Hi all,

Im new to the forum and just looking for some help really, about a month and half ago i got pulled out on about a meter in front of me. It was a wet night and as i just got the bike out i was only going 20-25mph until my tyres had warmed abit. So im traveling down a main road a this car pulls out from a side road right across me, I had two choices "go head on" or take the bike down" I went for the later. Only had the bike for two weeks

So back to the subject in hand, iv just got the bike back from the third parties insurance and thats all been sorted. its a cat c and im determined to get her back on the road! Once the check comes in the post.

It seems that the damage is to the right fairing, exhaust, front fairing and screen, the break leaver is gone and the tail and break light is cracked its all so got a slight scratch to the tank (not dented) also bar end, mirrors (both) are gone.

Since getting her back iv got her started and she seems to go through the gears. She wont start without a jump, this could be because the battery needs a full charge (she was with the insurance company for over a month and they said she wouldn't start)

As i can tell the frame, engine, swing arm, wheels and forks are all ok. The previous owner had just put on a ohlins shock and full ohlins internals into the forks spending about £1400 only 8 months ago, so i want to keep the bike.

Due to the amount of damage to the bike i see this as a perfect opportunity to make the bike my own, So if anyone could help me with advise on steps, getting her back on the road or even ideas of what to do, the guidance would really help. Im quiet handy with my hands and feel confident that i can build her back up on my own.

thanks,

zen

 

Glad you are ok. Drivers will do that, its unfortunate but a fact of life. Hope you were geared up and didn't take too much damage yourself. Good thing about the F4 is there are lots of parts available. Mirrors, bar ends, levers, cans, tail lights, screens are all pretty freely available. If you want to go back full stock, it will cost more. The fairings will be tougher. You can probably find replacement oem plastics, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny, and get ones that are probably cracked and rashed. You can get a whole new set of aftermarkets for about $500, but some have reported fitment issues.

 

If you're serious, do the research first.
Starting with looking at a lot of bikes,
with an eye to what will fit into your bike's bones,
and what looks good to you.

Get the OEM manual! Buy the book, download/print it, whatever.
But having a physical copy in front of you, as you work, is worth the expense.

Cruise through the gallerys here and elsewhere.
While you're making up your mind about final skin,
go through and inspect, clean, repair ALL of the sub-systems.

This helps in a few ways...
It ensures that everything is working properly (always a plus, after a crash).
You become very familiar with the whole bike and how it goes together.
Hones your wrenching and fab-ing skills, so you ease into the major mods later.
Gives you a feeling of accomplishment and drive to complete the whole project.

Just be realistic about the time it takes to do a clean/safe build.
Patience is a virtue, trite but true. ;-)

Good Luck & Welcome, Ern

 

thanks for the reply, yer im good.. just some impact damage to my shoulder and chest. im someone who excepts that when you ride your someone who has gone down or is going to go down. But one thing i do say it pays to have proper gear on! Yer iv been looking around and found alot of aftermarket parts i like and thats my problem haha there is alot out there Im not going to return the bike to stock as i see this as my chance to really create something special. iv also seen i can get full fairing kits for around £250 but i have herd they have the fitment problems. really what im looking for is advise about things people deff think i should do... companies to go for and avoid, even new design ideas! what i most scared of are problems that mite occur but what i could avoid if i know what to look for

 

As far as new fairings go, take it from someone who just bought a new set. Either go With OEM fairings off of ebay or buy from Airtech streamlining, sharkskinz or a reputable company BASED in the US or European Co. Because they wont give you the run around and will back their products because they care about their name. They arnt the cheapest deal and they wont come cheap either but its worth it in every way. I bought fairings from Auctmarts and even their fitment was bad, the upper fairing arrived cracked and the clear coat is really brittle. If the PO dropped that much on the suspension than you should be willing to do the bike right and take your time and dont rush the rest of the work with cheaply made products. Other than that Ern is right about getting a physical copy of the manual, it makes everything so much easier when you can flip through the pages of a book and get them all greasy. Invest of good tools, they dont need to be the best but definitely spend at least 100 on each torque wrench (it will save you a lot to frustration and broken bolt heads). And lastly make sure that you really want to do something to your bike not something that just looks cool or might hinder your ability to ride it.

Have fun and I look forward to reading about everything you end up doing to your bike

 

So after abit of research and speaking with some other guys that ride i'v compiled a list of things im going to do once the insurance money comes through... plan to get it all in one hit that way i can go to my own little world and have her ready in no time.

Iv had a mechanic buddy of mine look at the bike and he asures me that besides the brake lever its all cosmetic.. so fingers crossed thats the case!

iv found the original honda manual online and have that on my ipad, i have also ordered a workshop manual and haynes manual from ebay (a friend told me that haynes can sometimes miss out bits that can be seen as common knowledge)

The bike was originally a yellow/black scheme with CBR running down the side, i plan to go towards the red/black side with colour coded bolts and levers. And as it seems to be the perfect time im going to change out all the oil, fluids, brake pads and clutch plates. If anyone knows of any other maintenance work and general care that will be of benefit for me to do at this opportunity please suggest

as for the list:
- new mirrors (sounds generic but there are so many and im making my way down the sort list)
- bolts from ProBolt (engine bolts, fairing, screen, oil cap, sprocket, fork adjusters, yoke bolt cover ect)
- rear hugger + chain guard from a F4i (iv read that it will fit without much adjustment)
- CBR heal plates
- R &G Slider Bar ends, Frame sliders, Cotten reels and front sprocket cover (one thing this tumble has shown me is protect ur bike *i think the engine cage would be to much tho haha)
- oxford heated grips (it gets cold in England!)
- a set of RSV Black short levers
- new set of red back and front foot pegs
- double bubble dark screen
- new EBC Disks
- an undertail that iv seen with integrated shotgun and indicator lights.
- the fairing of course which im still searching for (thanks for the advise CJardine, i planned to to a CF tank wrap like urs before the crash and ur thread was very insightful!)

Also iv been looking at changing the chain and sprockets, this i need some help with! my friend swears by Renthal thats well and good and i plan to do my research before i take his word on it. But in regards to what set up to have? * is it 16/17/18 teeth at the front, 46/47/48 on the back and X/Z/O/standard chain???? what do they actually do?

Once i get going ill put up a picture log