Not a Teaser! 1983 VF750F resto project

[Sebspeed]

Ok, so I lied about the pics! Slow going this week, not much done. Got the front wheel cleaned up, it's ready for rotors, which I need to paint black first. Been tapping out some of the holes in the frame, also got the excess PC cleaned off the swingarm.

I am heading out to spend a few hours on it today, hopefully will have lots to report back with.

In the meantime, here's proof of mileage:

[Sebspeed]

'Nother small update - Here's the leftovers from the fork cleaning... I don't have a parts washer yet, so I ended up going through 4 large aerosol cans of degreaser/brake cleaner... yuck!




In other news, I disabled the TRAC anti-dive(required when installing GVE's):


Also glass bead blasted the fork lowers and the lower triple:


And the battery tray:


Just a quickie job on the tray and the lower triple, and a little time with the angle grinder and some surface refining pads will make them nice. Same goes for the fork sliders, I didn't want to get the glass media in the axle clamps, so I taped them up and will finish the paint removal by hand.

I'll paint all that stuff satin or semi-gloss black the same time as the F2 rotors, but need to find a new/better rear rotor first. Seems the person I got the wheels from, has/had a riding style completely different from mine. The rear rotor is well worn, and grooved, and shows signs of having been good and hot at least once, while the fronts look great. Better for me that way, at least...


Last but not least, I finished up making a set of spacers to align the rear wheel in the swingarm, and sent Jamie Daugherty my spare rear F2 wheel in exchange for the machining of my hub and speedo drive. It worked out better this way for me, because my employer is becoming more strict about use of company machines for non-company parts. I was lucky to get that one set of spacers done under the radar, but had to jump through hoops to get time on the lathe. :pissed:


Just need to make up the other front spacer, then see how it all fits!

I have my swingarm and the new bearings, seals, etc. in my truck and will drop them off at my local dealer tomorrow, got a pal there hooking me up with pressing everything back in(one less thing I have to do!). Doing wheel bearings is one thing, but the swinger is awkward and I would be super pissed if that fresh powdercoat got scratched up because I slipped with the hammer, pipe, etc, you know how these things go.

More to come!

[drewl]

I am always amazed at guys who can just throw this stuff together. Masterful.

[RVFR]

Nice, love project threads, keep us updated please.

[Sebspeed]

Thanks for the comments guys, keep'em coming!

[BJ Sim]

Seb, just keep the updates coming. It's cool to see a project from start to finish.

[Sebspeed]

Talked my dealer into selling me the Emulators at cost! Swingarm will be ready tomorrow... that should be fun, then I can get the rear shock tied in and maybe throw the wheel in!

[Outlawz24]

Project looks great man! looking forward to seeing more.

With your project you confirmed two things i wanted to know about the VF750s...if the VF1000F side panels will work on them...and if they used the same style housing as any vehicle that used the 6054 rectangular headlight (think thats the number..but anyways) Time to get me some VF1000F side panels and a pair of headlight shells!!...

[Sebspeed]

I got my Emulators!



Still can't believe what they charge for these little suckers, but supposedly they are worth it...


All Balls steering bearings(tapered roller), front wheel bearings, and rear wheel bearings. All three are kits and include new dust seals.


Sonic Springs are here, sorry not unwrapping them till they go in the forks...


Polishing the damping rods:


Did some cleanup on the fork lowers, removing casting marks and some scratches they had:



Thinking about how to use my 750 fender on the 1000 forks, or maybe even a VF500 fender. I really don't like the 1KR fender, and I'll chop it up to change the lines of it. The bolt patterns are different between the two(three?) fenders, but a new bracket may cure that problem(VF1kR on top, blank under it):


CBR600F4 rear brake caliper, caliper bracket, and master will be fitted, also in the pic is the Blackbird clutch master.


Last but not least here's the controls;

Early 5th gen left side controls:


2006 CBR1000RR kill/run switch:

[Sebspeed]

Wheel bearings in


All new, all 'round, even in the hub!


I bought the Vortex sprocket on a CBR board years ago for $10, just to hang on the wall, because the owner did not know what is was for. I called the part number in to Vortex, they replied "530 pitch fits Honda"... sooo.... at the time I tried to fit it to my CBR, and it didn't fit. On the wall it went. Last weekend I pulled it down, and LO AND BEHOLD, LOOKY WHAT IT FITS!!! How lucky is that?? It's a bit big @48 teeth, but, we shall see. If I don't use it, at least now I know what it fits, and can sell it to get $$ for the one I really want/need.

The VF1000R forks were meant to be air charged just as the 750, and a cross over tube is used to keep pressure even. Not anymore. I want to be able to adjust the height of the tubes, so I welded the holes for the crossover shut. Still need the grind them down and blend them in a bit.


Did some more glass bead blasting, and yes, I did blast the rotors. Came out great!!

Anti-dive case cover:


Rotors(also masked for paint):






I was advised to test fit the 1KR triple before powdercoat, and I'm glad I did. Turns out I needed to add ~1/8th of an inch to either side of the steering stop on the lower triple to keep it from hitting the frame.

Here's what I did, I drilled a hole through the stop, and cut most of the thread off of two spare VFR fairing bolts. Then pressed them into the slightly undersized hole:






Last but not least, I had been wondering why there were two extra holes and one small machined area on each side of the VF swingarm. I still don't know what Honda's intentions were, but I decided to use the spot to implement a bracket for one of my bike stands on each side. They will be made of titanium, and include the cutouts shown on the full scale paper template. I modeled them after Gilles Tooling's chain adjusters, which include the rear stand bracket, and double as toe guards(to keep your toes from getting caught in the chain & sprocket).

[Swoop]

Major respect!!

I am always impressed with skills such as yours. The quality looks superb and I look forward to seeing further piccies of the progress.

[mikeym]

pretty nice! I don't really dig the looks of those old bikes, but I'm sure yours will be cherry when you are done!

~mikeym

[Outlawz24]

Just a bump to see if there are any updates to this thing as well as a few questions..

Besides the mods to the steering stop is there any other changes that need to be made to use the 1000R front end?
Also what was the reason for the use of the 1000R front end larger forks and quick change front axle?

[Sebspeed]

So far, looks like just the stops. There were a few reasons for the swap, one was the era-race look I was going for, two, the larger tubes, thirdly, quick change axle and adjustable handlebars(though I'm not using them ATM), and last but not least, I can use Emulators in these forks without modification. RaceTech does not make an Emulator for 39mm forks. Let me grab some updates from VFRD.

[Sebspeed]

I got a deal on some signals, once I repaint them they should blend in nicely - until they get turned on that is.

Ten superbright LEDs in a fake carbon-coated aluminum housing, I was impressed by how good it felt to hold these, they feel like quality should! $15 for this pair and have another set in chrome coming that I got for $5(both new!). I will sand them and paint them gloss black, they should blend right into the black frame. Stock location in front, and semi-tucked under the license plate bracket at the rear.



Painted parts! All these parts have about 4 coats of Rustoleum Gloss Black, and were painted in a heated booth, then baked overnight. No real reason to go that far, but it was available at no cost to me, and I thought it would be a plus to get the paint baked on the fork sliders, less worry while cleaning!

License plate bracket:

Paint came out a little funky on the front side here, but the back is perfect, and the only part you might be able to see when on the bike.

Rotors:

Both came out nice.

Battery box:

The sticker was in good shape, so I taped it of during media blast and paint to keep it around.

Steering stem, not the greatest pic:

I ended up taking the screws back out and reinstalling them wet with JB Weld, and drilled a small hole perpendicular to the screw hole to let the excess out along with air. They're very solid now!

Fork clamps and TRAC case cover:


Fork sliders:

This one needs some touch-up below where the TRAC cover goes, I taped off more than necessary. Good thing it will be hard to see!


Forks are just about ready to come together, need to smooth out the welds on the tubes, and triple-check that I have all the parts I need.
Every piece of these things are going to be new, all crush washers, o-rings, seals, bushings, wipers, etc. That with the GVE's and springs makes this a $400 fork rebuild! :blink:

I'm hoping to get the forks built and the swingarm in the frame this weekend. Also hoping to order the tires soon, I will be very happy to get this thing rolling about!

[Sebspeed]

Well, I got the forks together and found out the left tube was very slightly bent. The fork is in the hands of Mike Hartman @ GMD Computrack in Scranton, Pennsylvania now getting straightened, then I get to assemble again...

Here's a pic of the parts for my oil line mod:

[JamieDaugherty]

...and quick change front axle?

I always laugh when I see this. I've found the "quick change" front end to actually take more time than the VF1000F design. This is because the wheel must drop out lower and front end stands don't lift the bike up high enough. It's a real PITA. Give me the cap-and-two-bolt style any day!

RaceTech does not make an Emulator for 39mm forks.

You apparently have not looked through my site! I offer the emulators for the VF700/750's.

[mello dude]

Thanks for the comments guys, keep'em coming!

Seb - I dont know how I missed this thread, but today is the first time I've seen it. Ahh, nothing like a bike project to sooth the soul of lifes challenges. I got to give it to you - you have some cajones. 2 projects at once. That old beemer looks fun too.

From a fellow geek - major kudos! Totally cool!!
(Reminds me of some one I know - um, that would be me ).

Keep it going - good luck!

- Do a little research on this stuff, but you might want to consider a oiling kit for the cams.

MD

-Your on VFRD too - yes?

[Sebspeed]

- Do a little research on this stuff, but you might want to consider a oiling kit for the cams.

MD

-Your on VFRD too - yes?

Check out post #46. Yes, I'm on VFRD too.


Jamie, saw the ones you were offering. I wanted to drop them in and forget it. Bigger tubes are what I was really after, made for more clip on choices. I am going to move to F2 forks at some point, or something else. The 1KR forks weigh a ton.

[Outlawz24]

Def gonna be keeping tabs on this project. Hope you didnt mind me picking your brain about the 1KR fork swap. Didnt realise the 1krs had adjustable handle bars. Im interested in doing the same front end swap thus my questions. My reasons being for the front axle, and more choices for clip ons as well. Not so much on the emulators for the moment though i may consider them if i did get ahold of a 1kr front end to use.

[eddievalleytrailer]

Looks good so far. Did you buy a tig machine? I have use of a water cooled rig at work, but would be nice to have one at home.

[Swoop]

I got a deal on some signals, once I repaint them they should blend in nicely - until they get turned on that is.

Ten superbright LEDs in a fake carbon-coated aluminum housing, I was impressed by how good it felt to hold these, they feel like quality should!

A word of warning on those... Watch the join area between the thread and the flange. The aluminium isn't all that strong there! (speaking from 1st hand experience here... unfortunately.)

[Sebspeed]

Gotcha, the one pair I got for $5 because they wre already broken, lol. Crazy Glue will help for now... if that don't work, I'll weld them! LOL.


Eddie, I used the TIG at work (big Miller unit), but am saving for a Thermal Arc air-cooled unit for here at home.

[mello dude]

Check out post #46. Yes, I'm on VFRD too.

Oops I'm blind. - Good luck,
MD

[Outlawz24]

How well do the VF1000F side panels fit on the VF750?

[Sebspeed]

They fit pretty good actually, they pop into the rear mounts on the cowl just fine, at this point it lookks like they will also fit into the lower mounts. That leaves fabrication efforts for the top forward mounts. You could move the existing pins on the panels back to fit the 750 tank mounts, or make a new mount on the tank to line up with the 1kF panel pins, or do what I'm going to do and implement Dzus fasteners to go through the 1kF panel into a Dzus receptacle that's clipped to the existing tank mount.

[Sebspeed]

The panels do need a bit of trim to look and fit perfect, and the match up on the tank is off a hair, but not something that can't be worked out.

They are not bolt-on and go, if that's what you were asking.

[Outlawz24]

I was considering using dzus fastners on the original 750 tank mounts to mate the 1K side panels. Thanks for the tip!

[Sebspeed]

If you don't see me post here first, let me know what you used!

[Outlawz24]

alright! I will probably be looking for some 1K side panels at the end of the month..big check time woot!