Honda VFR400 NC 30 problem - help!

[Scrubber]

I'm riding a VFR400 NC30 and over the past year it has developed a problem.

Whilst riding, the bike loses power and I have to keep the revs really high just to keep it going. Ultimately I have to stop and then the engine dies and it won't start again (the battery and starter motor work, but the engine doesn't fire). This has been 'fixed' by a local mechanic, but after about 3 months of riding the same problem happens again.

Does anyone know what could cause this?

[Vincent]

Sounds like fuel starvation, first thing to check might be the in-line fuel filter, (if it has one), and the tap. You possibley need to clean out the tank - they can accumulate crud over time. Might be worth joining the "400 grey Bike" forum - they can be a bit of a miserable bunch but know their 400 VFRs
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Space Is Deep

[Timmeh]

Agree with the above.

1. Crap in the tank - the NC30 fuel tap has an integral filter which gets gunked up. Take your tank off, drain it, remove fuel tap and clean filter and inside of tank. Then reassamble. Take usual precautions when working on the fuel system (i.e gloves, disconnect/remove battery etc) You might also want to drain the carbs in case there's any water in the bottom of the float bowls. It's a lot easier to get to them with the tank off;)

2. Vacuum tap - lots of people do the HRC mod which converts the fuel tap to gravity feed as the vacuum generated is sometimes not enough to overcome the spring in the tap. 400GB is your best option for a how-to guide here, although this problem usually becomes more apparent at high RPMS (i.e. engine won't rev out or misfires)

HTH.
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[D O G]

Does it stink of petrol when you pull up?

[Vincent]

If you're problem is a rusty tank, it would be a good idea to get the insides treated to prevent it getting worse. decently priced, good condition tanks are getting harder to get hold of all the time. POR15 is possibly the best stuff to use.
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Space Is Deep

[veze]

i would check the inline filter like vincent said, if its anything like my cbr it comes with one from factory, so i bet it hasnt been cleaned much in the last 20 years. start there.

oh and not everyone at 400greybike is that mardy
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tlm50,mt5,sr50. rs125 extrema, cbr 400rr nc29 suzuki gs500e.Honda cbx250 rs . FJ1200 .fz6,fjr1300

[Vincent]

[Timmeh]

[Scrubber]

Thanks for all the advice & suggestions guys. I'll let you know how I get on.

[veze]