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: