1983 Project or Parts?

Wow things are cleaning up nice. Hope to see it all restored....

 

You're doing some excellent work there! I'm all for the parts bike treatment, but given the number of unloved 1st gens out there (undeservedly so), you're likely to find a donor with a blown motor and better bodywork. It's probably too much to hope for a complete set of pristine body panels, but adequate-condition parts are still out there.

Thanks for the VHT Satin Black tip - that answers a question I hadn't even thought to ask yet. Mine is in worse shape (and my garage is also too cold) so please keep the inspiration coming.

 

Pretty sure I have some parts for that engine off my old '82 Magna V45 if you're interested. Shoot me a PM if you are and I'll see what I still have.

 

This is why I stripped the engine down, to confirm everything was in good condition. Guess this is a good engine/bad bodywork example then. I'm going for the streetfighter build, so my body panel list only consist of side covers and maybe a carb cover, thus far.

Probably the only reason I had the frame outsources is due to it being below freezing most of the time this year. Everything else I'm fixing/repairing/painting in my bedroom or basement. Trick is to take a heat gun and prime [slightly heat] the piece before/between coats so the paint can properly level even under recommended temps.

 

Putting the bike together to do a run test, looks great. Can't get the front left side bolt in, but I expect once the frame gets on wheels it won't be an issue. Trying to figure out how to mount the clutch line, even with the manual & pics. Carbs only took me 3 tries to put on =P

Hope to have it run in a week. Tested all electronics and all seemed good.

Stripped the gas tank only to find the left side had about a quart or two of bondo on it, around 1"! Still up in the air at the moment if I am going to get it repaired or replaced. At least the petcock is good.


Started cleaning/prepping other parts for paint/mount after the bike runs [exhaust, foot pegs, forks, etc]

 

...and confirm running. Probably need to adjust idle all around but the project continues.

 

Tried to copy gas tank from ebay, wouldn't load.
83-84 Interceptor gas tank...good shape $75.00
Blue and white

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cvfi3s0zqui8jla/gas tank.txt?dl=0

 

Thanks, but I am holding off on looking for replacement parts till after i goto an upcoming swap meet in the area.

 

Cool, good luck

 

Well, it looks like you are the right guy for the job. Me? Having owned a 1984 I would just throw in the towel and buy something else. Go for it!













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I looked on eBay but didn't see it.


Missed it, sold.

 

Your right, sold last night...theres another red and white one at $80.
I put in 83-84 VF750 & 700 gas tank

 

I have two tanks, one was from my original bike which I started to fix by filling and priming, the other is also dented, but thoroughly rusty and gummed up. I will get my first one painted for now. For $75, I would have taken it.

 

Went to the swap meet today, not much for parts shopping. Managed to at least find a left & right control switch and some general items. Starting to do a mock up to start rewiring front end.


Been trying to get all the rust off the exhaust so i can put a fresh coat of paint on, but might end up paying to get sandblasted to get the rest.

Did coolant pressure test only to find the cylinder o-rings leaking. Need to take them back out and put some sealant on them.

 

Wow. You're doing what I wish I had the time and space to do with my 86 vf500f. Beautiful!

 

Had to take the carbs off a week back to get at coolant lines and managed to break all the fuel tubes =( Hope to have the pressure test successful tomorrow.

Was looking for a set of handles for hydraulics and clutch cylinder and found a deal on a set of '83 Magna brake & clutch with handles. One had a seized piston, other had screw that needed to be extracted. Freed them up and seem to work fine. Mock up looks good with the rewired '86 Nighthawk controls. Need to find choke lever for Magna and cable still.

Still working on rewiring, but hesitant to wire in new tach and left control till I get the engine running again.

Cleaned/inspected calipers, brake & clutch lines, rear line needs to be replaced, as well as back rotor having two serious cracks.

Got a set of side covers and starting to repair scratches and dings before painting.

 

Had to order a new set of fuel tubes off eBay. Got the carbs back on and wired in controls, waiting to wire in tach till engine is tuned.

It's tricky to keep it going, one hand on the choke and other on the throttle, won't know if it's the pilot screws till i get them synched. Also very loud without the mufflers on. Trying to flush the radiators, looks like small holes in both [already replaced bottom once]. Will know tomorrow if they're serious issues.

New tach bracket made, about done. Making key switch bracket for new location.


Plastic panels getting fresh black paint. Temp hasn't been on my side so it's not perfect, hope to address problem areas before clear coating. Lower cowl still needs repair before paint.


Got replacement gas tank today from danker16. Starting to clean/prep.

 

Rewiring/wrapping electrics done. Working on making temp gauge.


Exhaust is wrapped and ready for protective paint. Only had 25' and really only wanted to insulate certain parts.


Buying/Collecting items on a day to day basis. Found a junkyard an hour away and found some VF1000s and Magna part bikes to buy some needed parts. Will look into shock upgrade after I get everything else done.


Trying to get the gas tank prepped before i get to sealing & painting, but i can't get the gas cap to seal. Is it suppose to seal all the way?

 

Project is not dead/forgotten. Car needed a replacement engine and it's been eating my time ever since. Will post, and repost, pictures soon.