VFR750 " Barn Find " Diary
Discussion
O/S seat panel removed, I cleaned up all the wiring connectors and earths. Don't know why, I don't even know what it is. But I put heat sink paste on the back of the rectifier. I must've read it somewhere. 
It also started up near enough instantly. Idled well and let it run till the electric fan came on. Engine revs very cleanly. Oil and water levels never moved so I'm fairly happy with the engine. I'll balance the carbs once it's running.
It also started up near enough instantly. Idled well and let it run till the electric fan came on. Engine revs very cleanly. Oil and water levels never moved so I'm fairly happy with the engine. I'll balance the carbs once it's running.
Fork dismantled easy enough. Springs are a few mm longer than suggested in Haynes. Don't know if this means they are non oe replacements? I never checked but will do on the next for a makers name / part number.
I never changed the seals. My logic for this was ; they weren't leaking. And if I keep the bike I'll upgrade the fork internals for next year.
The front mudguard was a pita. Seized bolts, drill blowing up and rivet gun breaking. I've ordered some cap head bolts, so should be ready soon.
I never changed the seals. My logic for this was ; they weren't leaking. And if I keep the bike I'll upgrade the fork internals for next year.
The front mudguard was a pita. Seized bolts, drill blowing up and rivet gun breaking. I've ordered some cap head bolts, so should be ready soon.
Good timing Renn Sport, I'm midway through rubbing down the second fork.
No new progressive springs, or even new seals. If I keep the bike, and I more than likely will, then I'm going to upgrade the forks again next year along with the rear shock. This was mainly so I could paint and change the fork oil.
I probably enjoy working on bikes as much as I do riding them. I've already started next years list. I'm list crazy!
The reason for using auto transmission fluid is because that's what Honda uk recommend. I believe Honda USA recommend 10wt fork oil. I'm not the fastest rider so I doubt I'll notice the difference in weights.
Hoping to get the second fork etch primed today and painted tomorrow.
Planning to put it on the road at the start of August and finish it off very soon after that. I've got a old Saab that I need to start working.
Difference in forks, and back to work.
No new progressive springs, or even new seals. If I keep the bike, and I more than likely will, then I'm going to upgrade the forks again next year along with the rear shock. This was mainly so I could paint and change the fork oil.
I probably enjoy working on bikes as much as I do riding them. I've already started next years list. I'm list crazy!
The reason for using auto transmission fluid is because that's what Honda uk recommend. I believe Honda USA recommend 10wt fork oil. I'm not the fastest rider so I doubt I'll notice the difference in weights.
Hoping to get the second fork etch primed today and painted tomorrow.
Planning to put it on the road at the start of August and finish it off very soon after that. I've got a old Saab that I need to start working.
Difference in forks, and back to work.
I've kept plugging away with the bike and can now see the light. 2nd calliper stripped down , cleaned and rebuilt. All the banjos and nipples now swapped for stainless. Had to tie the brake lever back to bleed but now have a decent feel to the lever. 
Fitted a usb socket to the inner fairing so I can use my phone as a a sat nav if I ever go intercontinental ( ( I won't tho ). It's "marine" quality and only cost £3. What could go wrong?
Fitted a usb socket to the inner fairing so I can use my phone as a a sat nav if I ever go intercontinental ( ( I won't tho ). It's "marine" quality and only cost £3. What could go wrong?
there's been progress since last posting. This should take the thread up to the present time.
I don't know how I missed them, but the head bearings had a massive notch in them. My only excuse was I hadn't ridden it at this point. And the mot was booked for tomorrow. The most annoying thing was that I'd had the front end off a few times in the past week.
I couldn't be arsed doing it and the local bike shop (RPM) changed them to to taper bearings. Only charged £90 which I thought was fair enough.
Then the meta alarm packed in meaning the bike wouldn't start. I think this was 15 year old so that was disconnected.
Mot re booked and passed with one advisory, a potentially weeping fork seal. The tester told me that is was the cleanest vfr he'd seen in a long time, and another guy asked to buy it.
Anyway, when I rebuilt the forks I never used new seal. My reasoning was that I was going to update the front end. That's came back to bite me on the Arse though. I've got HRC seals off eBay along with dust seals. I'm going to try and postpone the job till winter, unless it gets worse.
Since moting the bike I've balanced the carbs. Horrible job on a v4 but they're done now. Engine carbuerates perfectly. Rebuilding the carbs is the job I'm most proud of.
The clutch is very heavy. I've cleaned up the pushrod which has made it smoother but not lightened it. I'll rebuild the master and slave, but I think it's more to do with me manning up.
It's by far the youngest and most modern bike I've owned and I'm delighted with it. Starts on the button , idles and revs cleanly. Brakes and steers great. I just wish I'd pulled my finger out and got it on the road for the start of summer.
I'm still buying tat off eBay for it. Got new plastic hex bolt covers to replace the missing ones on the Givi rack. "Won" 2 blue Givi panniers , but I'm undecided on keeping them. The baglux cover isn't a perfect fit but gets better every time I ride it. Got mirror extender coming via the VFR forum.
I think I'm 99% finished for this year, still to do ;
Wire up the voltmeter/ usb/ cigarette lighter socket
Raise the forks 10mm
Make a iPhone mount
Adjust the suspension
Adjust the gear and rear brake lever.
Unless something major or untoward happens that's the bike done for this year. Thank you for the help and advice I've received.
I don't know how I missed them, but the head bearings had a massive notch in them. My only excuse was I hadn't ridden it at this point. And the mot was booked for tomorrow. The most annoying thing was that I'd had the front end off a few times in the past week.
I couldn't be arsed doing it and the local bike shop (RPM) changed them to to taper bearings. Only charged £90 which I thought was fair enough.
Then the meta alarm packed in meaning the bike wouldn't start. I think this was 15 year old so that was disconnected.
Mot re booked and passed with one advisory, a potentially weeping fork seal. The tester told me that is was the cleanest vfr he'd seen in a long time, and another guy asked to buy it.
Anyway, when I rebuilt the forks I never used new seal. My reasoning was that I was going to update the front end. That's came back to bite me on the Arse though. I've got HRC seals off eBay along with dust seals. I'm going to try and postpone the job till winter, unless it gets worse.
Since moting the bike I've balanced the carbs. Horrible job on a v4 but they're done now. Engine carbuerates perfectly. Rebuilding the carbs is the job I'm most proud of.
The clutch is very heavy. I've cleaned up the pushrod which has made it smoother but not lightened it. I'll rebuild the master and slave, but I think it's more to do with me manning up.
It's by far the youngest and most modern bike I've owned and I'm delighted with it. Starts on the button , idles and revs cleanly. Brakes and steers great. I just wish I'd pulled my finger out and got it on the road for the start of summer.
I'm still buying tat off eBay for it. Got new plastic hex bolt covers to replace the missing ones on the Givi rack. "Won" 2 blue Givi panniers , but I'm undecided on keeping them. The baglux cover isn't a perfect fit but gets better every time I ride it. Got mirror extender coming via the VFR forum.
I think I'm 99% finished for this year, still to do ;
Wire up the voltmeter/ usb/ cigarette lighter socket
Raise the forks 10mm
Make a iPhone mount
Adjust the suspension
Adjust the gear and rear brake lever.
Unless something major or untoward happens that's the bike done for this year. Thank you for the help and advice I've received.
Edited by Private Pile on Saturday 3rd September 08:40
I really should read my own thread but I write in such a boring way. Anyway, I've been starting it occasionally over winter. Every now and then the starter turns, but doesn't turn the engine.
I've read on VFR forums that the starter clutch plays up and can be fixed with a service kit. Not mine, mine was cracked.
So oil, filter, gasket, starter clutch and service kit ordered.
£120 for a new starter clutch and £30 for the service kit. Rob dog Honda
s. While the cover was off it got painted.
Very straightforward to fit, someone had done a guide on an American forum.
I still don't understand why, but when I rebuilt the forks last year I used the old seals. No surprise that it weeped. So before putting the bike back on the road for this summer I bought new ones along with dust seals.
Forks off again.
Legs painted, then fitted the wrong way.
Used ATF for the forks. Used the 2nd cheapest stuff from Euro Car parts, I didn't want to appear cheap.
And that's the bike had its mini service and fixed for the summer. Just needs a right good clean. Hopefully get some use out of it for the good weather.
I've read on VFR forums that the starter clutch plays up and can be fixed with a service kit. Not mine, mine was cracked.
So oil, filter, gasket, starter clutch and service kit ordered.
£120 for a new starter clutch and £30 for the service kit. Rob dog Honda
s. While the cover was off it got painted. Very straightforward to fit, someone had done a guide on an American forum.
I still don't understand why, but when I rebuilt the forks last year I used the old seals. No surprise that it weeped. So before putting the bike back on the road for this summer I bought new ones along with dust seals.
Forks off again.
Legs painted, then fitted the wrong way.
Used ATF for the forks. Used the 2nd cheapest stuff from Euro Car parts, I didn't want to appear cheap.
And that's the bike had its mini service and fixed for the summer. Just needs a right good clean. Hopefully get some use out of it for the good weather.
Have just read through the entire thread.. excellent effort in bringing back this bike to her former glory. Never owned a VFR myself, but I did have a VF400F and VF500II back in the early 90s and loved the silky V4 engine.
That is a beautiful colour too. I quite fancy the idea of owning one of the first VFRs..in white.
That is a beautiful colour too. I quite fancy the idea of owning one of the first VFRs..in white.
unclepockets said:
As an RC36 fiend and current owner of two, I'm really pleased you've posted this update 
So how are you finding the bike generally? I think they're fantastic but the brakes and suspension are the weak points, did you notice an improvement in ride quality with the ATF?
Thanks. Yeah, I like the bike. Still feels very modern to me ( my other bike is a CX500 ). Over winter I was thinking about selling it but I'll probably keep it another year at least. They're worth nowt. So how are you finding the bike generally? I think they're fantastic but the brakes and suspension are the weak points, did you notice an improvement in ride quality with the ATF?
Ive only ever rode this bike with ATF in the forks, so can't compare it to normal fork oil.
To be honest, I haven't noticed the brakes or suspension to be lacking. That's probably says more about me than it does the bike.
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