All Categories - V4 Dreams

Carbs, carbs, carbs

7/25/2015

While rebuilding the carb rack for the 700 Resurrection Bike, I laid out all the internals before reassembly began and snapped a photo. If you're facing a carb cleaning, here's what lies ahead — but don't be too daunted, as things generally can only go back together in their appropriate place.

Here's what I found upon disassembly. Carb neglect can be an ugly thing. What these internals told me was that this bike had been sitting unused for a long time. Amazingly, this all cleaned up with some toothbrush scrubbing and a dip in the ultrasonic tub. One slide diaphragm was found to be damaged and the low-speed jets were clogged (of course) but otherwise a straight-forward carb service with fresh O-rings had these back on the bike later that day.

I've seen worse.

Parts Bike Resurrection

7/25/2015

I brought this '86 VFR700 F2 home last last year, and with no title, intended to use it as a parts carcass. The seller had bought a foreclosed home in Cary IL and found this sad situation abandoned in the garage. As the tear-down progressed, I realized the bike is relatively complete and unmolested so if the mechanicals proved worthy, it might be worth pursuing a replacement title.

No extra charge for the rad graphics.

This past week I finished up the mechanical checks, remounted the carb rack and pushed the magic button. The engine roared to life, literally, as the unmuffled straight pipes rattled the shop walls and filled the air with partially burned Marvel Mystery Oil. Awesome.

The plan, assuming a title can be procured, will be to assemble a complete, well-sorted daily driver from bits and pieces I already have in the hoard. Should be a fun project.

The Magic Revealed

7/25/2015

I'm completing the tear-down of an '86 VFR700 parts bike (not the same bike featured in the following posts). I guess when you reach the crankshaft you've reached the end point, and here we are. If you've never seen the cases split on the V4, here's a look. The VFR's signature gear-drive valve train begins with the splines located in the middle of the crankshaft, supported by eight large and heavily torqued studs in addition to about fifteen smaller case bolts — this is one sturdy crankcase.

SOLD!

7/15/2015

Another Interceptor Back on the Road
The Blues Project has found a new owner. A local rider, Sean, saw the Craigslist ad and fell in love with this beauty. I'm very pleased to see a young rider appreciate classic motorcycles, and especially a VFR. "I didn't want just another beat-up used 600, and this bike will get other riders' respect."
Couldn't have said it better myself.

V4 Holy Grail

7/14/2015

Ebay auction item number 221825064170

1994 RVF750R on eBay

Some call it the ultimate sport bike. Some say it's too badass for Chuck Norris. I just want to know what's it's worth.

Have a peek at the "Historical" page for some background, but suffice it to say the RC45 is the ultimate Honda homologation special, with only 50 making it to America. A genuine race bike in street clothes. Few survived the racers' touch and fewer still could realistically be used a daily riders. This is one. The starting bid of $10,000 is long gone, despite the salvage title. The auction ends Sunday evening, plenty of time to cajole the spouse and visit with your friendly banker... "But it's an investment."

Update: Item failed to sell with 24 bids reaching $21,500.

Luggage anyone?

7/14/2015

Ebay item number 261964964447

Here's an unusual accessory rarely available for the Interceptor. This is a GIVI trunk and rack, shown on a '93 VFR750. From the ebay seller:

"This is a givi monokey top rack system designed for 1990 thru 1993 Honda VFR 750's. It may also fit the 4th gen VFR models up to 97 but you would have to research that. Case is faded a bit on top from the sun but it still looks great and it works great. Also served me well as a backrest for a passenger. Includes all mounts and mounting hardware to get it mounted on your VFR. Some of the hardware has been replaced but it still works as new."

The seller is looking for $152.50 shipped from California. Add a set of soft bags and hit the road.

Update: Item sold for $169.50 including shipping.

Pass the Word! The Blues Project is Ready for a New Home!

7/6/2015

UPDATE: July 14
Bike has been sold.

My latest project, a 1987 VFR700 F2 is finally completed, tested, sorted and ready to ride. I'm looking for a new owner to put some miles on her. Please click on the "Home" page for details, or here's a link to the local Craigslist ad:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/5108139045.html

It's also listed on ebay; item number 231614247771

It's The Little Things...

6/30/2015

Bondo is sanded and ready for primer

When a bike hits the ground it's the "edges" that get bruised, things like brake/clutch levers, turn signals...and bar ends. Fortunately they're easily salvaged. Here's what I do:

Using some basic furniture stripper, the paint is removed and the ends scrubbed clean. Then I mix up a small batch of body filler and apply a light coat over the entire fixture. After about twenty minutes a quick sanding with 320-grit followed by a finer grade and they're ready for paint.

Some time ago I discovered a Rustoleum color, Stainless Steel, that mimics the original silver pretty well. I apply a couple of light coats of Rustoleum primer, followed by a few color coats, and finally three coats of Rustoleum clear. By varying how "wet" the final clear coat is applied, I can achieve more or less of a gloss finish.

Check one more item off the Blues Project list.

Made in China

6/25/2015

Replacement windscreen (left) shown with OEM

The Blues Project is in need of a replacement windscreen, and that leaves few options. I've had some limited luck with light wet-sanding old screens followed by copious amount of machine buffing, but there's no repairing the deep gouges in this baby. I've long wanted to try one of the aftermarket screens from Hong Kong, and at $36 shipped, what's the worst that could happen? As it turns out, it's a pretty good fix.

I ordered up a replacement screen from ebay seller MC-9238 and after a three-week wait, the padded envelope finally arrived. Unfortunately, one corner was visibly damaged and, sure enough, the screen had sustained a 3-inch light scratch. The seller stressed in his listing to contact them with any issue, so I did, along with two photos of the damage. I received a quick response and a promise to ship off another. The second one arrived only a week later — this time nicely boxed.

I fully expected that some fitting would be necessary, which consisted of elongating three of the mounting holes with a step drill. After about 15 minutes of fiddling the screen was in place. I added a "Honda" decal and Bob's your uncle.

The fit is acceptable if you're not in need of a concours piece. The screen is deeply tinted, much more than the OEM, as seen in the first photo, with a flawless, nearly black, finish.

At left can be seen the only real manufacturing "oops," as the lower ear doesn't quite flow correctly with the headlight. I considered trying some filing/sanding/shaping, but decided it's unnecessary.

Overall, a very useable windscreen for a bargain price.

Bargain Hunting on ebay

6/23/2015

Ebay item number 331588608568

NEW 2014 — Leftover Bargain

Here's a zero-mile VFR800 at a dealer in Pennsylvania, offered at used bike prices. It's a standard model, having an MSRP of $12,850 and offered at only $9,895 out-the-door.

The standard gives up some niceties — ABS brakes, traction control, heated grips — but someone's getting a warrantied Interceptor at a starter-bike price.

I have to wonder what this is saying about the public's acceptance of the new 800.