Project 11 is in the reassembly stage, but along the way I decided to up its game....
The biggest challenge I faced with this bike was an impressive 3-inch dent on the right side of the fuel tank.
The rest of the bodywork on this 1986 VFR700 is in very nice original condition, so I really wanted to save the existing tank as opposed to a full repaint. I began with my paintless dent expert who was able to get the metal back to about 90%, with most of the remaining blemish in the white area of this dent. There still remained chipped white paint and some surface unevenness.
The rest of the bodywork on this 1986 VFR700 is in very nice original condition, so I really wanted to save the existing tank as opposed to a full repaint. I began with my paintless dent expert who was able to get the metal back to about 90%, with most of the remaining blemish in the white area of this dent. There still remained chipped white paint and some surface unevenness.
My next stop was a visit with Bill, my painter. This was a tricky fix. We needed to attack only the white (the red is actually a decal) so to accomplish filler, sanding and paint adjacent to the red stripe wouldn't be a simple task. During the work, some original clearcoat began to separate on a section of the red, so that would need to be addressed as well.
In the end, Bill really come through. There's still some imperfection due to a scratch on the red stripe, but the white was blended perfectly and the final clearcoat brought it all together. Most importantly, the original fuel tank was rescued.
In the end, Bill really come through. There's still some imperfection due to a scratch on the red stripe, but the white was blended perfectly and the final clearcoat brought it all together. Most importantly, the original fuel tank was rescued.
Next up was the defaced swingarm, where a liquid, most likely battery acid, had stripped the anodizing from the metal and left this ugly mess (right).
I discovered the fix a couple of years ago, which requires removal of the anodizing using oven cleaner, a very caustic foaming agent. I apply a first coat, let it set 20 minutes, wipe clean, and then apply a second coat for about 10 minutes to clean up any remaining spots.
This is followed by wet-sanding, in this case beginning with a relatively rough 220-grit (to sand down through the damaged aluminum) and working my way up to 800-grit. The final step is hand polishing with aluminum polish to whatever level of shine I'm happy with. Looks much better.
(click on an image to enlarge)
This is followed by wet-sanding, in this case beginning with a relatively rough 220-grit (to sand down through the damaged aluminum) and working my way up to 800-grit. The final step is hand polishing with aluminum polish to whatever level of shine I'm happy with. Looks much better.
(click on an image to enlarge)
With the swingarm out of the way, I took the opportunity to remove the shock absorber for a detailing.
Next up is a brake line upgrade. I've always used Galfer brand stainless steel lines in the past, but decided to try a set of Venhill "Powerhouse Plus" lines in black.
Venhill is a UK-based manufacturer and have been doing this for 45 years. They take a little different approach to the lines themselves by separating the end fittings, whereas Galfer, for example, furnishes the lines as a complete assembly. Not sure why, but maybe helps keep the cost down a bit. The price was $98 (front & rear) plus $17 shipping for a total of $115. I ordered through an eBay seller called Up The Shop. The lines can be ordered in different colors and length-specific, if you wish, at no additional charge. Shipping took about ten days.
These lines have a high quality look and feel to them, installed easily and the black color helps preserve the original look of the bike.
These lines have a high quality look and feel to them, installed easily and the black color helps preserve the original look of the bike.
What else? Well, the carburetors have been treated to modern seals, cleaned and sync'd, along with fresh fuel lines and filter. The fork has been flushed, steering bearings installed, an OEM rear fender extension refitted, brake calipers cleaned, inspected and assembled and a full set of OEM turn signals have been restored, mounted with new, shorter stems. I'm also in the process of doing repairs to the headlight fairing in order to hide four small holes used to mount aftermarket turn signals, but that's a separate post.
This project began as a very nice Interceptor and is only getting better.
This project began as a very nice Interceptor and is only getting better.
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