14
Over 4 years ago, one of the members here listed an '86 VFR750F for sale. It looked nice in the pictures and the price was right, so I contacted him right away. Too late - someone else had already grabbed it. Months later, the new owner relisted it here for sale for the same price. Evidently he changed his mind and wanted it gone. I contacted him right away and damn, but I missed again. The new owner lived near me and just by chance we ran into each other at Motorsports International in Auburn. I told him if he ever decided to sell it, to please give me first dibs. A few days later he called and said it was mine if I wanted it. I took it home and tucked it into the corner of my shop, since there were several bikes ahead of it that I had to finish first. I finished a customer build this past April and finally dug into this with the goal to be done by the end of August. One small water pump leak delayed me from finishing, but it was finally done on September 14. Except for the paintwork and carb rebuild, I did all of the following myself:
Powder coated wheels, sub-frame, engine covers, headlight bracketry, exhaust, radiator, oil cooler, bars, triples, calipers, masters, etc.
New braided stainless steel brake lines and completely rebuilt brake system
New Battlax tires balanced with Dynabeads
New wheel and steering stem bearings
All coolant-related O-rings and seals replaced
Repaired/repainted bodywork done by a friend in Texas
Professionally overhauled carbs by Mike Nixon in AZ.
Replaced all bulbs with LEDs
and more that I've forgotten
The end result is awesome - I love the look of this bike and IMO, it's one of the most beautiful bikes ever built by Honda. And for a 750, the V4 makes a lot of power. Here it is all done: