1985 VF1000R Restoration #2

Got the exhaust system back on with decent OEM silencers (painted the collector & the pipes), dug out a better rear fender and OEM license plate holder from the parts store as the fender I took off it had been hacked up and an aftermarket Lic plate holder had been added.

Didnt get much more done unfortunately, as I was dealing with other issues on the home-stead this weekend, but I did manage to get my other frame in for paint.

Next up:

-Oil (done) & Coolant (need to buy more, I ran out)
-Carbs install
-Coils install
-Wiring for tail light/ rear signals/CDI (done)
-Fill carbs & prime fuel pump
-Fire it up if there are no leaks

 

ITS ALIVE !

I got the carbs back on, coils on etc, and she's up and running again.

Just put the airbox back on and ill give it a longer run (on the stand, snow on the ground here now) later today

 

Nice!

If you swap the turn signal stays to the opposite side, you can reduce 35 years of sag.

 

White stuff, fairly cold.. Don't eat if not white...

 

you mean the rubber part of the signal base ?

 

Yup. Been snowing here on and off for a few days. No material accumulation though.

No biking now unless we get a freak warm snap which is not likely.

Snowmobiles will be out in December and I have to put the tracks on my Can Am Commander soon...

 

Well, I heat cycled it again, let her run until the thermostat opened. She ran as sweet as a nut.

Ill top off the coolant once she cools off.

Ill move on to a few smaller cosmetic items next and get the bodywork back on it tomorrow all being well.

 

Ha! Looking good. No white stuff down here a few hours south... hopin' not for another month!

 

Yessir. Also the VF500F front stays are the shortest of that design and are far more resistant to sag and don't bounce. I convert all of my stock signals to those when possible.

Edit: Oh and good news. Nice job!

 

Thanks.

I need to find a 90 degree barb fitting for the fuel line. the bend coming from the tank to the filter is too sharp and the hose kinks too easy. The filter has been moved up top by a P.O. because its a pain in the ass to change in the stock position. trouble it it makes getting a hose to fit very hard. The fittings on the fuel filter are larger than the fitting on the tank so what fits snug on the filter is too loose on the tank and what fits on the tank is very hard to get on the filter (doable with alot of pre heat on the hose and some soap or rubber grease).

I put the old hose back on for now, I had to cut a split part off it. ill see what I can find at the hardware store.

 

Thanks, that pic was taken last year, early November. The snow came and never left until March/April

 

How often do you plan on changing out a now brand new fuel filter?

Alternative take: If you aren't retro-fitting a new fuel pump at this time, you very well may be in that area again anyway.

I have now swapped out all of my 35+ year old fuel pumps on my four VF1000. They were starting to fail while idling in traffic in hot weather.

 

We're gonna call this one done for now.

Despite what the thread title says, this really wasn't a full blown restoration, rather a frame swap and a chance to go through the bike and check it all out and change out anything thats was suspect.

She's not gonna get ridden much, she'll sit around and look pretty until it comes time to sell her, when ever that may be.

 

Looking good! Eye candy for the shop thru Winter.

 

Yes, for sure, its not perfect, but a very very honest 8 1/2 out of 10.

Im happy I swapped out the frame, and went through everything. Its running sooooo nice, Im looking forward to a wee ride in the spring.

I think before I start the other VF1000R (frame swap and Tranny M2/3), ill strip and clean the carbs I took off this one. Ill then have 2 sets of cleaned and rebuilt carbs on hand for the VF1000R, probably sell one set and keep the others spare. I've taken a liking to doing V4 carbs, and its a great excuse to fire up the ultrasonic cleaner.

 

You got a battery charger connector on that buried battery for winter?

 

yessir, all my bikes have them.

you can just make it out, zip tied to the right rear passenger peg hanger

 

I really did suspect "yessir". It's just I curse myself when I put that rear end together and forget the connector. "Dumbass!"