85 VF1000R restoration project

A little back story, I got this motorcycle over 10 years ago from a friend who wanted to move on from it. His only condition was that I get it going, not part it out. It was in rough shape from being outside for some time before I got it and it had been laid down a low speed at least twice. Once on each side of course.

I tried fixing it a couple times but always found myself chasing issues. I finally decided after settling into my current (and hopefully last) home that I was going to get it going. I once again started working on it only to get frustrated by issues. It was at that point I realized that I was finally in a position where I can actually restore it, not just get it back on the road. Luckily, as I have had it for so long, I have been hunting for parts and pretty much have everything I need except for a few things.

I have been working on it in my somewhat limited free time for the past couple months. I started this thread to document my experience, learn from others, and hopefully have someone learn from me. I will be updating as the project moves along. I live in the desert southwest so progress will be slow in the summer.



Anyway, less talking, more building. This is pretty much how it has been sitting since I got it. I have the fairings stored elsewhere. Yes, that is a CB750 in the background. My dad bought it new and I have all the dealership paperwork. It has 7400 miles and is my next project (like I need more projects). Back to the VF, at this point I was testing compression. Luckily, everything is looking good with about 170 PSI cold all around with no added oil in the cylinders.

 

Moving right along in stripping parts off. At some point I decided to paint or powdercoat the frame so everything is coming off.

 

Got the engine out. For the record, this is a very different proceedure than the Honda service manual describes. I was hoping it would balance on the oil pan on the floor jack. Not so much. This was pretty much a controlled fall where I somehow managed to not break anything.

 

And almost everything stripped off the frame. I had to go buy a 12mm allen socket to remove the swingarm. The set I bought stopped at 10mm for some reason.

 

Forks disassembled. Someone decided the forks needed to be haphazardly painted black at some point. I'm obviously going to have the bodies painted before the rebuild. I orginally intended to rebuild the forks stock and "experience" the stock suspension. My plan now is swinging by Racetech in CA during an unrelated trip in February. I've been talking to them by email about it. Plan for the rear is a Daugherty Motorsports shock. I figure I'm better off upgrading everything while I have it apart anyway rather than taking it back apart in a few years.

 

Excellent thread, looking forward to watching this build, have always had a soft spot for these.

 

Been busy with work and festive decorating but I've been working on a couple small items on the bike. The main focus has been the frame, engine, and suspension so I can get it up on stands. I don't intend to take the engine apart as the compression was good but there are a few external concerns. One was a broken bolt that holds the exhaust to the oil pan. I pulled the oil pan off to get better access. Inside the oil pickup screen I found two broken pieces of metal. Not exactly what I wanted to find. I looked around and found the drive for the water pump had sheered off. I went to pull the water pump out and found this mess. Guess a replacement water pump is now on the list. On a positive note, the only water pump bolt that broke was the one that doesn't go through to the block.

 

Yikes.

The 84 VF1000F also uses the same water pump to slightly increase the donor pool.

 

cf. alloy, hard to get a hardon for steel, old-tech frames, nevertheless a milestone bike.

 

Jesus Christ you two... just can't let someone enjoy it, can you, without a turd of a comment.

 

JOSE looking forward to this thread. Captain 80 is the man to have in your corner.
And apparently Straycat

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I appreciate the jesus christ reference, but i'm not religious in the least. All I did was like it, i'm not really sorry if your panties got twisted up.

 

Nice project !! I happen to have the same one on the go too (see my build thread on the same forum). I have 3 bikes im building into one, so If you need spares I likely have them. Ill be selling alot of parts.

I hear you re the engine removal, its a pig and a half. Word of advice when you re install it, install the frame around the engine instead of trying to put the engine in the frame.

Nice job so far !

 

Straycat, what bikes out of your list do you still have? Some nice old bikes.

 

I have all of them Gator, my collection is 14-15 bikes just now, im a very sick man indeed.

 

SC, I would love to have your sickness.
Just WOW, what a collection


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Thanks Guys, will refrain from posting more here as I don't want to hijack Joseph's thread any more than I have.

 

With a garage like that hijack away! lol The most I have ever owned at one time was 5.

 

I remember single digits... that was a much simpler time. I'm at 41 right now.

 

Jeezis, and I though I had a problem. Get well soon Captain.