New-to-Me '87 VFR700 First Ride!

Just got back from my first shake-down ride with this '87 VFR700. It was given to me last fall in exchange for working on a collection of other bikes that had been in long-term storage. Anyway, this VFR only has 4900 miles on it. Still had the OEM tires. Carbs needed minor cleaning and the fuel rail o-rings replaced, and I bumped the pilot jets up to #40 from #38's, (Thank you Joe at V-Four Dreams!!). Adjusted the valves, replaced the thermostat, flushed the coolant and brake/clutch fluids. From there I built a slip-on exhaust out of mandrel stainless (including the cross-over tube). I then came across a great deal on a set of CBR-F2 rims. Made up spacers for the rear, and did the required machining to the front, painted, then slipped on new Dunlop RoadSmart radials. Based on advise found here, I acquired a rear shock pivot from am '86 model, which increases the rear ride height about 10mm. After synching the carbs, she purrs like new and handles fantastic! Very solid and stable into and through the curves. A person can really have a great time on a 37 year old Honda, but if your reading this, you already know that! Thanks to everyone here for questions I had answered, and knowledge gleaned from old posts!!!

 

That's a beauty. Nice workmanship, looks like it came that way. Very fucking cool.

Did you slide the fork tubes up a bit in the clamps too? What rear brake solution did you use?

 

Nice work, she looks great!
I just took Big Red (88-750) to work today and took her up to 3 digits. Amazing power and handling for such an old non-race bike. Of all the bikes I own Big Red is the best sounding bike for sure!

 

It's a testament to that chassis. Some modest upgrades from the next generation of Honda tech and it just gets better, but doesn't overwhelm anything. And it still has a great power plant that delivers plenty of fun HP, and can do it all day long while getting it's neck wrung.

 

Didn't raise the fork tubes yet. I may play with that later, but I'm happy with the combination of stability and turn-in quickness at this point. Rear brake is the original VFR caliper and carrier. Bought a new rotor for a Triumph Bonnieville, which matches the CBR bolt pattern, and the VFR diameter. Centered it all with custom-cut spacers.

 

Cool.

 

Beautiful example, Mark......just gorgeous! Would love more photos at some point if you could. I have 2 of these in the same color. One running and one not.

You're right about both Joe at V4 Dreams and this forum being helpful - without them I'd be lost!

 

I raised my forks 20mm as per Caps advice.. very confident feel and just the right stance …,


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Really think you should consider sliding those forks up a bit. The geometry of that bike responds VERY positively getting that rear up and the front down.

Again, just lovely work and choices.

 

Thanks for the info. Will do so and see how it feels. Just want to take it one step at a time so I know what's effecting what.