Jim's $400.00 1986 VF500F

Yeah no kidding about the spray nozzle. That Duplicolor nozzle is fully adjustable for the fan. I played around with the settings and it works pretty dang well.

I am going to keep the nozzle when the can is empty!

 

Hey Jim, does your local auto parts/paint shop sell RTS (ready to spray) paint in a can for your spray gun ?.

I buy it here for all my bikes, its professional paint thats just been pre prepped with the correct thinners and catalyst and its in Pints ($30-60)/Quarts($60-120) etc. you can also get it in a rattle can if you want (about $15-20 CAD here). Can buy pro grade clear n a rattle can too.

Not dirt cheap by any means, but a lot less than buying paint, thinner, hardener etc separately.

 

We have Wesco Auto Body Supply in our region, and they will put your quart can in the 2 part spray cans where you pop the bottom button to introduce the catalyzer, like the 2K clear cans. Also not cheap, but not as expensive as a total DIY mix and spray job for small pieces.

 

You know what? I never even thought to ask...I will check into that.

Painting and Welding are the final frontiers for me. I intend to get better at them. Kind of a hack now.

As long as it is a single color, I think I can handle the painting.

 

Thanks Cap'n, as I said to Stray, I never even thought to ask. I am sure I can get that here in H-Town.

 

Welding, now there is something I need to learn. I was all set to register at the local community college for Welding lessons when I retired at the end of 2019 then COVID hit. Still in my plans, maybe next year.

 

Managed to get the "new to me" fairing repaired and started prepping for paint....Only doing the blue part this go around.

 

Alright......got it done...Getting better at painting but still have a long ways to go. It is a solid "1 footer" as opposed to my previous "5 footer" paint jobs!

Will keep working on painting in 2022! Happy New Years to all!

 

Lookin' good Jim !

Happy New Year

 

Thank you sir!

 

Sonic Blue?

Looks good.

 

Yes sir, Sonic Blue.......and thanks!

 

I never resolved my front brake mushiness, (is that a word?) and did the right thing and got new brake hoses.

I think I found the last NOS set of OG Galfer SS hoses for a 84-6 VF500F. Got a decent price for them on EbAy.

This ought to fix the problem!

 

just be sure to use the Galfer banjo bolts with the Galfer hoses/lines, the holes in the bolts line up differently to OEM, so the OEM wont work well on the Galfer lines.....ask me how I know

 

And replace ALL washers…. Don’t ask me how I know ….


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Alrighty....the weather has turned to crap here in TEXAS so back to work on the bike...

Installed the Galfer brake lines in the front....Turned out to be a surprisingly PITA job. The splitter for the two caliper lines is mounted in a really inaccessible place and even with my small hands it took several hours to get everything fitted up.

It is a much more solid feel on the lever, but still I think I need to do a bit more bleeding. But I am very happy with the improvement and the look..

 

Next question....does anyone know how to get the paint to stick on the brake levers?

I was going to just buy new ones, but all I can find are polished levers.

 

I've painted a few levers. This is after 3 (4?) years on the brake side.



Clutch side


Held up pretty damn good. I don't remember my prep being all that intense, sanded and cleaned. Duplicolor Wheel Paint.

I did the ST levers and bar ends too, but covered with some 2K clear I had left over from another job I was doing. This is a couple seasons.

 

If you can't ride right now, pull them off and get them powdercoated, just mask off the hinge area. Most powdercoaters are running black just about every day and it's typically a quick process.

This will also fit, if you are inclined to buy a new one. The Nighthawk clutch lever is also a cross referenced match.

https://www.denniskirk.com/handlebars-and-controls/1986-honda-cb700sc-nighthawk-s.mmy

 

You can't say that I didn't warn you that the 3-piece was going to be a PITA getting the splitter connected up! 2-piece and you'd have been done in 30 mins tops. However, the three piece looks better and matches stock routing so... Nice work. Looks great. I need those routing hanger pieces that sit on the brace/fender.