My oldest bike - but my newest project!!

ALOHA ALL!!

I'm an FNG here and ran across this site while getting info to fix up my 1998 VFR800 (that I bought in 1998). A few weeks before I deployed to Iraq in 2004, I was taken off my bike (at slow speed) by a rental car (SUV). No mechanical damage, but my immaculate bike ended up with a cracked headlight, a cracked front fender, and scratched / road-rashed bodywork (and a very pissed off me). The bike got put in the corner of my garage and I went off to war... again!! I was seriously injured in Iraq and ended up in the hospital for about 13 months (surgeries; healing; rehab; repeat). Fast forward 5 years of pain... After my last surgery, it looks like I may have a chance of riding my VFR again sometime in the future (my family did get me another bike for Father's day in 2008 and had it modified so that I can at least ride... it helped everyone's mentality tremendously... but it's still not my VFR). I'd like to get my VFR ready to go for a ride as soon as I can bend my leg far enough and have enough leg strength to do so.

I've been trying to research body plastic manufacturers (from China where it can be purchased and delivered for around $500) and figure out if it would be cheaper & better for me to buy all new plastic already painted (again from China) vs. getting the bodywork and painting done on my scratched up & faded OEM plastic parts (expensive in Hawaii... more than $500 just for the painting). Are there any companies that you've heard anything specifically good / bad reviews from? I've been trying to research different forums for days (how I found this one). I've noticed that there's not that many manufactures of fairings for the 1998 VFR800 and I really can't afford OEM (or similar) pricing with only my getting disability now. I also need to figure out what'll need to be done on my VFR from it just sitting in the corner my garage since I deployed in 2004.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
Sandman

 

reg71,
Thanks for all the advice!! I've been riding crotch-rockets or sporty style bikes since I was 16 (I've had my VFR800 from 1998-2004). The Harley Dyna that my family got me is my first ever Harley. It was the only one I could ride (when somewhat modified) with my non-bending leg that I've been stuck with since injured. It's only been since my most recent surgery last January (#3 on my leg) that I've been able to bend it. I've gotten it to bend up to about 90 degrees since then, so now I have high hopes of it healing enough to get back on my VFR sometime in the future.
Sandman