Project Honda 1984 VT250FE

Spent today getting the wiring sorted and a few bits bolted in that go in before the engine. Need to get some new bolts in morning and will get engine in.

 

Electrics all working and engine in. Was going to put forks in today but had been sent the wrong seals, so have to wait another week.
Ready to start.

Job done.

 

Got the wheels painted, bearings greased and back wheel and chain fitted.
Painted the stands, mufflers and small bits gloss black ready to be fitted tomorrow.

 

I don't.

 

Have a bit more done over the last week.

 

Have tested the thermostat on the stove while waiting for dinner to cook and starts to open at 75deg, fully open at 90deg, so all good to fit back in bike tomorrow.

 

Forks and shock/linkage in and chain adjusted. Spent a very hot and frustrating hour and half getting the pipes back on and sitting right. Instruments, handlebars/switches/grips/bar weights, seat cleaned and leather dressing applied, new battery fitted, footpegs and levers, new oil and filter. Bit done then.

Still waiting for the new Goldfren pads ordered from @Grasshopper last month to arrive, and the water hoses that go under the carbs from Honda.
Have so far been unable to located a right sidecover to fit this bike.

 

Now have a bit more together. Found a side cover in NZ (goodpartsnz.com) for the right price and have plastic welded the cracks on the main fairing ready to paint. Have carbs on (new rubbers caused a few naughty words to be uttered), radiator full of waterless coolant and using a small tin of petrol and hose have had the engine running and up to temp. Checked gauge and fan working, no oil or coolant leaks so far.
Needed a new airfilter as the old one was shagged. Honda Aus couldn't supply (although their computor showed stocks) and ebay was no help. Went to local engineering supply shop with old one and looked through their books until I found one that matched (from a Hatz diesel stationary engine) the size of the Honda one ($17.00). I stripped the old one from the base, cleaned with sander and a wipe of silicon to stick and seal and fitted to bike. Perfect fit.

 

We had a HATZ diesel single cylinder driving a water pump on our farm years ago. Was a great little engine until something happened to the big end bearing and it poked the con rod out the side of the block. It was SHATZ then.

 

FINALLY, the new steering head bearings and brake hose arrived today (don't order stuff close to Xmas) and I spent the afternoon fitting them.

 

Hi Frankster
good tip with the carbs. Fortunately mine have the bolt and I put new O rings on the fuel pipe before fitting. So far no leaks. Some on VTR forum bolt the carbs to the metal 'dish' to hold them in place while fitting. Have not tried that, but may be a way of stopping the "pissy little fuel tube" from leaking.

Re the CF moto, yes it is a 2013 V5 I bought for my partner Wendy. She had a 'tumble' from it at an intersection last July (broken ankle and arm) and has only just got back to riding it now. So I had to keep the battery charged and the wheels turning for her (as a good person would) and agree they are a breeze to ride. I often steal it if I need to run down to the post office or the shops.