Tricky project - 1983 honda vf750s

[Laava]

pics

this pic has the mystery box with key slot. green light and rubber bung for plug of some sort

I reckon it is an alarm, but it looks like an OE fitting so should show up in the manual or wiring diagram.

We should have a sweepstake, fiver says I am on to it!

[BMWST?]

they were fkn awful when new ,not sure they would have much of a following The later sportier brother however one of the nicest bikes EVER.Good luck with yer build tho mate

[carburator]

I reckon it is an alarm, but it looks like an OE fitting so should show up in the manual or wiring diagram.

We should have a sweepstake, fiver says I am on to it!

fiver says its the fuse box or one of them?

I have refinished plastic control boxes before with a soft mop on the grinder
and lots of brasso as a polisihing agent..

[Larksea]

well I actually tried to turn it over, the start button does not work but I shorted the starter wires. unfortunately it just clicks continuously. wondered if the battery was flat so put it on the charger and it's actually fully charged so that's strike 2

I've seen the econohonda site before but their 2009 parts list put me off contacting them

alarm? that's interesting

[Larksea]

they were fkn awful when new ,not sure they would have much of a following The later sportier brother however one of the nicest bikes EVER.Good luck with yer build tho mate

I dont disagree, It's not a classic and I actually think this model with the orange stripes is fugly

but, I did find this pic of what looks like pretty much the exact same model in black with gold trim which does look pretty cool, and is what I think I am going to aim to replicate.

[Laava]

fiver says its the fuse box or one of them?

I have refinished plastic control boxes before with a soft mop on the grinder
and lots of brasso as a polisihing agent..

Multi fuse box setup?

I painted mine on the gixxer, mainly cos I had to sand at one corner to remove a grind mark. I used very fine wet and dry to finish it and then bought some plastic primer and satin finish black paint.
None of which is special, it all boils down to patience really but heres a couple of essentials in my prep. Warm the rattle cans slightly in a jug of hot water. But don,t let it get more than luke warm. Also, heat the item with heat gun. This makes a huge difference to getting a good finish IMO. Metal parts heated to almost too hot to hold, and plastic, obviously, a lot less.

I reckon that is a styley bike, in fact my friend has one, a runner with reg on hold, that is cosmetically in way worse cond than yours. They are talking about rebuilding it but it is beyond being worth a full resto cos of rust and corrosion.

[dangerous]

they were fkn awful when new ,not sure they would have much of a following The later sportier brother however one of the nicest bikes EVER.Good luck with yer build tho mate

awfull? as in a personal preferance to there looks or mecanical? The Saber never had any issues what so ever, the R as we all should know had oil feed issues to the head, causing cam failer...

I dont disagree, It's not a classic and I actually think this model with the orange stripes is fugly

but, I did find this pic of what looks like pretty much the exact same model in black with gold trim which does look pretty cool, and is what I think I am going to aim to replicate.

They are bloody classics LOL awesome machinery, I dont recall seeing the strip painted model new in NZ and NZ new were not called Sabers. Some call the TX650 a classic, yet it was less relible that a Triumph of the day...

[Larksea]

awfull? as in a personal preferance to there looks or mecanical? The Saber never had any issues what so ever, the R as we all should know had oil feed issues to the head, causing cam failer...


They are bloody classics LOL awesome machinery, I dont recall seeing the strip painted model new in NZ and NZ new were not called Sabers. Some call the TX650 a classic, yet it was less relible that a Triumph of the day...

haha yeah your right, I think it's a classic. I think it will look really good in gloss black with some chrome and the seat re-covered.

I should have done more research before I got it on how this model has been in terms of it's mechanics and reliability.

bit of a gamble when I got it with some pretty poor pics on a trademe sale. But from what I can tell it's in pretty good shape and the rust on it is superficial at worst where paint has come off. It's solid as a rock.

well it turns out the battery wasn't charged properly after all. After a while sitting on the charger it came off charged and started charging properly like it needed it so fingers crossed it will turnover after a charge and I don't need to buy a new starter motor. or trace that problem. I'd like to confirm it starts and runs like I was lead to believe it would before moving on to anything major.

The front brakes that came in a box with it are a mess though, hopefully the book I got covers how they fit together and operate, they will be a project in themselves. Not easy controlling it just moving it around without brakes.

pulled the odometer off and the display is actually missing from inside it. The more I look at it the more I'm back to thinking I should just try replace the whole top console with a new part. I think it would be too hard to find the same parts in good condition for a price that would make it worth keeping it original.

i was in the tool shop the other day and did look at a granite blaster? though I think a setup like that would be too much for my little garage. maybe if I could hire one or something like that? I was thinking of just getting wire brushes and polishing attachments for power drill and an angle grinder to strip back the tank and frame and clean up the wheels and other parts or is that just a silly idea? Will take some practice and more time but as I said I'm a year and a half away from being able to ride it on the road so no rush.

Thanks for the replies guys.

[Larksea]

actually if you read the above article it says the bike has a built in security cable and alarm system.

so that's what it will be, the rubber covered plug hole will be for the alarm cable

all bets are off I guess.

[Katman]

As Laava says, the bike will only ever be worth anything if it's kept as original as possible.

As BMWST says, they were never a wonderful bike from new.

Replacing parts that don't need replacing is likely to be throwing good money away on bad.

If you're not intending to do any motor work, forget the compression test. Sometimes ignorance can truly be bliss.

[Murray]

I've seen the econohonda site before but their 2009 parts list put me off contacting them

Don't let it put you off they have been absolutely great with my CB750 and GB400TT and Malcolm is super knowledgable and helpful.

[Larksea]

Don't let it put you off they have been absolutely great with my CB750 and GB400TT and Malcolm is super knowledgable and helpful.

yeah I emailed them for some prices and part list for the bike and Malcolm emailed me back. seemed very helpful.

but with what I've found over the last couple of days I've decided that i'm definitely not aiming to use all OEM parts and keep it original, that's just going to restrict me too much and cost a lot more.

I mean 1 stock used turn signal for the bike will cost me $70 from econo and I can get a whole set of 4 custom part for less than US$15 on the net.

Naaaa this an old unloved bike, heck if had been looked after and was in good condition I'd get it standard parts but it's a hunk of junk. Restoring it close to original is a pipe dream.

my main goal now is to get it working reliable and safe then get it looking ok using whatever parts I can get rather than originals.

also thinking I need to make inspecting the cam a priority, if it has that issue it may not even be worth working on I dunno.

[BMWST?]

awfull? as in a personal preferance to there looks or mecanical? The Saber never had any issues what so ever, the R as we all should know had oil feed issues to the head, causing cam failer...


They are bloody classics LOL awesome machinery, I dont recall seeing the strip painted model new in NZ and NZ new were not called Sabers. Some call the TX650 a classic, yet it was less relible that a Triumph of the day...

i had a flatmate who was a Honda nut.I vcant remeber what he had before(may hve beena Cb900.He bought a vf750s it was a horrible handling bike.Vey soon after he bought the R ,a much much nicer experience IN MY OPINION.yours may differ!

[unstuck]

Nice find. Cant wait until I get my VF back on the road.Had an S version once but did not like the way it felt, but it may of just been that particular bike, twas pretty rough. Much prefer my F, awesome fun bike to ride. Good luck with your project.

[actungbaby]

Any feedback there?

What fj said i got 4 bikes of trademe vt 500 honda vt 250 xr 200 x 2 vfr 750

only second xr 200 and vfr 750 engines where good to go mind you adverised as going when got them

if you get cheap bike usually a good reason , u got think this is such great bike why person selling it

That said the vt 500 is half fixed know needs new cam shaft 90.00 parts omly cost replaced haed gasket was blown .

to be far alot people tm dont understand whats needed or whats wrong guy broght vt 500 wasint biker

nice guy though

unless u can fix the engine yorself i dont think worth the cost ditto i think vt 250 never turn a wheeel the bearings go in them or crank shaft bearings.

the vf 750s is old shaft drive custom job nice bikes in the day where first version honda brought out

then the sports version version vf 750 f . guy at pammy hospital got going condition working one rides ever day .

but they wear cams out this was fixed via honda drilling extra oil holes , and think might be mistaken

was carried as service fix here . u might be lucky and engine good but going by its condition

And my eperience u find old bike like this A havent had oil changed for donkeys years . the head gaskets be gone through sitting there rustying away , thats min damage they had .

the carbs will be gummed up with crap .

if engine poked forget it cost rebuild be 2000 plus not worth when have to fix paint as well buy parts.

I spent nz 2000.00 on my vfr 750 and thats got good motor thats just fixing forks discs etc

and thats just in second parts of ebay . buying from england states guy on here wanted nz

1,200 just for scond hand forks rip of i got mine freight included for 600.00 nz

But i had to fit everthing myself

if you need my help i help with advice

as novice u think engine turns it okay not the case really well its one good sign but not full story

so in brief get somone check top end bottom end u can do that by taking bottom top engine covers of after draining engine oil .

oH okay quick check drain the oil get ince cream contaner at least 4 or 2 2litre ones

Drain the oil it be crap anyway if like vt 500 and vt 250 u can feel water in it thats head gaskets gone fixable enough , pour oil into another twon contaners if using two to collect it.

then check bottom each one for metal shavings if see brass colour sign that crank shaft bears shells

are worn down .. u may get lucky buy second good crankshat of ebay dunno havent seen on

sen them for my bike 1990 vfr 750 .

if oil looks good it always have bit metal if very small thats just normal but if its alot and oil is black as coal not good.

if its got light brownpatchs that chould be water.. on vt 250 i felt oil over my hand and chould littlery feel the cold water its got diffrent feel to oil

not trying rain your parade or be negtive just dont making mistakes i made my self

engine good , get it ruuning before do anything u wont even need new igntion if wire it direct get advice on that.

id say thats already done my vt 500 doesint even have key just switch former owner was beach bike.wel two onwers before me