Don't, just don't, OK?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2446959319&category=9806

"One slight downfall is an intermitant camchain rattle that only
appears now and again. This could possibly be rectified by a simple
oil change, or tensioner overhaul."

 

I'm tempted to send an e-mail asking where the camchain is on a VF.

 

Ginge () wrote:
: I'm tempted to send an e-mail asking where the camchain is on a VF.

The VF has cam-chains. It's the VFR that has gear driven cams.

Blair.
'97 CBR600

 

YTC.

 

In

 

*snort*

In addition to their made-of-Japanese cheese camchains and tensioners,
the VFs were afflicted with massive camshaft and cam lubrication
problems, coining the term "chocolate cam". Honda were still giving
away, FOC, replacement cams to VF owners up until 1999 or thereabouts.

The engine is just a shitter - it was very powerful for its time, and
there are some clever bits of "innovative" design all around the bike
- but some absolutely doggish qualities that make the whole thing a
poor proposition.

--
Pip, Hairy Gfedcker.
RF 900RR, Ruff and Rattly. Honda VF750FA under the apple trees ...
WS* DFWAG#0 IbW#27* DIAABTCOD#15 GP#0 EKP FUB#4 MKA+E#3
ANORAK#8 MIRTTH#15 BOTAFOT/F#47/34a BONY#13 KotMIB# <space>
UKRMRM#14 TWA#2

 

WorkTOG was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Sounds like a perfect project for me...

 

I had one of these. It was quick quick. They crash well.

 

[VF750]

I loved mine - until it went wrong. It had obviously been
well-crashed by previous owners and still wanted more. I dunno if the
anti-dive worked, but nothing seemed fucked. The brakes were good, as
was the suspension - and as you say, it was quick. And comfy. I was
well happy with it, even with the 16" front wheel being a bit tucky -
until it went wrong.

It started to overheat and spit coolant out of the expansion tank
overflow if I exceeded 65 mph for more than a couple of minutes. So I
went through all the pain of carrying out hot, cold, wet and dry
compression tests and leakdown tests. Twice. Nary a problem showed.
I flushed the cooling system, checked the water pump - everything I
could think of, to no avail.

That's why it is still parked under the apple trees and looks set to
remain there ... until I cut it, shut it and squeeze a Bandit 1200
motor in it ....

 

**** me; I thought all those shitheaps had gone in the skip by now.

--

Dave

GS 850 x2 / SE 6a
SbS#6 DIAABTCOD#16 APOSTLE#16? FUB#3
FUB KotL OSOS#12? UKRMMA#19

 

Did anyone ever resolve the issue of whether a B12 engine would fit in
the RF900 frame? It seems a logical thing to do...

 

Ginge said....

That model has 4 camchains IIRC

 

Klaatu said....

I had two. If you're thinking about buying a VF, then read this link
first, then remember that bikes get worse as they get older :

http://ww.google.com/groups?q=VF750
+group:uk.rec.motorcycles+author:lozzo&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=a78apu%
24j2dv8%241%40ID-54668.news.dfncis.de&rnum=2

 

Oddly enough I was wondering when you'd crop up in this thread.

 

What, fit an engine that is heavier and produces less power?

I take your point though - but a 'Busa engine would be a better bet, I
reckon.

 

whaa?

The B12 engine produces less than a RF900 engine?

Didn't know that. How about a tuned B12 engine in a RF900 frame?

 

With a bit of work, the 12 will yield a solid 115bhp and ~85lb/ft of
torque, all very useable and friendly.
According to the dyno charts that came with the RF, it puts out 125bhp
and the 75lb/ft of torque is achieved at ~2,500rpm and runs flat right
up to 11.5k rpm. Not as grunty or friendly, but more poke.

I wouldn't have imagined that either ;-)

The 1200 will yield impressive figures if reworked (so I understand)
but ultimately will lose the reliability, friendliness and "stomp" for
which it is famed. To tune it with GSXR cams, full Akrapovic,
individual K&N filters, dispensing with the airbox and
jetting/needling to suit - and a bit of headwork - can produce
(according to charts wot I hav seen on the web, like) 150bhp and
100lb/ft of torque. In a narrow band towards the top of the rev
range. For a grand or so.

The watercooled GSXR motors will allow more tuning without losing
reliability. 'Busa lumps will yield figures in excess of those of the
1200, for the same sort of cash.

I've seen spectacular figures claimed by an Aussie who is doing stupid
things to GSX14 motors, watched with interest by Suzuki, apparently.

TBH, I'd rather have a less-stressed, friendly, torquey motor with a
hope of longevity even with abuse - than a highly-tuned, peaky,
potentially fragile engine that goes like ****, needs 4Krpm to pull
away and then goes bang. Or a turbo 'Busa. Natch.

 

Pip wrote:

Why not use a 1986 Gixxer engine with 140bhp?

 

Why not, indeed. Probably because that was not the question that Will
asked, see.

 

I'd have thought a helluva lot could be done with a 1400 lump merely by
re-chipping, and maybe a can and airbox mod.