New to the forum, just an into and my 1985 VF750F...

[greatwhite]

Just joined up, here's my Canadian 1985 vf750f also, albeit a little "modified";





I've been working on my 750 for the better part of 10 years now. I spend most of my time on the Yahoo "interceptors" list.

Here's a little "rundown" on my old girl if you're interested;

-1985 vf750f (Canadian model)
-29,000 kms. I found it low mileage many moons back. Bought it because I had a new one in high school (first year, 1983) and have been tinkering with it ever since.
-CBR600F2 front and rear wheels. I stripped them down and painted/polished them to look like the original VF750F wheels. Machined my own spacers, speedo gear and rear drive hub.
-Rear CBRF2 brakes
-front F2 brake rotors
-Stainless steel lines, front and rear
-tossed in a lower temp fan switch (from a Honda Accord IIRC)
-VF1000R oil pump for the increased pressure/flow. It's reputed to be an 18% increase over the stock VF750F unit. I've always had a bit of "trepidation" about tapping the main gallery and pulling off pressure from the mains with the oil modification kits available.This seems a better option to me...
-homemade fender eliminator. I kept the rear frame rails and stock indicators for more of the "original" look. I also use the rails to assist me when "pedaling" the bike backwards (one arm behind and pulling up on the tail makes it easier)
-powder coated frame in original silver (done a full frame off also, just the plastic is waiting for paint)
-VF1000f front forks (I welded up the air balance holes also). 41mm tubes vice the stock vf750f 38mm.
-CBR600F2 rear shock (resprung, revalved). Machined my own adapters for the lower mount.
-Rebuilt stock exhaust with NOS cans from Honda. That was pretty expensive but worth it for the stock appearance...
- center stand is gone. It doesn't reach the ground any more anyways because of the change in suspension heights....

Plans in the shop;

- Hindle 4 into 1 that's currently undergoing R&R, or I may use it as a template. It's pretty beat up...
- Aluminum can for the Hindle. Currently sitting on the shelf.
-VF1000F side covers
- Body work repaint. I have a complete set of NOS Honda stripes and stickers that are going on her when ready. I've got a very good parts guy who hunted them all down for me :). I'm toying with the idea of painting the plastics Corvette "atomic orange", bu tit will be done on separate plastics so I can pop the red/white/blue (classic interceptor) back on when I want.
- plan on installing the gold emulators in the VF1000f forks as you did, but time and money is making that a little difficult right now...
-I have a 2005 CBR600RR shock on the way. Going to see if it can be made to work...

Well, that's about it for the old girl.

Cheers

[TomFrost]

That's pretty doggone sweet GreatWhite. Very nice pics as well.

I assume you work in a gear shop...been there done that.The access is really nice. I miss is dearly. I can't hob shit...I can do whatever gubmint work I wish, but no teeth-y

[CandyRedRC46]

wow beautiful bike!
you just have to love the look of modern wheels and tires on a classic bike, or car as well...
i kinda had the same theme going on with my nighthawk.
oh yeah almost forgot welcome aboard!

[84VF1000F]

Very nice bike! Just wondering about your fender modification - where is the license plate light?

[great white]

That's pretty doggone sweet GreatWhite. Very nice pics as well.

I assume you work in a gear shop...been there done that.The access is really nice. I miss is dearly. I can't hob shit...I can do whatever gubmint work I wish, but no teeth-y

Thanks Tom.

No, I don't work in a machine shop per se, but I have access to a full one with some pretty good guys. I'm a flight engineer in the military and am in and out of the machine shop on a regular basis. A few bits and pieces here and there is not a problem, but I make most of my stuff at home in my garage. It all can be hand made, just takes time and patience. This is a hobby for me, so a day spent out in the garage with some metal, verniers, cutting tools and files to make one or two spacers is just a relaxing day for me.....

Very nice bike! Just wondering about your fender modification - where is the license plate light?

The taillight itself provides the light, only thing is, it's red.

I'm currently working on a spare tail light and replacing a small strip at the bottom with a bit of clear plexi. Not much, about 1/8" wide, but enough to spread some white light on the plate.

If you look closely in this pic, you can see the small bottom area of the light that will be modified:



Here's the bracket I fabbed up if you're interested:



It extends up under the ducktail and bolts the rear most tabs on the frame rails themselves (where the OE fender bolts). I can't stand it when a bike goes by and the plate is flopping around because the guy cut the fender off and jimmied it into nothing but the plastic filler piece. Like everything else, it needs a proper mount of some sort.

I also cut down the OE fender more than most do. All that's really left is a small piece of trim for the underside of the ducktail. I go on a bit of a weight reduction kick now and then and I figured I could pretty much ditch the entire thing up to the inner fender. Worked out just fine...

I'm thinking the fuel pump is coming out next. I know some have removed it with no ill effects, but I'll have to do a little experimenting for myself before I'm satisfied it can go for good....

[cebuVFR]

SWEET! looks very well maintained for her age!

[great white]

SWEET! looks very well maintained for her age!

Actually, it was pretty neglected when I got it, other than low KM's. Rusted, broken items and it had been thrown down the road once or twice.

Pretty common for a once "superbike" turned into a squid's first ride by the ravages of time and depreciation....

It's had a complete "frame off rework". I bought it because it was complete, original and ran well. even if it was somewhat "distressed".

It had obviously spent several winters outdoors before I got it. The tank was even rusted through in a few spots. I stripped it out, acid wased it and then silver soldiered the holes shut (luckily, they weer only pin hiles after acid washing). A coat of Kreem (yeah, I know lots of people don't like it, but it's never given me any trouble) and she was good to go.

Luckily, other than cleaning and rebuilding the carbs, I haven't had to get into the engine.

Only thing I haven't gotten to yet is the body work.

I really love the old 80's superbikes. I'd have a whole stable of them if time, space and finances allowed. Most of them met with an early and untimely death at the hands of inexperienced riders and poseurs of the time. The endless march forward in bike performance has relegated the rest to junker status.

Pretty soon, they'll be collectible because there just won't be any left.....

[cebuVFR]

.....Pretty soon, they'll be collectible because there just won't be any left.....

you got a gem there. it's comforting to know that it's in good hands and will be taken cared by one who appreciates such examples.

[jasonsmith]

GW very nice to have you on board, welcome. Where abouts in BC are you, hope you can join us for some rides.

[slowbird]

Beautiful bike.

Way to go GW.

[great white]

GW very nice to have you on board, welcome. Where abouts in BC are you, hope you can join us for some rides.

Comox...

[great white]

Yup, I did a dumb thing again....

Saw a set of 05 rc51 front brake calipers on ebay for 49 bucks. Figured I'd mess around a bit and throw a 50 dollar bid on them. No way I'd win it for a buck over the current bid, right?

Wrong.

50 bucks and they're on their way. Rats.

Now I'm going to end up trying to figure out a way to get them on my vf1000f forks and CBR rotors.

I may end up buying some floating rotors and adapting them to the cbr wheels.

Seems I just never learn.........

[great white]

Umm, I did it again (the wifes gonna kill me)......








Found an ebay auction that was not being watched or something, because I got all this for 60 bucks (well, plus shipping that is).

Your bidding on brake system off a 2000 RVT1000R. These parts are off a crashed bike that I bought. They have been stored in my garage for the past year and looking to sell asap. These parts appear to be in working condition. What you see is what you get. If you have any questions I'll try to answer as best as possible.

Might be a common price for you boys down south, but that's darn near impossible to find "up north"... assuming you can find a wrecked RVT1000R at all...

I was looking to find a MC so the piston ratio's matched on the calipers I bought, now I've got everything i could need to proceed (except the bike dambit)....



Lots of raw material there to carry on with my brake swap on the ol' 'ceptor! I've got about a dozen bracket and disc mounting ideas swirling around in my head now.....



Well, off to bed to dream of better brakes!

[deepdish]

looks good

[drewl]

Welcome aboard, Great White Northerner.

[MrDen]

Welcome aboard northern neighbor. It appears you are firmly in the grip of the wonderful VFR addiction. Enjoy it!

[greatwhite]

So, a little research turns up that the CBR600F2 rotors I'm currently using are 276mm and the SP1 rotors on the way are 320mm.

I also have a complete SP2 master cyl on the way (right down to the lever).

Why?

More progressive brakes.

A little googling reveals the SP2 MC piston is 17mm instead of the SP1 19 mm piston.

All reports on the SP1 vs SP2 brakes is the lever pull is much more progressive with better feedback as a result of the diameter change.


Before anyone asks, I have a set of SP2 calipers from the same year as the master cyl (2003) sitting on the shelf in the garage........;-)

Should be a nice upgrade if I can build the carriers to work properly.

My initial thought is to turn down a set of VF rotors to just the carrier, chuck the SP rotors up in the lathe a turn the center of the carriers out, then off to the TIG machine at work to mate the two.

I need to get all the stuff here first though, it may not work at all....

[mello dude]

Umm, I did it again (the wifes gonna kill me)......








Found an ebay auction that was not being watched or something, because I got all this for 60 bucks (well, plus shipping that is).



Might be a common price for you boys down south, but that's darn near impossible to find "up north"... assuming you can find a wrecked RVT1000R at all...

I was looking to find a MC so the piston ratio's matched on the calipers I bought, now I've got everything i could need to proceed (except the bike dambit)....



Lots of raw material there to carry on with my brake swap on the ol' 'ceptor! I've got about a dozen bracket and disc mounting ideas swirling around in my head now.....



Well, off to bed to dream of better brakes!

Hey! Those brakes look familar..... (I have RC51 brakes on my 5th gen.)

Good luck!

MD

[Richard Thompson]

i like the original pipes on your bike. the later model wheels really help to update the look. nice job.

[greatwhite]

Hey! Those brakes look familar..... (I have RC51 brakes on my 5th gen.)

Good luck!

MD

Thanks, I've actually referenced some info in your post for my build already....

[greatwhite]

Hmmm, now how am I going to mount those pesky calipers.......

A quick thumb through some of my photo's and a couple requests to "a couple guys who know a couple guys" and this popped up:



It's rough (like all race bike parts) but it's proof of concept.

A plan is forming...



Now, I need to find a blue an -4 "Y" fitting like the superbike.....



Anyone have a lead on one?

[mello dude]

Hmmm, now how am I going to mount those pesky calipers.......

Dude - your fork tubes are 41mm - right? I dont know the effect with your wheel gear you have, but find or buy 98 to 05 Super Hawk fork lowers, graft to your upper tubes and the calipers will mate up. (Albeit with some minor grinding.) Thats exactly what I did for my 5th gen. Check delink link below. (Of course the alternate is to snag an entire fork assembly. Sounds like your an Ebay guy.)

Other wise youll have to design some funky adaptor brackets and your gambling on whether they will be strong enuff or be able to handle fatigue issues.

MD

[Sebspeed]

Dude - your fork tubes are 41mm - right? I dont know the effect with your wheel gear you have, but find or buy 98 to 05 Super Hawk fork lowers, graft to your upper tubes and the calipers will mate up. (Albeit with some minor grinding.) Thats exactly what I did for my 5th gen. Check delink link below. (Of course the alternate is to snag an entire fork assembly. Sounds like your an Ebay guy.)

Other wise youll have to design some funky adaptor brackets and your gambling on whether they will be strong enuff or be able to handle fatigue issues.

MD

VF750/700F = 39mm fork tubes. 1000F/R's have 41mm.

[greatwhite]

VF750/700F = 39mm fork tubes. 1000F/R's have 41mm.

I have 1000f forks on my VF....

Anyways, I'm somewhat doubtful that superhawk cartridge fork lowers would work on my 1984 1000f damper rod tubes.....which would also necessitate a wheel change.

Which would require a different way of driving my cable actuated speedo, which.....well, you probably get the picture....

At this point, it seems easier to build bracket adapters for the calipers and a new carrier for the discs.

There will be no "gambling"....

[greatwhite]

Here's an idea of where I'm planning to go with the sp1 rotors and the F2 wheel:



Those are from an R6, but you get the idea....;)

[greatwhite]

Dang it!

Now I'm thinking about a double R swingarm. Anyone tried it before?

It just never stops...

*edit*

Oopps, spoke too soon. Finances have just dictated that the brake and shock upgrade attempt will be the end of it for a while.

Gotta go into heavy saving mode for a down payment on a second house.

Don't ask.......

[great white]

My 2003 Master cyl showed up today.



Very nice unit, I especially like the adjustable reach on the lever...

That alone will make the swap worthwhile!

The fitting from the Master Cyl to the reservoir is busted though. I knew this when I ordered it (got it cheap $$).



I've got another complete brake system (as listed above) for parts. I'll just swap out the fitting form the 2000 Master cyl that's coming with the rest.

Still worth it for the better brakes from the SP2.

Now I have to decide if I'm going to paint it black like the clutch lever or strip the clutch lever to bare Al.....

[great white]

ahh, look what showed up today:

[great white]

Just got back from a two week work "junket".

Couple items showed up while I was gone, my complete front and rear SP1 brake system and my new ignition barrel (my wife put my only ignition key somewhere and we can't find it).

Unfortunately, finances have dictated I put the project on hold for the moment (besides what I can do in the garage with what I already have).

As I mentioned, we're saving the downpayment on a second home.....

However, the package came witht eh kill switch for the SP1 still attached to the wiring harness. It's a nice trim little thing. Anyone know if the SP1/SP2 thottle is a push pull like the VF's? MIght make a nicve little upgrade to the look of the bar mounted items.

Jebus, the wife is really gonna kill me.....what the heck is wrong with me?

[ken98043]

That is one good looking bike. Great job.