Project 13's teardown is complete.

A fresh set of Bridgestone's are on their way, the clutch & alternator covers just returned from the powder coaters and the forks and master cylinders are apart for rebuilding.

No real surprises at this point. The steering head bearings will need replacement, but that's not uncommon. The carb rack is ready to go, and there's a set of Progressive fork springs that came with the bike. I've not yet decided on which type of exhaust to fit. Watching the bike come back together is the fun part for me, so let's get started!

WD-40 is versatile stuff. Invented in 1953, it was developed for the aerospace industry by the appropriately named Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego. The "WD" stands for "water dispersant" and the "40" presumably indicates the 40th development attempt. It was first made available to the San Diego consumer market in 1958 and the rest, as they say, is history. An interesting side note is that the inventors never patented the formula so that it could instead be kept as a trade secret, which it is to this day. (source: Wikipedia)

Contrary to what some believe, WD-40 is a lubricant, though a very low viscosity one. After application the thinning agent evaporates leaving behind a thin film of oil which protects from moisture, and thus corrosion. It also has lubricating qualities, but again, for very light-duty applications (like zippers). WD-40 can be used as a parts loosener in a jam (no pun intended). And, of course, it displaces moisture, like on soaked ignition wires.

There are more job-specific chemicals available, but the attraction of WD-40 is its versatility, making it useable for many tasks.

Here I'm using it as an adhesive remover along with a plastic-bladed razor. I also use it as a drive chain cleaner and degreaser for chain grease on the rear wheel and anywhere else that stuff goes. It will remove light surface rust, too. It could be used as an electrical contact treatment also, but I tend to use di-electric grease for that job.

I will always have a can or two within quick reach. 

Helmets are important. And they can be expensive, especially when associated with our racing heroes, whether they be motorcycles or riders. Here's a few examples:

This is an Arai helmet offered on eBay which is claimed to have been custom made for "Fast Freddie" Spencer. No authentication is offered and the helmet has no DOT sticker or sizing, which technically makes it unusable for road use — though that's probably not what the buyer would have in mind. Offered at a $700 opening bid plus $25 shipping.

Here's a new Arai RX-7X helmet produced as a tribute to the Honda NSR 250R, a 2-stroke street bike produced from 1987-99 and popular in Japan.

I'm obviously not privy to the attraction here 'cause this thing is offered for a whopping $3079. It's listed by a few sellers in Japan for similar money. I'm not sure the market exists here in the U.S., but good luck to the sellers in any case.

Well, I am able to relate to this eBay offering. Another Arai RX-7X, this is designed as a tribute to the RC30 and marketed as a 30th anniversary edition.

Again from a seller in Japan, these are available for a more reasonable $1047 with free shipping. A high-quality helmet in classic livery. Love it.

SOLD: $3150

This nice 1987 VFR700 F2 recently sold on eBay. The seller indicates some rash from a spill but otherwise stock and original. It shows only 9700 miles and was located in New York state.

The pictures look good with only a few blemishes. The passenger seat cowl was not included. Seems like a fair deal.

Project 13 is in the shop and, before the rear subframe assembly is reinstalled, I'll take the opportunity to detail the areas that I have good access to with the subframe out of the way.

One of these is the rubber chain slider. The rear of the slider is secured to the swingarm by this loop, which is nearly always broken, like this one. The slider is NLA from Honda and, in any case, requires the removal of the swingarm to replace.

I've come up with a solution which makes life easier and provides a more positive and permanent attach point.

I'm going to secure the top and bottom of the strap to the swingarm with these screws and upholstery washers.

I simply locate the washer where I want it and drill the appropriate sized hole, screw down the washer and trim the rubber strap. Repeat for the lower strap.

Job done. This also gives a little cleaner look to the swingarm when everything's back in place.

Does the swingarm on Project 13 look a little more shiny then normal? It is. While detailing the area, I realized that, at some point, the swingarm had been stripped and polished.

The only issue with polishing aluminum parts is that it will never end (unless they're clearcoated). But with some Mother's polish and about 15 minutes of effort we have a beautiful piece of bling.

Here's a shot showing the before and after contrast.

I think it's the motorcycle equivalent of the CHP using Mustangs and Camaros as pursuit interceptors back in the day. Honda found a market, mostly in Japan, for a Police variant of the RC24, which was given its own model number; RC35.

According to Wikipedia: "... it was restricted to 75 hp and fitted with a five-speed gearbox, modified main stand, gear indicator, uprated alternator, crash bars, higher handlebars and modified speedometer." I also like the radio rack and Bates-style saddlebags. The turn signals are also relocated and those massive sirens would sure come in handy in traffic.

An 800 version was also produced, as shown here...

...and a 1200. Here's a shot of London's Metropolitan Police aboard a VFR1200P.

And to complete your Interceptor collection scale models were produced, this one with a nattily-dressed rider aboard an 800.

And here's something we don't see in the U.S. — female motor cops. This is a very cool precision riding drill by Japanese women police aboard the VFR800P (the figure 8 maneuver near the end is awesome).

Project 18 has hit the road — safely packed in a semi trailer. It will soon be unloaded at its next home on the Colorado front range.

I can easily envision new owner, Michael, running the Interceptor up the Hwy 34 canyon to Estes Park and maybe loop back south on 7 for a nice afternoon romp.

It's hard to imagine a more fitting new home. Congratulations to Michael, and many safe rides.

The final details have been completed and this beauty is ready for the road!

I chose this bike to do a cosmetic restoration because of its unusually low mileage, just 10,583, and the fact that it's just a very solid 750cc — available only in 1986. The color had to be the iconic red/white/blue, which is the scheme this one wore out of the factory back in March, 1986.

Lots of trial and error was involved in finalizing the paint color mixes to get as close to the original as possible (factory formulations are no longer available).

The wheels were also stripped and finished in Shasta White. The seat and bumstop were reupholstered and a perfect set of rare original mufflers were fitted. The engine tune is original right down to the Honda OEM air filter (no longer available). The engine side covers and valve covers were refinished in a textured bronze powder coat.

The mechanical systems were all addressed — brakes, carburetors, valves, cooling, drive chain/sprockets, electrical. Upon reassembly every part was massaged as necessary to fit the whole. Original parts were used wherever possible and many new OEM bits were installed.

The suspension, a weak point on the second-generation Interceptor, was addressed by Jamie Daugherty at DMr. He rebuilt the original shock absorber, incorporating a re-valve and new Eibach spring, set up for a 200-pound rider. I rebuilt the fork and used a Progressive spring. The fork is further tunable via air pressure.

Much time, attention, money and passion has gone into this build, and I'm very proud of the result. This is a beautiful VFR that will make any owner smile, whether on the road or sitting proudly displayed in the garage.

For more details:
FLICKR photo album with 62 hi-res pictures:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5Uffw4

With the final touches complete on Project 18, yesterday I rolled the next victim into the shop. Just in time for the Halloween season Project 13 is ready for its makeover. This is a 1986 VFR750F with 23,400 miles which was found locally a couple of years ago. At that time I did the basic mechanical checks and ran the engine, which sounds great.

The build plan is to clothe the bike in original, unrestored red/white/blue bodywork and freshen all the systems. This will emerge in the Spring as a great-looking rider. Stay tuned.

Sold for $2900


I originally came across this 1986 VFR750F on Rare Sportbikes For Sale (.com) with a link to the eBay auction listing.

It was located in Florida and is original and complete, right down to the rear seat cowl and mufflers. The bike presents pretty well despite the 40,000 miles showing on the odometer.