Got an 84 700. Been sitting with engine out for probably 15 years.

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by HAFRODD, Mar 26, 2016.

  1. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    I bought a titled 84 700 Interceptor basket case for $250. It shows 29,000 miles. I've always wanted one but could not afford a nice one. Could not pass it up for the price even if it ends up a parts bike (which I don't want to do). I've been a classis, antique, and collector car restorer since 1992 and have brought back a couple of KZ's and GPZ's from the dead. This Honda is my first and if I can resurrect it, it will stay mine. Was told the trans messed up but it was repaired. I see fresh silicone between the upper and lower cases. I pulled the plugs and shot some WD40 in the cylinders and let it sit for about 20 minutes. I then jumped the starter and it turned over very nicely. I ran a compression test and they were 120 to 125. My gauge is very old (20 plus years) and its a cheapo. Since it does show compression pretty close, I'm going to clean the carbs and get some new intake boots. My big question is, anything on these V engines I need to know and check before trying to get it running? It has had no oil in the crank case and I don't know for how long. I'm going to need the painted tail plastic, a left side cover, and the lower engine fairing so if you have something let me know. I'm looking for nice parts but paint quality does not matter since I will be repainting it back stock.
     
  2. Lobotomy

    Lobotomy New Member

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    Welcome. I would pull the valve covers and check cam surfaces and valve adjustments while the engine is out of the bike. If these are bad (cams) or out of adjustment (valves) fix or adjust accordingly. Other than that new oil, new filter and spark it up.
     
  3. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    and while the covers are off tip a bucket of oil over the cams so they aren't running dry
     
  4. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Check all the electrical connectors for corrosion, after restoring my 83 last summer, I had a problem with the trigger wires to the coils being intermittent. How is your tank? Any gas left in or rust?
     
  5. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    I just bought a couple gallons of muratic acid to submerge the tank in. I got a medium sized plastic tote I'll put it in. It does have some rust but not too bad.
     
  6. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    Here it is in my shed. The fairing and gas tank I got at my local motorcycle salvage. I have the original gas tank but it has two big dents
    [​IMG]
     
  7. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    plEASE DON'T submerge the tank in acid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :blue: Acid goes INSIDE the tank.
     
  8. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    So it's been a LONG time since an update. Not really much of an update but more of a cool story. I have been working on my old cars and got one completely finished and sold it. The other is finally ready for paint. The Interceptor has just sat in my shed for the last two years. I pulled everything out a couple months ago and was planning to bolt in the engine. There are no engine mounting bolts in the parts I got. So everything went back in the shed. Now for the funny story. I just sold an 87 Monte Carlo SS with extra parts to a guy. As I was digging Monte parts out he noticed the interceptor in the corner of the shed. He said he had a crashed 700 that he took the engine, swing arm, and rear shock from sitting in his shop. He said he always wanted to put it in a go cart. We negotiated and I got it for $100. The carbs are the main thing I need. My carbs were taken apart and parts are missing so this will be a big piece to my puzzle. I just bought an engine mounting bolt kit from ebay from an 85 700 Interceptor. It showed long bolts, three sleeve style spacers as well as a bunch of allen bolts. I have been looking for about an hour for my Clymer manual to see which bolt and spacer goes where. I cannot find it. I'm going off memory from the bolt kit on ebay and I think it was three sleeve spacers. One was longer than the others. Does anyone have a link or pic of engine mounting? I thought I might try to bolt in the engine next weekend and clean the carbs. Not going to do any paint work right now. Wanting just to bolt it together to see if it will even make noise, cough or spit
     
  9. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    I think there are a few micro fiches of the 700s on the CMSNL website. If you can find one for your bike it may help work out how bolts and spacers go together. They may even have a few parts for those bikes left.

    SkiMad
     
  10. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    So I ended up with an 86 700 engine complete with carbs which you guys helped me identify. I plan on trying to retro fit it in this 84. Today I made a trip to my local motorcycle salvage looking for front forks cause mine are badly pitted from rust. I walked down an isle and seen this rear shock on an 87 FZR1000. It appears to be a very expensive unit. It has a FOX remote res and Eibach spring. Noticed it had aftermarket peg assemblies and a polished rear swing arm. I've always thought of doing a wheel, fork, and swingarm swap so I may try to convert now. Anyway, I bought the whole frame assembly for $200 and feel the shock assembly was probably worth that. It appears new

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  11. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    Here is the engine

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  12. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    I start a new job this Monday as a fabricator and painter. I am really looking forward to it. I have been restoring cars since 1992 and am slowing down and getting burnt out. I bought a large shed with loft about 6 years ago with plans to convert it to a classic motorcycle shop (for myself only). I have a nice list of bikes I want to build for a personal collection and I want rough ones. It is my opinion that when you buy a complete junker, by the time it's finished, you know the bike in and out. Now I'm not a professional bike tech but I do have mechanic skills and can paint very well. I've had bikes since age 5 and always did my own maintenance and repairs. I want a 500 Interceptor for my wife. I also want an 81 XJ550 Seca because my older brother had one when I was a kid. I rode that bike often when I was 14 and 15. Also a GPz turbo, RZ350, and a CB900 Super Sport. I really like the 80s stuff cause I'm an 80s kid. I have an 83 GPz 305 project also. That was my first street bike. My dad bought it for me at age 15. I plan on today, pulling out the 84 700 Interceptor and checking the fabrication needed to transplant the 86 Interceptor 700 engine into the frame. This bike will be a resto mod but I'll paint it back original with new decals. I plan on showing the bike as well so it will be nice when finished. I will have many questions in the future so help me out if you can. I love this website and there are some VERY knowledgeable guys here.
     
  13. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Congrats on the new job! Hope it ignites some new and different passion.

    I can't even count the number of threads that have been started regarding engine swaps that have NEVER been completed. I'm not bagging on you at all, it's just a testament regarding the challenge. There are aspects that only become apparent after you already solved problems. Each solution creates 2 problems. The V4 configuration combined with Honda's exhausting approach to packaging makes the task very, very hard. Packaging a V4 was something that was hard for Honda even when they were the ones who designed a bike around it.

    I've done quite a bit component swapping between VF/VFR models over many years, and I still get amazed by some of the very tiny detail differences Honda engineered into them that make seemingly simple things nearly un-doable.

    BUT, anything is possible. It just takes copious amounts of time and money.

    I seriously wish you good luck and look forward to tracking your progress. And of course, bouncing around ideas and asking questions is what this forum is all about.

    Mike.
     
  14. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    So I stripped out the chassis and front end off the 84 700 Interceptor. I stripped off the front from the FZR1000 and it had tapered roller bearings. To my amazement, the FZR races went into the Interceptor after removing the ball bearing races. Exact sizes. The front end bolted on but not enough room for the spanner nut. I need to mill down the top triple tree and it will work. I have a giant mess to clean up but pretty good day of progress.

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  15. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    Here is the rear shock from the FZR. Someone spent a lot of money. I don't think it has ever been used. The FZR chassis is polished and looks like a resto mod project that was started and never finished

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  16. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Yes, best of luck. Unfortunately what you are about to embark upon is not something I have seen actually done to completion. Not saying it hasn't happened, but there is not a lot out there to help you when you get stuck. The VFR engine was so much better than the VF engine that I was surprised it wasn't a common swap, but as has been pointed out, it is not straightforward at all. If you have the skills and desire then good for you. I can't help but think you might be better off trying to find a VF engine though.
     
  17. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Score!!! Yes, that shock is worth more than you paid for everything. Nice grab.
     
  18. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    Spent most of the morning driving around looking for a 12mm allen socket to remove the 84s swing arm. Last place in town had it. Didn't think that was going to be a hard to find tool. I've been looking for a brand new windscreen and found one on ebay. It said last one so I snagged it. Fear of loss I guess. Lol. Another item I need to grab is a headlight bucket from an 80s era S-10. Modifying the Interceptor housing to an S-10 bucket allows me to use a really nice diamond style H4 headlight. I did this mod to my GPz and the modern looking headlight looks better to me. I may go tomorrow to get the bucket at my local U-Pull it yard
     
  19. HAFRODD

    HAFRODD New Member

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    So the FZR 1000 swing arm is loosley on. I'll have to weld in sleeves to the chassis. Other small things will have to be done but it will work. Today I had to buff a scratch out of my wifes car so I thought I'd polish the cluster lens. It has a UV coating (basically clearcoat) on it that just like modern car headlights, gets chalky. I actually did an experiment on taking all the clear off the speedometer lens only since it had a scratch. I just sanded the other three gauge lens' to see how it looked finished. After final polish, the speedometer lens looks brand new. So I will be sanding off all the clear on the other three since they look hazey. This will hold out for a few months in lots of sunlight before getting dull again. Wax will make it stay longer also. I'll just polish it often after bike is done. I have a replacement dash panel but just noticed it had a small dink in it. I also noticed my tach needle is broken off. Just more parts I'll add to the list. I had a front fender off of a newer sportbike in my shed. I got it at a bike swap meet last year for $5. I just bought it because it was cheap. I do like the look of it better than the FZR three piece one though.

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  20. straycat

    straycat Member

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    looking forward to watching this project progress !
     
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