VFR400RK-N (NC30) Model...may account for the mis-matched model letters and sales dates. Apart from the color schemes, country-specific differences are minor, but can be noticeable

VFR400RK-N (NC30) Model

http://superbike-golden-era.webnode.pt/



The first NC30 was the "K" model introduced in 1989. Although Ks are not much different than

the later models, they have at least two significant differences that make them somewhat less

desirable. The first difference is the standard Showa forks, which, in addition to being of an

older design, lack external rebound damping adjustment. Because these forks use the older

damping-rod design, they work less well than—and are more difficult to modify than—the

now-conventional "cartridge" forks found on the later models (and on most later model Honda

sport bikes). (For more information about the differences between the two kinds of forks, an

excellent primer is RaceTech's Paul Thede's article on cartridge forks.) The second less-

desirable aspect of the "K" models is their rear shock design. Later NC30 models came

equipped with remote reservoir Showa shocks, while the earlier models lacked this, and they

are known for having very soft suspension. Apart from the suspension differences, Ks had

relatively small same-size carburetor jets (Keihin 110s) in all four carburetors, rather than the

different (115s in the front carbs and 118s in the rear carbs) jets found on the later models.

Although their numbers are relatively few, it is clear that there were NC30s produced for

official sale in a few markets outside of Japan. The NC30 was sold in the United Kingdom and

Austria, as indicated in the UK-spec Owners Manual and Microfiche, from 1990 through

sometime in 1993, and in France and Germany from late 1991 through sometime in 1993. In

the UK and Austria, there were no more than two color schemes available, the "RC30"-like red-

white-blue on the "L" model and a different red-white-blue scheme (very similar to the red-

white-blue J-spec "L") on the "M" model. France and Germany, in which only the "M" model

was oficially imported, had a similar red-white-blue paint scheme as on the UK and Austrian

"M" model. As a rule, officially exported NC30s sold through official Honda dealers in Europe

were very expensive, compared to other Hondas being sold in the same showrooms—and

compared to what the bikes sold for in Japan. Not surprisingly, they didn't sell very well, which

may account for the mis-matched model letters and sales dates.

Apart from the color schemes, country-specific differences are minor, but can be noticeable. In

general, UK- and Austrian-spec bikes, had larger, hinged mirrors (similar to the RC30's),

market-specific carburetors, oil coolers and (in the UK) MPH speedometers. German-spec and

French-spec NC30s had significantly larger headlights, hinged mirrors, different carburetors

and oil coolers. Export models also lacked the Japanese home market's speed restrictions, so

they were not restricted and, accordingly, were equipped with higher-reading speedometers.

http://www.race-tech.com/articles/CartridgeForks.htm



Year Code Region Colors Beg.

Engine

#s

Beg.

Frame

#s

Carb ID

#s

1989 K Japan Ross

white/Fighting red/Wisteria

blue

Accurate (seed) silver/Granite

blue NC13E-

1200001 NC30-

1000001 VDE3A-

A

1990-

91 L Japan

Ross white/Fighting red/Dakar blue

Vostok silver/Granite

blue Black/Monza

red NC13E-

1300001 NC30-

1050001 VDE3D-

A

1990-

91 L U.K.

Ross white/Fighting red/Wisteria

blue NC13E-

2100007 NC30-

2000006 VDE3B-

A

1990-

91 L Austria

Ross white/Fighting red/Wisteria

blue NC13E-

2100009 NC30-

2000009 VDE3C-

A

1991-

93 M U.K.


NC13E-

2200001 NC30-

2100001 VDE3F-

A

1991-

93 M Austria


NC13E-

2200006 NC30-

2100006 VDE3G-

A

1991-

93 M France


NC13E-

220000? NC30-

210000? VDE3?-

A

1991-

93 M Germany


NC13E-

220000? NC30-

210000? VDE3?-

A

1992-on

N Japan Ross

white/Fighting red/(blue)

Black/Fighting red

Ross white/Fighting

red NC30-

1100001 VDE3D-

B

Item Specifications

Dimensions: Overall length 1.985m (78.1 in.)

Overall width 705mm (27.8 in.)

Overall height 1.075m (42.3in.)

Wheelbase 1.345m (53.0 in.)

Ground clearance 125mm (4.9 in.)

Dry weight 175kg (385.8 lb.)

Curb weight 192kg (423.3 lb.)

Maximum weight

capacity 347kg (765.0 lb.)

Frame: Frame type Twin-spar aluminum

Front suspension 41mm Showa cartridge forks2

Front wheel travel 120mm (4.7 in.)

Rear suspension Single-sided swing arm

Rear wheel travel 120mm (4.7 in.)

Rear damper

Gas-filled damper with remote reservoir2

Front wheel size 17x3.5 in.

Rear wheel size 18x4.5 in.

Front tire size 120/60 VR17

Rear tire size 150/60 VR18

Front brakes

Double floating disc; 4-piston Nissin calipers

Rear brake Single solid disc; 2-piston



Nissin caliper

Caster angle 25-deg 20'

Trail 96mm (3.8 in.)

Fuel tank capacity

15 liters (4.0 U.S. gal., 3.5

Imp gal.)

Fuel tank reserve

capacity

2.0 liters (0.5 U.S. gal., 0.4

Imp gal.)

Engine: Bore and stroke 55.0mm x 42.0mm (2.16 in. x

1.65 in.)

Displacement 399 cm³ (24.3 cu in.)

Compression ratio 11.3 : 1

Valve train

Gear driven DOHC; 4 valves

per cylinder

Intake valve opens @

1mm lift 15-deg. BTDC

Intake valve closes @

1mm lift 35-deg. ABDC

Exhaust valve opens @

1mm lift 35-deg. BBDC

Exhaust valve closes @

1mm lift 5-deg. ATDC

Lubrication system

Forced pressure and wet

sump

Oil pump type Trockoid

Cooling system

Liquid cooled; dual radiators

and cooling fan

Air filtration Paper filter

Crankshaft type

Unit-type; 4 main journals;

360-deg.

Firing order

#1 @ 90 deg.; #4 @ 270 deg.; #3 @ 90 deg.; #2 @ 270 deg.

Cylinder arrangement 4 cylinders; 90-deg. V

Cylinder numbering

Carburetor: Carburetor type Constant velocity Keihin; 4

carburetors

Throttle bore 32mm (1.3 in.)

Drive train: Clutch system Multi-plate, wet

Clutch operation Cable operated

Transmission 6-speeds

Primary reduction 2.117 (34/72)

Final reduction

(sprockets) 2.666 (15/40)

Drive chain slack 15-25mm (5/8-1 in.)

Drive chain size/links 525/104

Gear ratio, 1st 2.928 (14/41)



Gear ratio, 2nd 2.166 (18/39)

Gear ratio, 3rd 1.800 (20/36)

Gear ratio, 4th 1.591 (22/35)

Gear ratio, 5th 1.435 (23/33)

Gear ratio, 6th 1.318 (22/29)

Gearshift pattern

Left foot operated return

system: 1—N—2—3—4—5—6

Electrical: Ignition system Digitalized full transistor

ignition

Starting system Electric starter motor

Charging system

Triple phase output

alternator

Regulator/rectifier type

SCR Shorted/triple phase full wave rectification

Lighting system Battery (YTX7A-BS)

Lubrication: Engine oil capacity at

draining

2.4 liters (2.54 U.S. qt., 2.11

Imp. qt.)

Engine oil capacity at

disassembly

3.0 liters (3.17 U.S. qt., 2.64

Imp. qt.)

Engine oil capacity at oil

filter change

2.5 liters (2.64 U.S. qt., 2.2

Imp. qt.)

Recommended engine

oil viscosity SAE 10W-40

Oil pressure at oil pressure switch

490-588 kPa (5.0-6.0 kg/cm², 71-85 psi) @ 5,000 rpm (80

deg.C, 176 deg.F)

Fuel system: Main jets (Front

cylinders) # 122

Main jets (Rear

cylinders) # 120

Slow (idle) jets # 35

Pilot screw initial

opening 2 turns out

Pilot screw final opening 1/4 turn out

Float level 6.8mm (0.28 in.)

Carburetor vacuum

difference Within 40 mmHg (1.6 inHg)

Base carburetor (for

carburetor

synchronization)

No. 2 carburetor

Idle speed 1,300 +/- 100 rpm

Throttle grip free play 2-6mm (0.08-0.24 in.)

Clutch system: Clutch lever free play 10-20mm (0.4-0.8 in.)

Clutch disc thickness

2.92-3.08mm (0.115-0.121

in.)

Clutch disc service limit 2.8mm (0.110 in.)

Clutch plate warpage

limit 0.30mm (0.012 in.)

Cooling system: Coolant capacity

(radiators & engine)

2.1 liters (2.22 U.S. qt., 1.85

Imp. qt.)

Coolant capacity 0.2 liter (0.21 U.S. qt., 0.18



(reserve tank) Imp. qt.)

Radiator cap relief

pressure 108-137 kPa (1.10-1.40

kg/cm², 16-20 psi)

Thermostat begins to

open 80-84 deg.C (176-183 deg.F)

Thermostat fully open 95 deg.C (203 deg.F)

Thermostat valve lift 8.0mm (0.23 in.) min.

Wheels/Tires: Cold tire pressure (driver

only, front) 33 psi

Cold tire pressure (driver

only, rear) 33 psi


& pass., front) 33 psi


& pass., rear) 36 psi

Front suspension: Fork spring free length 277.3mm (10.92 in.)

Fork spring direction Tighter coils on bottom

Fork oil weight 10W

Fork oil level 122mm (4.8 in.)3

Fork oil capacity 390cc3

Steering bearing pre-load 1.0-1.5kg (2.2-3.3 lbs.)

Rear suspension: Shock spring free length 158.7mm (6.2 in.)

Shock spring installed

length 147.7mm (5.81 in.)

Nitrogen gas pressure 98 kPa (142 psi)

Brakes: Brake fluid type DOT 4

Front brake disc

thickness 4mm (0.16 in.)

Front brake master

cylinder I.D.

14.000mm (0.5512 in.)

(9/16")

Front brake caliper

cylinder I.D. (upper) 32.030mm (1.2610 in.)

Front brake caliper

cylinder I.D. (lower) 30.230mm (1.1902 in.)

Rear brake disc

thickness 6mm (0.24 in.)

Rear brake master

cylinder I.D.

14.000mm (0.5512 in.)

(9/16")

Rear brake caliper

cylinder I.D. 25.400mm (1.0000 in.)

Battery/Charging system:

Reg/rec regulated voltage/amperage

13.5-15.5v (0-6A) @ 5,000rpm

Battery capacity 12v (6AH) YTX7A-BS

Battery charging rate

(normal) 0.7A/5-10 hr.

Battery charging rate

(quick) 3.0A/1 hr.

Battery voltage 13.0-13.2v

Ignition system: Spark plug (standard) NGK ER9EH or ND Y27FER

Spark plug (racing) NGK ER10EH or ND Y31FER



Spark plug (cold climate) NGK ER8EH or ND Y24FER

Spark plug gap 0.6-0.7mm (0.024-0.028 in.)

Ignition timing "F" mark 18-deg. BTDC @ 1,200rpm

Advance starts 1,800rpm +/-200rpm

Advance stops 12,000rpm +/-200rpm

Full advance

37-deg. BTDC +/-2-deg. @

12,000rpm

Lights/Meters/Switches: Main fuse 30A

Fuse 20A x 1; 10A x 3

Headlight (high/low

beam) 12v 60/55w (H4)4

Tail/brake light 12v 5/21w5

License light 12v 5w6

Position light 12v 5w7

Turn signal light 12v 21w8

Instrument light 12v 1.7w x 5

Oil pressure warning

indicator 12v 1.7w

Oil temperature

indicator 12v 1.7w

High beam indicator 12v 1.7w

Turn signal indicator 12v 1.7w

Neutral indicator 12v 1.7w

Starting system: Starter motor brush

length 12-13mm (0.47-0.51 in.)

Notas:

1. These specifications pertain mainly to the UK-spec "L" and "M" models; some J-spec differences are noted.

2. J-spec "K" models are equipped with Showa damping rod forks and are not equipped with a remote reservoir rear shock.

3. For "K" models, fork oil level is 90mm and fork oil capacity is 450cc.

4. J-spec is 12v 60/35w.

5. J-spec is 12v 5/18w.

6. N/A to J-spec bikes.

7. J-spec is 12v 1.7w.

8. J-spec is 12v 15w.



Documents

VFR400RK-N (NC30) Model...may account for the mis-matched model letters and sales dates. Apart from the color schemes, country-specific differences are minor, but can be noticeable