400cc that revs to 20k 😮
Go on son 👍
Just think if there was a 1200cc version of that engine that would fit in the back of your space frame IMP! It might be worth a whole race series on a one make basis!
You mean like the VFR1200? It only has about 170bhp... :o)
Allen need 20 min and it runs 😁
400cc, 60bhp at 14,500rpm, welcome to the dark side!
Michael Bratby wants to know if that is an electric bike?
How does one get a licence via a 400 cc Motorcycle ?
Direct access course.
It is all down to age related engine size and power! When I was 18 I bought a BSA 500cc and was allowed to ride it solo as it was fitted with a de-stabilizer third wheel, but that was back in the good old days of 1965!
@@johnmoncrieff3034 😀My late Uncle had a variety of exotic motorcycles during the 1930`s .Rather in the vein of T. E .Lawrence.
In my youth of the late 1960`s he stearnly opposed me getting into bikes as it was too dangerous on the roads nowadays.
As you say anyone could buy a ton up bike back in the day..
However,i did buy a Honda 50 like Andy when in the early 1970`s in view of obtaining a Kawazaki later.
Fortunate that the main driving test examiner failed me on my first test..That and commuting to work during the Winter and falling off going up hill on a icy rural road put me off the Motorcycle route.
Strange that in 2024 anyone can buy ( subject to insurance status (?)) a 400 bhp + motor vehicle at 17 straight after the L plates are redundant.
Pour in fuel like that? Use some brake cleaner vapor. Incase it backfires it with grill your eyebrows
You, now have the bug! Get your licence and don't go giddy!
Do yourself a favour and buy some JIS screwdrivers (no I'm not being rude). Japanese Industry Standard, posi or phillips, will eventually knacker all your screwheads, they look the same, feel almost the same, but don't fit snug enough to do the job properly.
Shiny side up!
Welcome to the dark side lol
Is this a midlife crisis moment, what does the wife think,(Does she know?) All will be revealed in next week’s episode,watch this space.