Greetings to all, This is my first post, so I'll toss out a bit of info. I used to ride way back in the 80's and early 90's, primarily RD/RZ 2-strokers and dirt bikes. I also spent a couple of my formative years as joe-boy at the local Honda-Suzuki dealership. These were the golden years. During my time at that shop the Interceptor series was just introduced, as well as Suzuki's GSXR, RG500 Gamma, and NSR400. I spent many hours assembling the new bikes as they arrived from Japan in crates. It was a really cool job. So - fast forward 25 yrs, and I've been getting the longing to get back into the game. I've been playing with dirt bikes and ATV's with the kids, but nothing street-plated so far. Then, a couple weeks back, a 1997 VFR750 shows up in my classified feed. It was about an hours drive away, close to the local IKEA. It was perfect. My wife couldn't figure out why we were taking the trailer to the IKEA! I dropped her off, and came back an hour or so later with a new project in tow. The bike - '97, fired, but wouldn't idle. It's missing passenger grab bars and center stand, has an aftermarket carbon-fibre silencer and K&N filter, but otherwise appears stock. It came with a set of new tires, and some CBR front forks as well, and a few other goodies from the previous owner. He was hoping to restore/ride the bike, but after the kids started arriving, his free time vanished. After arriving home, the fuel system was flushed, carb assembly removed and thoroughly cleaned, and now she starts with a touch of the button, and seems to run great. The wheels are off getting the new tires fitted, and I need to fix a leaking front caliper. Suspension status is as-yet unknown, but there's no obvious leaks at this point. I'd like to get her on the road, get familiar with riding again, and resume restoration work this winter. I'm located about an hour outside Toronto, Canada. What's the typical format here? Should I start a general restoration thread, and post up pics/questions there, or put up new posts each time I run across something confusing? There's seems to be a good community here, so I hope to be able to get some assistance, and eventually contribute as well! Cheers! renns.
I just replaced seals in all my calipers and it is a fairly easy task. DOT 5 fluid saved my butt, fluid was clear and looked normal, whereas my parts with DOT 3 were all gelled up after all these years. Welcome to the Forum, I lived in Toronto from 1971 to 1984, great city.
If they are leaking you should do both fronts, use a wooden/plastic tool to dig out them seals, if they are not nasty looking, you can re-use the dust/main seal. Clean the mug and all the chit in them calipers, you may need new crush washers but may get by with the old ones. Should probably flush out the entire brake/clutch system as its an old bike. Nice Score, you got a Gen3 wheel on the back. Kewel scooter. Cheers
Thx for the welcome and info gents! I pulled the front calipers tonight, and got them opened up. Some nasty jello in the bottom piston chamber, but no significant corrosion issues that I can see. I'll give everything a good clean and flush, and see how the seals work with some fresh fluid. Any issues switching to DOT5 with an older machine like this?
Stay with the boring DOT4 stuff, you can get hondaline stuff or BelRay, (shameless plug.) It is possible to do the switch to DOT5 but you have to flush the system a few times, benefits are a highier boilng point and it won't wreck your paint if you get any on your scooter. Cleaning the mug behind those seals is critical to good braking and having a non-leaker. You may have to overhaul your master cylinders in the future; but one thing at a time. Just have a spritz water bottle handy when your handling the former, if you splash any on your paint, just spray some water and wipe. No damage, water nuetralizes that nasty brake fluid. Anyway, welcome aboard and happy/safe motoring and fun wrenching
Welcome to the VFR World. This site has been a life changer for me. I am mechanical like you, but the tips and help from all the folks here can shorten repair times a lot. I also lived in Toronto in 1984. Not the biggest fan of that city, but I have been in a lot worse places. From Deep River Ontario, so Toronto was a big adjustment back then. Ride safe fellow Viffer!!
Got the tires mounted - sticker shock on that job... $65 each + tax. The guy pointed to the sign behind him, showing $50 minimum for tire change. I didn't think that would be PER TIRE, plus a $15 you-didn't-buy-it-here fee as I brought in the new unmounted tires that came with the bike. I've been out of the game for a while, but this seems pretty steep, no? Anyways, got a fresh bottle of DOT4, and some Honda coolant, ready to purge the systems. Hopefully the caliper seals function properly once re-filled. I'm out of town until later next week, but hope to maybe get the bike road-worthy shortly after that. Re-paint and detail work can wait until I've enjoyed a few hours in the saddle. I live in a rural area about an hour outside of Toronto. There's lots of country roads to explore, although many are straighter than I'd like.
Whale oil beef hooked. You got raped without a condom over that tire install. Find another dealer. I understand the charge to mount a tire that you have not bought from the dealer but WTF is with that. He is penalizing you for not spending more money in his shop. He should charge you the same fee he charges those who buy the tires from him if that is what he does. You can't sxpect a free mount but that price is shit stupid. Next time it comes time for a tire change, dig around a bit on the net. A lot of people have tire mounting equipment and will do it for you, probably ballance them too, for around $35. a tire. Tax extra. You gotta pay your taxes so I can keep collecting my pension.
