Yam's Rebuild Journey (1985 VF700F)

And so it begins...

For those of you who missed my introduction post (either here or on VFRD, but due to VFRD's recent announcement to shut down I will be documenting the process here) I was going to be getting a couple of bikes. One mostly complete, and the other parts donor to the main one. Well, they arrived here today... well kinda... "here" isn't exactly true, as They're in a shed about a mile from my house, but they're mine now! I have bills of sale and everything.

I spent about 2 hours today just looking at them. I think the warnings may have been true. You know, those warnings you get when you tell a forum full of people who have experience with these machines that you, a person whose mechanical experience amounts to one valve adjustment on a single cylinder bike from 2022, is going to rebuild a 1980s sportbike out of a heap of parts.

I have NO IDEA where to start! When I saw the bikes last, which were only photos as my Sister's Boyfriend brokered the deal (I know, I know, red flags everywhere) the main bike, which from now on will be known as bike A. Was together. Well, lo and behold, today it arrived in more pieces than I expected.

remember when I mentioned I stared at the parts for a couple of hours today? Well, I totally neglected to take pictures of the bikes or parts, so you'll all have to wait for that in tomorrow's installment of "Yam's Bad Idea" for those. And when the bikes arrived? No keys... no gas tanks... Well, I wonder what else I'm missing. I'm sure time will tell.

The keys and gas tanks I'm assured were simply left in the previous owner's garage, so hopefully I'll have those soon.

What exactly did I accomplish today? I cleaned the shed where the project will be happening, arranged the bikes and parts in a way that I'll surely hate in a week's time and change entirely, and I bound a printout of the shop manual in a 3-ring binder from Staples. Pictures of that (and a spark plug I forgot in my pocket!) below.





Stay tuned for much more rambling and a seemingly endless stream of questions.

Best Regards

Yam.

 

Has interesting written all over it

Sent from my TECNO KG5j using Tapatalk

 

Nice plug...

 

Don't our bikes take plugs with crush washers? Ditch those Autolites!!

 

Nice start, MeLlamoYam. I will cast my vote in your poll when I see the result of your work - even if at that time you will know the answer. I look forward to see some action and a few "as received" pictures

 

You're in for... something. One bike looks like it was crashed, though it's frame is in fairly good shape so far as I can tell. That is bike B.

Bike A was spray painted black as some point, many plastics are broken or missing for both bikes, so I may end up with a "Streetfighter" after I get it running, but before I can source/repair plastics.

I'll be at the garage later this afternoon, though mostly to work on my little brother's Suzuki S40 that he crashed a week ago... the same day he got his motorcycle endorsement!

I'll have to see if I can upload photos to a post with Tapatalk. I've never really been a part of forums, so in addition to having to figure out mechanics I've got to figure out how to post! Otherwise the update will come later this evening when I return home to my computer.

 

For such a project: Try to descibe your level of ambition with the bike and the project. That will make many decisions and work planning easier as you move on. Then do a thorough inspection of what you have. Some basic inspections some of which may not be possible.

1. Engine oil (if any) color and opacity and signs of metallic particles
2. Coolant color and opacity, signs of oil contamination
3. Inspect for external signs of leaks oil and coolant
   
4. Wear pattern on the tires and observation wheel alignment
5. Remove spark plugs and check if the engine can be rotated. If possible do an endoscope inspection and if things look good and motor can turn make a compression test
6. Check alternator windings
7. Remove valve covers and check cam lobes, followers and cam chain system
8. Inspect exhaust
9. Inspect plastics
10. Check parts suppliers for availability of critical/required parts based on your inspection review
    
11. Revise ambition
    
12. Revise planning

Thats how I would start, assuming that a test ride is not possible.

 

I appreciate the list, that gives me some place to start. My planning currently is to look at the bike, then look at the service manual, then look at the bike, and repeat ad infinitum.

Test ride is currently not possible, and even the more complete bike is kind of in a pile. You're all going to laugh at my decisions once you see the photos.

My ambitions currently only go so far as getting a running bike, and I know that this is ambitious in and of itself.

With everyone here's help I think it can be done, but then again I have little to no idea what I'm doing.

 

Well I didn't end up having any time to do anything appreciable with them today, but I did take a few pictures. I neglected to take any of the parts on the bench or in the boxes below (the parts on the bench came out of the parts in the boxes below)

Bike A (and the side of the from of Bike B


Carbs on Bike A


Right side view of Bike A... Gonna have to get a battery.


A better view of Bike B (or rather, *frame* B) at least the tires are a *little* bit better on this one...


Engine B... looks more complete, at least the carbs aren't apart. Well I guess if Engine A is missing parts this will be a nice donor.


Did someone say something about checking tire wear?... looks like she's been sitting a while


I forgot to take pictures of Exhaust B, but Exhaust A (this one) is WORLDS better. I'll get some pictures of that monstrosity next time I'm in the shop.



So I guess I'll start off with taking rc24dk's advice on the list of things to go over, starting with draining the oil and seeing if there's anything noticeable about that.

Can anyone recommend a decent battery that won't break the bank for this project? I apologize in advance for the MANY stupid questions I'll be asking, this is the largest (some might say "only") mechanical project I've ever taken on.

Best regards,

Yam.

 

Ooof.

You are SO FAR AWAY from buying the actual battery. Dont bother. Pull a car battery or bring some jumper cables. Seriously.

 

Respect for taking the challenge. It is probably cheaper buying a bike in working condition but I somehow like your approach. Good luck ️️♻️ . Can the front forks move and how are the inner legs?
There is a little dust and corrosion. Clean as much as possible before opening. Considering what you have I wouldnt be shy of a high pressure cleaning.

 

Front forks move on both frames.

Frame A has something like 40,000 mi on the clock, while bike B has around 24,000 fwiw.

I'm considering getting one of those $100 harbor freight "pressure" washers, and blasting EVERYTHING.

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That tire is "near" end of life.

Good on ya for taking this on. It should make you feel miles better to see what I thought I'd fix a number of years ago...two SRX250s. (Seller's garage!)