My VFR800 Rebuild

Throwing this up as ive had a few people ask about progress/pics

Background: i picked up a 2003 VFR with 117,000 miles, ive since got it to 123,000 in less than 6 months. Ill be going through the bike extensively, a new fairing set, top end full inspection, re-painting the subframe and cases, touching u plastics, and all the little things i find along the way.

 

Here is the freshly painted (okay, i focused mainly on the visible rust, but it has all been treated) subframe, aswell as the start/stop switch repair. I had to clean the contacts and replace a broken spring on the detent, some of the smallest little pieces ive worked with.

pics arent great, but in person the difference is stunning.

 

And subframe here

 

Fuck man. Now i understand why the shops all charge so much to check valves on this bike.

FORTUNATELY everything was within spec, and not on the edge either, so im gonna leave it. Last service record had them adjusted at 87K miles so its nice to see they haven't moved.

went ahead and did a coolant flush, made it easier to just drop the entire rad anyways

 

I have a stutter/speech issue, so everything i say starts with a “ummmm”

one of my now good friends asked my name and i replied with “ ummm, it’s caiden”

kinda stuck lol

 

A great episode of How I Met Your Mother. "But, umm."

Everyone has these things, whether they admit to them or not. I use "so" to start a lot of sentences!

 

got the tail back assembled and front exhaust gaskets replaced, i was able to shimmy the pipes enough to get at it without dropping them completely

 

Well shit. Time to try and find one for sale.
I knew the bike had been dropped, didnt leak so i assumed it wasn't cracked

 

You may like what one of our members produces for just this situation. I have one and like the look. I did have to trim the cowl a bit to make room (the windowed version on my '98 protruded out from the engine a bit further than the original..
https://www.sebspeedcustoms.com/

 

More progress pics (sorta)

kickstand is painted, everything on the chain side is back together minus clutch (waiting on seals)

also decided my gas cap needed a polish, and well. Here we are.

Also finally figured out how to upload pictures properly

 

Got some parts painted, not pictured is my heat shield or clutch slave, but ill take some soon

 

Black or silver was my debate, black won

 

Phew. Kinda a long one but a lot of that was just me procrastinating.

Snapped off one of the bolts for my center stand, that was fun trying to find an extractor that would work on a left hand thread, but its all good and ready to go back on

So exhaust is in, if anyone is wondering its definitely a 2 person job

Crank cover is in! I was fortunate enough that someone who makes custom covers was kind enough to sell me a oem “blemished” for $25 plus shipping, if you happen to be reading this, THANK YOU!

Once everything was back together my wax unit was giving me some issues and was stuck at the famous 4k rpm. Was able to get that adjusted out and its running happy. FYI, without the mufflers, this bike is LOUD

took it for a short ride down the street, everything seems happy.

im now waiting to get my fairings ordered, budget says not till next year so in the meantime, im gonna keep cleaning and powdercoating parts, hopefully nothing along the way breaks and has to be replaced.

 

Great thread! Love the progress and the pics.