1986 Honda VFR 700 interceptor "engine markings"?

To the gurus out there....are these normal production markings?

They are made with paint pen, my fear is that they look like junkyard markings.......

The pink "AKS" is the front bank of cylinders.

Please advise...

Thank you

John

 

Definitely junk yard or a shop that had engine apart.

 

I do believe I have seen those on the 86 and 87's that I have torn apart and they were not from junkyards. So I am going with production. Let's let Toecutter chimp in.

 

I personally believe that they are identifying marks from assembly at the factory. If you look at pictures of 86-87 cylinder heads it is common to see similar markings, size ,color,and location. Here is an example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/86-VFR700-V...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cbb26a1aa&vxp=mtr

 

Awesome, thanks for your help!

 

Why only '87 & '87? I have two original '83 engines (one in pieces) and I have never seen those markings.

 

Never saw a VFR700/750 engine without those cryptic, vari-colored inscriptions. I think they must be code to id which team assembled which parts or to code it for any production-line mods or dates of construction. Just think: Some Japanese worker got up one morning, ate his cold rice breakfast, trained it to the Honda factory, then put HIS PERSONAL signature or chop on YOUR unique bike on one day in history !!! Then he trained home an hour or more, had more rice for dinner, and it was another ordinary day for him; but for you it was the exact day Honda built your favorite bike. A day of history, not of infamy.

That's special and makes every '86/'87 VFR "signed by an artist".


BTW: Don't turn up your nose at junkyard parts as most are as reliable as anything from a private seller.

 

My 85 vf1000r has similar markings in the same locations.

 

I've seen these on a few of my '86-87s and a super lo-mile, all-original '92 CB750 I had; always in a light blue color.

 

I had noticed them on my '86 too. I figured the same as you did, but now I'm thrilled to find that I have a limited edition signed copy. :congratulatory:



There they are, both front and rear. I know the bike is a mess, I'll clean it up eventually! I've had a few bigger fish to fry with this bike so far...

 

I just wanted to add that I found the same markings on a VF1100s engine. They're on the rear of the block, impossible to see when the exhaust resonator is installed.

 

On all my VF engines, including nos VF1000 crankcase set. I think it identifies matched uppers and lowers after line boring of main bearings.

 

I'll bet that's it - excellent guess. It makes sense that the VF1100s block would have been marked instead of the heads; only the bottom end was line-bored on those motors.

 

I work for a company that makes those type of markers and we sell them to automotive plants in the US. Most of them are used for quality control. We sell many to a Toyota Plant in Evansville IN. They put over 30 of those type of quality control marks on the seat assembly alone. All before it is covered in fabric.

Check out www.markal.com for all kinds of markers. they will even send you free samples!

 

I believe the 2nd gens were assembled at the goldwing plant in Marysville, OH. Interesting if any goldwins had the same markings (my 2nd gen does not have those).
.

 

I just noticed those same marking the other night while semi restoring my 86 750. I have owned it since 1992.

 

Pretty sure I have them on my 86 as well, I just thought they must have been breakers parts, never took any more notice