New Life for an Old 86 VFR700

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Dr.Инженер, May 17, 2019.

  1. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    These VFRs (and most Hondas from the 80s and 90s) are woefully undersrpung for most people. When you are heavy braking the forks are very compressed. This steepens the steering geometry and puts the suspension down at the bottom of it's stroke, probably close to bottomed, where it is not performing optimally. Add that to a 16" wheel that can already feel twitchy for some people.
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I used to have an early fireblade for 7 years - with the 16” front and that’s twitchy..... Honda VFR and twitchy in the same sentence doesn’t really fit lol...
     
  3. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    The bikes been running fun and hard on weekends. Love the sound of the Yoshimira pipe. The old VFR700 is a talk among the old gentlemen riders i have been running into. Most of them have owned one in the past or wanted one. Fun showing them pictures of the build and directing them to this site to admire others rebuilds.
    I've been Collecting parts for some winter repairs and fixes. If anyone has preferred brand and/or suggestions, let me know.

    Fork rebuild Kit
    Fork Fluid (i know the manual has recommendation, but you guys have been on these for along time and probably have better suggestions, i'm 5'7 190lbs)
    Chain
    Sprockets
     
  4. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Forks: OEM is usually the best quality, but is usually more expensive. There will be people that will say nothing but OEM. I have used ALL BALLS bushing and seal kits in a couple bikes. I actually found the quality quite good and it came with every copper crush washer needed, which also adds up ordering thru Honda. I also use OEM stuff quite a lot, I just wanted to experience the aftermarket kit first hand. I have used BikeMaster seals too. No issues with ALL BALLS bushings and seals in the RC26 over 2 years. Most people's issues with replacing seals is they don't inspect the fork tubes CLOSELY for nicks and dings that will instantly ruin new seals, then blame the seals.

    Fork oil: Stock is usually ATF on 80's bikes, which is approx 7.5 wt. I wouldn't go over 10wt with the stock forks, you will just make the damper rod forks too harsh. Control excessive dive with your fork oil height and proper springs, and put your TRAC at 1 if you don't disable it.

    Chain: Quality. RK, DID, AFAM, REGINA, etc... A good chain should cost you around $100 alone.

    Sprockets: Quality. Sunstar, JT, AFAM, Sprocket Specialties, PBI, etc.. I use JT for my Counter Shaft sprockets quite often. You can find some NOS sprockets for our bikes on eBay at some pretty good prices (search CBR600F Hurricane too for the rear).
     
  5. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    Last edited: Jun 12, 2020
  6. chuntera

    chuntera New Member

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    Do you know if Parts Unlimited is a rebranded sprocket (ie. sunstar) ?
     
  7. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    On this spot 7/19/20 the rebuilt VFR700 made 305miles
    upload_2020-7-20_6-6-21.png
     
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  8. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    My wife was a bit jealous when i started riding again nagging about how women will be flirting because of the bike. HA, the truth is that most places i stop at most men 50+ gawk and start talking, " isn't that an 80's VFR" and before i know it, they are usually 3+ men standing around talking about the bike and how they use to own and regret selling it year ago. I live in a small town and when we go out we usually run into someone that say " hey, there's that guy with the old bike!" HA, and my wife thought I'd be surrounded by women. That Showed her! So now she says guys only like me for my bike.... i feel violated!!! LOL

    LOL, anyway. I got in some throttle time along the lake and stopped for a quick pic.

    upload_2020-10-19_6-16-4.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2020
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  9. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    She will just have to get used to it.. lol
     
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  10. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    I’m working on a 3-D print idea and I left my calipers at work. Anyone near a set to give me the head diameter of the carb sync screw.
     
  11. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I have 2 sets apart on my bench right now at home. If nobody beats me to it, I can measure in about an hour or so.

    You want the measurement of the hex head, one side to the other parallel side?
     
  12. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    Yup, across corners and cross flats if you can
     
  13. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Flat to flat: 7mm
    Corner to corner: 7.8mm (using vernier)
     
  14. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    Thanks what size sockets fits over it?
    And I really appreciate your time!
     
  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    ummm... 7mm? :)
     
  16. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    Round 1: 90 carb adjustment tool 3D print
    Making the “L” bracket was easy enough but the bevel gears not so much

    working on round #2: adding a spot for 1/4 extension & socket, first idea is to put the gear, extension and socket all one piece. Fairings are currently on the bike so I cannot get an measurement, so anyone know the extension length used on a ratchet, I’m thinking 3”?

    Concerns: heat, filament softens in heat so the engine heat may soften the tool to be useless...

    upload_2020-10-28_20-19-59.jpeg
     
  17. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Disposable... erp... "Recyclable" one-time-use carb adjustment tool.
     
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  18. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    V2: done- realized if I’m holding the extension it cannot turn, lol. So I need to sleeve the handle extension
    upload_2020-10-29_7-13-36.jpeg

    And already first fail: broke the socket extension. I’ll toss that idea and put a 1/4 inset for a normal extension and socket. That part was the main thing I was concerned about heat issues.


    v3: when I get home I’ll open the holes on the “L” bracket to accept the extension rod, widen the bevel gear base to go over the extension rod and bring a sleeve down from the Lbracket to go over the handle sleeve for support.

    exp:
    upload_2020-10-29_7-20-10.jpeg
     
  19. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    Quiet day in engineering...so have some time to work on V3
    Ready to print unless I change something

    upload_2020-10-29_12-32-18.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
  20. Dr.Инженер

    Dr.Инженер New Member

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    Sad world tonight... came home to this
    Bed somehow came off the printer and broke, lol! Turned the entire print into spaghetti

    upload_2020-10-29_19-32-50.jpeg
     

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