VFR750 Buggy/GoKart Project

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by NightViper19, Apr 28, 2010.

  1. NightViper19

    NightViper19 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ohio
    Map
    I dont know where to post something of this nature, so if the mods could help as needed if this needs to be moved or whatnot.

    Anyway, I just got an early 90s VFR750 engine/trans, headers, carbs, airbox, and frame. I always wanted to make a buggy, and I made a couple little ones out of 35cc engines. I figured since I got this drivetrain for free, might as well step into the big boy leagues, since this should make a decently fast, or hella fast, project buggy. I already have several other projects going on, so I dont know when this one will actually take flight.

    The only downside to the engine is that the previous owner took out the spark plugs and left them out for about 3 years, outside. It gathered water in the combustion chamber and now has a good amount of rust on the piston head, and on the underside of the valves. Theres also a good amount of corrosion around the cylinders. So I figured that I'd flex hone the cyl and throw some new rings in there. Let the pistons and valves soak in carb and choke cleaner and see how much rust comes off without a wire brush or emery cloth.

    I got a buddy that has extra tube frame, and I've built roll cages before, so the chassis shouldnt be too bad. I am thinking of going the old ATV style and just using a solid rear axle with a sprocket and disc brake. I am unsure as to how wide and large the whole thing should be. I know the stock VFR750 engine makes around 100 WHP, and I'm probably gonna go straight headers and tune the carbs for that as much as possible (Its gonna be an offroad only vehicle). Its not gonna have a reverse, unless I do what the Goldwings are doing and rig the starter to run the opposite way, so If I get in a jam, Im just gonna have to follow it with the Jeep that trailered it there and throw some tow ropes if I cant push it out.

    Im just throwing ideas out there as of yet. If you got any ideas for me, let me know.
     
  2. elwray

    elwray New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Central NJ
    Map
    I don't have any ideas for you... but it sounds awesome!
     
  3. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2009
    Messages:
    7,831
    Likes Received:
    90
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Colorado Front Range
    Map
    :pout:

    Take it from me - the money you'll spend to ring that thing, headgaskets, and all the BS to tear it down and build it back up; you'll be better off to sell or part it out and find yourself another runner.

    I've been looking for that motor for the last month. I have one that has a bad rod bearing. I've been pricing things out deciding if I should rebuild or just replace. I can tell you that you'll have $500 into that motor before you're done.

    Part it out or sell it whole and find another runner for $200.
     
  4. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2006
    Messages:
    9,756
    Likes Received:
    269
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Atascadero, California, United States
    Map
    well, it'll definitely be unique. Invest in a small elec winch. you are gonna need it.
     
  5. NightViper19

    NightViper19 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ohio
    Map
    Good stuff so far. I thought about the winch, since the thing should be light enough for that Walmart or Harbor Freight winch to pull out. Get a sturdy rod and drive it into the ground, pull off that and I could probably get out of any pickle.

    I work at a bike shop (and have for a while), and I also work on cars when the opportunity arises. But Im no magician, and Im not totally familiar with a VFR engine. All the components of this engine that are the same as every other engine I've worked on should be cake, but if there is something specific I should be aware of about this project engine, let me know.

    My flex hone kit goes down to 2.5in, so once I pick up the engine I'll see if I can use my existing stuff or get the right size. I was going to ask about the best/cheapest place to get a gasket set and rings for this baby. Rings for the other bikes were around 100 and gasket sets for various engines are usually another 80-100ish (depending, obviously). I havent gotten prices for this specific engine, since I dont have it as of yet (picking it up tomorrow). If I can salvage the piston faces and valves, I should just be looking at around 200 hopefully. Is there something else Im missing?

    I'll rebuild the carbs, and should just need bowl gaskets. Hopefully the stock tune is a bit rich so that open headers wont require much more than shims, using the stock air box.

    Im gonna build this kart anyway, cause I also have an 82 Seca 750 engine on the engine stand in the back. I cant decide whether to turbo it and throw it in a custom bobber or just put it back in its frame... *sigh* Projects...
     
  6. elwray

    elwray New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Central NJ
    Map
    :chants: BOBBER! BOBBER! BOBBER!
     
  7. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2009
    Messages:
    7,831
    Likes Received:
    90
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Colorado Front Range
    Map
    Gasket kit was closer to $150 (says my memory) unless you get special pricing.
    Carb insulator boots
    Thermostat
    countershaft seal
    valve shim kit

    You'll have $500 into it - save yourself the hassle, part it out/sell it whole, and get a motor that doesn't need cylinder work. Look at ebay and the same motor you're wrenching on sells (running) for $200-$500
     
  8. NightViper19

    NightViper19 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ohio
    Map
    Thanks man, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'll let you guys know what I end up doing, but I'll post up pics when I get the engine.
     
  9. NightViper19

    NightViper19 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ohio
    Map
    Sorry I havent updated this in a while. I got several other jobs on my plate, and this one is probably gonna be the most fabbing, so I gotta see if I have tube frame left over. I got a 90 Civic that Im making a track car to beat on, and adding some stuff, like a roll cage.

    For that fact, would anyone have any use of the engine I have? If someone is interested, I'll part it out or sell it as a whole. If nothing happens and I need to flip it, the bike junkyard said they would give me something for it, but I'd rather not give it to them.
     
  10. Hammerspur

    Hammerspur New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2009
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Cranston, RI
    Map
  11. NightViper19

    NightViper19 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ohio
    Map
    Figured I'd update this. Scrapped the buggy idea and went with a Reverse Trike.

    Link in Sig.
     
  12. elwray

    elwray New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Central NJ
    Map
    Could you post a few select photos from the project here? I'm sure I'm not the only one that's dying to see it and can't get onto facebook from work!
     
  13. NightViper19

    NightViper19 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2010
    Messages:
    129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Ohio
    Map
    Here you go:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  14. elwray

    elwray New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Central NJ
    Map
    Can't wait to look at the rest. That thing looks wild!
     
Related Topics

Share This Page