Jump to content

Rotted oil cooler pipes


sambaman

Recommended Posts

Now then. I've just acquired a 97 VFR750. It's beautiful and so much fun to ride but there are a few things that need sorting out. In fact, looking behind the fairings, I feel like I've inherited 23 years of neglect 😅 🤬🤪

 

Most of it I can probably manage myself (during the UK's lockdown-lite) but I'm wondering what to do about the rotten pipework at the front of the engine. It's in a sorry state! Does anyone make replacements? What are my options?

 

It's my first "more mature" bike so I'm not familiar with restoration, just basic maintenance. Help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

They looked rotten on my 100,000+ km VFR750, 40k VF400F and 80k VF500F2....  

Never a leak, just look clarty...

 

Clean, Autosol or Brasso and a squirt of ACF50 for goid measure.  Refit the panels.....  "Out of sight....... " :tongue:

 

 

DO resist sloppy spraypainting or Van Gogh 2.0  like a previous owner of the VF400 did...  Good thing I had a (seized) donor engine to strip...

IMG_20190822_142332.thumb.jpg.fb4430057093b05849c078ffc5a3b398.jpg.b43809e80b85ba2d77e621c246dcb22d.jpg

 

 

That piece is in full view, so I gave it some extra elbow grease :laugh:

IMG_20190822_165937.thumb.jpg.ca0a406442c90ee2ad8aeabefc930bdb.jpg.7bb960fed8bacc62cf147844aa42dd2c.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reply. Maybe it's not as bad as it seems then. I'll take some pictures later. Nice bike btw. Is that the chocolate cam shaft? Wait, no that was the VF750 right? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer

Hello scouser...

 

Do take some pictures and post up in the welcome forum!  This way we know you truly exist :laugh:

 

 

That VF400 was indeed one of the "dodgy era"; that is, non-line bored and too cheap manufactured cams.  I bought it cheap (well if was nearly given to me) as a fixer upper to then sell on. Which I did.  On quick glance, the lobes and followers looked ok, but there was some noise from the front bank.  Sold it "without warranty given or implied"...

 

My VF500F2 is a 1986, so "post dodgy".. :beer:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Sambaman, I too live in Liverpool and have a vfr750 1996. Have you looked at Bikers Oracle, there is a VFR section specifically for RC36 models. Maybe spt each other on the road when Covid 19 lockdown is over. Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save the NHS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, sambaman said:

Now then. I've just acquired a 97 VFR750. It's beautiful and so much fun to ride but there are a few things that need sorting out. In fact, looking behind the fairings, I feel like I've inherited 23 years of neglect 😅 🤬🤪

 

Most of it I can probably manage myself (during the UK's lockdown-lite) but I'm wondering what to do about the rotten pipework at the front of the engine. It's in a sorry state! Does anyone make replacements? What are my options?

 

It's my first "more mature" bike so I'm not familiar with restoration, just basic maintenance. Help!

Hiya,my 95 suffered from severely corroded Oil Pipes,there was a misting of Oil on the LHS of my Bike which I wrongly assumed was excess Chain Lube but when I had it MOT'd the examiner pointed out the problem as an advisory.One of the Pipes had a slight Fracture and the Pressure was causing a Leak,luckily it was sorted before it became catastrophic.These  Pipes don't just suffer from neglect and Salt Damage its also the effect of Galvanic Corrosion.They are no longer available from Honda,haven't been for some time.I bought another set from a Breakers in Germany,if you see any for sale in reasonable condition its wise to snap a Spare set up.Im a Welder by trade,if I had the equipment im sure I could Hack a set about and replace the Pipe bits with Stainless for a permanent fix.Failing that just as others have said basic Maintenance and cleaning,checking etc they should be ok.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/24/2020 at 10:06 AM, jeffa said:

Hey Sambaman, I too live in Liverpool and have a vfr750 1996. Have you looked at Bikers Oracle, there is a VFR section specifically for RC36 models. Maybe spt each other on the road when Covid 19 lockdown is over. Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save the NHS

Thanks Jeffa, I'll have a look. Let me know if you want to hook up for a ride after lockdown. Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/24/2020 at 12:24 PM, PaulT68 said:

Hiya,my 95 suffered from severely corroded Oil Pipes,there was a misting of Oil on the LHS of my Bike which I wrongly assumed was excess Chain Lube but when I had it MOT'd the examiner pointed out the problem as an advisory.One of the Pipes had a slight Fracture and the Pressure was causing a Leak,luckily it was sorted before it became catastrophic.These  Pipes don't just suffer from neglect and Salt Damage its also the effect of Galvanic Corrosion.They are no longer available from Honda,haven't been for some time.I bought another set from a Breakers in Germany,if you see any for sale in reasonable condition its wise to snap a Spare set up.Im a Welder by trade,if I had the equipment im sure I could Hack a set about and replace the Pipe bits with Stainless for a permanent fix.Failing that just as others have said basic Maintenance and cleaning,checking etc they should be ok.

Thanks Paul, I think I might have found some from a guy that had a batch made up a few years ago. I think he specialises in upgrade parts for RC30/35.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, BuzznerSuntrusts said:

Found this on a 2000 I’m working on:

A754B0EC-64FD-4EE1-A34B-B240AB63FB53.thumb.jpeg.9dcc618432941b80cf8c3c79f2bd111a.jpeg

Looks like a relic from the Titanic!😁

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer
1 hour ago, sambaman said:

Wow! So what's the plan?

Luckily there still a few 5th Gen oil coolers around. Not many, and they are discontinued from Honda, so it was good luck to find one in decent shape! Also, one of the bolts snapped trying to get the lines off the cooler. That was when I thought I could still buy lines from Honda if needed. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • Member Contributer

I thought mine were bad.  This is on a recent purchase of a 02.  I have replacements and will change them out soon.  Previous owner stored the bike outside.

20200523_231940.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Member Contributer
18 minutes ago, vfrcapn said:

I've got an extra 5th gen set of lines if needed...

Not sure if this was directed at me, but I already do have the replacement lines.  Just need to install them.  Appreciate the offer!  Very nice of you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.