May the restoration begin!!

Well guys, I'm pretty pumped.
I got my VFR700F in June, ran like ass and looked like ass, but I bought it because it ran. I've already done quite a bit of engine work on it and have been stalking ebay for panels. Prices were outrageous for panels so I waited very patiently and it payed off. Yesterday I received, in the mail, every panel for the bike after winning the auction for only $210!!!! The panels are in great shape, only a small crack on the right fairing. So now I have to re-establish some funds to buy everything for paint and then a complete engine rebuild this winter. Pictures to come soon, I want to make this restoration well documented.

 

Sweet. I look forward to some pictures.

I recently got myself a '86 VFR750F. I'm hoping to get it back into shape too.

Good luck.

 

Similar bikes, If you have any hiccups along the way I may have already ran into them, feel free to PM me any questions

 

Are your rear signals droopy/bouncy?

 

I don't have originals on, but there is a metal collar between the turn signal and the frame that may be causing that, I cut mine out completely and put the turn signals right on the frame

 

You'll need to show me pics of your setup when you can.

 

Sounds like a great project. I completely restored my '86 750 almost 3 years ago now. Definitely keep us updated as things progress.

 

I'll be keeping an eye on this project. Great find on the plastics! I'll most likely be doing a top end rebuild on mine this winter as well and maybe getting new plastics and replacing all the rubber components that I can come tax time. Good luck with her!

 

I'll get some pics up of my turn signal setup tonight, can someone post a pic of the piece that holds the bottom of the two front fairings together?

 

There should be 4 metal pieces. 2 Vertically, and 2 horizontally.
When the Lower fairings are together a spring clip/pin holds them together.

If I can sneak out of work down to the bike I could get pics in a bit.

 

I think I am missing the spring pin/clip, all the metal pieces are there, I scratched my head for like 20 minutes last night trying to figure out how they are held together

 

Here's how it looks on my VFR750





I got the Spring pins/clips from Honda.

 

very similar setup if not exactly the same, makes sense now, a hunting I will go on ebay and my local honda dealer

 

Slowbird, reverse the direction those grips are facing. They should be inward, not outward. If you happen to bottom out at speed you'll rip that clip right out of the keeper!

 

Good call. Thanks. :tongue:

 

I went back and looked through the pictures of your 750. I think those stock turn signals have a tendency to be droopy since the stalk is flexible, I don't think my solution of removing the metal collar would have any benefit and it looks like it may have been done already on your bike.

 

May it come to a screeching halt...
I went riding with a friend last night and we switched bikes, I was riding his girlfriends '08 GSXR and he was on my bike. We aren't sure exactly what happened but I have an idea. We pulled away from a stop sign, he was behind me and I was on the far right side of the road, I had gotten up to about 60 maybe 65 and I see the front tire of my bike, which he was riding remember, on the right hand side of the gsxr, I looked back thinking he was being a dumbass and realized there was nobody on the bike. He claimed that the back tire locked up after shifting into third and he lost control so he jumped into the field on the side of the road, sending my bike into the ditch and nearly taking me out with him.
I think what happened is his RPMs were too high when he shifted to third, he took too long shifting and then dumped the clutch, causing the transmission to lock, he didn't know what to do, (not a very experienced rider), so he bailed.
Luckily he had a helmet on and he only walked away with a broken hand that is going to require surgery. My bike took a serious beating though. All the body panels are shot, which luckily I have not put the new ones on yet so I already have the parts to fix that. But I do have a cracked radiator now, all turn signals broken, kickstand bent, foot pegs gone, passenger foot peg brackets are bent under the frame, and who knows what else, I haven't done a full damage assessment. The engine does still run, however, and it runs strong so that's a relief.

 

That's shitty. I'm sorry to hear that.

What's the plan with the bike then? You gonna repair it?

 

Yeah that's the plan, I ordered a new kickstand today so I can take it out of the trailer and stand it up, IMO if the engine and tranny are strong, the rest is easy...

 

I agree.

I hope your friend is helping out with the repairs.