Just got 89 vfr750f - might need some tech help!

Hi guys/gals - just got back from gruelling trip up country where i collected my 89 vfr - VERY excited as im on a 83 vf750 and cant wait for the difference.

ANyhow - might have some tech questions VERY soon as ill be working on her next week

Regards and tx in advance!
God Bless!

 

ask away; but know that nobody is going to respond until you've proven you have the bike by posting pics...

 

okok - here is one i took while collecting

yikes - ok, hope i managed that ok..



not sure if vfr 400 panels will fit? ill get frame info later for exact model but this shd be an 89 vfr - not single side swing arm..

 

Welcome, good to see a new South African here.

 

Welcome, looks like you got a project ahead of you!

 

That is an 86-87 model here in the U.S. and that is the only years of plastic we can fit body work for and 400 will not bolt on.

 

hehe yep! juuust realised its not an 89 as the seller said!! (ie not 17"!) - aaanyways, yeah gonna be interesting.. unless i stumble across a stripping hurricane wont be bothering with wheels just yet - but tks for the tips so far..

37mm front forks
18/16 wheels
Frame code: RC24 1001 844
Engine: RC07E 1026 867

Anyone have compression check figures for these engines? Gonna do the work myself, first time on a vfr tho - hope its fine as is carbs were lying in sand!! @ least I have my vf750 for the summer



** yes greetings from lovely Cape Town!

 

Wow... now that's a project alright. Gonna need a lot to put her back in shape.

If it was me (and if I was inclined to take on such a project) I would consider turning it into a 'street fighter'. Bodywork-wise it's pretty much there already.

 

Engine Work / Head work etc..

Cing as I have u guys here @ the mo im gonna blast on :chaingun: - IF the motor isnt up to scratch and i have to open here up.. any reccommendations on performance work? like a 5 angle valve job, 700 pistons for higher comp? I have a spare engine outside, hopefully the pistons are @ least one size over if i have to rebore etc.. I have the stock Honda can, 4-in-1.. it says Honda-nielson HP1 -000, google doesnt turn up too much on this but there are pics around.. am i best off with a better can or is this good? I see there a K&N air filter there thats bonus, and steel brake lines. Gold DID Oring chain in exc nick, so seems i really scored a few bonuses (on the outside) @ least.. there shd be some spares lying around - I know some of the guys here so shd b able to get some parts pretty easy here.. how much ium willing to spend is another BIG Q (!)...

Any thoughts on what I would do for headlights on a street fighter?? I like the original headlight, looks good.. There is a half ugly looking darth vador style screen with 2 lights (im not a big fan of those...) could always use it for the time being.

AND - fork upgrade? I have the 37mm ones.. is it gonna make a big diff? I ride alone 90% of the time, and not a super hard rider, just nice and speedy been reading up on the rear shock, might rebuild that - or source another.. apparently cbr900? I can make the brackets myself for the extra height..

** I agree with the street fighter, but a visor is nice when cruising - app the later (88/89) has adjustable visors? that would be nice..

tx all have a big software dev job kicking in next week so ill have to work one hand on keyboard and another on a ratchet!

 

Sounds like you have a lot of very tasty bits there, and glad you like the 'fighter idea. The OE headlight is shaped to suit the OE fairing; but perhaps it would look cool with no fairing. Most of the real work there will be cleaning up the harness and plumbing (assuming the absence of any plastic). As far as the forks, you're going to get lots of 'tips' on changing the whole front end of the bike; but you do NOT need to do that. I would describe myself pretty much the way you described yourself. Install the RaceTech Gold valves, some good springs, and slap on a SuperBrace and you'll be good to go.

I have a set of white wheels (OE sizes, 16/18) I'd let go of cheap if you need 'em.

I'm looking forward to seeing this project move forward!

 

wheels n deals

hehe, tz for the offer! I have one rear white wheel and a spray gun so i could easily cxhange the color. Right now im more keen to get her running etc... Hectic but hopefully i can start cleaning parts 2moro this w-end keep u chapsposted, will prob have a few q's after that, esp with loom, electronics etc...

 

Doing a compression test first (even cold) would be a good idea doncha tink ??

Another test would be to see if it catches all the gears properly while you're rolling the bike or rotating the rear wheel while it's off the ground.

Expect a number about 130-150 psi on a good engine, cranking cold with all the plugs out and a strong battery.

 

cool tx - did some prep work today. Turned starter - engine swings well, compression seems/sounded good. Cleaned the whole thing, carbs, K&N filter, etc. Now that the thing is naked best to take off covers and inspect valve clearances, cams etc - can i do this with normal tools? read about specialized tools needed etc and all - ... will be taking out spark plugs 2moro as well to inspect last running cond. if they look good ill try my luck and hope shes in good nick. I took a few pics - will add them soon... Wondering what the minimum is to get the engine idling without EVERYTHING assembled, even if for a few seconds.. prob squirt a tiny bit of oil down plug holes.. any idea how to prime the oil? ill put a good dollop of oil over cams / rockers too @ least for the 1st few secs of running..

I noticed the radiator fans were making a scraping noise on one end of the bearing, while the other side was smooth - i think it might need an extra shim because the 2 in there are still a bit loose when assembled and i think a 3rd would keep the noise away - i think perhaps the fans pull the whole unit in the right direction which means no need to shim anything - any thoughts? ill post some pics 2moro...

 

ok - aaalmost done! ive uploaded a gallery on photobucket, check it out here:

http://photobucket.com/86vfr750f

latest pic:

got small oil leak on left side by generator cover.. that just a a plain gasket job? lights work, indicators, i have noticed something really odd though, maybe u guys can help. I noticed cyl 1 not firing, so i changed plug, tested 2 other coils - looked for spark, all seems ok - when i oplug the plug lead in.. the bike REALLY struggles to start, when i pull it out (3 cyls) she starts much easier. what could this be? i did notice when i twiddle the plug cable it started running and dying, so maybe a faulty plug wire? do these coils need to be earthed? theyre just hanging around there @ the mo... anyway, i felt the pipes and 1 was still cooler than the rest, first vfr so quite hard to tell what it shd sound like!

Cheers!

 

some pics for the lazies!

 

the spacer i had to add to get the esteering to tighten up:



engine black matt:


carb o-rings replaced (no more leaks!)


Carbs when i got them!!


Tank after 2nd gloss coat, this is the side that had the dent - think i did a good job!

 

oops on lats 2 pics!

Tank after 2nd gloss coat, this is the side that had the dent - think i did a good job!


another shot (its in the bath, yes!) thats cuz i sprayed it in the backyard and the bathroom was the most dust free room (thats an old photography dark room tip btw)!



A close up shows almost no more orange peel i fiddled with my gun to get it right, still learning!

 

The first few moments - in the barn, hundred of miles away...

 

little friends! found 3 of these on/in the bike!!



carbs all done / cleaned!


rear fender mountings were bust so i fibre glassed in 2 s/s washers stacked up, will see how it holds up. Found the missing bit a day after, oh well! hope it holds!

 

Nice work. You resurrected that bambino just like Jezus would if he had time for motorcycles and your wrench skills cuz he was only a carpenter and no 'cycle parts made of wood.

So what's the maximum local speed limit over there :crazy:, any zebras crossing the veld, antelope? Not in jb, fo sho.

Be a shame IMO if you couldn't find a stretch of highway to see top speed.

On a VFR like yours, opening the throttle, even cruising at above 200km, you'll wonder if you can hold on tight enough !!!!! :boink:

It's THAT awsome............and that illegal & immature, etc., etc. ! HA-HA !! HA ! HA ! ha! ha. I guess if i cared about speed limits i might not not ride anything over a 250.


Could get yo po ass sent to jail.....o de hopspital, so safety foist.