The VFR that wasn't but now is.

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by RogueRC24, Oct 19, 2021.

  1. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    Whoaa .. I likey the VFR. 20 miles and a few pros and cons.
    comfort- easy on the body
    sporty- could use some suspension love, but more impressive than first suspected. Think I was wrong about the rear shock.
    brakes- bled correctly. solid feel, but no bite. new pads at min.
    hesitation- anything above 5.1k revs. hoping carbs and not some weird grounding issue with coils or something, although it did hesitate at a stop sign a bit at low revs.
    tires are pooo, but with new rims comes new bridgestones.
    wind- nice with the adjustable screen down at speed, but raise up the screen and everything starts shaking. above 80. Mirros include, which I might ditch anyway.
    intake and exhaust- I would love to do pods so I can hear the amazing intake. Motad exhaust is a full system I think, but way too quiet. I don't have neighbors and we have a ton of harleys so even with a race can nobody would care or notice. Might need a custom 2-1 to fit modern race can. I like my Fuel Exhaust on my Hawk.
    Unlike the Hawk I won't be doin't much out of the norm on mods. I just want all the v4 power and sounds with some nice wheels and suspension. Somehow figure out how to reduce the amount of RED.. jeezus. Maybe some addition of white decals or repaint with some blue and white mixed in. Colors last on my list. IMG_2798.JPG IMG_2799.JPG IMG_2800.JPG IMG_2802.JPG IMG_2801.JPG IMG_2803.JPG IMG_2804.JPG IMG_2805.JPG IMG_2806.JPG IMG_2807.JPG
     
  2. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    more photos IMG_2808.JPG IMG_2809.JPG
     
  3. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    So mostly TLC, painting and replacing every nut bolt and rubber as needed. Carb rebuilds with best performance oriented jets to go with pods potentially. I don't ride with a lot of dust or in the rain anymore. Maybe some fog at worst.
    On the plus side both the temp gauge came up and the fuel sensor worked. Just needed more than 8oz of fuel..lol
    All lights worked except standard high beam. Highbeam Euro flasher works but not standard high beam.
    If it wasn't for the hesitation on RPM, I might just ride the bike for a bit. But the sensible thing would be to tear it all down and clean, paint, replace over the winter. I think I just might enjoy this bike more than my Hawk in the end. EXCITED!
    Oh and that Motad exhaust can...30lbs...I nearly shit myself removing it.
     
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  4. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    You have an 88-89 FJ or FK

    This has 36mm carbs and the jetting is not the same as 86-87, bigger main jets, 122 & 125, you’re going to need the Haynes manual as there’s no accurate download manual and the Clymer doesn’t cover it properly

    It also has different cams and bigger inlet valves, different cam gears/followers, different starter and idler gears, alternator, ECU and pick-ups, the gear selector mechanism is RC30 in design as well

    The 4 piece fairing and indicators in pods on the cockpit are the main external differences

    If you have the Motad end can then you almost certainly have the full Motad stainless system, a race oriented if heavy exhaust

    I know this because I have one, still in bits, I got off a guy who used to race the TTF750 in 90-94, this was his unofficial practice bike/learn the course bike, he had a time certificate on the wall in his workshop from the TT @161 mph in ‘92
     
  5. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Nice. Wait til the carbs are sorted and see how much more you'll love this bike.

    Pods? Nope. The carbs are mounted to a plenum. Just remove the snorkel, youll get plenty of intake goodness.

    No reason the ditch those headers, its actually a decent system. Just add whatever nice race can you want and she will sound great.
     
  6. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    ^ another reason to love this forum. Thanks for the input!! Carb kit time and manual time!!
     
  7. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    I am going to pull carbs this coming weekend and I am already sweatin it. Mostly the re-install and potential sync issues if I jack something up. I did order the Haynes manual and I will be purchasing a sonic bath real soon. I want to pull the carbs before I purchase gasket o-ring kit. I notice some people seem to get the wrong kit because of US (34mm?) vs UK/AUS/JPN (36mm?). From pics it looks like the float bowl gasket has a slight "s" shape in one portion for one or the other (I think UK).

    Wheels should be here by end of week or next week. My buddy also has an f3 rear he will give me if I meet up with him. Bit of a drive but worth it. :)

    I will be taking a pause right in the middle of action due to family gatherings so I hope I don't forget where I left off when I get back. lol gettin old.
    Still excited!! V4 is like a drug to me..lol
    More research needed, but I may need a custom 2-1 exhaust fitting made to mate up to current standard size exhaust slip ons. I have a call into my former shop manager who creates and welds on the off hours. Quality stuff too. Not sure about pricing since I haven't seen him in 4yrs. Pays to stay in touch I suppose.
     
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  8. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Try and do as much carb work at one time as you can. It helps. Also, consider pulling just one carb off of the plenum and verify what size the o-ring for the fuel cross-over tubes are, if a "kit" doesn't come with. You should absolutely replace those at this time. 86-87 are 7 x 1mm ( I can verify that if needed). Bench synch is easy and will get you close enough to run really good.

    You might be able to get a 2" connecting pipe expanded up to whatever you need by a muffle shop. I've done that.
     
  9. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    Joe @V4dreams.com has the correct gaskets and Viton o rings for the carbs
     
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  10. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    Alright, V4dreams carb kit on order.
    F2 wheels arrived today. Clean, straight and white!! Great pick up from ebay.
    Gonna be MIA for a bit, but when I get back it is time to pull the bike apart and get going for spring.
     
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  11. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Hey, I'm gonna update my rear brake thread tonite with what is probably my favorite route. And then I have one more good one after that too.
     
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  12. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    My tool kit consists of two tools - credit card and functioning cell phone.
     
  13. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    ^^ not everybody is rich, and they need to fix things themselves, not depend upon others. there's nothing more frustrating than having an important fastener loosening up on a ride and not having a tool to fixit there and then.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2021
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  14. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    I'm back. mwhahahaha.
    My 86-94 Haynes manual came in along with my o-rings and things from V4dreams. I still need to gather up rear wheel spacers and sprocket hub and this and that...jeeezus so many things I need to order.
    Samco for hoses. I am assuming (never good), that 86-89 use the same hoses. Please correct me if I am wrong.
    Just got to remind myself to take my time and do everything 100%. Bleh, can't wait for the holiday break.
    Time to learn and get my V4 degree.
     
  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Eric Yuzon over on HawkGTForum can whip up some spacers for you. Hit me up if you need any clarification on dimensions depending on which route you take.

    I do think the 88-89 shares the same routing and sizes as 86-87 on cooling hoses. Maybe you can find a Euro vendor just to see if they list all years as the same.
     
  16. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    EYhonda? He made my rear caliper torsion arm for my Hawk that I have yet to put on (need the bigazz socket first). I will hit you up once I get the bike on the rack this holiday weekend.
    I also talked to my ex-coworker/machine shop foreman and he would be willing to weld a new 2-1 collector so I can use my Motad headers and go into a 2" Tyga carbon can. What color headers though??? Black is so boring..white is a no go. I will have to check out cera coat colors.

    wemoto says yes, the same hose kit. yay !!
     
  17. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Yep, EYhonda.

    I'm really not a fan of colored headers. I'd stick to the silver - dark grey spectrum if I was doing something other than black.
     
  18. RogueRC24

    RogueRC24 Member

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    ^^ As long as I don't stick with rust, I will be happy.
     
  19. 50th VFR

    50th VFR New Member

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    Given that it has an England frame number this is a basically stock 88 FJ or 89 FK fitted with a aftermarket stainless single silencer from Motad and almost certainly stainless downpipes from Motad.

    This bike was a significant upgrade in many areas over the 86/87 models and was available worldwide with the exception of USA.

    At the time the " land of the free" was restricting their citizens to imported bikes of less than 750cc to help protect an ailing domestic producer.

    So US markets got versions of the 86/87 model bikes with mainly 700 engines and all the thinner forks, inferior brakes, odd wheel sizes, simpler bodywork etc of the earlier bike.

    As a result US citizens missed out on a brilliant bike.

    In the US these bikes are probably rarer than an RC30. Consider keeping stock and possibly even returning to stock twin silencer layout which again was an improvement on the 86/87 version
     
  20. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    We didn't get "versions" of the 86/87 bikes. It's all we got. No VFRs until 1990. Honda was pushing the Hurricane in the States for 88-89. And we already had 700s in 86, along side the 750. 700 only for 87.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2021
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