VFR750 " Barn Find " Diary
Discussion
Neelyp, i think you're from Falkirk so your probably right.
Gareth and Bgunn. I was a bit premature saying the carbs were fine. I'll keep running fresh fuel through them while i'm doing other jobs but they'll need a clean before it goes back on the road ( next Spring ). And yeah, i've seen the prices! I've already spent £100 on odds and sods from Wemoto and Silvers. They're a bit of a shock when your used to paying buttons for CX500 parts.
Managed an hour on it this afternoon and got the front brake switch fitted ( there was a pattern switch fitted, so its been done before ). That's all the lights working.
Also got the slave cylinder fitted but ran out of time before i could bleed it. Hopefully get an hour or so on it tomorrow.
Gareth and Bgunn. I was a bit premature saying the carbs were fine. I'll keep running fresh fuel through them while i'm doing other jobs but they'll need a clean before it goes back on the road ( next Spring ). And yeah, i've seen the prices! I've already spent £100 on odds and sods from Wemoto and Silvers. They're a bit of a shock when your used to paying buttons for CX500 parts.
Managed an hour on it this afternoon and got the front brake switch fitted ( there was a pattern switch fitted, so its been done before ). That's all the lights working.
Also got the slave cylinder fitted but ran out of time before i could bleed it. Hopefully get an hour or so on it tomorrow.
Nice thread! well done for getting the bike and treating it to some TLC, I've had a go on an RC36 a few times and bloody love them, I'd have one in a heartbeat if I could find one over here for sale. The noise they make is fantastic, I'll just have to make do with my little VFR400 for the time being 
Managed a bit of time on it this afternoon. Got the clutch bled OK, the second hand slave seems to be oil tight. Took the bike a wee run up the street and the clutch and gearbox both working fine. Riding it shows that the fueling isn't 100% though.
The ignition switch started playing up last night, so i soaked that in WD40 and fingers crossed it's now working fine.
The remote fuel tap was seized solid. This is now freed off, i just spent some time working it back and forward with WD40.
While bleeding the clutch i noticed that one of the clamps on the front downpipe was missing and the other badly rusted. I've ordered 2 from Ebay.
And lastly, that's the tat buying started. I got these allen bolts from Ebay. I'll try and not go overboard. Apart from wanting a carbon can!
I've got a service kit on order, so that's the VFR plans for the weekend.
LOL Just noticed while previewing the post that i forgot to fit the new banjo to the clutch master cylinder.
The ignition switch started playing up last night, so i soaked that in WD40 and fingers crossed it's now working fine.
The remote fuel tap was seized solid. This is now freed off, i just spent some time working it back and forward with WD40.
While bleeding the clutch i noticed that one of the clamps on the front downpipe was missing and the other badly rusted. I've ordered 2 from Ebay.
And lastly, that's the tat buying started. I got these allen bolts from Ebay. I'll try and not go overboard. Apart from wanting a carbon can!
I've got a service kit on order, so that's the VFR plans for the weekend.
LOL Just noticed while previewing the post that i forgot to fit the new banjo to the clutch master cylinder.
I had a VFR750FM for seven years. Loved it and only sold it when a mate offered more than I thought it was worth. I put the cash in to buy a VFR800...big mistake!!
Anyway, one job that is definitely worth doing is removing, cleaning and greasing the rear hub. Over time dirt, grease etc. gets in and can makes things difficult. Mine had tiny stones etc. in it that made it a bugger to remove. I had to wash out old grease and dirt with WD40 before I could get enough "wiggle" to start things moving, which took ages. Once removed, cleaned and greased it was much easier to adjust the chain as it turned smoothly. Or you can leave it until the hub has seized.....but I wouldn't. If it comes out easy it's a quick job, and if it doesn't then it needs to be done, so either way you won't be wasting your time.
I also had to fix the starter clutch which is a weak point on these, but you'll know when it's going. The fuel tap on mine was replaced and didn't last long, which was hassle as they're not that economical.
It was a lovely bike though and I'd definitely have another if wifey would let me extend the fleet.
Good luck with it.
Anyway, one job that is definitely worth doing is removing, cleaning and greasing the rear hub. Over time dirt, grease etc. gets in and can makes things difficult. Mine had tiny stones etc. in it that made it a bugger to remove. I had to wash out old grease and dirt with WD40 before I could get enough "wiggle" to start things moving, which took ages. Once removed, cleaned and greased it was much easier to adjust the chain as it turned smoothly. Or you can leave it until the hub has seized.....but I wouldn't. If it comes out easy it's a quick job, and if it doesn't then it needs to be done, so either way you won't be wasting your time.
I also had to fix the starter clutch which is a weak point on these, but you'll know when it's going. The fuel tap on mine was replaced and didn't last long, which was hassle as they're not that economical.
It was a lovely bike though and I'd definitely have another if wifey would let me extend the fleet.
Good luck with it.
With regards to the rear hub above its great advice!
Mine was getting very difficult to adjust the chain, as in using a hammer to tap the spanner around.
After cleaning and regreasing it took a light push with an open hand to get it to adjust. Annoyingly they put a hole on the underside of the swingarm which means it forever fills!
Mine was getting very difficult to adjust the chain, as in using a hammer to tap the spanner around.
After cleaning and regreasing it took a light push with an open hand to get it to adjust. Annoyingly they put a hole on the underside of the swingarm which means it forever fills!
Hey mate, decided to dig out my username to post in this thread - have you made any movement on the bike? I currently have two RC36's - both the 90-93 model. One's a pretty much pristine example and the other's a pretty looking thing that won't run and is covered in war wounds under the vinyl wrap I've given it.
Be cool to know how you're getting on, if you need any advice let me know as I've stripped my dog down about 50 times now haha!
Be cool to know how you're getting on, if you need any advice let me know as I've stripped my dog down about 50 times now haha!
Piss, ballocks and f
k it, how did I miss this thread?
So you went soft and didn't get the Urban Tiger
Look forward to progress report so get a shift on and stop tinkering at your mum's car lol.
eta Answer to first question, you got it the week of my daughter's wedding so I was somewhat preoccupied
k it, how did I miss this thread?So you went soft and didn't get the Urban Tiger
Look forward to progress report so get a shift on and stop tinkering at your mum's car lol.eta Answer to first question, you got it the week of my daughter's wedding so I was somewhat preoccupied
Edited by tonytifoso on Tuesday 20th January 21:15
Cheers london john , the bike is basically still the same as my last post. I'm not expecting to work on it again until February. I'll definately take up your offer of advice.
I'm provisionally booked to take it over to Europe in June, so I want it on the road well before then so I can give it a decent shakedown.
Nice to hear from you Tony. Hope all is well with you. Yeah, I know what you mean by tinkering. Ive got too many half finished projects on the go! I blame ebay and a lack of talent!
Thanks, and hopefully update soon ( probably with a new ebay project ).
I'm provisionally booked to take it over to Europe in June, so I want it on the road well before then so I can give it a decent shakedown.
Nice to hear from you Tony. Hope all is well with you. Yeah, I know what you mean by tinkering. Ive got too many half finished projects on the go! I blame ebay and a lack of talent!
Thanks, and hopefully update soon ( probably with a new ebay project ).
Managed to get the garage tidied out of rubbish, and make enough space to get the VFR in
and the David Silver service kit i bought last year
Started off changing the 4 plugs. The rear 2 are easy enough, but the front 2 are a bit tight. The radiator swings forward to allow access though. Also changed the oil and filter, air filter ( old one was manky ) and fuel filter. Also drained, flushed and refilled the coolant. No seized or rounded bolts, so the service was fairly sraight forward.
The battery has been on charge over the winter and once fitted the bike fired fairly quickly. The idle and fueling is way to fk though. I had a look at the carbs when the air filter was off, they look quite a tight fit.
The carbs are a lot more complicated than i'm used to. If i can find someone local then i'll probably get them to service the carbs.
Hopefully i'll have some spare time soon to give the bike a good going over and get it on the road for spring.
and the David Silver service kit i bought last year
Started off changing the 4 plugs. The rear 2 are easy enough, but the front 2 are a bit tight. The radiator swings forward to allow access though. Also changed the oil and filter, air filter ( old one was manky ) and fuel filter. Also drained, flushed and refilled the coolant. No seized or rounded bolts, so the service was fairly sraight forward.
The battery has been on charge over the winter and once fitted the bike fired fairly quickly. The idle and fueling is way to f
k though. I had a look at the carbs when the air filter was off, they look quite a tight fit.The carbs are a lot more complicated than i'm used to. If i can find someone local then i'll probably get them to service the carbs.
Hopefully i'll have some spare time soon to give the bike a good going over and get it on the road for spring.
Had a spare afternoon today and thought i'd better get on with removing the carbs. I've read about it online and it was meant to be a pig of a job. Firstly, whipped the tank, side panels and airbox off. Then heated up the rubbers with a hair dryer, and they pried off fairly easily.
And then there was none.
I didn't have time to strip the carbs today, but i did remove 1 fuel bowl. This is where i need some advice.
There are 2 brass jets that i can unscrew and clean. What is the third brass tube with just the hole in it? Does this need removed and cleaned too?
Hope to get the carbs cleaned and ready to fit for next week.
Thanks for looking.
And then there was none.
I didn't have time to strip the carbs today, but i did remove 1 fuel bowl. This is where i need some advice.
There are 2 brass jets that i can unscrew and clean. What is the third brass tube with just the hole in it? Does this need removed and cleaned too?
Hope to get the carbs cleaned and ready to fit for next week.
Thanks for looking.
You'll have to let us know how you get on with the carbs!
Mine need sorting as well but I'm not confident with pulling them to bits!
I'll get around to showing a picture of mine to see the comparison considering they're the same colour scheme!
Also take the exhaust off and start it, or better yet ride it.
Turns it into a complete race bike, best bike noise I've ever heard
Mine need sorting as well but I'm not confident with pulling them to bits!
I'll get around to showing a picture of mine to see the comparison considering they're the same colour scheme!
Also take the exhaust off and start it, or better yet ride it.
Turns it into a complete race bike, best bike noise I've ever heard
Thanks Guys.
I've been putting off stripping the carbs, but fortune favours the brave, so i bought them and the tools indoors to the kitchen and cracked on.
( Thanks to whoever on this forum linked the Vessel screwdrivers, they're excellent )
I removed this from each float bowl.
No pictures of the next stages. I bought a secondhand ultrasonic jewelery cleaner off Gumtree for a tenner, and cleaned the jets, floats etc in a mixture of vinegar / lemon juice / carb cleaner and they came up very well. All the varnish and staining was gone. I also removed the diaphrams and cleaned the needles in my new cleaner.
Last job was to take the carb bodies to my mates garage where i could borrow a airline. Sprayed carb cleaner down every hole i could find, and blast out with compressed air and repeated several times.
All going well i'll get them rebuilt tomorrow, but it'll be next week before i can get them fitted.
I've been putting off stripping the carbs, but fortune favours the brave, so i bought them and the tools indoors to the kitchen and cracked on.
( Thanks to whoever on this forum linked the Vessel screwdrivers, they're excellent )
I removed this from each float bowl.
No pictures of the next stages. I bought a secondhand ultrasonic jewelery cleaner off Gumtree for a tenner, and cleaned the jets, floats etc in a mixture of vinegar / lemon juice / carb cleaner and they came up very well. All the varnish and staining was gone. I also removed the diaphrams and cleaned the needles in my new cleaner.
Last job was to take the carb bodies to my mates garage where i could borrow a airline. Sprayed carb cleaner down every hole i could find, and blast out with compressed air and repeated several times.
All going well i'll get them rebuilt tomorrow, but it'll be next week before i can get them fitted.
I'm surprised you've not heard it already Tony, had both the neighbours out last week!
Managed an hour earlier, started off with this
Diaphrams and covers on
Jets, floats, bowls and jazzy new allen bolts fitted
And hopefully fitted back on the bike next week. Once the engine is running sweet, then i'll make a start on refreshing the brakes.
Managed an hour earlier, started off with this
Diaphrams and covers on
Jets, floats, bowls and jazzy new allen bolts fitted
And hopefully fitted back on the bike next week. Once the engine is running sweet, then i'll make a start on refreshing the brakes.
I have the same kitchen work top!
If you need a loan of internal pillars and red grease give me a shout and I'll drop it off.
They make getting the pistons out so much easier. And I have a tub or two of red grease. Also 5 litres of brake fluid I need to use before it goes off.
Also loads of angled picks that are good for getting seals out and cleaning in the grooves. Oh and a crappy bleeding kit and syringe. Basically if you need anything for the brakes bar the seals gees a text.
Or if you need a hand doing them. Piss easy job can be done in a few hours.
If you need a loan of internal pillars and red grease give me a shout and I'll drop it off.
They make getting the pistons out so much easier. And I have a tub or two of red grease. Also 5 litres of brake fluid I need to use before it goes off.
Also loads of angled picks that are good for getting seals out and cleaning in the grooves. Oh and a crappy bleeding kit and syringe. Basically if you need anything for the brakes bar the seals gees a text.
Or if you need a hand doing them. Piss easy job can be done in a few hours.
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