The next big task on Project 32, a 1986 VFR700 F2 in Pearl Crescent White, is a full repaint. Paint prep is time-consuming, but critical for a quality job. I begin with a thorough degreasing and general cleaning, then plastic repairs, and finally decal removal, at which point I turn the parts over to a professional for final finishing and painting.

In this case, repairs were necessary to the large right side fairing, headlight fairing, tail light fairing mounting tabs and the rear seat cowl. Here, I'm pealing away the ancient duct tape "repair" on the right side fairing. There were two similar cracked areas on this piece. I'll be plastic welding these cracks so I begin with V-grooving the cracks with a Dremel tool on both sides of the fairing. I use a small cutting head or, for larger areas, a flexible sanding head.
(click on an image to enlarge)

Next I weld ABS filler rod into the cracks, smoothing the filler with heat to keep the repair at or below the surface of the piece (as seen on the lower crack weld). This will make finishing easier, as the ABS is difficult to sand. This done on both sides of the repair.

(Below) We've decided to fill the grooves around the turn signal holes on the headlight fairing, just for cosmetics. These grooves were part of a lazy fix for Honda to add the infill panels necessary to fit the U.S.-spec turn signals and their mounting stalks. Filling the grooves will clean up the fairing, giving a more finished look. I want to enlarge the groove here, in order to fill it with Plast-aid, a two-part acetate plastic product. In it's liquid state, the Plast-aid will level itself to the surface, making final finishing fairly straight-forward. Once cured (about 20 minutes) the area is sanded with 100-grit to smooth out the excess and prep the surface for body filler.

Today marks the mid-point of the riding season for those of us living on the upper third of the globe. It happens to be raining outside my window this morning, but the calendar is a reminder to get out and recycle some petrol, else we end up like this in a few months time….

Reader Tom from Boise, ID sent me this fix for a failed RC24/26 fuel pump. The 2d-gen fuel pump is unique in that it has 90-degree curved inlet & outlet pipes, necessary to allow the fuel lines to clear the coolant overflow tank. The later VFRs are mounted in a more accessible location, allowing straight inlet/outlets. Trouble is, the curved-piped pumps are NLA from Honda and not available on the aftermarket.

Tom's solution is to simply source some 3/8-inch (10mm) 90-degree rubber fittings and clamp everything in place. I've accomplished the same thing with shortened brass 90-degree fittings, but the rubber fittings are a simpler solution. This fix will allow use of the later OEM pumps or their aftermarket replacements. NOTE: the later pump wiring is reversed from the earlier connectors. You'll need to splice the original connector onto the newer style pump wiring.

Tom's initial problem was fuel spewing from the crimped metal seam in the middle of the pump. He opened the crimp and disassembled the pump, locating a failed o-ring which he thinks may fix the leaking. Tom elected to go with the new pump, but replacing this gasket might be another approach.

The black muffler tips on the 2d-gen pipes can get pretty scuffed up over time. But their finish is easily renewed with an application of high-temp spray paint, like VHT.

The muffler assemblies on these bikes are notoriously difficult to remove, so when possible, I simply spray them in place.

I begin with a thorough washing, noting that there's always an accumulation of carbon exhaust deposits on the tips. Some sort of degreaser will take care of that, with a final wipe with a paint prep product, like Dupli-Color cleaner. Often, a light sanding is in order to remove surface scratches.

Next, a precise taping around the perimeter of the tip followed by completely covering the bike to avoid overspray. For this I use large plastic sheet which I source from the dollar store, sold as party table covers. Cut these lightweight sheets into any size or shape you need.

What's that, your tag is wonky and just won't behave? The license plate assembly on the 2d-gen VFR is prone to being loose and no manner of tightening the two bolts on the backside of the fender will help, as those bolts are designed to bottom out on the bracket studs.





(Below) Here's a simple fix. The issue is that the rubber mounts surrounding the two studs which protrude through the fender have shrunk with age. I give them a new lease on life by simply inserting two internal tooth lock washers onto the studs (external tooth would also work). 
Those teeth will grab the fender and hold everything tight.

Now's a good time to brighten up the black plastic fender by cleaning, then applying a quality plastic treatment like 303. If it's beyond that, then an application of a dye-type product like Back-to-Black or That Black Stuff will help.

​Here's an Amazon link.

One of the final tasks on Project 34, a 1987 VFR700 F2, is to inspect the fuel tank fittings. When I removed the original selector valve, this is what I found. This is the result of many years of disuse and evaporating fuel, leaving these line-clogging crusty deposits behind.

The petcock will be changed to a fresh assembly, and to clear those three lines into and out of the tank I use a flexible vinyl-coated electrical wire, gently breaking up the deposits. I then blow compressed air into the tank from the filler neck which blows the crud outward, so as not to clog the pickup screens inside the tank.

This is a perfect example of why every system on these old, inactive bikes needs to be addressed.

With four 2d-gen VFR projects in the works — all Pearl Crescent White — I gathered together the little bits for a painting frenzy. The mirrors and turn signal housings (and wheels) on these models don't have the pearl color added to the finish, they use only the base coat white. So, in the interest of efficiency, I prepped all that I have on hand and asked my painter to spray them together. After disassembly, cleaning and sanding, they were ready for paint. In the box are shown some of the finished items, awaiting their installation.

What: 1992 VFR750F
Where: Peoria, Illinois area
Why: Completely refurbed beauty
Price: $5500

​While perusing my daily RareSportBikesForSale (.com) email feed, I was pleasantly surprised by this black beauty, offered by Brian F., a VFR-isti I "met" some time ago via this site.

Brian has gone balls out with this project, as the description and photos will attest in the RSBFS Featured Listing. His attention to detail and commitment to offering a quality bike is impressive, with a full mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment; "cleaned commutator and brushes on the radiator fan." I think that gives a clear picture of the lengths Brian went to on this unique VFR. The original paint isn't black — the Granite Blue Metallic was a one-year color in the U.S. It first appears black, but at just the right angle, sunlight will show subtle shades of blue with a tinge of purple in the decals.

RSBFS's write-up is spot on; here's a sample:
"When you look back at the bikes you could have owned – or maybe did own, but let slip away – many will dream of the unobtainable collector machines built in small numbers and high prices. But when you look back on the bikes you could have owned to ride, then the list changes significantly. Gone are the torture racks, the rolling stock full of NOS parts never to be found again, or the odd and unique (but not very practical) imports. Instead you would look back at the best all around bikes in history – and come to a singular conclusion: the Honda VFR750F. Here is a bike that can do it ALL – from canyon riding and track days to touring, exploring and commuting. The VFR has long been a do everything exceptionally well type of mount."

Brian is asking $5500 for his VFR. I will tell you that, even at my bargain shop rate of $40/hour, I would have all of that and more just in parts and labor to duplicate this bike…plus the cost of the bike itself. The third-gen VFRs may not have the collector panache of some '90s bikes, but this one is special. Check out the link for more details or, better yet, give Brian a shout:
[email protected]

Project 34 is a 1987 VFR700 F2 in Pearl Crescent White, showing 23,000 miles. The bike belongs to Steve, from Michigan, and it came to me with one of the most clogged, gummed-up set of carburetors I've ever seen. The brake system was in similar condition along with leaky forks, bad steering bearings and dated tires. After a full mechanical service and some tricky paint matching on the damaged headlight fairing, this Interceptor is back on the road.

The test ride went perfectly — the engine is super smooth with clean revs throughout the range with lots of power, just like a VFR should perform. After some final checks, I'll mount up the remaining fairings and this one will be ready to go home.