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Post by cyphron on Oct 6, 2009 22:42:51 GMT 1
Hi friends Im a newbie here and decided to join this forum to learn and talk about the NTV, as I already did on growell.proboards.com english forum. After reading about the NTV reliability I decided to buy a 1995 Black Honda NTV. It is not easy to find one in perfect shape these days, at least in my country. Neverteless, I found one with some minor issues and decided to buy it. The bike has been stopped for the last 2/3 years, and when I meet the owner in order to see it, the bike was covered with dust and with no battery. I thought to myself "Hummm... It must be completely dead ..." We installed a new battery and it started on the first attempt !! And what a sound ! Well, I found that the bike had a small crash crashed once and had the one broken pin on the right side panel and the handlebar was slightly bent. The previous owner had done some frame work on the rear part of the motorcycle, slightly elevating by 2cm the rear seat level. The resut was a sportier look but the downside was that the side panels do not fit pertfectly into the rear pannel, leaving a small gap between them, but for me this is more an appearance issue rather than a problem. Apart from this, I decided to buy the bike and give it a new life... After some maintenance (Oils, Filters and Spark Plugs) and cleaning here it is :  The small gap I talked about     Do you have any suggestions on how to 'disguise' that side panels gap ? Maybe some plastic work / extension on the side panels ? Hope you like it. Best Regards from Portugal |
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Post by McF on Oct 6, 2009 23:13:55 GMT 1
Hi Cyphron and welcome aboard and join the crowd. I think you may be our first Portuguese member
A boa vinda e junta-se à multidão (don't be fooled - that's internet translation for you!)
My son has dedicated his student life to learning this, in every language, at least it's a starting point!
Meu aerodeslizador está cheio das enguias
Anyway, back to business - you've got a very nice looking bike (despite the gap in the side panel ;D). Did you buy it in Portugal? What sort of price are they in your country?
First response to improving the gap in the side panel might be a bit obvious - bend the rear sub frame back if it is possible, but there could be all sorts of issues to deal with.
I think you could be committing an awful lof of time and money into trying to sort out the gap, so why not just try to hide it? Perhaps something to stick over the joint. A large badge "My aNTy is a badass" with some flames or something.
Stick it across the joint, then carefully cut it with a sharp blade over the joint. You will be able to get the panels off, but it will cover the gap.
What are your mechanical skills like? Are you up to some home mechanics? We've got all sorts of inventive minds, so wait until Franklin starts considering it!
Is this your first bike, or just the latest in your two wheeled relationships?
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Post by cyphron on Oct 6, 2009 23:46:56 GMT 1
Hi McF
Im proud of being the first Portuguese member of such motorcycle
forum ! :-)
I understand that the portuguese language is not an easy one
to learn ... I think its easier for us to learn english :-) Portuguese
language has all those anoying things like characters with ~ and
^ whose reading sound is produced using both nose and mouth :-)
Anyway, your son has a lot of courage ! Congratulations !
As far as the bike is concerned, I bought it here in Portugal.
Here the 94-95 ones cost around 1500 Euro (almost 2200 dollars),
but they are not easy to find. Its a rare model here
despite being known as a rock solid war bike that never ends.
Courier dispatchers seem to love them, there are stories of
some that had reset the odometer two times with no
relevant problems. Generally, the people that sell them are
owners that dont use them or are needing the money.
But many of them are by now in bad condition and have been
abused, specially the courier ones.
I cant bend the frame on the back without cutting it, because
the small raise was acomplished by welding a small adittion of
metal tube on the lower part of the frame after cutting it, bending the top tube
slightly and equally on both sides. I was not in the mood to cut
the frame again to restore the original state...
Apart from the gap on the panels, I like the
sportier look of the bike.
I think I will follow your suggestion of filling the gap with some
material, hidding the gap. It seems a good idea and an easy one too :-)
My mechanical skills are basic (changing oils, spark plugs, filters).
Major engine work or delicate electrical problems are not for me.
I was tempted to adjust the valve clearances on another bike I
had once but had no success ...
My luck is that this baby does not need much more than my basic
skills in order to run properly !!! :-)
This is not my first bike.
I've had a Suzuki GS500, a Honda Transalp XL600V and a
Aprilia Atlantic 250 Scooter before.
But let me tell you that this bike is by far the most stable one
I've had ! Speccially at high speeds and at cornering.
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Post by Jaz66 on Oct 7, 2009 1:40:10 GMT 1
Hi Cyphron.. ;D Bike looks good enough as it is,.... but yeah, it's yours so you want it to be as good as possible...  The gap is the pain, but i reckon not many notice it .... but you do..  Tape might be one way to fill the gap, but as it is black maybe some door 'Draught excluder' sprayed black and just stuck in between the gap might be sufficient? if your not sure what i mean, it is the Spongey type with a sticky side that you fit on ill-fiting doors to stop draughts/wind from passing into house/flat. Cheap and simple alternative until you find the perfect answer...  |
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Post by McF on Oct 7, 2009 7:36:48 GMT 1
I did fear that you might say the frame had been cut and welded - I would not advise ever thinking of doing that again, once is enough! Jaz' suggestion was in my mind, but I think a big sticker just to cover over it will be a lot simpler and add some detail to the side of the bike. Sounds like the aNTy market is similar in Portugal to the UK (and rest of Europe!), but the prices are higher. We've seen some aNTys in nice condition go for £800 (750 Euros (what on earth has happened to the exchange rate )) or less - perhaps there is a business opportunity - importing aNTys into Portugal from the UK, perhaps concentrate on those that were imported to the UK from Europe first ;D It's always nice to hear that aNTy owners have arrived having owned other bikes and therefore appreciate how wonderful she is in comparison to the "exotic, leggy blondes" that are out there. Perhaps we should campaign to Honda to upgrade the Deauville again and remove all the plastic and gimmicks  |
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Post by cyphron on Oct 7, 2009 10:19:30 GMT 1
Thanks for your comments.
Yes McF, I too was a little reluctant when found that the frame
had been cut and welded. But I looked at the job, and it appears
to have been done carefully, there is a small bend on both frame
upper tubes, exactly at the same distance from the battery
(on the gap vertical direction), and the welding on the lower
tubes appears to be strong and solid.
Assuming the welding is solid, I dont see how this can affect the
bike stability or security, but nevertheless it is a modification and
I would not like to alter the bike again. As you can see, the larger
part of the gap has a length of approximately 1cm on both sides
of the bike, so it seems to me that this modification was clearly
done with appearance issues in mind. Probably the previous
owner didn't want the bike looking so 'horizontal' ...
After all, its just a gap ! :-) I will give it the attention it deserves,
and try to hide it.
The sticker solution poses me a small problem, that is the panel
removal... Everytime I need to remove the side panels I would
have to unstick the sticker from one of the panels.
The jaz66 'Draught Excluder' solution can be a good idea if I can
stick it only on the small side panels, along the joint, allowing
to remove them without having to unstick the material from the real panel.
As you can see, other modifications on the bike are the Arrow
exhaust, the smaller direction indicators, the mirrors and the
licence plate holder which was also 'downsized'.
At the mechanical level, all seems Ok. The engine has not been
abused, oil consumption is not noticeable, spark plugs were
completely dry before I change them, it always starts at the first
attempt and does not make strange noises. Clutch is Ok too,
no slipping.
How often do you guys check or adjust the valve clearances ?
Is there any noticeable noise that can indicate us that its time to
adjust the valves?
When the engine is warmer, on long trips, the typical 'tic tic tic'
sound of the valves is more noticeable than when cold, but
I tend to see this as normal behaviour. Should I worry ?
The bike market here in Portugal, as almost every other market
areas, is kind of inflationed ... Things tend to be expensive in
comparison with other european countries.
For example, an air filter for the NTV costs here 45€ and if
I order it from UK the same item costs me 27€ already with
postage costs included ...
You guys have been very helpfull.
Thank you.
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Post by McF on Oct 7, 2009 12:57:27 GMT 1
I agree about stability and security, other than the weight of you, passenger and any luggage, the rear sub frame doesn't have a lot of work to do.
Worst case scenario if it suddenly collapsed is that you would end up sat on the back wheel (which could lead to a crash), but I suspect that if the welds etc all look sound, any failure would be more likely to be gradual - just keep an eye on it.
I'm rather attached to the sticker solution but perhaps didn't explain it well enough.
Put the sticker across the gap between side panel and the seat panel.
When it is stuck in place, take a very sharp knife (Craft knife, in the UK we call them "Stanley Knives", or a scalpel)
Make a cut through the sticker on the line of the gap, so that the sticker looks to be intact, but will allow removal of the side panels.
There will be a small amount of sticker on both sides that has nothing stuck behind it, you could then fix something (like draught excluder) behind that to give a little support and prevent the sticker from becoming torn etc
Honda recommend (as shown in the Haynes Manual) that valve clearances are checked and adjusted every 12,000 Km (8,000 miles)
You will hear some engine noise, and from the tappets, but more noticeably when it's cold.
Did you change the engine oil yet? Bearing in mind the recent history, I'd suggest a service with oil and filter change, air filter change etc etc.
One point worth mentioning is to remove the plug from the bottom of the clear vent tube (down near the centre stand) as this can sometimes fill with water (and therefore looks empty) and creates back pressure in the oil breather system.
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Post by cyphron on Oct 7, 2009 14:01:59 GMT 1
Ok, I now clearly understand your point of view about the gap.
I'll try that.
After having bought the bike I did a full service on it, just for
precaution.
Changed Engine Oil (10W40, API SJ Semi-Synthetic) and Oil Filter,
Shaft Drive Oil (SAE80), Brake Oil and also changed the 4
Spark Plugs (NGK). Engine coolant was not needed since the level was ok.
Im waiting for the air filter to arrive (ordered it on-line) and then I'll change it too.
I also removed the plug from the clear vent tube you talked about
and it spilled some 'yellowish' liquid from it.
I think this is enough to prevent some undesired susprises ...
By the way, 'Stanley Knives' are also known here by the
portuguese term 'Navalha'.
Thanks again.
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Post by McF on Oct 7, 2009 14:17:16 GMT 1
Ok, I now clearly understand your point of view about the gap. and more pictures please ;D After having bought the bike I did a full service on it, just for precaution. I also removed the plug from the clear vent tube you talked about and it spilled some 'yellowish' liquid from it. Well done, both on service and also that vent tube When you replace the air filter, it's worth removing the whole filter box and the rear rocker cover to check the valve clearances. If they're OK, it's worth thinking the front ones are too (unless a previous owner couldn't be bothered to mess on with the front either!) By the way, 'Stanley Knives' are also known here by the portuguese term 'Navalha'. Worth remembering for my next trip to Portugal - sounds more warrior like than "Stanley Knife" You're very welcome, it's what we are here for. Hope your Air Filter arrives soon and you're able to have a good ride before the weather gets too cold (oh sorry - Portugal, your "cold" is our Summer ;D) |
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Post by cyphron on Oct 7, 2009 14:38:04 GMT 1
Now you 'screwed' me ... :-)
How do I know if the clearances are OK after removing the cover ?
Can you explain with more detail please ?
Sorry, but the last time I tried to check that on a bike I stopped
before opening the engine cover ... I admit, I was affraid to
damage something :-)
Temperature here is around 28º Celsius now ... Still warm
despite the Autumn arrival :-)
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Post by McF on Oct 7, 2009 15:01:55 GMT 1
I'll send some details later on checking your valve clearances - it's straightforward and only needs some simple tools Temperature here is around 28º Celsius now ... Still warm despite the Autumn arrival :-) I'm in Gosport on the South Coast (near the Isle of Wight), it's wet, grey and miserable, with temperature around 14C. I'm just packing up my desk to get changed and go racing (on a yacht). I anticipate spending the next 4 to 5 hours soaking wet and miserable and will be thinking "why?" becuase there isn't even an exciting wind Still, a bad day on the water beats a good day on the office ;D |
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Post by cyphron on Oct 7, 2009 16:23:09 GMT 1
Eh eh eh ...
My wife's sister lives in London and I've been there 3 times but
I must admit that your frequent grey weather tends to depress me ...
Anyway, good days on the office are easily beaten by anything
related to nature ... Even with bad weather ...
I have 2 Kayaks and whenever possible I try to go to a nearby
river and take a ride on them with a friend or with my wife... Its very relaxing ...
Since I cant always take the kayaks and travel to a river I
found a way to have similar excitement on ground, buying a
Honda NTV :-) At least the wind sensation on the face is similar :-)
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Post by rj2para (Bisto) on Oct 7, 2009 19:53:22 GMT 1
Hi Cyphron,
She does look good in black and I love the rear pipe.
Back to your gap, is it the same both sides?
It almost looks like the mounting point on the rear plastic is broken on the side the photo was taken from.
Any chance of some pics with the seat off?
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sheekbiker
All Weather Rider, well hard
Posts: 155
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Post by sheekbiker on Oct 7, 2009 21:13:44 GMT 1
Hi There those gaps are just begging for some chrome strips from a car, visit a scrap yard to see what there is.
Mick.,
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Post by ilegalalien on Oct 7, 2009 23:53:37 GMT 1
chrome strips sounds better than what we used to do to these panels, it was gaffer tape at the back joint and a small hole drilled throgh the back of the front lug with a R clip to hold it on, matching colour tape was optional.
I like the radiator ends covers, any ideas what make or where they came from?
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