Nobody Wanted It, So It's Getting A Makeover, Big Time!

I tried to sell my Black 98 VFR for £1800. Lots of good bits plus some extras, but because I was trying to be honest, I mentioned the bodywork was subject to marks mainly caused over the bike's 16 year life. Hence not one phone call!

So bollocks to them, I have come to my senses and am going to keep it until I am either dead, or too old to ride it anymore.

I was tempted to the dark side (Street Triple) but couldn't get comfortable on it, then tried a CB1300S, that was not as good as the VFR. so along with the lack of interest, I have decided to repay my bike for trying to pass her on, by taking on my biggest project to date.

Once we get to the end of October. I will SORN it for winter, and then I will be stripping it down to the frame, with the intention of doing the following jobs:

1. Bodywork off and resprayed. Colour undecided, any ideas? What would you do with a blank canvas?
2. Powder coat the centre stand, side stand, bottom yoke, fairing and rear sub-frames in Black. Wheels will be done (colour undecided), but rims will be polished.
3. Handlebars, heat plate and top yoke to be shot blasted, then powder coat or respray. Which would you do, and why?
4. Exposed alloy (footrest hangers etc.) to be polished.
5. Engine and swing arm out. Engine will get shims rechecked and done where necessary (43k on the clock). 
6. New bearings throughout, plus its coming up to the point where it will need a new C & S kit soon. And new brake pads.
7. New stainless exhaust system, but want to fit a high level silencer. Do I buy Motad or Delkevic down-pipes? I want the exhaust to be close to the bodywork, but not touching it obviously.
8. Replace all exposed nuts and bolts with new items (This seems to be cheaper than having existing bolts polished or anodised).

All will cost between £1500 - £2000. I know I will never get my money back even if I sell it straight afterwards, but considering I would have spent this on another bike, and then have to spend more money on it to be happy with it I don't think it is too bad.
Since I bought the bike in December 2012 I have already done the following:

• shock rebuilt by MCT
  Forks rebuilt by me.
  K&N filter
  Irridium plugs.
  Touring scottoiler.
  Oxford sport heated grips.
  Garmin mount for my Zumo 550
  MRA Double Bubble Screen.
  Renntec Sports Rack.

What I am asking for is any suggestion on how to do this without too many headaches.
Ideas and opinions on colour schemes (Pics would be great).
Any areas that are likely to be a problem, with tips on how to overcome them?

Don't want much do I?

I´m kind in the same boat. I tried to sell my 2000 VFR800Fi but only got a trade offer to a Aprilia Mille, no thanks.

I might not go as fat a repaint mine, but have also planed a stripdown, maybe paint frame and swing black, rebuild brakes as clutch and do a valve check. I already changed the tired aftermarket muffler for a like new stocker. I will have plenty of time as I plan to keep the VFR off the road next year and enjoy a 600Tenere

Good luck what the rebuild, and for color I would say stay whit a one color paint jobb, easyer and cleaner look if you are not big a RWB fan.

I'm a big fan of the yellow since it's the fastest color :biggrin: , but I also really like the factory blue color you blokes across the pond got that was unavailable to us here in the US.

Looks like keny has it in his avatar pic.

For color ideas I would look at the ebay plastics vendors inventory and see if there is a color or scheme that inspires you. Then copy it and spray away.

Bed liner.

[image: 6550a2fce13b5280a8018791166eefd7.jpg]

I've always liked this bike's color scheme although it's a 6th gen

[image: IMG_4973_zps0afd58a8.jpg]

I also like the 5th gen Honda made for their 50th anniversary. 

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That's quite a list. I'm gonna say you need stimulants. Lots of them.

Going by your avatar, I guess you have that covered. :happy:

No drugs used in the taking of this pic, just having a good time. Was out touring around France with the wife when this was taken.

I do like the all black but it seems like a waste of a good chance to do something very few people have. Here in the USA we all have red for our gen 4 and 5's.