1985 VF1000R Restoration #2

I probably exaggerate when I say sounds like shit. But the sound isnt like I expected after having hindle pipes on other bikes. I really haven't logged enough miles on it to make an honest assessment (with 2nd gear being gone), but even just revving it up when stationary isnt the growl id expect.

Anyway, it will get OEM pipes im pretty sure, but that bike will have to wait until this one is done.

 

It is interesting with Hindle & their design/sound. I wanted one for my VF500, local performance guru at the Suzuki shop insisted 4-2 was best option for the V4 Honda. I wanted 4-1 because all my Ninja/GSXR buddy's had 4-1 and Merkel's factory VFR had the 4-1 setup. But they were a V&H shop and he was well trusted (went to work with factory Suzuki team), so full V&H 4-2 was what I got.

But the early Hindle's were definitely nowhere near as deep sounding as the Kerker & V&H stuff, even on I-4s. Fast forward to the late 90's and I really liked their stuff on the GSXRs we were running in street drags and road race stuff. Supertrapp's were OK, with max discs installed. Yosh was kinda tin can sounding, IMO, and I never cared for the small cans on the V4s.

Here we are 30+ years later, so I fully get it, options are limited when restoring/rehabing these beauties. Enjoying the journey, no matter what they sound like!

 

So after doing nothin on the bike all summer, I got back at it bit today.

 

Spent this morning stripping more bits off the VF1000R. Takes time to label, tag and bag everything, along with disassembly notes and photos.

Makes reassembly more straight forward though. Even after taking 4 of these apart, I still do the same routine, better safe than sorry.

Yet again I asked myself this morning.."Why dont you have a bike lift ?"

 

The lift is some of the best money I EVER spent. When the lift is full or I'm doing something outside, I have these gurney pads that I put down for my knees. I always make an air compressor "pshhhhh" sound when I flop them on the ground, simulating the bike going up in the air, instead of me going down on my knees.

 

bit more torn down today. I tend to err on the side of caution when labeling stuff....better safe than sorry.

Handle bars, levers, switchgear, brakes, front wheel and forks are next

after that ill pull the rear suspension & swing arm

then lift the frame off the engine.

you can see the new Frame waiting in the wings there in top right of the pic.

The coolant I drained was an odd tranparent orange colour (not rusty water though), it was either a really old Red Dextron or they filled it from the bottom of the Shinano river before it left Japan in '85

 

DIY motorcycle lift

 

very cool, I have 2 of those lifts here, hmmm....

 

Another few hours in the shop, stripping, bagging, labeling, etc. Should have her all stripped by the end of the week if time permits, just the swing-arm, rear shock and some electrical connectors to remove and I should be able to lift the frame off the engine.

I have 6 pages of step by step disassembly notes (110 steps so far), and all fasteners /parts have corresponding bags and labels.

Not too many horror stories thus far, one siezed Master Cyl cap screw which I resolved by Drill and EZ out. One cracked thermostat housing mount, one broken speedo cable retainer by the front wheel, and a missing plastic throttle washer, One nasty looking PCV bottle, and I broke a brake line. (New braided hoses coming from EBAY)

I have 14 boxes of VF1000R spares so I'm thankful for that as its provided replacements for all the above. Once this restoration is done, all the remaining VF100oR spares will be sold off (14 large boxes of spare parts + 1 frame + 2 sets of Bodywork + 2 tanks + wheels).

As it goes back together, it will get all new bearings (head, wheel), new fork seals & upgraded springs (I have them from another bike), brake pads etc. Everything will be cleaned and re-painted as needed. Valve adjustment while the engine is out.

 

What's a "plastic throttle washer"?

I paint the crankcase catch tank black with Krylon Fusion matte. They are so orange and nasty looking. You don't see it when the bike is assembled, but it makes me feel better when I'm assembling a "restored" bike and I don't see that orange blob in pics. Hell, I painted the coolant tank on one of mine because it was also so orange and stained and you can see it, especially since I am not running the mesh side covers. I don't care about being able to see the coolant level, it gets the rubber cap opened and checked whenever I have the seat off.

I know I have too much shit, but it is really nice to go to a box for parts instead of eBay.

Great job!

 

The washer that goes between the switchgear and the rubber on the grip so it cannot bind against the switch gear. some of the VR1000R's I disassembled had them some didnt. I have a spare one so ill put it on.

Good idea on the PCV bottle !!

 

OK, that's what I thought you were talking about. Not a stock Honda item, they used to include them with some aftermarket grips, especially the foam "Grab-On" grips.

 

ah, good to know, thanks

 

Shit, I've even gone to YOUR boxes of parts before. ;-)

 

Yea, thats true LOL.

I dont plan on doing another VF1000R so it makes no sense to have so many spares. Ill keep a few bits that are unobtanium. but ill sell the bulk of it. Hopefully someone in Ontario will bring a pickup truck and put it all to good use.

 

Soon as I track an R down, I know where to go!!

Looking good so far, solid work.

 

They' are out there, I put a kijiji Ad out 2-3 yrs ago and ended up with 4 of them, 2 were good for parts, 2 were decent

 

I see a couple of Kijiji ads, maybe once I'm done the VFR and the other VF I'll track an R down and give that a whirl.

 

The disassembly is done.

Now I can start the cleaning, adjustments, repair and rebuild process.