Returning after absence

[Skipper]

Hi from Brisbane, after a technical glitch which locked me out of the forum, I am back. Over the past four years I have been working (maybe too slowly) on resurrecting a very rough '89 VFR750. It was supplied from the factory to Australian specifications and last registered back in 2009. In a very sorry state, so bad the seller was trying to market her without the fairings attached, presumable so any prospective buyer would not be put off by their condition. Finally completed to my taste, all fairings repaired and now painted in the earlier '86 tricolor (US) color scheme, I think she looks the part.
A new muffler set c/w pipework in stainless steel, modified seat to accommodate my custom-made tail box - she is all my own work. There are numerous minor changes I made - like replacing the ugly front indicators with the clean lines of the Japanese domestic market product, heated grips, tire pressure monitors and the removal of pillion foot pegs.  I have done little to the engine, new seals and gaskets, new valve guide seals, carb overhaul and a coat of paint is about it.
I have done two complete oil and filter changes using engine flush product to clean any unwanted residue and currently run semi-synthetic10-40w oil.

Ther is no point in an engine overhaul just for the sake of it, she is no longer smoking so perhaps I got off easy?
She runs nice, and I have been out clocking up km's without any issues to date but it has only been a couple of weeks so who knows?

Photo as attached gives a general idea of her appearance - hope you like my VFR - saved from the wreckers!

[Terry]

That is a beauty; I'm glad you gave us the rundown on the origin as I was getting confused about the mix of US 86 colours with the 89 bodywork and clocks. Nice work mate. 

[mello dude]

Very nice! Great job! 

[Skipper]

Thanks for the kind words' a "before" photo, as she arrived at my place, for those who might think I was exaggerating.
Holes and cracks in the fairings, missing mounting lugs that had to be re-created, and the belly pan was badly distorted by heat
Apart from insulation inside now, I cut holes on the front and added SS metal mesh behind them, hopefully no more issues
The decals are custom made on the finished bike due to the different shape of the fairings

And since it is a genuine AU build, I did not want the Interceptor name as people might think it to be an import from US

There are a few small items yet to be done - I can't read that "orange on grey" facia so will need to fix that (I'm color deficient my optician tells me)

Already painted white dots on the cover over the speedo to tell me what speed I am travelling at, as a temporary job.

[mello dude]

Whoa! Props to you for taking this on....

[Lorne]

Well done, Skipper. The '86 VFR750 was the first 'modern' bike I really wanted to own, and your's is now a damned fine example. 

[Skipper]

I like to think of it as "another one saved" 

Appreciate your comments :)

[TimC]

Welcome back and thanks for posting that pic of your gloriously restored '89!!

[Skipper]

What do people think of my tail box, the single item I am perhaps most proud of? It follows the lines of the bike as originally designed, not the boxy cowl the factory "hung" over the seat.
With the pillion seat entirely removed, the internal capacity is somewhat increased, so I not only carry tools, but my wet weather gear as well. In fine weather I can carry small shopping purchases, snacks or whatever.
The lid is front hinged, and the rear has a concealed cable operated latch, using the original lockable latch from the seat and a new extended cable. The whole box is mounted solid down on the bike frame with minimum 10 thou clearance all round from that very fragile tail Moulding.
The whole thing is made in fiberglass, is completely weatherproof and no - I do not want to make another, there were too many hours spent building that one!
Photo below shows it during the painting process and has the rider's seatback attached using the same screws that hold the lid hinge, fixed from inside the box

A rubber seal (not shown) fits across the front, under the lid, diverting any possible water down to the sides where it can drain freely out along the side channels

[mello dude]

What do I think? How 'bout .....Wow!... Awesome job! ....Make one for me? (J/k)

[Skipper]

I'd love to, but you could not afford my time 
At 78 y/o, I am slow, and I could die before it was completed. 🙂 Besides, I did not keep the plug as I never wanted to do another!

My moto "I'm slow but I'm rough" allows me to keep my distance when others want me to do something on their bikes

Feel free to copy the concept, I would help you with the details!

[eastbowl2]

This is an amazing restoration.  Would love more pics!

[squirrelman]

great work restoring a classic honda and saving it from the breakers yard.  

[JZH]

A blue FK was the first VFR I ever encountered, and rode (as a pillion), and which inspired me to put a deposit on a new FL before it was even released.  Well done on the resto.

 

Ciao,

 

JZH

[V4 Rosso]

On 8/19/2025 at 9:47 PM, Skipper said:

What do people think of my tail box, the single item I am perhaps most proud of?

That was the first thing that caught my eye after looking at the first picture. Very nifty and it looks awesome!

[Skipper]

Just returned from our annual State VJMC Rally over the weekend - won "Best Honda" for my efforts, so very pleased with that

Interesting was the fact that most I spoke with wanted to know "Who painted it" (me) They seemed surprised?

At 78, am I too old to be painting and riding motorcycles long distances?

 

[Skids]

On 9/1/2025 at 2:38 AM, Skipper said:

Just returned from our annual State VJMC Rally over the weekend - won "Best Honda" for my efforts, so very pleased with that

Interesting was the fact that most I spoke with wanted to know "Who painted it" (me) They seemed surprised?

At 78, am I too old to be painting and riding motorcycles long distances?

 

Congratulations 🍻🍻🍻

[FromMaine]

On 8/31/2025 at 9:38 PM, Skipper said:

Just returned from our annual State VJMC Rally over the weekend - won "Best Honda" for my efforts, so very pleased with that

Interesting was the fact that most I spoke with wanted to know "Who painted it" (me) They seemed surprised?

At 78, am I too old to be painting and riding motorcycles long distances?

 

 

Apparently not!

 

I'm north of 70, ride over 10,000 miles (16,000 km) per year and do all my own work on my bikes.

 

Glad to have you back.

[Iain2]

It’s those things that keep you young.

[Skipper]

What's that old saying - "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?"
I was out on the VFR only this morning, a short one hour each way with friends to a coffee shop by the sea. I think the youngest amongst us was a spritely sixty eight.

It would be nice to think I could still be riding in another decade, but the body will decide that for me 

My son gave me a special Father's day card recently, in which he had written "The only Dad I know that can fix or repair anything- and rides motorbikes :)"

He rides with me on club rides some times, which I greatly appreciate!

[Saraya]

Wow... you've done such an incredible job! You're giving me endless inspiration for my big and first project, also an '89 (big by my standards at least!)

 

On 8/18/2025 at 12:38 PM, Skipper said:

Holes and cracks in the fairings, missing mounting lugs that had to be re-created, and the belly pan was badly distorted by heat
Apart from insulation inside now, I cut holes on the front and added SS metal mesh behind them, hopefully no more issues
The decals are custom made on the finished bike due to the different shape of the fairings

Mine aren't nearly as in need of resurrection as yours were, but between some notable cracks around the mounts and general extensive wear/weathering (plus a rather questionable DIY spray job that saw even the rims attacked) I'd like to give them some life back. Would I be hurling myself too far into the deep end attempting to repair and work with what I've got, considering this is my first shot at anything of this nature? I've seen some alternative 'new' fairings available on ebay etc. but naturally there's always risks of making sure things fit and having it survive shipping to Aus.

 

The tail box looks awesome, I can see why you're exceptionally proud of it. I think that much is definitely out of my depths... at least for this first project...

 

Regardless of age, you're never too old to keep doing the things you love. I'd say they're surprised you're still doing it all yourself just because you're doing it better then they could 😉