New (to me) '87 VFR700

I recently picked up this bike to be my first project bike. I've been doing car work for about three years so I know what I'm doing wrench wise at least. I know it's not exactly the same. Anyway I wanted to chronicle my journey through (hopefully) getting this baby running.

I've got some pictures of what I've got so far here. (they're the same as what I've got attached)


I'm currently looking for some advice on what to do about the fuel tank. It appears that the fuel reserve sensor is missing from the bike entirely. From a brief search it looks like that's not something that I can find to replace. If the only purpose of that part is like the low fuel light would it be a terrible idea to just seal off that part of the tank?

I've found a factory manual from 1986 for the vfr750f that I've been reading through to get my bearings on what I'm getting into but I'd like to find one for the '87 700 if I can.

So far it looks like I need to (not necessarily in the right order):

• Clean everything
• Go over all the wires and make sure they're cleaned up and connected properly
• Pull the carbs and clean them
• Get a battery
• Double check and replace all hoses and lines
• Get new oil and a filter
• Figure out the fuel tank
• Bleed/check/replace clutch and brake systems
• Check/replace chain and sprocket
• Check/replace (most likely replace) the rubbers
• Check/repair suspension system
• Repair all the plastics
• Check charging system

I'm trying to do this as right as I can. Any help/advice would be appreciated. I also plan to keep this updated with my progress and pictures as I go.

 

As for a service manual: Honda 86 87 VFR700F FII VFR750F Service Manual VFR 700 750 | eBay.

Looks like you got some work ahead of you, make sure you update the r/r.. speaking from experience it sucks when it dies mid road trip and fries some wiring. Haven't dug into my tank but I know my FI doesn't work, so just riding by mileage is fine if plugging is your easiest route. If you're in need of some parts, let me know. I've got a bunch lying around I'm willing to part with!

 

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. I'll pick up the manual soon. Not sure what you mean by r/r. I'll definitely keep you in mind for parts. I do plastic repair and welding for my day job so I'm not too worried about the plastics. I did notice that there's a hole near the top of the radiator overflow bottle that I'll have to see if I can weld/repair it or not.

 

:welcome: to our little world :wave:
Good luck with the Ole girl

 

What ^ he said, :welcome:

Looks alot like you need to clean, de-rust, and coat the fuel tank. Carbs won't stay clean if the tank is shedding rust, duh !

What mileage ?? No separate manual for the '87, just some pages in the one FSM.

Test charging system voltage to battery as soon as you get it running.

Looks like a worthy project, so have fun !

 

Yes! Thanks for the reminder about the charging system that's one of the things I was forgetting.

I spend today working on two of the pieces of plastic during my down time at work. I'll get pictures of those up tomorrow most likely.

I've no intention of trying to run anything until I'm as sure as I can be that the carbs and tank and everything else are as clean as I can get them. I haven't looked yet but I'm assuming there's a write up in the forum here somewhere that talks about the best method for de-rusting and sealing a tank. I'll probably search that out and see about gathering the materials to try and knock that out.

Edit:
Without going out to the garage to double check it, I know the bike is around 20xxx miles.

 

Not sure if you removed the carbs yet but keep them attached to the upper metal plenum for removal and cleaning. Only remove them from the plenum if parts have to be replaced or you absolutely have to.

 

I haven't gotten them off yet. I'm planning to pull them off this weekend and have a look and clean them. Thanks for the reminder. I remember seeing in a different thread about not removing them from the metal because some of those parts are unobtainium or something to that effect.

 

It looks like we have the exact opposite problems. My new girl is sound mechanically now, but the body/plastic/headlights are shot and pretty much all need replaced. Good luck with the project, and definitely keep us posted.

 

Most of the plastics were held on with zip ties when I got the bike. I'm taking a piece or two with me to work everyday to work on welding during my down time and while I wait for my ride. I'll probably have all my plastics welded up soonish. I've gotta figure out what I'm gonna do about paint afterwards. It's not a priority at all but it is something I can take care of while I'm not busy on the job at least. I'm thinking right now that I'll probably go for a solid color other than white since the 750 interceptor fairings it came with aren't actually correct anyway.

Here's some before and after pics of the plastic I've worked on so far.




I'm looking at doing an electrolysis rust removal on my tank. Does anyone have any experience with submerging the whole tank in the sodium carbonate solution and having the anode reach into the inside of the tank that way? The reason I ask is that I want to use this method of rust removal to remove the rust on the outside/bottom of the tank before I get it welded and if I could I'd like to de-rust the inside before I seal the bottom. Mostly so that it's easier to empty the tank of whatever's in it during the processes.