Goodbye 1st Gen...hello 2nd Gen

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by slowbird, Aug 1, 2010.

  1. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I should have taken pics of everything I did to it when I brought it home but I didn't :frown:

    I removed all the body work and cleaned, buffed, and waxed all of it.
    Coated the whole bike in degreaser and hosed it down.
    I scrubbed the chain till I could see the writing on the links. Did the same to the rear sprocket.
    Removed the front sprocket cover and literally scooped out all the old chain grease that was in there.
    Replaced most of the bulbs, re-lubed and adjusted everything.

    Slowly slowly I'll start upgrading parts but I think I may go for a stock-ish resto than going the whole nine yards. Unsure.

    It's crazy how it does that
     
  2. Dukiedook

    Dukiedook New Member

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    My 86 750 temp gauge once warmed up stays in the middle even when it gets hot out.
     
  3. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Thanks dook.
     
  4. Bubbler

    Bubbler New Member

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    If both bikes are 1986 Honda models, why is one of them a 1st gen and the other a 2nd Gen?
     
  5. Michael E

    Michael E New Member

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    The 500, unfortunately, never evolved to 2nd generation as the 700/750 did. There were minor revisions in 86 for the 500 but not enough to consider it a redesign.
     
  6. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I'm loving this bike to pieces.....literally. I keep losing bolts and parts from it. I recently noticed my Chainguard was missing. I specifically remember bolting that sucker on there tight. :confused:

    Hearing how the rear shock is most likely worn I turned that adjusted knob a few times to increase the preload and nearly shook my nuts off on some rough roads. I have it set to about halfway now and the bike still feels a tad harsh over bumps at times.

    Rear plugs are easy enough to get to but those fronts seem buried pretty deep in there.

    A few VF500 - VFR750 comparisons.

    -The Fuel light is a neat little feature. Wish the VF500 had one.
    -Rear wheel alignment and chain adjusting seems more simple to me on the VFR
    -I miss the ease of the VF500 oil changes. It' seems difficult to NOT get oil on the exhaust when changing the oil on the VFR
    -I also miss the rear grab rail on the VF500. Putting the VFR on a rear stand is quite the chore.
    -Fuel Mileage so far on the VFR is around 36-37mpg. (it does need some tuning so that should help....not to mention I'm always ripping it) My VF500 averaged 43-44mpg.
    -Filling up with gas is alot tidier on the VFR.
    -The VFR is definitely faster and more comfortable. No surprise there.

    It's amazing how 2 bikes from the same year can be so different!

    ...also now that I have this bike I am getting the impression from a lot of the people I know that they never really liked my VF500 :crazy:
    What the hell do they know. They never rode it.....or had to work on it. :tongue:
     
  7. Dukiedook

    Dukiedook New Member

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    Hey, if that center stand is giving you fits I'll gladly take it off your hands....
     
  8. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    LOL......no no no. If it was a centerstand I'd have no issues putting the bike on it. I miss the centerstand from my VF......I wonder if I can make it fit my VFR :confused:

    Anyways.....it's a rear stand that's giving me troubles. That lifts from the Swingarm.
     
  9. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I'm being told a Fox TC rear shock fro ma 3rd gen VFR750 will may fit the 2nd gen.

    Can anyone confirm or deny this?
     
  10. Dukiedook

    Dukiedook New Member

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    Might have to modify it a little, the 86 had a specific length for that year and it got longer from 87 on.
     
  11. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Hmmmm....poop
     
  12. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Yea....looks like the 86 shock is about 10.5" bolt to bolt and the 3rd gen shock is 13.5" bolt to bolt.

    Unless I get some really low profile tires that's not gonna work :tongue:

    Oh well.
     
  13. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    If you are installing a longer shock the travel limit of the suspension linkage will also need to be considered before proceeding with the conversion. Do you know other owners who have installed this shock on your model?
     
  14. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    None that I have heard of.

    I won't install a 3rd gen shock if it's THAT much longer. My rear shock is surprisingly in quite good shape. I just figured if I was going to throw CBR wheels on this bike I should look for a rear shock first.
     
  15. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    I would bet there is a good deal of information here on the best wheel & shock conversion for your bike.

    I have noticed that the search box is a little touch and go though - what I've done is to head over to Google - type in the info - and then click on whatever links post to VFRWorld.

    Let us know how you make out.
     
  16. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I have done that but I'll try refining my search a bit.

    Most of the talk is about F2 wheels and Fox Twin Clicker shocks.

    I don't want to go the F2 route. As good as an option as it is.....those wheels are a PITA to clean. I think some pretty white Hurricane wheels would look good.

    As for the rear shock. Haven't read much. I'm just waiting for someone to part out their 2nd Gen.
     
  17. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    5x5 on the F2's - what size Hurricane rims will you be using?
     
  18. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I didn't know there were more than one size???

    I thought there were just 17" :confused:
     
  19. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Yes, 17" diameter, but I was wondering about the width...
     
  20. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Unless I am mistaken I think they are the exact same width as the 2nd Gen VFR750 wheels.

    I was reading on the CBR forums that a lot of these guys have gone WAYYYYY oversized on their rear tire width. (sometimes as high as 160) and they are claiming no ill effect.

    I don't want to put radials on. I'm just looking to go back to the Pirreli Sport Demons that I LOOOOVED on my VF500.

    So I figured I'd go:

    Front: 110/80-17
    .13 inches taller than stock Front wheel/tire height
    .40 inches wider than stock

    Rear: 140/80-17
    .37 inches shorter than stock Rear wheel/tire height
    Same width.

    So a smidge higher in the front and a smush shorter in the back.
    Not Ideal....hence why I'm looking for a shock.
     
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