Hi
Joined a couple of weeks back and thanks for the email PAJ. The story so far is a work colleague heard that a retired motorbike mechanic who lived near him was clearing out his garage/workshop, and everything in it was going for free. He had 2 250Ns and a 400N, a Honda Cub and a CG125, but didn’t want 2 VF1000s! All of the bikes were in various states of neglect. I took the VFs - one is a 1985 FE and the other a 1986 FF. The FF has no bodywork apart from the tailpiece, as it was bought crash damaged for spares, but has a good set of tyres and standard exhausts. So I will probabl;y have a lot of spares to offer soon! The FE is silver and black and complete. It was running but stored for winter a few years ago and when the battery was flat come spring it got left. It has had an oil mod carried out by a local reputable engineering firm, a Laser 4-1 and 43000 on the clock. The owner had put the FF forks on the FE when the seals went in the FE forks, but still has the 16" front wheel on?! I hope to get around to checking it over soon, so any tips on things to look out for will be great. I remember the FE when it came out because a friend bought one, I think in 1984, a white one. Later on another friend bought a blue F2 and they both stuck in my mind because of the incredible torque. Really good to find this site, and I reckon I’ll be using it quite a bit over the Summer when I should start to find the time to get on with this project.
Chris
Welcome to the site Chris…“free Hondas?”…stuff of dreams mate. Whereabouts in the UK you from?[8D][:)]
hello chris, another black and silver fe,and for free, cant be bad…my fe has had periods of hibernation up to 4 years in the past.mine usualy needs the carbs removing and cleaning befor it will run properly,this time there was some leaking seals on the cooling system and the rear brake master cylinder was leaking,all easy to fix and relativly easy on the pocket…good luck.
Hi welcome Chrisk, I thought I got one of my VF’s cheap (£60.00) but you have beaten me hands down[:0] If ever you want to let that engine go[;)] also, roughly, where are you located?
Hi, pete thanks for the message mean’t to get back to you but I’v been doing loads of hours at work and away in buurmingggam, could’nt find the barrels or crank ebay, Have they gone or do you have an item number, cheers, Phil.
Thanks for the replies. Are the carbs on these as awkward to get off/out as the VFR750? It’s going to be the end of the summer before any work gets done on the VF although I am getting through other things I have to sort out first. I am not far from the M11/A406 Nth Circular junction in Essex if anyone wants to pop round for tea or coffee or whatever plus a look at my 1 and two-thirds VFs. Are parts interchangeable between the FE and FF, like wheels, forks, exhausts? As I am typing this post I’m getting impatient to get one VF running and see what they ride like after several years on more modern machinery! I do still have my old FZ750 which is still fun although the brakes are worrying. That has a 16" front wheel too, and a mate says that putting the 18" FF wheel on the FE will improve the handling…? Anyway, more news and pics soon.
Hi chrisk, You’re not far from me then, I’m just a couple of stops up the M11 in Essex meself! Bought my running ‘project’ 18 months ago and it’s in more pieces now than ever! But then it’s gonna be a full blown restoration I reckon. It’s an 84 FE (23rd into the UK)plus an F2 Bol d’or motor for spares.Oh and yes, the carb are a bugger to get on/off, but new intake rubbers instead of the hardened old ones make it slightly easier.[;)]
quote:
Originally posted by scratcherHi chrisk, You’re not far from me then, I’m just a couple of stops up the M11 in Essex meself! Bought my running ‘project’ 18 months ago and it’s in more pieces now than ever! But then it’s gonna be a full blown restoration I reckon. It’s an 84 FE (23rd into the UK)plus an F2 Bol d’or motor for spares.Oh and yes, the carb are a bugger to get on/off, but new intake rubbers instead of the hardened old ones make it slightly easier</font id=“size3”>.[;)]
I would say that is something of an understatement…I tried and tried and tried…even had cunning tips off bif bless…but to no avail…tried boiling them…tried all bloody sorts…Bit the bullet and splashed out on 4 new rubbers off Evil Bay…and the buggers slid on first time…Don’t fook about…it isn’t worth the stress/ponding veins in ya forehead/foul language streaming from the garage/knicked knuckles…get four new rubbers…job’s a good un…[8D]