Starting with the frame

I've gotten started with the complete dis-assembly and re-assembly of the VF700F. I took the 85 frame and completely blasted it back to metal, paying particular attention to cleaning up the welds and removing all the rust. I've been working on it over the past week trying not to jump ahead like i'm always tempted to do. Today I finished with the blasting. Then I hung up the frame and primed it. After some drying, I finally got it in paint. I was going to repaint it the original color, but I decided to go with a flat charcoal metallic. I also found a nice flat clear coat.

 

Nice! Keep us posted on the build!

 

If I had the knowledge and the space in which to do it, I'd love to strip my VFR down and have everything in the raw aluminum color vapor blasted and then clear coated. Engine, frame, radiators, the works. Then paint everywhere else, new fasteners, Honda fairings etc.

Definitely keep up with the posts and pics.

 

If you lived by my Lint ... I'd totally help you do it.

 

Yeah, this is the way I want to go - did you find it difficult to strip it down to the frame ?? Did you do the sandblasting yourself or hire someone to do it ??

I am wondering about the engine, and if you are overhauling it and painting/ chroming any parts of it as well.... Looking very much forward to your rebuild !!!


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its always easy to take something apart. Putting it back together is the challenging part. Then the moment of truth is if it starts. I blasted the frame myself. I'm going to be doing quite a bit of work to all the components. A lot of powder coating, polishing, cleaning. I'll post pictures as I progress. The next piece will be the swing arm. I may have it done tomorrow night if I have the time. I have some maintenance on the 4 wheel vehicles to do.

 

Does anyone else see a face in the first picture? You will now!

 

I may have to put an easter egg in my build

 

Can't wait to see the progress, and please use specific information on components/ paint/ technique, etc. Example ... What kind/ brand of primer and paint did you/ will you be using ?? Standard Honda colours ??


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Don't Laugh......



So to answer your question, it comes in a can. To be honest, I was apprehensive to use "spray paint" but after doing a test on the frame it took about 3 times as long to blast it off the frame as compared to the factory paint. Prime, Paint, and Clear. Its surprisingly tough.

 

No worries Mike, I was actually hoping that it was exactly what you did !!! Makes it better and less expensive. Good news !!!


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That looks great for a spray bomb so far!!

 

Wow, can already tell this will be a nice bike when it's done. You should make this your dedicated build thread. I would subscribe.

 

Then it would be too clean to ride......

 

There isn't anything I own with a motor in it that is to clean to ride or use. I hate Trailer Queens. Whats the point in putting all the time and effort into making something awesome again if your just going to look at it. :eagerness: I have worked on so many motors in so many types of machinery, and vehicles, but never really restored anything. These motorcycles are a great place to continue to refine my methods, although some may be primitive, its going to be fun. I'm sure some things will have to be redone, but that's all part of the love of working on things. To me its not just about buying something and using it. Its turning the purchase into something that truly reflects me as a person.

I'm sure that this project will go all winter. At least I hope it will. It would be nice to finish up both bikes in time to roll them out of the garage and go for a ncie spring ride.

I will keep posting pictures as I go along. Thank you guys for the interest, I hope it turns out to be something that represents the bike well.

 

This was the only damage I found on the frame. It was a quick fix with a punch and a ball peen hammer.

 

Kind of looks like the face of the Iron Giant character.

 

Tonights work. Lots of blast cabinet work.

 

what do you use as blasting media?

 

I used rattle can paint on my frame last summer. Since I didn't remove the engine, triple clamps, or swing-arm, I masked and painted small areas at a time, doesn't look half bad.

Check your frame, see if someone has drilled a drain hole at the bottom of triangular support (black dot in photo).