Just bought a 1991 vfr750 for £570, have a look...

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by Y282, May 25, 2014.

  1. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Yeah, have to say mine's starting to feel like a proper bike more now. Still have to look at rear suspension and linkage in near future and check air filter but other than that i'm pleased with it. Went straight past 120 with plenty to spare so can't moan. :)
     
  2. Rasbenek67

    Rasbenek67 New Member

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    Thought I'd drop in and say a big hello from the glorious biking roads (haha) of the southern UK ! Literally in the last few hours I have purchased my first VFR, a 750FM, and to say I'm excited to test it out in the sunshine is an understatement. Having been a biker my entire adult life, and for a few years in my youth as well, I don't think I've ever been as excited to get aboard a bike in my life - and I've had a few machines in my time, mainly Suzukis and Kawasakis (RF900, GSXR1300, RF600, RF400, GSXR600, ZXR750J1) but also a couple of earlier V4 Hondas, twinpots and inlines (VF500, VF400, CB200, CX500) yet all that time the VFR was a machine I coveted for its sublime looks, outstanding reputation for performance, reliability, and overall perfection. Personal circumstances meant I never thought I'd get around to owning one. And yet now I do. With 59,000 mls (which I'm told makes it still quite youthful), beautifully maintained by only 2 owners in its lifetime, in an immaculate white with a few aftermarket parts (screen, bar-ends, exhaust etc) and here's the best part - only £700 ! I made a cheeky offer which the guy, messed about by non-paying bidders, was happy to accept. Fortune smiles on the brave. I know this is a bike I am destined to keep regardless of other machinery that may come into and disappear from my life. Like ex-wives. But this little lady is here to stay. Happy riding all. Stay safe on those roads !

    VFR750FM - new2.jpg VFR750FM - new.jpg
     
  3. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Congrats on your purchase, may the roads be long and winding with no dogs, rabbits, cats, birds, and coppers bringing you down. :vtr2: I got a white one too.
     
  4. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Been running this for a while in all weathers now, passed its mot with no issues and is a very useful bike. Pulled forks through by 30mm and took off old decals. Also fitted braided front lines.

    image.jpg
     
  5. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Nice :scooter: !

    It is a great all-around-er. Had mine out tonight, came back with so many bugs crusted up on my visor I could barely see :loco: wiped all that chit off and cleaned my fork tubes and said "good-night" to my bikes.

    Cheers, happy and safe riding. :thumbsup:
     
  6. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    image.jpg

    Latest pic, just about to fit zx14 rear shock!
     
  7. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Take pictures! ZX14? where did you figure that one out? I got a Fox and Penske on my two, nice double bubble. :mech: :peace:
     
  8. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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  9. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Bit of an update...
    -Stripped, cleaned, painted and serviced the entire back end linkage.
    -Replaced rear manifold to downpipe gaskets to eliminate blow, painted lower exhaust and ground off old Centre stand stopper.
    -Fitted an 87 dogbone for height.
    -Fitted zx14 rear shock.
    -Heat wrapped electrics away from exhaust.
    -Stripped and cleaned whole back end including inside hub.
    -Repainted rear disc and painted outer hub satin black.
    -Removed and cleaned/treated factory undertray.

    Probably a few other bits but can't remember off top of my head. Anyway, back end with zx14 shock (shorter than original) and 87 dogbone now sits about 1" higher. I've yet to ride it but I'll rep[ort back if anyone's interested. So, pics...



    IMG_0471.jpg IMG_0603.jpg IMG_0606.jpg IMG_0627.jpg IMG_0639.jpg
     
  10. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Nice job, i wish i could get an un cut rear mud guard like i have on my 91. The 93 i ended up going for a EBC rear rotor and bought a donor caliper as the original pistons in mine were to far gone, as a bonus it came with a braided steel line. It stops differently than my 91, has more braking force. I also got a chain guard as mine was missing. I bought alot of parts on line for my 93, if it was not for ebay and craigslist i couldnt have done it. Cheers and happy safe motoring
     
  11. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Know what you mean about ebay, it keeps bikes like these alive :)

    I've taken my chain guard off and cut the rear undertray guard right down so it just holds the plate, trying to minimise clutter at the back. There's something very satisfying about working on it, just a blend of unconventional but well engineered ideas, you know?

    One thing I am still looking for is a cheap set of clear or smoked indicators, best I can find are from germany and with delivery come to about 130 pounds.

    I'm also thinking about replicating the decals off this when it's done:

    Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 13.10.11.jpg
     
  12. GigemVFR

    GigemVFR New Member

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    Looking great! Again, what brand/color of paint did you use for the wheels? Thought you said Simoniz silver but never heard of that in the states here.
     
  13. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Cheers :)

    It's cheap and cheerful stuff, main thing was that I w wanted them slightly darker silver, almost gunmetal grey. The finish is adequate up close but far from perfect.

    I had been thinking about doing them in the really bright gold that some people have used, but it's for all year round riding and this colour hides the dirt better!
     
  14. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Yeh the Honda engineering is really amazing on these bikes, from the urinal style fuel catcher under the petrol tank to the hole in the chain guard to access the screw cover then the allen head bold in the rear caliper when your servicing the brake pads, there are countless other little tid bits that I have made my self familar with in the two decades of gen3 ownership. Bikes today are not built to these standards, as great as this bike is, I still enjoy working on my GPZ500 for all around satisfaction, thing with the honda, you just have to change the oil and tyres and ride it. Electrics come in to play as the bike ages but its all good. :mech: cheers, I took my 91 out for a 50 mile ride today;
     
  15. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Continued rebuild last night, panels are tatty up close but still shine up ok. Also, fitted HRC rear reservoir delete kit, weird looking thing, but works fine.

    IMG_0652.jpg IMG_0655.jpg IMG_0657.jpg IMG_0661.jpg IMG_0663.jpg IMG_0670.jpg IMG_0673.jpg IMG_0675.jpg

    Rode it to the end of the road and back, the turn in is WAY too sharp, so I'll be needing to look at that. I'm also going to drill a hole in one of the vented planes on the alloy casting of the frame to allow for suspension scre adjustment. The corresponding inside of the aluminium has deep cast webbing so as long as I drill a clean round hole and stay between the webbing It'll be fine.
     
  16. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    Mini update, forgot I'd already made a build thread for this. Apologies for double post.

    Stuff I've done since last post:
    -painted bottom metal fairing panels red (good match)
    -fitted reg/rec from a Big Bang R1 (mosfet/shindengen)
    -Pirelli Diablos (gone to widest on the rear as I've got the 8 spoke)
    -some minimal decals off Ebay to break it up a bit.
    -properly painted the slats on the frame in satin black.


    Anyway, enjoy.

    IMG_0833.jpg IMG_0836.jpg
     
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  17. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Looks good, I have my gear shifters up one notch I think. There is a dot stamped on the shaft as well gear shift lever. Its all subjective though to the rider. I need new tyres for my 91 as they are date stamped 06 or so. No dry rot or anything and the bike only gets ridden 300 miles a year or so. Anyway, I enjoyed looking at the bike! Rubber side down Peace
     
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  18. scottbott

    scottbott Member

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    looks great, where about are you in the UK?
     
  19. Y282

    Y282 New Member

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    South coast, Dorset.
     
  20. scottbott

    scottbott Member

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    lovely bit of the country
     
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