Project Honda 1984 VT250FE

Bought this bike a little while ago from a VJMC member in Melbourne. I had it trucked to Risky's and collected when I went to Newcastle for a bike rally, and brought home in my ute. I liked these when they were new although I never got to ride one.

Has all the usual problems of an old bike, leaking fork seals, tyres perished, cut wires, cracked fairings, etc.
Took the carbs off and gave them the threebond and ultrasonic cleaner treatment. Wasn't surprised to see orange silicon on the bowls.

Back on and ready for a start, but no go.

Wound it over on the starter for ages with no sign of fire. Did a compression test and both cylinders 50psi, not enough compression for engine to run. Checked valve clearances and ALL were so tight I couldn't get a feeler gauge in. Adjusted as per the specs and it fired on first touch of the button. Did a second compression test and having the valves adjusted correctly added an extra 100psi to the readings. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR VALVE CLEARANCES!!!

Engine runs sweet and idles nicely. Checked the battery voltage and all running to specs. Now am happy that the engine is good will start on a cosmetic rebuild/repaint.

 

Thanks Blair, so do I but it won't be for a while as I have the F2tr Kawasaki and my Enfield to finish first.

 

Now with the F2tr finished and waiting on parts for the Enfield I got in and stripped the VT. Has the usual rusted bolts, cut wires and general neglect of 30 years.

 

Would have had the front out too if 'Hercluses' hadn't over tightened the front axel. Have to go buy a 14mm Allen key tomorrow to get the swingarm out.

 

Thanks Frankster. Bought a 14mmhex with 1/2" socket drive today for $11.95. Did the job nicely.
Have frame completely stripped ready to take to sandblaster tomorrow.

 

While frame is away at the blasters, I have serviced the engine (lot easier to do with engine out of frame), polished up the shiney bits and painted with satin black engine enamel.
First I had to strip the old clear paint from the rocker covers, a light low pressure bead blast to clean off the corrosion, polish on the buffing wheel and the clear again to keep shiney.

Fitted to engine and painted.

I cleaned the fins and 'Honda' word highlights with 2nd cut file. Looking good, just need a nice painted frame to fit it into.

 

Frankster, I found when putting the carbs back in the first time that loosening the screw that holds them together allows them to twist enough to line up with the boots.
The mufflers need some work (welding two small holes) so I am planning on sanding the black chrome, etch prime and two pack gloss black. Has anybody done this before and what were the results? The header pipes and collector will have to be done with high temp paint, but I can only find it in flat black and really want to do it in the original satin black. Anybody know of a satin black product for exhausts?

 

Thanks, Grey.
The VHT range has some high temp exhaust paint, but only comes in matt black. Other brands I have searched for are all matt too. I was wishing to do in the original satin black, but will probably end up with matt.

 

Picked up the frame and swingarm from the blasters today. Charged me $80 (last few have been $50), did a s**t job with bits missed, frame has been dragged over some other thing and red paint scrapped onto frame, tail light lugs bent (from dropping I would guess), had oil or something greasy spilt onto part of it and had the hide to tell me "it was an easy job so only $80"!
Last time I will deal with this pr**k.
Have straightened lugs, cleaned up red paint, sanded missed bits, washed and etch primed. Hope for nice day tomorrow to get some paint on.

 

Have painted the frame with two pack silver. Looking good.