RC24 fever, "New" bike added to garage

Well my love for VFR´s started back in the late 80´s when I came home after a motorcycle show and did see on all the brochures that I did bring home, and in the Honda one I saw this pic:

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Still got that broshure (have to scan and post a better pic that this found on the net  Done!)

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Anyway, did take a bit more than 10 years until I did buy a 1987 in dec 2001.

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Pic from 2008 in Germany, taken by V4Rosso!

I had the bike until Jan 2010, when I got tempted to get a bike you get more modern rubber to, got a 5th gen.

Selling the 1987 RC24 is what I have regret many times....never felt the 5th gen was "my" bike, even a good bike!

Eventually sold the 5th gen spring 2015, and after a short love story whit a sweet 1985 VF500FII

traded it for a 3rd gen. Nice bike in many ways, might be best looking VFR (at least as red) but still my RC24 fever is bad.

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Now I have one that might buy a 3rd gen.....so the fever for a RC24 is even higher!

Did go and look at a 1989 RC24 in a shop yesterday, a red as in the brochure

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Was sweet looking in a short distance, had a test ride, even had a rough idle (carbs in need of a clean)did ride like a champ even 101k kms on the clock and a slightly leaking exhaust, but had no front brakes! Closter inspection gave clear the rotors had surface rust deep enough to need replacement (even not that old), and a rotten collector box. Tires dot stamp did say 2006/2004! Also closer inspection did show many panels did not fit properly, and as I did take of the seat the rear parts attachments where broken or glued...also sign of a repaint. So even it had the passenger seat cover in the top box, at a last price of 1300€ (1450€ asking price) it was a walk away!

Now I have 2 different options to look at, a other 1989 and a 1986.

The 1989 (EU only model like the red I was and looked at) is from a local seller that lives about 2 h drive away, its color is black, not my favorit color, but has an exelent history, only 2 owners of witch seller for 20+ years! Has 134k km on the clock.....quit much.

But these last, and looks very nice in the pics, so worth a look I think. Asking price is 1550€...Will go and look at it Wednesday August 3rd.

, the 1986 in a shop quit far away, about 5½h drive. Asking price is 1290€

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Looks quit clear even has also about 130k kms on the clock. Tempting in the way as could be titled as a classic next year if pass inspection (needs oem style brake discs as oem blue seat cover as oem rear turn signals for that at least) and I would get cheap insurance! Looks good in the pics, but that do most bikes!

Lets se how it go. 

Did you guys not get the red/white/blue rc24's? I mean obviously it is the best possible color combo on them right? (i'm way biased hehehe)

The RWB RC24 is sweat, yes, but was not officially sold in Europe, even gray imports do exist, but we did get the upgraded RC24 that America did not, 17"wheels (even still skinny), 41mm fork, clock in the dash + many other small upgrades.

Where I live the RC24 was available in 1986 only as white, in 1987 as silver blue (the one I had) and for 1988-89 in 3 colors, Red, White as Black.

Did look at the black -89 today. Stong contender! Really nice in many ways, even not a 100% minter.  Belly pan resprayed in slightly different black, tires bald and the price is firm, so I will have a look at the white -86 on Friday!

That might be a blessing in disguise, The white 86 looks awesome! Good Luck

Somehow i prefer the White one's :cheerleader:

I also do prefer the white over black, still a Red or a RWB would be the top choices, but the 86 has potential, can get the round clocks for it as convent it to a rwb perhaps? I will know more in 26h!

Let's make it official, I'm now a owner of a 1986 VFR750F ! The white one.

Congratulations. Round clocks are found standard on soms White. I Have a white one imported from Canada, with round clocks factory fitted. I do not like the square clocks.

Congrats!

Thanks. I do have plans to find a set of round clocks! Ride home was ~450kms on two days, first day had about 100km of more or less heavy rain including a HEAVY thunderstorm! The vfr passed whit out a problem even it don't have the mud flap on the front fender!

No picture, does not exist..... :-)

Speaking of pictures....

Hello Finland!!!

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So I have done about 1000kms on the RC24 whit in a week, and the pic above is from the last day I will ride the bike this year (Wednesday). Don´t get me wrong, I love the bike! I will ride it more! I just used the possibility to ride one week on the shops insurance! Yesterday I had it taken off road and now it will wait to have a few things done to pass the original classic inspection so I can ride it when I want whit a minimal insurance pay!

Well the bike is 30 years old, it has its history, but to me its in quit good shape! To pass the classic inspection I need to do some things:

-change to OEM style brake rotors

-find oem rear turn signals (and pereferly also right front that is some faded to slight yellowish).

-find a oem screen.

-find a oem white good condition mirror.

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-find/repair the faring inners, painted and right side one is repaired ugly way.

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-if the 1986 white RC24 did not had a black seat cover as stock for some market, I need to find a oem blue one ore close enough match.

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Other that that, whit some cleaning I think it will pass the inspection. It has some damage, it has been dropped onto right side at some point, upper faring is repaired as repainted, has still a crack. Bothe side fairings has some minior marks. Also the rear plastic that holds the tail light has a crack and the attachments under the seat has broke. So if I find a good top faring as rear part (oem parts) for not silly money I might buy them and update.

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One thing that bugs me is that the shop that did sell it clamed 135k kms.

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But as you look at the bike closer on many things, I wounder if its actually only 36k kms?

Here some pics, what do you think? Bike has not had that many owners, even no service history is avable.

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Aside the added side cases and rear turn signals, front brake rotors and screen the bike seem totally orginal. Now if only ridden 36k kms, why are the front brake discs changed? Look? OEM cracked? (my old -87 had one OEM front cracked!)

Sorry for a dirty bike, rained as I and Dutchy headed to Tallin Estonia, had not had time to wash it since but will sure do it!

One thing I have on my wish list to do is change the clocks to the round once! Its OK for the classic inspection. But did the white (Canada) round clock RC24s have "sand" engine covers as stock? The I need to find a set of them to!

And yes folks, Kenny knows how to make this white lightning rip!!!! :-)

The "white Lightning" is clean again![image: WP_20160812_20_14_28_Pro.jpg]

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If anyone has parts I'm looking for or interested in swamping OEM (style also ok) front brake discs for my JTB wave once for just shipping I'm in for that to! Take contact if you have!

Did score a nice OEM screen from The Netherlands!

Also did find a braker in Germany that has nice swing arm bolts as the orginal long rear fender whit the cat eye, but are a bit costly so will look further

Do nog throw away your own screen, it is possible to polish All the scratches away. 

16 hours ago, VFRBert

Do nog throw away your own screen, it is possible to polish All the scratches away. 

The screen on the bike is some aftermarket smoke (all way, not black over the headlight so you see all the dash connections thro it), will save it eventually.

It's to late, but i have a spare smoke screen (oem) with All scratches polished away. 

No problem Bert, I want as need a oem screen for the classic inspection.

Are the mufflers black from the factory? Matches the bike quite well.

Yes, the mine had black oem mufflers too. 

Ok, an update.

Finally mounted the OEM screen I found, quit a change to the better!

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I also have OEM white turn signals on the way.

Already got a better left side switch, its from a 1986 VFR700F, and its slightly different, the high/low beam switch and missing the passing light trigger (for flashing the high beam)

But still far better condition!

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Also have a left side mirror on the way....

An update again.

Some days back I got a left mirror that has a nice shaft, but a bad mirror, mine is other way around.

Today I got a set of 3 white turn signals, came in quit a huge box!

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Did take off the tail part today, and looks I have to look for a new/better rear frame, as its bent slightly.... :mad:

Did wash the "half nude" RC24 as the CBX750F yesterday

Found a crack in the subframe, but closer inspection did show its in the part you can bolt off that has the lock for the seat. the rails that go to the front parts has holes drilled for the side case racks so had plan to chage them anyway.

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A other thing that I have to find out is why some former owner has wired the fuel pump to get power from the tail light bulb! The red wire in the pic below.

So her new nickname "white crack ho"???

:-)

Forgot to mention the tought it has only 36k kms on the clock, not 136k, it got even more belive so after I did see the downpipes of the exhaust after the wash

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27 minutes ago, Dutchy

So her new nickname "white crack ho"???

:-)

I do like the "White Lightning" very much, "White Cracking Lightning" until the crack is gone :comp13:

:cool:

They probably bypassed the fuel pump relay because of a failure so it runs whenever the key is on. Nice pics of the mounting for the bags, looks well done.

3 hours ago, atx

They probably bypassed the fuel pump relay because of a failure so it runs whenever the key is on. Nice pics of the mounting for the bags, looks well done.

Intressted in the bags/holders? I plan to sell them as they are to young for the bike. Will not pass the classic inspection whit them....

Pretty sure shipping costs would murder me. Have you seen the classic samsonite hard bags from the classic silverwings and cbx's? Those would be a perfect fit for the rc24 i think if you painted them to match.

Well, it has been time whit turbolens for me, not much done other than getting parts, and at moment its not progressing any as I have the flue of the decade, 4 days in the bottom of the bed mostly, and will sure be so a few days more, as fever is on rise, doctor appointment tomorrow! I also now recall I forgot to replay on atx pm, sorry for that!

But while laying here I have gone thro old pics, paper pics! Found some lovely shoots of my old 1987 VFR750F! All digi shoots, aside the ones I have downloaded here on VFRD are sadly gone after my old external hard drive did die :sad:

Fortunaly found also 3 CD´s whit pics from my trip to Nurburgring in 2008 as Mugello in 2010 of the friends that was along, V4Rosso and Douglasthecook. Also Dutchy was prese 2008!

Some pics to fresh up memory! (until progress on current!)

Happy times!

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Our host:

"WTF did I invite to OUR hosue??????"   :goofy:

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9 hours ago, keny

... friends that was along, V4Rosso and Douglasthecock

Tee hee...

Hope you feel better soon Kenth!

9 hours ago, SEBSPEED

Tee hee...

Hope you feel better soon Kenth!

Thanks, and corrected the typo....have to blame my condition for that :goofy:  Doug is a cool man!

OK, (finally) time for a update!

Did turn around the VFR the other day in the garage, as I decided will do some stuff to the front end while I get inspiration to go on whit the tail part...more of that later.

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I have a set of OEM brake discs to mount (from a CBR600F2)

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Also got the painted faring lowers before the Christmas Holidays

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I started by adding the left mirror that was also painted

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As the left handlebar switch

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The part I got is for a US model, same looking but missing the high beam flash. There is however a other difference, the US version has one more plug! Have to see if I can leave it like that, or do I need to do some wire work?

The faring inner panels the right side was damaged, and Bert has kindly scored up a good one for me that I await to get in the mail. The one on my bike was painted gray,

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Most likely by spray can, and I tougth it would be an easy task to clean them out...wrong. I got me some paint stripper but as I tested on the damaged one, it do take out the paint, BUT also melts the plastic! Bummer.

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A bit depressing....Any toughts to clean the paint off would be nice! If I can´t get it cleaned out, I need a left one to! I need to get them stock blue to pass the classic inspection!

The to rear problem.

Well as I did mention the part of the sub frame you can unbolt, that has the seat lock, was cracked, and I decided to buy a other rather than weld the old, it had holes drilled for the hard side bag holders as well. So I found one on the web for sale that looked good, had even the sticker for the helmet lock, but as it came it was not as nice as in the pics, rust here and there, panted on to look nice. So I have been using sand paper to get most of and get a good finnish for it, but that´s a job I really don´t like....

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Also need to figure out how the change the seat lock!

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One more thing. Anyone have a OEM front mud flap whit mounting hardware in the drawer? I would like to find one!

Take a pic of that extra plug and i'll let you know where it connects on my US bike, i've got all the fairings off as we speak anyway so should be easy enough to figure out. What was wrong with your old switch? I actually thought about switching to your style to get the flash to pass. Great progress, things are really coming along for you. A little sanding and body filler on that panel that paint stripper messed up and it should look good as new.

Here some pics of the extra plug. From Hayens manual wire diagram its for the US amber daylight, so I think I can use them just as is.

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For why change the switch:

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And I also like the hi-low beam switch better, the push in to change one is not so easy to use I think.

And the panel I tested to remove paint from is the damaged, so will not come in use

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The to the odd thing why the fuel pump was wired from the tail light. Looks like te R/R is different from a OEM, its not bolted in place, glued, and the other connection is tie ziped to hold together, but seem to work OK, BUT as can be seen from next picture, no fuel cut relay present...Have to get one...

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My early 86 F1 bike doesn't even have that plug that i can find. You should be ok leaving it off though, if your lights don't work or something you'll know pretty quick once you hook it all up. I know the euro bikes have an extra connector on the right hand switch for the on/off/park lights switch, so maybe that is the deal.

For fuel cut relay the white plug and bullet connector should be what you need to go back to stock. I just went through this recently, there is a cheaper aftermarket unit out there by K&L you can modify to fit. That black two wire connector by your reg/rec connector should be the one that goes straight to your fuel pump.

On mine the reg/rec connector and fuel pump connector are hidden under this little guy:

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You might be able to find another source locally(if you care to replace it), but here is a source i found for em:

http://www.cycleterminal.com/connector-covers.html

As for your reg/rec woes you should remount it good enough for your liking, and then solder the 3 yellow stator wires straight to the reg/rec connector. Your reg/rec connector looks to be new and zip tied well enough, but the spade terminals are not great and known to fail on these things and your stator connector looks original. I'm waiting on a rebuilt stator now, this is what mine looked like recently:

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if the fuel pump relay of a 4th gen will work,  I have one somewhere (from redslut)....

I will open up that connection from the stator, I know becorse the connector on my 3rd gen did look like this:

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For the additional connection from the left switch, seem only the VFR700F2 have them, according to Hayens manual wire diagrams.

Dutchy, have any pics of the RedSlut fuel cut relay?

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4 x 2 x 2,5cm

Nota plug and play bit, but would proberly work whit some mods in the wires.

A small upgrade today.

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What I did notice is that the brake pads are about 75% worn, so perhaps a new set is in order! Have new for the rear already!

Also did order a set of Metzeler Lasertec in OEM size. Current Pirelli Sport Demons are not totally worn out, fairly fresh whit  -12/-14 DOT stamps, but both are +one size (120/80 front and 140/70 rear), front show sign of cupping and the rear is close to the end of its life as a bit square. From testing whit different size I know the -86 VFR handle best whit OEM size tires.

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Have to see if I start season whit fresh rubber or let the rough spring tarmac kill the SportDemons.......

I was close to get Dunlop Street Smarts, but I like the classic look of the Metzelers, and here good things about them, so decided to get them. The classic tread from the old ME33 as ME55 really fits any mid 80´s to mid 90´s bike just right look vise I think.

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The 88-89 model had a 140 rear tire on 17 inch, so should not be a problem.

8 hours ago, VFRBert

The 88-89 model had a 140 rear tire on 17 inch, so should not be a problem.

I know, but it got a higher profile(140/80-17) so profile stays nice. Whit the 140/70 I have huge "chiken stripes" on the rear tire (see the pics I posted of the tires) even I ride so the pegs touch at times, and whit a 130/80 almost non (or non), so I use the tire better and proberly have a bigger foot print=more rubber on ground = more grip. That´s why I like a 130 better than a 140 on the 86/87 VFR750F. I did ride the bike a tad more than 1000kms during a week in August last year, so yes, the tires can be used, no problem, more a thing of what I like better. :fing02:

Ok, a bit off topic, but as I did buy some old magazines from mid 80´s they had a test ride from 1986 as a 750 class comparison from 1986 as some sales adds. Did scan some of the pictures so enjoy! :lurk:

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The text "siinä on tyyliä" in next picture is Finnish and translate to "It got style" in English Text "Koeajo" in the following picture translate to "test ride" Bike is the name of the magazines I did buy.

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