1986 Honda VFR700 - Intro

5 months ago I bought this 1986 Honda VFR700F. I'm second guessing that decision.
*Edit--Those Spiegler brake lines I bought were for the wrong bike. Neat.

[@elieduguay9488]

Nice you get this thing proper . It will be the joy of your life. The gear driven cams is like music to any decent tech’s ears.

[@matttriestodothings]

It'll get there eventually. Needs new paint and wheel bearings first. A full carburetor bodies swap is also currently happening.

[@true-moto-resto]

Good luck with the VFR Matt, that should keep you out for trouble for a few months LOL. Let me know if you hear from BillysOutBack, I've been trying for months to reach him and cant get a reply. Taking direction from us addicts on the VFR Forum will getcha in deep every time. I do the same dumb shit all the time.

[@matttriestodothings]

Stray, I don't even know how to explain some of the goofy shit that I'm finding on this bike. I pulled off the left side fairing and it's held in place with wood screws. The most concerning thing is absolutely the vent tube that is sticking cockeyed out of the carburetor--that pretty much guarantees that this thing was hamfisted back together when someone got frustrated, and the vents and fuel pipes are likely broken. I'm just hoping all the rest of the carburetor bits are actually on the carburetor. Between this and the VF, I'm going to be revisiting both your videos and posts on VFRW about plastic repair to see if I can't at least get something sturdy. I'll let you know if I hear back from Billy. I'll be sending the guy from V4Dreams an email either today or tomorrow asking what he's either able to sell or (if he doesn't) where to source the proper bits I need. Those old Billy's kits were so damn good.

[@WhyteZone]

Interesting bike Matt; and one of those models we never saw in the UK... a bit like my dream enduro bike, the XR65OL; oh man, what I wouldn't do to own one of those. Hope all goes well with this project and it doesn't turn into a money-pit, like my ride 🤬

[@matttriestodothings]

Well you guys had the 750cc because you didn't have Ronald Reagan protecting Harley Davidson sales over there. It's coming along. It should hopefully be rideable this year. Presentable.... Not this year. Ended up needing much of a doner carburetor due to the damage mine had from someone getting evil on it with hand tools. This thing isn't a good financial decision for me to this point. But it sure sounds damn nice when I've run it in the garage!

[@WhyteZone]

@@matttriestodothings Yeah, I heard you mention Reagan in relation to the VFR, and I *did* wonder about that 🤔 Thanks for the explanation. I had a friend whose grandma bought him a brand new VFR750 in 1990. Five months later, he went and wrapped it (and himself!) around a lamp post... at the end of his street. The bike was totally f***** and he spent six months in hospital. Such a sad end for a great bike. I'm binge watching your videos this week, so just playing catch-up with progress. There truly is nothing worse than a previous owner of a bike, trying to fix things they don't understand, or using the wrong tools to do a job. You did the right thing getting another carb for parts; same with that wiring loom. Remember, good things take time; my Suzuki restoration is taking waaaay longer than I expected, but I'm on the home straight now.

[@rticDriver]

Gremlin bell, time bike spent upside down so funny. I watched your video on the Bandit carburettor which helped me out on my Bandit, after bike sat doing nothing for 10 years I had put new after market pilot jets in carbs which caused problems. So i cleaned up original ones using a sonic machine and the bike runs perfect. Also the petrol going into the engine happened so i replaced fuel tap gasket.

[@matttriestodothings]

Glad to hear you got the bandit sorted man. Good on ya. Hope it proves to be a good runner and you put some good miles on it. Aftermarket is always a gamble. It's not always possible to bring the OEM back--but when it is, I lean towards that route now after gambling and losing so many times. Cheers.

[@Mad8vCycles]

My buddy has?/had? One just like it. Have to see what he did w it

[@matttriestodothings]

I hope this one wasn't his, hah. It's not quite as insane as some of the stuff that's rolled through your shop, but it's incredible some of the improvising I've been finding on this thing that's somehow held it together to this point. Not quite a meth bike, not quite a swamp bike, but certainly touches of each.

[@brandonpeters6379]

Great looking bikes

[@matttriestodothings]

For sure. I think they actually start to look better the more we get acquainted with looking at all the bug-eyed transformers that are currently being released. I think the generation that followed this one are probably the best looking VFR's. But if I had my pick of one I'd want.... 5th gen. Yellow.

[@mmotorcycles9497]

Might as as well throw everything at it and get it running. You need a project it keeps us all insane

[@matttriestodothings]

Oh I'll try. This is certainly not a financially smart decision given how it appears to have been held together by whatever grade schooler's allowance would allow him to purchase from the hardware section at Home Depot. But we'll see. Just sucks how expensive all the little bits and pieces have gotten. Just trying to figure out what I've actually got for the time being.

[@lc1435]

I love a lost cause! 🥰😅😂

[@matttriestodothings]

Oh I know you do! Any updates coming for your project soon?

[@lc1435]

@Matt Tries To Do Things I'm planning on getting in the shed tomorrow, should be able to post something this coming week 😄

[@lc1435]

@Matt Tries To Do Things merry Christmas by the way 🎅🙂

[@matttriestodothings]

@@lc1435 You too LC--merry Christmas. To both you and that really tall dog of yours 😛

[@lc1435]

@@matttriestodothings 😂

[@mikeyjay1970]

I always love the Honda V4's. PITA to work on though

[@matttriestodothings]

A lot of fun history behind them, and definitely cool to hear and see. Maybe should have just visited one of these in the Barber bike museum instead though, lol.

[@jerryeinstandig7996]

i think theyre ez

[@Dr.Prowler]

I’ll buy it lol

[@matttriestodothings]

Hah, catch me at the right time and it might be yours.

[@thesuzukimethod]

oh man you got yourself a problem child there! some hillbilly definitely got his hands on it tho. That 160 tire on 130 rim... *chef's kiss* Getting a cbr600 hurricane regulator rectifier instead of a brand new one (that could cost tens of dollars) is also a big baller move. leaving the yellow paint pen on it was a flex, haha Not sure if you've attempted this, but I had decent results mending gsxr plastics with this dremel friction welding technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGHdoaSencigppY Good luck with this beast.

[@matttriestodothings]

I'll give that a look. I was thinking I may use my fiberglass repair kit for some parts since I think it'll hold. I've seen plastic welding with a soldering iron and zip ties before. I'm a long ways off of worrying about aesthetic plastic bits--but I'll give that friction welding a look. Thank you! Think I'm going to try to pop the valve covers off today and see what the deal is inside the engine. Fingers crossed it's nothing surprising.

[@thesuzukimethod]

@@matttriestodothings yeah i guess youre a ways off from replacing/sourcing and/or fixing plastics. prolly best to take your headaches one at a time. Fingers crossed that engine is unfooked!

[@matttriestodothings]

@@thesuzukimethod So far the engine is looking great with the valve covers off. A bunch of the valves need adjustment, but none were more than .001" out of spec. The cams and cam lobes look great. Maybe this is the unmolested part of the bike!