restoration 84 VF700F

So here it is



I am bad about taking pics during the project, but here is the restoration story.

I found this bike that had been sitting outside and unused for almost five years. You can imagine the corrosion and general condition. I wanted these bikes when I was in high school, and decided I needed a project bike. It ran, with the choke on, and all the electrics, blinkers etc worked, so I figured it wouldn't be too bad. I bought it for $900. Probably too much, but all the others I had looked at were in much worse shape.

The first step was the carbs. I found a guy on ebay (8pointman) that sells rebuilt carbs, so I gave it a try. With some help here I learned the tricks to removing and installing the carbs, and when the rebuilt set was installed the bike started right up and ran great.

The brake pistons were all seized, so I took each one of the pistons out and cleaned everything, then re-assembled. I did not use new seals (mechanical heresy, I know) but they did not leak, so I figured they are still doing their job.

I found an upper fairing on ebay, and jumped on it. The original was cracked in a couple of places. I also ordered a new sticker kit. While waiting for the stickers to arrive I thought I would take my new ride for a spin. Ouch, that rear shock was bad!

So I ordered a new Hagon shock. It works fine, but I still have not got it set up right. Both preload and damping need proper attention. I will get there one day.

There was a small oil leak on the front part of the front two cylinders. I was about to order a new valve cover gasket, when I did a search here and found a trick using garden hose gaskets to replace the worn out rubber squish washers. Presto Bingo! problem cured, at a total cost of $1.49 and 10 minutes time.

I put on a new set of chain and sprockets. The ones on it did not look worn, but no amount of attention could fix that chain. When I rotated the wheel with the bike on the center stand it went from too tight to too loose.

The starter solenoid went bad. The voltage regulator/ rectifier went bad. I put in a new battery. The brake lights stopped working, but that was due to corrosion, and a little cleaning was all that needed. The solenoid might have gotten by with just a cleaning, but the thing had been hard wired across where the main fuse should be, and that was too much for me to look at.

I painted and clear coated the frame with rattle can aluminum color automotive paint. I coated the fuel tank with Caswell fuel tank epoxy system. A modern day Kreem like product that is ethanol proof.

I took the bike to a local paint shop, where the guy rides too. I thought I would get a good job and fair price. He painted it and put the stickers on it for me. $500. At this point I thought the bike was mostly done. Then I heard about some aftermarket fairing kits.

A little research and some are still available. I got the telefix fairing from a place called Spec II. Back to the painters. $200 later, here it sits. I still need to rebuild the forks, but they aren't too bad, and my son is home from college. His bike is still at school in Florida, so he rides the Honda when we go riding. And that oil mod...

I need to go now and donate to the website. The information I got here was invaluable, and saved huge amounts of money and time.

Scott

 

You wanted one in high school but we were mostly dumb kids back then and knew nuttin about bikes. For the money you've spent already you could have gotten a newer and better bike from CL, and further flaws inherent in the VF series designs could appear at anytime to spoil the fun.

Gen 2 '86/'87 700/750s are going cheap these days compared with what you have spent and are much better motorcycles in all ways.

Is getting it sorted out and running a "restoration" or just simple repairs ??

 

Really? From the dictionary "restoration - the state of being restored to its former good condition"

Are you just trying to get me into an online pissing contest? You're right, I could have spent less money and gotten a better bike, but it was not about that. I already have a better bike. By your logic, Rockwell was not engineering a reusable space orbiter, they were just putting some parts together and calling it the space shuttle. And you're right, I knew nuthin in high school and I know nuthin now. I hope you feel better by cutting me down.

 

Go for it Scott! I for one know exactly where you're at...hell i have 2 84 vf700f's and love it. I can care less on how much i spend on them cause its what i want..if i want a newer bike than i'll buy a newer bike. The thing that cracks me up everytime is someone running down a 26yr old bike..may have 20k to 50k miles on it or even more..saying its a bad bike. HELLO! Its a 26yr old bike and theres still a lot of them on the road. Not all of them had problems and theres nothing that cant be fixed..so enjoy the ride..i know i am.

 

Pay no attention to Ratboy. He wasn't held enough as a baby and the ravages of Rabies from his love of rodent handling has forced him to try to make himself feel better by being a dick. It's amazing how ballsy some people in the sub-5'6" range can get hiding behind the computer monitor. Just put him on ignore and enjoy the usefull info that the rest of the guys here can produce.

Good job on getting her back in action. I for one need to see lots of pics.

 

Glad to hear you are making good progress! Many here appreciate your perspective.

Wrenching on vintage bikes isn't for everyone but for those who enjoy this the rewards are many.

I wouldn't sweat the negative radio chatter above - this all goes away when you hit the start button.

Kudos!