We all need two VFRs in our garage, right?

I figured we all need at least two bikes. I've had a bunch of bikes over the years, mostly older Honda V4s. I picked up a '95 VFR a few years back, it's been fun so far. Here she is, getting some fairing work done:



I sold off one of my V65 Sabres last week, and it just happened that on my return route there was this rough '86 VFR project. I always wanted an early VFR, the price was right, and basket cases are full of fun...possibilities...and trouble. Which is best? :witless: Anyhow, it deserved to be saved. Hopefully I'll be able to bring it back. The new victim:

 

At the very least you need a gear driven cam model VFR, any other VFR after that is just icing on the cake. Good luck with your project.

 

two is a good starting point. keep us posted on the new project!

 

This week's work has mainly been carbs. I always start with the carbs....worst part of the V4s, right? I have almost two complete racks, should be enough to make one complete set.

The carbs looked pretty clean before I tore them down. The lower plenum has a chunk of flange missing, if I can't find another one I'll JBWeld it. The only casualties were a few screws and one fuel tube. I think the tube was already cracked since the PO said the carbs had been leaking. With any luck that tube was the only culprit. Despite how clean they looked, my ultrasonic cleaner was full of muck after their little bath. Diaphragms are all intact, slides look OK, floats all still, uh, float. Jets & needles are stock parts and haven't been drilled out. Needles were all shimmed one washer to suit the Kerker 4-into-2 pipes. I've ordered some new o-rings and seals for the rebuild.

 

I had a problem with this bike that I'd never fixed before. The #2 carb throttle plate was stuck about 1/4 open. I loosened it up with some PB Blaster, but it still wasn't right. It wouldn't return easily, despite the return spring. I decided...with some trepidation...to dismantle it. So I carefully unscrewed the throttle plate screws and slid the throttle shaft out of the carb body.

Almost immediately, I learned a new lesson. Never put a loose felt washer into an ultrasonic bath! It's gone back to being a little ball of dryer lint now.

Good thing I have a spare, eh? I used a bit of gear oil to lube the felt rings & managed to get it all back together after three or four mistakes. The return spring isn't reversible, in case you were wondering. The only permanent damage I left was a bit of scuffing on the throttle plate. It's a really tight fit in the throttle shaft. Finally, I used the back of a short screwdriver to support the throttle shaft while I staked the screws with a sharp flat-bladed screwdriver.

That carb is noticeably smoother than the other three, now it snaps shut perfectly! :smug:

 

Your title is totally wrong. Should read, "We all need two VFRs in Randy's garage, right?"

 

Like was previously said, 2 is a good starting point. I've ridden a lot of VFR s from different years, but there is something so visceral about the 86-87. Have fun with the project , look forward to following your progress.

 

At one point, I owned 4 Interceptors. Over the years, I bet most people have more than 1 bike. Good luck with the '86.

 

For the right price anything is possible, LOL.

 

I am very easy to get along with. I really don't care how much you spend.

 

To continue the story, I put up a project thread for this bike - beware bikes in bins.

 

I did something geeky today to the viffer. Check it out:

See anything odd?


That connects to this:


Then it looks like this:


I got tired of those ridiculous little mirrors. I rarely see anything worth looking at. The new setup was shockingly and amazingly better. The little IR camera has about a 30 foot range in full darkness, and the camera automatically adjusts for brightness, although it does occasionally get dazzled by headlights and street lights. I'll eventually get a smaller 4" display and clip it to the windscreen or the left-hand mirror.

The screen came with a little stand that I modified to fit the bike. I bent it to suit the contours of the tank, then stuck four of those little neodymium magnets onto the bottom. Then I cut some foam-backed auto trim fabric to fit and fastened it with a light spritz of 3M trim adhesive. It worked great, those little magnets are unbelievably strong.