1986 VF500F - Post Restoration Touch Up (18 Years Later)

I have used this shop since 2008 and they do good work. In the past they always masked EVERYTHING, but missed the disk mount surfaces this time. My other shop that installed the new bearings / seals and put on the new tires cleaned it up for me. I just picked up the new wheels this afternoon so I will get some pictures over the weekend and get them posted.

 

As mentioned, I got the wheels picked up the other day. They zipped away the powder coat from the disc surface mounts and I ran a tap through the threads just to clean up any powder coating that might have found its way in there. Everything came together as expected.



For the tires, I went with the Bridgestone Battlax BT-46 that replaces the BT-45, which is what I have always ran on this bike. Also, on the rear, I went with a 120 instead of a 110 for a little more width. It clears everything and has never been a problem.

I also got the fairings back. I had the shop just paint the lower white section to repair the hydraulic fluid damage and I did some manual touch up on the upper portions myself. Overall, I am very pleased with how well they came out. These are easily in a 9.5+/10 condition.

 

Everything looks great. Very nice. 120 was the correct choice.

What's that black area near the disk mount on the rear wheel?

 

Beautiful !!

 

Good eye!! That is electrical tape that I put on each of the threads that I thought needed to be re-tapped after hand fitting the rotor bolt. I ended up re-tapping all of them just to be safe but hadn't taken the electrical tape off yet when I took the picture.

 

Outstanding!

 

I've got the wheels put back on the bike. I am glad to see this bike back with the white rims versus the OEM black. No problem keeping them clean for me because I have OCD . I have them on my 800 as well.

 

Now that I have the new sprockets and chain on the bike, I have installed the used crankcase cover that I found on eBay. I got real lucky with this part as eBay is a great resource, but much of the stuff is in shoddy shape at best. As mentioned before, the original cover (below) had all of that damage caused by the hydraulic fluid leak that ate away at it over a few years. This cover from eBay did have a small crack in the lower right corner that I just took a dremel to and ground it out. You can't even tell. Very little touch up paint was needed on it as well.



And here is the finished look with the clutch slave cylinder installed.

 

Looks great !!

 

Agreed. Looks great!

 

I really like the white wheel set. I will probably go down that road on mine at some point.

Yeah, EbAy, what a crap shoot that is!

 

Another fan of the white wheels! Looks like great work!

 

Things are starting to come together. I've got 2 coats of wax on the tank and bodywork. Definitely in the home stretch now ...

 

Beautiful !!!!

 

OMG, please feel free to take as many pictures as possible. I am enjoying seeing what a brand new one looks like.

 

Sure. I can do that. After finally giving it some attention after all these years, I forgot how close to new it is. I am now debating about whether I should ride it or not. If I do, it would be very limited, maybe just 100 miles or so. The 2014 is my main runner.

 

The air box, gas tank and exhaust is now on. Not sure if I mentioned it but all fluids and filters have been changed. Chain and sprockets as well.

 

Alright, I officially give up on aesthetics. I can't do that. That looks simply stunning.

What sprocket set is that? I require it in my life.

 

It is a Vortex sprocket. I went with the stock 15/43 gearing.

 

As you all already know, I love the white rims but here is something extra that I did to complement them. I painted the radiator screen white. I did this on my 2007 VFR and really liked it. I still have the OEM black screen so if I change my mind, I can always swap it out.



Here's another look at the front rim. I did such a good job of detailing it that I am actually thinking about not putting it back on the road. Possibly just being a trailer queen. I am waffling on that one. Thoughts??