I am picking up an '83 VF750F tonight that I will be rebuilding and I am looking for tips from the experts on here. I am currently rebuilding a '91 VFR750 (see my other threads) and can never have too many Hondas in the garage..! :)
The '83 is mostly in boxes, the engine is in the frame and looks clean (they say it runs - we will see about that)
What are the Main concerns with this engine, what are my first steps once I get it home to check on the condition of this particular motor? I have heard about this engine having issues with cam chains and reliability...
Thanks for the info - I will take pics tonight and post them up!
I had an '83, and I currently have an '84 that I bought new. The biggest issue with the first couple of years were poorly heat treated camshafts that would pit and wear very prematurely. I had 4 sets of cams replaced under warranty, the last set was changed out at no charge several years after the warranty had expired. Top end oiling issues may have contributed to the wear, and there was a bigger banjo bolt mod from Honda, and several aftermarket oiling kits that improved flow to the top end. I have such a mod on my '84, but I'm sorry I have forgotten who made it. (I installed it over 25 years ago.) You'll know if the motor you have has been modified for better oiling, as the kits have an adapter that mounts right behind the oil filter, and braided steel lines deliver the oil instead of the original metal tubing. Also, to set the valves accurately, you will need a special tool that is designed to lift the cams up against the camshaft holder. Use two feeler gauges at a time to set the clearance for each pair of valves. Other than these issues the motors were strong and reliable, as far as I know. When you are rebuilding the carbs, keep in mind there are two downdraft carbs and two side draft carbs, and not all the parts interchange. The number 1 and 3 (rear) carbs use thinner jet needles and shorter springs than the 2 and 4 (front) carbs. Be very careful with what goes where, and be prepared to replace all the brittle plastic fuel pipes that inevitably crumble into tiny pieces. Honda still sells these pipes, or there used to be a source on this forum that makes them out of metal. Maybe someone else can post a link if they know who that is/was. Also check the rubber manifolds between the airbox and carb inlet, and the carb outlet and cylinder intake pipes for hardness or cracks.
look up Billy Carr over on V4hondabbs for the carb pieces... he also does full-out rebuilds.
I think JamieD has a write-up on his website about making/installing the drill'n'tap style oil mod... Holeshot might still make the screw-on adaptor style still (but it's pricey).
[image: View Post]Burns, on 29 March 2011 - 08:18 AM, said:
look up Billy Carr over on V4hondabbs for the carb pieces... he also does full-out rebuilds.
I think JamieD has a write-up on his website about making/installing the drill'n'tap style oil mod... Holeshot might still make the screw-on adaptor style still (but it's pricey).
I listed Billy Carr here too.
End of thread · 4 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 4 Jun 2011