Winter Project 84 VF700R

Hello folks,

Just signed up, I've been reading up for a while.
Anywho, just got my first bike 1984 VF700F. Looks like a challenging but rewarding project for the winter.

Any tips or cautions for a new interceptor owner?

Thanks and I look forward to sharing with you all!

Cheers.

-Sean

 

Some progress so far...

 

Engine had pretty low compression, determined the rings and/or head gasket are toast. Ordered parts from BikeBandit.

Cams look to be ok, no scoring with 35K on the clock. Whew!

Found the PO took out the thermostat completely and wired the fans to a switch. Hmmm. I am remedying that next.

Fork oil was nasty (Big Surprise) and the springs were in upside down.

Hopefully this next week I'll have the engine back together and ready to go back in the frame, as soon as that is sandblasted and repainted.

Here are some pics.

 

I got a little something to ride/scavenge parts while I'm building the original.

$450 runner.

 

Nice score. It's always nice to have a ready supply of factory fasteners and other tidbits to help on the restore.

 

Wow, I probably wouldn't scavange from that bike, it is too nice! What a great score.

 

Yeah, I've already caught myself taking stuff from my original project for this one! It's an 85 VF700 and in much better/original condition than my first.

Got a couple rides in today, before the snow started. It's going to be a long winter...

 

Did you get that engine rebuilt? I have an 85 VF750FF, with low mileage. Haven't had the time/energy to do much to it this winter. How much money in parts to rebuild your 700? Did you do rings only? I was also curious how long to remove the engine from the frame and tear it down? I would call myself a fairly competent home mechanic. I'd be using all hand tools as well. Same for you?

 

So, I did tear down the engine completely. Replaced the rings $150 or so through Honda (bikebandit oem).
Put it back together and back in the frame last week. Hopefully firing it up before the end of the month. Waiting on new carb insulators (from carb to cylinder head) Went through the carbs and rebuilt #1.

Getting it out and tearing it down is the "easy" part. You could have it on the floor in about 45 minutes. A full weekend to get it apart. Then depending on your effort/enthusiasm a couple of weekends to get it back together and back in the frame.

Take your time tearing it apart, take pictures and organize EVERY nut and bolt in individual, labeled trays. If you do put in rings, rent a cylinder hone to rough up the cylinder walls. Any auto parts store will have one to rent. Use a torque wrench!

This was my first bike and it went pretty smooth. I'll let you know if it actually runs or not, soon I hope!
P.S. Download the Manual in PDF from the 1st Gen sticky, invaluable tool. :wink:

 

Thanks for the information! It looks like you are doing excellent work! Will run well for a long time, I bet.

 

Nice work!
Gonna bookmark this thread...