Can't believe I rode my bike!

Some had requested a first ride and a walk around vid so here you go. The first ride felt amazing and nerve wracking at the same time. It was wonderful to let the clutch out and give her gas but as I was riding along, I couldn't stop thinking through all the steps of assembly, hoping that everything was tight and all my "engineering" was sound. She's feels a little down on power but I think it's mostly due to the 43 rear sprocket that was on the VFR hub. I had a 46 on the R and that made a huge difference. It went well. I need to address a high idle but for the most part it all seemed good. My 5 year old son was nervous for me but was glad to see me ride. He was 3 the last time I was out and doesn't remember seeing me on it. She does sound like a proper V4 race bike though!! If you click on the video after is starts, it will go to youtube where it's clearer and slightly larger. Second vid is just a simple walk around.

Can't wait to get home so I can watch these!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! :cheerleader:

She looks and SOUNDS fabulous.

I hate to say it, but your son's reaction at the end brought the biggest smile for me...you obviously have his heart! :biggrin:

Wow that is one sweet ride, congrats!

(and yeah your kid's reaction was heartwarming.)

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 02 November 2010 - 06:29 AM, said:

Can't wait to get home so I can watch these!!

:+1:
Can't wait to see it in person. Congrats!

Pretty cool, Pretty cool!

that bike is just cool. Excellent job Kel. :cheerleader:

Man, that is Suh-WEEET!

Very Nice. I so much appreciate the commitment and hard work.

I hope I see this bike in person some day.

She looks and sounds fantastic! Excellent rebuild. :wheel:

What a beauty!
Can't wait to tee her in person.

Wow, your bike is surpassed only by your humility. Great job!

DAMN!!!!! Sounds good, looks good!!!!!

Sweet Sweet bike! And that sound is just awesome!

Pure Dead Brilliant :cheerleader:

Exelent! :fing02: :cheerleader:
You know you have put your dream to reality I think! That a awesome looking bike! Even it hase some things I might have done differet, its how you want it and thats cool :cool:
I defenly like the 18" rear wheel as it give a nice look and holds the rear high :fing02:
And the sound is prue :musik20: :fing02:

Quote

She's feels a little down on power but I think it's mostly due to the 43 rear sprocket that was on the VFR hub. I had a 46 on the R and that made a huge difference.
The gearing change is huge, => more that +1 on front sprocket, and as you now have a 18" rear wheel insted of the 17" CBR before, its also like you put +1 on the front sprocket. Its like you got +2 on the front sprocket! (or +2�) Get a 45 rear and go down one front if the chain wont hang on the swingarm to mutch, it will do a big diffrens.
(I�m at the moment swamping wheels on my wifes GSX550, and I have calculated I can go up one on front sprocket and still gearing will be slightly lover that before as stock 18" will be replased whit a 17", just for referense. )

Your little boy's reaction at the end was awesome. :fing02: The bike wasn't too shabby either. :biggrin:

Dirk

Good job and a credit to the VFR World stable! :beer:

If only Honda would take note of builds like this considering the 'new' 800 rehash jobs they are pushing out at the moment!!!!

I'm a project guy so I understand what you did. I think you did well and the little guy's reaction is wonderful. Kudo's to you.

[image: View Post]VF1000R, on 02 November 2010 - 02:56 PM, said:

Your little boy's reaction at the end was awesome. :fing02:
Dirk


I've said it before, you know, there may come a day when he won't say 2 words to me in passing, but I'll never forget moments like that, when Dad and his bike were cooler than dinosaurs.

Outstanding. And I though I had the only little boy who dove at my ribs when i got off my bike. Put that clip on a safe drive so you can watch it when he is a grown man.

I've never met you, but I think you are cooler than dinosaurs.

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 02 November 2010 - 07:47 PM, said:

Outstanding. And I though I had the only little boy who dove at my ribs when i got off my bike. Put that clip on a safe drive so you can watch it when he is a grown man.

I've never met you, but I think you are cooler than dinosaurs.


A great idea and nice words. :blush:

Wow, nice work!! Beautiful Bike! I can only imagine how good it felt to ride the 'one of a kind' piece of art!!

That tail piece makes me want to cover up my Staintunes! :fing02:

Earplugs?

Bloody brilliant mate!!

Wow!

Incredible bike Kel and sounds amazing. Nice reception from your son there too, you're doubly blessed! :fing02:

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 02 November 2010 - 07:47 PM, said:

Outstanding. And I though I had the only little boy who dove at my ribs when i got off my bike. Put that clip on a safe drive so you can watch it when he is a grown man.

I've never met you, but I think you are cooler than dinosaurs.


:+1: ,000

And not to plagiarize anyone but...

I knew dinosaurs, I worked with dinosaurs and you sir, are no dinosaur.

Way cooler than the other side of the pillow. :fing02:

Fantastic Job!!!!!!!! :cheerleader:

[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 03 November 2010 - 11:58 AM, said:

Fantastic Job!!!!!!!! :cheerleader:


Thanks. I was telling a younger guy that the inspiration was Freddie Spencer derived, he said who? I think you have to be born before 1970 to appreciate it? :laughing6-hehe:

If that isn't a cool bike, there isn't a cool bike out there!! BEAUTIFUL job, nice creativity and skill there...... :fing02: I would never part with that bike. WEEELLLLL, I guess a ridiculous amount of money might sway me...... :laughing6-hehe:

Great job!!

Kel, that brings tears...on many levels. Awesome work. Great looking bike. Great sounding bike. Congratulations. I've got a five year old who reacts like yours does. That is just so cool.

Kel, You're only an hour away... someday I need to see that work of art in person!
I commend you! I would NEVER have the balls to try all that and I would call myself fairly mechanically inclined! I'd be scared to death that I'd end up with a basket full of parts that never would get finished!
Great reaction from the "little shaver" too! Priceless!

Looks and sounds absoulutely brilliant!!!! Great job Kel, nobody would have ever known that it was your first time at anything you did to that bike unless you told them.

Fantastic!!!!!

NICE thanks for safeing a piece of Honda history.

Wow Kel, seeing your beautiful bike roll under it`s own power was only outdone by your son`s joy at seeing his father return from his "awesome" ride.

Well done my friend!

awesome job! :fing02:

Thanks everyone. I'm really quite floored by the response to this retro Honda, and yes, we are very blessed to have a boy like Spencer.(umm...not a coincidence) :biggrin:

Well Done!! :fing02:

best feeling in the world isn't it? :) i think i have another 6 months to finish my 1000f.

Congratulations Kel! As we say "That is the Business!" My seven year old gives the paint scheme two thumbs up...
Very nice!

Awesome work Kel ! Everyone has said it, because it is a really well done project. I love your little Man's reaction ;-) it hit me when I saw how he has grown. EXCELLENT !

[image: View Post]Bartlecon, on 09 November 2010 - 06:23 PM, said:

Awesome work Kel ! Everyone has said it, because it is a really well done project. I love your little Man's reaction ;-) it hit me when I saw how he has grown. EXCELLENT !


Thanks BC.

Kel whats the addy on youtube so I can watch it on my phone (here at work)?

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 09 November 2010 - 08:42 PM, said:

Kel whats the addy on youtube so I can watch it on my phone (here at work)?


Kel can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the riding video is at http://www.youtube.c...h?v=5_ZJ1t8GaFs and the walk-around is at http://www.youtube.c...h?v=2x6IoMyoRc0 (at least, from what I can tell).

HTH.

Ron

Thanks Bro!! That bike is awesome, perfect size and sounds incredible!!!!!!!!!!! I almost cried when your son embraced you... yeah I said that on VFRD...

Best looking bike I've seen in a long time. You did a wonderful job!!! Congrats!! Love the colors you chose. Only thing I don't like is the location and shape of the front light, but I can understand someone may like it. Still wonderful work. I'm very impressed. Fantastic! It sounds great too--and I never said that about any other bikes than Ducatis... :fing02:
c

Really nice mate - congrats. :fing02:

My 5 yr old boy was very interested in your 5 yr old son's reaction. It's a fun age for kiddies (and their dads) - I'm sure you'd agree! :happy:

[image: View Post]DarkKnight, on 09 November 2010 - 11:05 PM, said:

Thanks Bro!! That bike is awesome, perfect size and sounds incredible!!!!!!!!!!! I almost cried when your son embraced you... yeah I said that on VFRD...


:laughing6-hehe: Hold your head high!!

[image: View Post]PolarBear, on 10 November 2010 - 12:37 AM, said:

It sounds great too--and I never said that about any other bikes than Ducatis... :fing02:c


I use to think my old exhaust was the best sounding VF and was nervous about how my exhaust creation was going to stack up. Thankfully it's growing on me every time I'm on it. On the gas...pure music. It is similar to a Duc but slightly more "refined", not as lumpy.

[image: View Post]TexOz, on 10 November 2010 - 06:54 AM, said:

Really nice mate - congrats. :fing02:

My 5 yr old boy was very interested in your 5 yr old son's reaction. It's a fun age for kiddies (and their dads) - I'm sure you'd agree! :happy:


Couldn't agree more.

awesome job!!!!!!! very very cool!

Enjoy it.

[image: View Post]fjsvf750, on 10 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

awesome job!!!!!!! very very cool!

Enjoy it.


Thanks. I see you have a 750. I had an '83 and would love to have it back.

[image: View Post]Kel, on 10 November 2010 - 03:11 PM, said:

[image: View Post]fjsvf750, on 10 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

awesome job!!!!!!! very very cool!

Enjoy it.


Thanks. I see you have a 750. I had an '83 and would love to have it back.




beautiful job! Rare bike, well done. No pun intended.......great job done with skill and lots of patience. Congrats.

Kel,
You did a freaking awsome job with that. And the part with your son was cool. I remember when my son was little he had that kind of reaction too.
I really want to ride over this coming spring and see that in person.
I hope I get my 83 looking half that good. It is in the basement and as soon as I heal from shoulder surgery I will start stipping it down and get ready to repaint.
Lee

[image: View Post]683, on 09 January 2011 - 05:14 PM, said:

Kel,
You did a freaking awsome job with that. And the part with your son was cool. I remember when my son was little he had that kind of reaction too.
I really want to ride over this coming spring and see that in person.
I hope I get my 83 looking half that good. It is in the basement and as soon as I heal from shoulder surgery I will start stipping it down and get ready to repaint.
Lee


Thanks Lee. I'm thinking of maybe having a VF(VFR) cookout this summer. Anyone with an old VF(VFR) can come and commiserate and throw down a few burgers. I'll let you know. Happy healing from your surgery, take only the prescribed dosage! :biggrin:

This is probably the coolest bike I have seen done on here. :fing02:

It just looks like a very complete bike. Everything works together. Looks fantastic. Sounds fantastic.

[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on 09 January 2011 - 10:30 PM, said:

This is probably the coolest bike I have seen done on here. :fing02:
It just looks like a very complete bike. Everything works together. Looks fantastic. Sounds fantastic.


Thanks Yoshi. I wanted to add a "wish list" of things that I thought were "very Honda" onto the old girl and somehow, instead of being just a pile of spare parts, it turned out to be the bike I've always lusted over but didn't know it yet. It may wear off but I often still peek into the garage window on the way to work. It gives me a feeling of owning an expensive piece of Honda history without having to hit Powerball. :laughing6-hehe:

It gives me a feeling of owning an expensive piece of Honda history without having to hit Powerball. :laughing6-hehe:
[/quote]


Man the self satisfaction of doing all that must be great too. I am blown away by how good that came out....

It gives me a feeling of owning an expensive piece of Honda history without having to hit Powerball. :laughing6-hehe:
[/quote]


Man the self satisfaction of doing all that must be great too. I am blown away by how good that came out....
and we should definitly do a new england VF/VFR get together.

So Kel, what's in your list of "parking lot" items? There's always something left to do/improvements to be made...

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 10 January 2011 - 07:14 AM, said:

So Kel, what's in your list of "parking lot" items? There's always something left to do/improvements to be made...


I need to get a new windshield. Not sure if it will be clear or smoked. The clear would be more "correct" but I like the slightly smoked ones. I need to do a carb synch and do a plug check. Aim the headlight. Rebuild the RC51 front brake master and install. Get a 51 or CBR clutch master. Maybe make a new seat. This one is actually comfortable but could look better, wider in the back. Eventually I'd like a set of triples that are the correct offset to put to rest the only annoyance(steering lock).

[image: View Post]Kel, on 10 January 2011 - 07:27 AM, said:

I need to get a new windshield. Not sure if it will be clear or smoked. The clear would be more "correct" but I like the slightly smoked ones. I need to do a carb synch and do a plug check.

I've got a motion Pro carb sync tool in my garage. I just need to get a tool that allows access to the front right cylinder.

Check out: http://www.twistedth...tview/1233/386/

Dylan

[image: View Post]Kel, on 10 January 2011 - 07:27 AM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 10 January 2011 - 07:14 AM, said:

So Kel, what's in your list of "parking lot" items? There's always something left to do/improvements to be made...


I need to get a new windshield. Not sure if it will be clear or smoked. The clear would be more "correct" but I like the slightly smoked ones. I need to do a carb synch and do a plug check. Aim the headlight. Rebuild the RC51 front brake master and install. Get a 51 or CBR clutch master. Maybe make a new seat. This one is actually comfortable but could look better, wider in the back. Eventually I'd like a set of triples that are the correct offset to put to rest the only annoyance(steering lock).


That's a good list. I prefer smoked shields too, it does look really good against the RWB.

The triples are going to be a pricey proposition with the amount of drop you have in the top tree.