Here we go again.....

Steve T

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Nowt wrong with a Dullville - had two - one was mine the other was for youngest son after his TDM got run over.

As has been said, you can have a right giggle on one of these - who expects to be scraping pegs on one? And they do keep going, though both the reg/rec & fuel pump are weak points, as per most older Hondas.

Only down side for me was the relatively poor finish - it was made in Europe somewhere, and the quality of the fininsh left me wondering at times if it really was a Honda.
Lift all it's clothes off and you find some rather poorly, almost unfinished frame welds, with pidgeon poo like splatters everywhere. Might have just been the machines I had - both from the same batch, age wise.

As a comparison, I had the VFR in pieces again over the weekend and everything was finished to a standard I'd expect from Honda. OK, it is an alloy framed bike, not steel as the Deauville, and it was made in Japan and not Euroland, but I'd have thought Honda would have put it's quality stamp on all products carrying it's name.

Oily rag wipe down and then ride the thing Phil :thumbsup:

Steve T

:cool:
 
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Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
I'd agree with that Steve, it seems that pretty much all of 'em have an element of scabbyness by now, probably not helped by the type of use they typically get but certainly not a patch on the vfr's almost exquisiteness build.
This one is still wearing it's original engine, fork and footpeg hanger paint - albeit a bit bubbly and scabby on the engine and forks. It has had a dousing of WD40 to get into the nooks and crannies & will be getting lathered in waxoil in due course.
The '02 onwards bikes had black calipers & CBS along with improved headlight, bigger panniers, light(er) weight engine internals for less vibes & higher output charging system (including improved, finned RR) - I'm convinced that keeping charging system terminals good and clean helps longevity no end. As for the fuel pump, typical Honda/Mitsubishi unit, inherently reliable as long as the points are in good shape, so tgey'll be getting checked/replaced when I get a moment!

One of the designers must have been having an 'off' day when they positioned the hydraulic preload adjuster! I mean, it'son a flexible hose ready to be positioned anywhere convenient, so where do you put it....?
...under the RH sidepanel, which you have to remove the seat to remove the panel, once there, there's still not enough room to get your hand on it ffs!

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Lutin

Lutin

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Supporter
Philwhiskeydrinker said:
As for the fuel pump, typical Honda/Mitsubishi unit, inherently reliable as long as the points are in good shape, so tgey'll be getting checked/replaced when I get a moment!
Click to expand...

The one thing that amazes me is that Honda/Mitsubishi didn't fit a diode across the contacts in order to prevent arcing and therefore deterioration of the contacts.
 
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Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
To be fair, it would add, what, 20p to the production costs of the unit!

So, electronically speaking, is fitting a diode across the contacts a correct (and reliable) solution to the problem?

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Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
First trip earning it's keep.

If you look very, very closely you may just notice the expensive and lovingly crafted screen extension.
The results are well worth 2 1/2' of gaffa tape used.

ef9f57cc83f86481493b312a4766fc0d.jpg


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Lowflyer

Lowflyer

Well-Known Member
Noooooooooooooooo you tight ass git ---- you sure you haven't a slight trace of Scot in you ??

Tell me you are having a giraffe :confused: :D
 
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Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
Tis true John. Actually, you may not believe it but I made that myself [emoji15]
Admittedly, it may not actually improve the looks of the Dullsville [emoji2]

As for Scottish blood, yep, got our own tartan and everything.
What, with Scottish ancestry, born in Yorkshire, brought up on a farm, there was no hope really was there [emoji8]

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Dee Dub

Dee Dub

Active Member
[Dee Dub looks at the ground sheepishly, and admits...]
Yeah, I got one too. :whistle:

I bought a cheap NT700 just to tide me over until next year when my finances will allow me to buy something more desirable. However, when I ride the damn thing I keep thinking, "Actually, this bike is pretty good!" The seat is low, so it's easy to manoeuvre. The screen and fairing are relatively large, improved further by an MRA Vario screen. The panniers are narrow and unobstrusive. What's not to like?

Okay, I know!!!!
1. It's ugly.
2. Top gear (fifth) is too low, but I'm getting used to it.
3. The only airflow is hot off the radiator - which is unwelcome in hot weather.
4. All that bodywork makes some maintenance jobs time-consuming.
5. It's 'kin ugly.

In my defence: You can't see how ugly it is when you're sitting on it.

Thanks Mike for dobbing me in.
 
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Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
Interesting to hear your take on it DD, I thought the 700's were more acceptable looks wise.
I'm quite liking the 650 too, frumpy looks and moderate fuel consumption/tank range aside (particularly after being on the vstrom for a while), after what turned out to be a very wet run home at midnight on Friday the DV made the trip quite pleasant and I'm still surprised how nifty they are round the bends.

After a bit of a poke about & a couple of trips all is fine and dandy with no horrors lurking - a grand well spent methinks [emoji2]

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Rubberchicken

Rubberchicken

Well-Known Member
They are a bit of a sleeper in a way. My dad bought one when his back couldn't hack the naked NTV anymore. Basically the same bike but slightly roomier and more comfortable. Can't fault his logic, other than it's a minger really.

Then again park it next to any other half decent bike and it won't get nicked either.
 
Barftone

Barftone

Well-Known Member
Another understated bike (classic?) Phil. Does it do a job and does it put a smile on your face? If it takes on on adventures or gets you to work and doesnt let you down then great. Never had one though.
 
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