First Bike, New Rider, New Member

Hey everyone,
So I'm new to the forum and wanted to give an introduction as I plan to actively participate in the forum as much as I can. I bought my first bike about 3 months ago, 1990 Honda VTR 250, bike didn't run, engine was in a million pieces, BIG project. Bought piston rings, head gaskets, all silicone seals, new head bolts, and factory repair manual and started piecing the engine back together. Snapped my head bolts twice, having to order more and very carefully extract the other ones. Finally got the engine back together.Bike turned over a couple times but never really ran right, didn't open the slides on the carbs when you opened the throttle and failed a compression test. After all this I lost faith and interest in my little 250 and started shopping again.
About 3 weeks ago I found my diamond in the rough. Looking on Craigslist I stumbled across an '87 VFR700F with little description. The guy was asking $1200. I showed up the next day and was in a hurry, the bike was definitely in rough shape and was abused in it's former life. The guy couldn't get it to start so I told him I would come back tomorrow and we would further discuss if he could get it to start. Well I came back and it fired right up, I took it for a spin and it didn't feel like a 700, it backfired through first and into second, but then cleaned up after that. I offered him $900 and he accepted.
I took the bike for a long ride the next day and it stranded me, died and wouldn't start. A friend picked me up and we trailered the bike back. Upon inspection the spark plug wires were shifty at best and it looks like one cylinder was hitting full time, another was hitting occassionally, and the other two weren't at all. I ordered all the wires and plugs, replaced em, fired it up, then it started leaking gas from the carbs. Off comes the gas tank and the air box, and i pin pointed the source, just a bad o-ring and a missing screw, replaced those and I am officially on two wheels.
Sorry for the long winded post, but everyone loves a starter story.

 

well, welcome aboard. Where are you located?

 

thanks for the welcome, I'm located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and currently the VTR is sitting in my Mom's barn waiting for me to either take another stab at it, or sell it to someone up for the challenge

 

Welcome! I have tooled around as an amateur mechanic a bunch with my 87, any and all questions are welcome. And as is per every new VFRW member, "here's to many good miles on your interceptor!"


:cheersaf:

 

Welcome aboard

 

Welcome and thank-you for saving another second gen. :thumbsup:

 

Welcome Aboard!!!

 

Welcome, are you going to get the panels fixed and repainted? Love to see your bike ftw

 

That's the plan. Pictures will come soon enough... Good things take time