newbie questions

SO i will be picking up my "new" 1991 vfr in about a week... paying a whopping $400 for it. but that might be too much, the previous owner left it outside pretty much in a dtich for the last 4 years in a place that litterally recived no sunlight so it was extremely wet all year around. when i went to look at it we took the tank off and found a mouse nest right on top of the air filter. we then proceeded to lift up the bike and tryed to spin the rear wheel... well it didnt budge at all. so we decided not to get it, I started to feel mad sorry for that sweet bike so i have decided to go get it. my father said there is a chance to get it un locked up by letting something soak ontop of the pistons for a while. but he said chances are its messed. so i figured for sake of messing with the engine and carbs buying a nw running engine would be the cheapest fastes easiest way to go. my main questions are what year engines will fit into the bike?? i heard talk about 94-97 being bolt in to my bike is this true? if any one has an engine they can hook me up with also that would be great. I look forward to participating in this forum and I will most ceratinly post pics of my progress. I might strip it and make a sorta cafe/streetfghter out of it just like this bike http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUAXXvsDk48 its my fav vfr ever
well thanks for the advice in advance!
Scott

 

Sounds like you will have quite a project on your hands. As for it being "locked up", it might just be the the rear hub may be rusted to a point where it is frozen. You might try disassembling the rear wheel/hub assembly and replacing the bearings and such and then work from there. As for an engine sawp, i am not sure if a 94-97 engine will fits as the fram is different. Again, not 100% sure. Keep an eye out on ebay for an engine, they sometimes pop up.

 

If you can't get it running you should be able to make your money back if it has any good parts that you could sell.

First thing I would do is buy a repair manual and go from there.

Also did he say why he let it set was there something wrong with it?

 

Scotty:

Man, I hate when people do that do a bike...ANY BIKE!

Wow, a project bike. I do not want to say what you should do, but Jaymz may have a good idea.

Get a manual and piece out what parts are good on ebay and take that money and put it down on a "running" motorcycle.

I can tell you from experiance that taking a bike like what you have now, that's been left outside to rot is often not worth it. If you do attack the project I recommend you have the following 3 things:

1. Mechnical Knowledge
2. A garage that has the room to tear a bike apart and leave that way for some time.
3. The PROPER tools to do the work.

If you are missing any of the three, plan on stripping the VFR and selling the parts. You'll be happier and riding more quickly! And we can help you identify important parts people want, etc.

I was working on a "free" Honda Nighthawk 750 and I was missing #3 Proper tools. By the time I bought the tools I would have needed, I could have found a running example. Of course this was at the point I was up to my eyes in the project and I just had to let the bike go.

I'll never do that again. A little rebuld is OK, But I can tell you a bike that has been left outside in the weather is going to have bad issues.

My two cents.

BZ

 

well it was by no means under water just in an extremely damp place. I know if i do decide to tackle this its goin to be a huge project, and you are right if it is really bad i can just part it out and def make my moneys worth out of it. the plastic is all fine. it was running when it was parked. it probaly is the best idea to part it out. I do have all those things you listed, I am pretty mechanically inclined and my father can do anything( built a norton 850 out of a box). no matter what i am going to get it and i will start with the rear hub then head to the motor. I will keep everyone updated. the problem with selling the parts is i am poor college kid and finding a cheap good running vfr is not an easy task . This winter I bought a pristine original owner 1984 vt500 ascot, another cult bike. so I do have a bike to ride while i work on the vfr if thats what i decide to do .

 

thanks but i have found some on craigslist for much cheaper and more complete

 

that mystery oil sounds very interesting, where might i find that? Also does any one know if the 4th gen motor is a bolt in to a 3rd gen bike?

 

Most auto parts store can get you the Marvel Mystery Oil in sizes from a small air tool oiler to gallon jugs. Good luck, the tag line after my signiture should ring very true on this one.

if it makes you feel better i would have bought it too!

 

hhahaha well thank you very much for the encouragement! if it does become too much of a challenge I will have alot of parts for sale for you guys and you better help me find a running one for myself!

 

if you cant get this done would you consider selling the fairings

 

I replied to your post Bidib

I am sorrry to keep nagging about this but I reallly need to know if 94 -97 engines are bolt in to the 90-93 bikes.... there seems to be many more complete and cheaper 4th gen motors than 3rd