The Long Road - VT700 Rebuild and Remodel

[Davidson1023]

I have every intention of eventually modding the exhaust as well. I guess we'll focus on getting her going and then about making her purdy!
So I initially started thinking about bobbing her but lately I've kinda been on a post war Harley kick in terms of appearance... The bike from the new(est) Indiana Jones movie got me thinking of at least some sort of hybrid. Maybe leveling the rear fender closer to the seat and doing a super slim (maybe spring supported too?) p-pad style passenger seat. Just tossing around ideas at the moment.
On another note. Does anyone have any suggestions on fabricating a new armature for the shift and brake pedals? I was thinking about building the pegs off the front end of the frame and just elongating the arms the actual pedals are on... Any thoughts or broken logic in that?


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[Dauntae]

I'm loving all these restorations, Miss my 83 Magna sometimes, OH and Luis your sig pic is driving me crazy It looks too dang good to be real, Looks like a bike advertisement 25 yrs late I'm still amazed at how well it came out.

Dauntae
Now tell me this don't look like a AD for a shadow LOL

[Davidson1023]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and thanks for all your help so far. We've come a long way and yet have a long way still to go. Glad you're all along for the ride.


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[Sgoatley]

Originally Posted by Dauntae

I'm loving all these restorations, Miss my 83 Magna sometimes, OH and Luis your sig pic is driving me crazy It looks too dang good to be real, Looks like a bike advertisement 25 yrs late I'm still amazed at how well it came out.

Dauntae
Now tell me this don't look like a AD for a shadow LOL

I have always loved that model and that pic blew me away too! I would love to have that bike.


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[Davidson1023]

Hey rickou, I should have the diaphragms come in today or tomorrow... What did you have to do differently from the instructions provided on the website since they pertain to the plastic slides?


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[rickou812]

Originally Posted by Davidson1023

Hey rickou, I should have the diaphragms come in today or tomorrow... What did you have to do differently from the instructions provided on the website since they pertain to the plastic slides?


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The metal slides have two (2) plastic collars, 1 above and 1 below the original diaphragm. Both have to be cut and removed. The replacement diaphragms are designed to replace both collars. I used a pair of side cutters to nip the plastic collars 180 degrees apart and they come off very easily.

I did one slide/diaphragm at a time so that I could use the other to reference correct positioning of the diaphragm on the slide.
Clean the metal slide thoroughly with acetone or carb cleaner to remove any oil residue before installing diaphragms.
Do not over stretch the rubber to get them on. Try to line up the diaphragm correctly when installing, you will not be able to spin it very easily once installed without over stretching the rubber.

After I have the diaphragm on the slide, I test fit it to the carb to make sure everything lines up correctly and that they are not upside down. Once I verify everything is correct a put a couple of drops of krazy glue on opposite sides. Then do the other one.

Hope this helps.
Rick

[Davidson1023]

Very much so, thanks Rick! I'll post pics when I do them!


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[Davidson1023]

So the biggest difference is you remove both plastic rings as opposed to just the top one? Sorry for beating a dead horse but my wife has made it pretty clear that I get a working bike soon or a divorce lol. Just can't afford to screw this up!


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[rickou812]

Originally Posted by Davidson1023

So the biggest difference is you remove both plastic rings as opposed to just the top one? Sorry for beating a dead horse but my wife has made it pretty clear that I get a working bike soon or a divorce lol. Just can't afford to screw this up!


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I forgot to mention that you have to be real careful when putting the diaphragms on because the top of the slides edge can be pretty sharp and cut into the rubber. I usually take a file and lightly file it if is sharp.

[Davidson1023]

So just kinda round off the top of the slides then? I'm takin off the old diaphragms tonight and doing a pinesol soak on the slides then the carb rebuild tomorrow after I give everything a light coating old wd40 to keep it water free


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