No work done - took it for a ride instead

Got up early this morning, pumped up the tyres (that's sorted the strange handling I'd been experiencing) and took it for a run.

Started with the 'usual' - A470 towards Brecon, branching off to cut the corner to Sennybridge, then A40 to Llandovery for a much needed coffee. (It was bloody cold today!)

Headed out of Llandovery towards Llyn Brianne reservoir - taking in the single-track unclassified roads.

From there, headed to Llanwrtyd Wells, heading towards Builth Wells, but branched off to take in the road over Epynt mountain.

Was out for a good 4 hours, including stops for hot drinks - covering around 150 miles.

Awesome bike - I can see why they're generally preferred over the 800Fi and also why they're considered to be the ultimate version of the VFR concept.

This is an overview of the route;

New dash and other bits

Lots of goodies arrived from eBay this week.

Most importantly, the replacement dash:

Also a 'Pro Bolt' kit - although, if you look at the 2nd photo, I wouldn't recommend them:

Also broke out the satin black paint, as the rear wheel was chipped and corroded. Don't know how long this will last, as I hardly did any prep work, but used the same paint on the fork legs of my BMW, which  has lasted very well.

(Yes, those are bloody big chicken strips.... still getting used to the bike!)

Satin black also applied to the bar ends:

And the engine cases (just the visible bits):

Finally, but it back in the garage:

Still lots of potential in the bike - but it's at a level where it's presentable and usable.

Will do more bits over the weekend, but progress will slow now, as I want to enjoy the remainder of the decent weather on it.

Quill Exhaust

Not the best quality..... but this gives a taste of what the beast sounds like.

Not a VFR!

Not the VFR this time, but my project the weekend before....

4 years ago, I (some say foolishly) bought one of the cheap Honda copy Chinese off-road bikes on eBay - a Hongdou GY200.

For those who don't know, they come in a crate and you have to put them together yourself:

And this is what they look like when they're built:

I rode it a few times, then events overtoook me - new job, involving lots of traveling, so I never had much time for it.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I dragged it out of the garage, rebuilt and re-bushed the rear shock mounts, freed off the brakes, stripped and cleaned the carburettor.

Once it was working, I stripped the bodywork, removed the stickers and painted in NATO satin green, with a brush....

This is what it looks like now:

Took it for an MOT last Tuesday, which it passed! - now just need to tax it.

New parts on their way!

Busy day of eBaying.

• Working dash found
• Lapis Pearl Blue paint ordered - in an aerosol
• Lacquer aerosol also ordered
• Bulk pack of plastic screw-to-release rivets to replace the missing and broken ones
• Pro-Bolt silver anodised fasteners to replace the rusty and missing steel fasteners

Fingers crossed the weather will be OK on Thursday, as I need to go to Holborn, and plan to use the VFR, as my air-cooled BMW doesn't like heavy traffic.

Some old photos

Unusually, the history of this bike can be traced right back to the supplying dealer.

A friend bought it as a very nearly new bike, and put the huge mileage on it.

Then it was sold to another friend, who sold it to my brother, who then sold it to me.

The original owner sent me some photos of how it was 'back in the day'.

I think the highlight is the DV camcorder gaffa taped to the helmet!

Finished for the day

Here's how it looks now.... kind of respectable, I think.

Putting it back together

Had a good clean - combination of Fuchs Off, WD40 and White Spirit removed the caked on chain lube from the rear wheel and visible parts of the swingarm.

The rest of the swingarm can wait until I remove the rear wheel.

Dash is still knackered - so that's a definite replacement needed.

Looks kind of OK now, after giving it a going over with Autoglim Super Resin Polish, Halfords Leather Cleaner for the seat and Baby Oil for the black plastics.

Painted the radiator end caps

Tailpieces screwed back together - I replaced the piece just above the tail light as a new one came with the bike.

Fairing support painted, all wiring refitted.

Clean!

The bike, that is.

I'm filthy. And sweaty.

Time for a shower and food... more pics. later.

Starting the stripdown

Off comes the fairing - ready to give it a good clean with 'Fuchs Off'

The front end:

Broken dash:

Cleaned up and painted fairing stay:

Some other shots in its current state:

Time for coffee, then I'll break out the Fuchs Off and get cleaning!

Original Photos

Just bought this 1996 VFR750FV off my brother.

He had it 9 years, used it for 2 or 3, but it mostly sat under a cover in his garden.

Mechanically it's sound, although it does need a service, but it's a bit tatty, with a number of little faults:

• Speedometer doesn't work
• Fuel gauge doesn't work
• Clock re-sets every time you turn it off
• Fasteners are rusted and mis-matched
• The whole dash has been butchered and was held on with zip ties

The plan is to do a light restoration over the winter - first job is to give it a good clean, order some matching anodised fasteners and source a new dash.

Here it is: