New member lurker for a few months

hi everyone, new to the membership, but have been gleaning information as i need for the past few months. I traded an atc for an 87 vfr 700 that was pretty beat up.

the kids that had it wrecked the plastics, and tried rather unsuccessfully to repair it. they eventually gave up, and thats where i came in. after looking at the bike, i figured out the motor was strong, the brakes needed some attention and the obvious repairs of a few small pieces here and there that were roughed up bad (levers, footpegs and all plastics trashed) i decided that my lil atc was definitely worth the trade.

so far ive replaced almost every part needed to make it run and drive, need to figure out a headlight setup, and a tail light, and itll be back on the road as a sreetfighter for now. my EVENTUAL plans are to totally re-work the body, graft on a new subframe 600 or 1000 cbr being my first choices, different wheels, and perhaps a newer dual disk inverted front. Ive been riding for the last 28 years both off and on road (got my first dirt bike at 8 motorcycle license at 16) and have owned quite a few different brands of bikes, american, and both italian and japanese in that time. i also am fairly competent at fabricating and am an ASE cert mechanic so im not too afraid to do the work i need to do.

EVENTUALLY I'll post the pix of the "build" when i finally get the finished project done next winter, but this year is just to get it back on the road safe. this is what it looked like as of two weeks ago



im sorry for all the purists out there, but this is gonna be a hack and slash, and a total custom finish eventually, its too far gone to save. if you have suggestions im all ears, i know a BIT about the VFR's but always can learn more!

 

Looks like a great project bike and you got a evil plan to execute... And Welcome to the World.

 

fvjust out of curiosity what makes it too far gone..... you can get a complete plastic kit online from a few sources....

 

What is life without a project? Welcome.

 

ok, so ive gotten all the "official" parts to make it at least rideable (kinda) and im now in the "research" phase of part two.... evil genius mind working overtime.

why is it too far gone ive been asked...
its a midwest bike that has seen its fair share of winters and judging from the damages its ridden a few.. its been laid at LEAST twice. the sub is crooked on it, its been straightened, but not well and not enough, i dont think its got enough left in it to be done again.
its rusty, its ugly, not a piece of plastic is salvageable neither are the mounts. the front tire has serious uneven wear, either it was driven in a left hand circle for DAYS at high speed or i have issues with the forks. in short, its a motor and frame with a swingarm. frame SEEMS to have no cracks dents or repairs.

what id like to know and do is:
swingarms: what drops in or is a common mod, i do NOT want a SSSA. im looking at extensions WELDED in, if i can get extensions for THIS swinger, all the better.
wheels/forks: F1 seems to be the logical choice for "ease" however, will the forks swap easily as well? on that line, what IS the common fork swap? (ill be researching this so i might answer my own question)
tank: i like it i really do, however, it seems to be constantly leaking out of the "overflow tube" at least thats what i believe it is, even with the fuel shut off and almost no fuel in it. WTH is wrong? can i save it, and if not, what can i replace it with?
i read somewhere that POR and similar products are NOT GOOD in these tanks, ok i can accept that, but is there ANY way to coat the tank for rust resistance?
sliders/ cage: as you can guess its a total 'fighter project, possible full body work, im looking for ideas on sliders. (swing, forks, frame) obviously this is easier for swing and forks if i swap out, but what about frame?

Finally, whos got the BEST SELECTION of parts for this beast? im going to need gaskets mainly, but other things as well as i tear it apart, rebuild it and polish and paint it.

 

Well looking at the picture, it does appear that your forks are toast. this also may lead to a bent frame. the rear sub frame should be able to be purchased at a Junk yard or off of fleabay, the tank sounds like its hosed... drain it of fuel and fill with water so you can look at it to see where exactly its leaking(and not cause a toxic spill) if your over flow is leaking the tube that runs from the filler to the bottom has a hole(s) in it...your probably "hosed" on that as well... your best bet would be to find a bike with a blown motor and do a motor swap...... providing your motor runs....... I kjjnow I asked the question but since you listed all that is wrong with it.. Thats my Opinion.....

 

find a bike with a blown motor and do a motor swap.....
im confused.

maybe i didnt make it clear but its a streetfigher/total custom project. when i BOUGHT it i was after (hopefully) something with a title, frame and motor that ran, to change everything into what i wanted that DOESNT come on the same bike.

in the IDEAL world (if someone can point out the way to make it happen GREAT) i was hoping to put this all together (before i even saw the bike for sale):
showa forks, brembo brakes and rims (think 2000 ducati 900ss front end)
swingarm off of an R6, matching rim as front. (more than likely a ducati)
R1 FRONT plastics (like the look)
CBR600rr tail section (like the look) RAISED up instead of "flat"
V4 motor (the sound, torque and style... well need i say more?)
custom paint no decals no stupid factory graphics.

since then ive seen the f41 fairings on the vfr and it looks ALMOST as good, and it can save me sourcing a BUNCH of r-1 panels AND cbr600rr parts by buying a body kit. im still set on the front end being changed (i want my brembos) and modern wheels (seriously 16 and 18? WTF?)
so. parts i have to find,600 subframe (planned already) body kit in solid color no decals (found) upper stay (easy) rims, forks and triples.... (questionable nobody seems to be able to help on the ducati triple swap aspect) and r6 stretched swinger (havent seen it done dont know the possibility, giving up for just a stretch)
now... i need a tank... (about the only part besides the frame i wasnt planning on messing with, i LIKE the fuel shutoff on the side like that)
as i said, frame SEEMS like it has no damage (no scuffs, dents, cracked welds or repairs) which is really all i needed, frame motor and title, riding it through the summer as i acquire all the parts would be a bonus, but thats why i have other bikes.

i hope you didnt suggest i KILL a perfect bike with a bad motor for this project. right now, im currently waiting on my 7"round headlight, headlight ears and put on the new throttle tube and i can ride it as ugly as it is after getting a replacement tire.

its a long winter, and the bikes gotta take a nap as it sits till spring, hell i might just start getting parts NOW and have it done.... yeah right.