Project 'Ghost Rider' (New Member/Owner)

Hi everyone! I'm new to VFRWorld and am the unfortunate proud owner of a 1984 VF750F. A little back story:

My brother saw this bike on the cover of the 1982 Cycle World cover at the age of 11 and knew that someday he wanted one of his own. Years had gone by and fast forward to 2009, he called me up and said, "I found it. Wanna come help me pick it up?" I had no idea that he was talking about his long wanted dream bike. Away we went.

When we pulled into the seller's driveway and he opened the dusty shed where the bike was stored, you could see the anticipation in my brothers face. He's been wanting this bike for 27 years and was finally going to get it. The selling price was a bit high in my opinion as the bike was very poorly taken care of, but I knew that he really wanted it, so I never mentioned my thoughts on the money. Since I had been riding for several years at this point, he asked me to take it for a ride to make sure everything worked. Well, it did... kinda. It was really rough and pretty much everything needed work.

Over the next two years, Dave and I spend many late afternoons and nights in my garage working on the bike. We would get something fixed and then find 10 more things wrong. The bike only saw the road a total of about 10 times while he owned it. I always told him; "Don't worry, we'll have her going soon enough!".

Over the next three years, various circumstances kept the bike from reaching the road, and so he parked it on my back patio (covered of course) until he had time for it again. Late last summer (2013), I had the thought that I would quietly work on the bike myself and get it running good for Dave's birthday. I never told him. I worked on it here and there, but lack of time got the best of me. It sat all winter.

This year, on February 15th (2014), after a nice valentine's day with his girlfriend, my brother passed away in his sleep. No reasons, no cause... no goodbyes. I never got to give him his birthday present.

So, as a tribute to my brother Dave, I have made a pact with myself to finish his bike. Not just get it running, but restore it COMPLETELY as it would have been on the cover of the magazine that made him fall in love with it.

I've done allot of work on the carbs in the past few weeks. Eventually, after much failure in getting them clean enough to run right, I bought a used set on eBay along with some aluminum fuel and vent tubes. I spent the next week or so cleaning and prepping them. I finished them last night and got them back on the bike. The initial start of the engine was extremely slow and rough, but after a few minutes and some exhaust popping, she smoothed out completely. Running like a champ. I couldn't contain my excitement after hearing the bike run and bolted the necessary plastics, tank and seat on and took it for a spin. What an absolute joy to ride!

It was midnight now, and I parked the bike back in the garage beside mine and headed in for the night. Such a bitter sweet success. Much more work to do..

And so, I deem this bike, "Ghost Rider" from here on in, as it will always be Dave's bike, not mine and he, will be the rider.

 

Nice post!!! Sorry for your loss. He will be there with you for every ride!!
Be sure to post lots of pics...we like pics around here...

:welcome: to the best site on the web!!!!

 

Condolences on your loss.

Good to see the ride looking so good.

Every mile you do on it remember the excitement Dave had when he found the bike, and doubtless the excitement he felt each time he rode it. You will have sad days, but just go to the bike climb aboard and remember the good times you shared.

Carpy

 

Sorry about your loss. With patience and help, you'll have that bike running in no time.

 

Thanks all. I actually had it out on its maiden voyage late last night. Its running so smooth!

I do have a question if anyone can help. The forks will only hold air for a few moments before they are totally empty. They also leak oil. Will replacing the fork seals correct both problems? I checked the Schrader valve as well as the balancing tube and both are OK.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

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The forks very seldom hold air for long. Most people put to much air in them and they blow easily.
I bypassed that setup and had Racetech redo my forks, but Jamie D also does front forks and does quality
work for a good price. Sorry for your loss, to young to leave us.

 

:hss:
Sorry about the lost of your brother , thanks for sharing your story.
RIP Dave :angel:
ray:

 

Sorry for your tragic loss Eric.

I'm sure your brother is very happy to know that you've got her running strong again.

Btw, have you thought about applying an "In Memory Of" plaque to the bike?

 

I do want to put an 'In Memory' marking somewhere on the bike. Not sure where yet. I'm open to suggestions.

He was a member of this forum as well. He used to talk about it allot. Wish I knew what his screen name was...

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Send a PM to reg71 with your brothers name and email address and he may can figure it out. I vote for putting it right on top of the gas tank....adding his screen name and VFRWorld if you see fit to would be cool too IMO....

 

+1...........We can create In Memorie of thread to Honor those riders

 

Sorry to hear about your brother's passing.
New Honda fork seals along with new springs rated for your weight will help considerably. Like was said above don't bother with air in the forks.
You will probably want to chuck the stocker rear shock as well and get a new aftermarket one to help with the back end.

 

Nice bike. I have the 'tariff beating' '84 VF700F in that same color scheme. Interestingly (to me), I also have that K&N sticker (and use the filter) on my bike, in that same spot ... and my carbs are in the living room on a card table waiting for me to put them back together :biggrin1: ...

On a more serious note, I too am sorry you lost your brother. 7 years ago I woke up & found my wife dead in our living room. Hang in there, given time things do look up ...

ACE

 

Rear shock was just replaced a few years back on this bike and it feels pretty good right now. The front end is really my problem. It dives REALLY bad when braking and is soft all around. So, my thought was fork seals and new oil. I hadn't even thought of new springs for the forks. I'm a pretty small guy (180ish pounds). Would different springs really benefit me? If so, what fork oil / spring combo does everyone recommend?

FYI... this is the best and friendliest forum I have been on in a long time. Been reading non-stop since I joined.

Thanks to all for making me feel welcome!

 

Welcome aboard and thanks for telling your story. Good luck with the build; it will be perfect no matter what.

As for suspension, there can be various different combinations. Simply as a suggestion, contact Jamie Daugherty. He's been a long time member here, and not sure I've ever seen negative feedback about his work.

http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/

 

I bought my '83 new in Toronto, when they first came out, happen to walk into a Honda dealer and saw it sitting there, and knew I had to have it, nothing like it before. I still have my second '83 (replacement after wrecked first one). You will enjoy it, great all around bike, waiting to get mine out of my former garage in NY this summer and get working on mine. Yours will always provide fond memories of your brother, my condolences too.

 

Eric, your strength is something that I think we all can look up to. I know I can. And the same respect can be paid to you Carl.

Stay strong guys.

 

Not an update to the build, but had the bike out in daylight for a ride today. First time on the highway in 4 years. Snapped this pic at the auto parts store before heading home. Still rough, but she's running. Sounds kinda ratty. Might need to look into an exhaust.

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Also, the front cowl is off because there were stress cracks all around the screw holes. Stopped at the auto parts store for plastic weld to fix it.

This stuff is great BTW for fixing body work. I used it on a tear in the bumper of my old Chrysler and it held up even after I got rid of the car 3 years later.



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Good to see her out and about! And thanks for the JB PW tip. Have to say that I've been using JB weld since 1970 or so.