My 86 VFR progress

I got quite a bit done in the last few days on my 86. I finished up late tonight with the mechanical stuff. I was too tired to run out for non- eth tonight, so I'll get that in the morning and fire it up. It does spin over nicely though.

Since I started this project (8 months ago), the following has been renewed or replaced:

Cleaned and reconditioned the fuel tank(EvapoRust)
Rebuilt the carbs
Replaced all fuel lines and fuel pump (Mitsubishi pump and Joe Nelson's suggested method)
Rebuilt front calipers and front master cylinder(Complete BrakeMaster kit with SS pistons)
Rebuilt the rear caliper and master cylinder(Complete BrakeMaster kit with SS pistons)
Rebuilt the clutch master cylinder and clutch slave(Complete BrakeMaster kit with SS pistons)
Replaced front and rear brake lines with HEL stainless lines
Replaced clutch line with HEL stainless line
Replaced battery (Motobat)
Replaced spark plugs (NGK)
Replaced air filter (OEM Honda)
Fresh oil and filter (Amsoil Metric and Fram)

Still to be addressed:

Tire replacement
Fork rebuild
small repair to the right cowl (air duct)
Coolant system flush and thermostat replacement

Thanks to Baz, Capt, and Terry for all the help and advice. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few others but thanks to those guys as well. It's been an enjoyable project and I'm looking forward to throwing a leg over it again.

Here's some pics of this week's work.


Clean clutch master


Piston and seals from clutch master


Clutch slave cylinder. Clean but I replaced it anyway.


The clutch piston. Not bad at all, moved freely.


A little sludge in the cylinder, but it wiped clean.


Wife thinks she's going for a rip on the 87. Not so fast, hon.



ready for carbs


Carbs installed. Some red rubber grease on the boots and the back boots tilted really helps with getting them on fairly easily


New fuel pump and fuel lines. Joe Nelson's idea works good.


All buttoned up. Waiting for fresh non eth.

 

Great job - she looks great! The wife, as well!

 

A job done well, Prime Target!

I hope you enjoy many trouble free miles.

 

Thanks Joe!

 

Thanks Baz!

 

Great job! I've got to do all of the same to my white 86,

 

A little update on my 86.

After completing all that work and feeling confident everything was sorted out and ready to go, gremlins appear. As they always do.

The next day I poured 3 gallons of non eth fuel into the tank and she fired up effortlessly. It was so nice to hear that smooth V4 run after a 14-year sabbatical. I was so mesmerized that I didn't notice the fuel leak right away. After about a minute I spotted the leak running down the fuel line and switched the fuel to OFF. The leak stopped and the bike continued to run smoothly until fuel starvation.

I pulled the tank and realized the leak was coming from where the fuel line attached to the tank. The tank fuel nipple was fine. The culprit was the new 3/8 fuel line I used. Apparently, Honda uses a fuel line with an 8mm fuel tank end and a 10mm fuel filter end.

Joe Nelson (V4 Dreams) to the rescue. I ordered his fuel line last week and attached it today. No more fuel leak and the lines fit perfectly. Thanks Joe!

The motor ran great and as smooth as new. I took it for a short ride down my street, and it performed great. Nice to get back in the saddle again. I didn't want to push it with old tires and a soft front end, so I kept it short.

After getting it back home and parked back in the garage, I could hear the fuel vent singing a bit. I opened the gas cap and there was a bit of pressure. Another gremlin.

According to the service manual section 4-3, It only states to check the vent hole of the fuel filler cap for blockages. Nothing about the fuel breather tube though. Tomorrow I will check both of them and see if I can find any type of obstruction. A quick glance tonight didn't reveal anything.

Then it's on to the right fairing's air scoop reattachment. (Thanks Baz). after that, forks and tires. Then a deep clean, polish and wax.

 

Very nice report - glad she's back in the game! These old Interceptors are tough as nails, given half a chance.

Not sure what to say about the fuel tank pressure thing.

Honda made a cap for California bikes that had a non-vented cap. Here's what that one looks like:





...... and a normal vented version (which is what you should have):





Can you take a look and see which one you have? Thanks!

 

I've got the vented cap. It looks clean and the key spin freely as it should. When I heard it venting, it was coming out of the keyhole.

 

OK good. Not sure what's going on.

Maybe send Joe Nelson a note and see what he says?

Someone here may also have some input.

 

You can see in my photo what EvapoRust can do to aluminum. Check out the latch arms. They still work fine though.

 

I didn't know ER could harm aluminum. I soaked some caps in it and don't remember seeing any damage on those. I wanted to clean up the rust on the metal ring and it did a great job for that. Afterwards I rinsed/cleaned with soap and water and then sprayed liberally with WD40.

 

If you have access, place your fuel cap in a sonic bath for 1/2 hour with some mild detergents or straight up Isopropyl alcohol. They may clear any obstruction in the cap. The sonic baths are great for carbs and clearing out micro holes without causing damage with a physical tool or wire. Use the heat function on the unit as well. I think mine was a $100 bones and fits a ton of smaller bikes parts.
You can also clean the jewelry of your favorite person as a selling point.

Oh and your bike looks real nice!! Jelly

 

Will it also do my wife's jewelry?

 

Great idea!

 

Maybe after Bazza'a GF.

 

Knew that was coming....lol......

 

Funny thing is she never ages.
Is her name Adaline?

 

I think we need a photo shoot of Bazza's girlfriend...

 

Thanks Rogue. She's coming along nicely. A few more things to address before I consider it "job complete". But we are really close.

I think I have the cap vent cleared. After cleaning the cap, I took it for a ride in my neighborhood yesterday and I didn't notice any unusual venting or pressure. So hopefully that gremlin is addressed.

I am going to look in to purchasing a small sonic cleaner. I believe I have enough uses for it to justify the purchase.