The Long Road - VT700 Rebuild and Remodel

[Davidson1023]

Hey everyone! So I just recently purchased a 1984 VT700 because my wife and I needed a second vehicle and something that beats our 98 explorer's 14 mpg. As I've owned 2 bikes in the past, a 82 KZ550 and 86 Vulcan, a bike seemed the perfect solution. After scouring craigslist for something cheap (and I mean really cheap!) I stumbled upon my bike, the VT700, for only 500 bucks!!!

The seller said at first it needed carb work done but later said that he thought it needed a new coil instead. Either way, couldn't pass up on the deal.

Got it home and fired it up for a little ride around my apartment complex and sure enough, something is awry. It sputters and bucks mid range an I have to upshift to keep getting speed. I'm no mechanic, but clearly something isn't right.

PO said it ha been sitting but he had pulled it out a few times over the last year and the problem has stayed there (obviously, since not fixing something isn't going to make it go away!).

So far, due to severely limited time and even more limited resources I haven't been able to do anything more but replace the engine oil and filter (which I did today). Next in line is tearing out the carbs and giving them a good cleaning... Considering the lemon juice boil but I've heard rumors of a pine-sol deal, but no specifics. Any suggestions?

I'm hoping the carb cleaning fixes the problem since it's free to clean... If any other solutions are offered up to an alternative to the coil i would gladly indulge them!

I included below a few pictures of the bike in it's current state. They were taken today mid oil change. (and yes that's my smokin hot wife in the background helping with the bike!!!)

I intend to do a paintjob similar tithe one another forum user did in his Road to Rod (I think?) thread. I've also figured out a way to manufacture forward controls that I will post when I manage to get my hands on a welder. Debating between trying to make a dual right sided exhaust or putting drag pipes on in it's current configuration. I'll. Make sure to post as regularly as time allows and look forward to getting this thing done!! Thanks in advance for any feedback and criticism you have to offer!!!

-Allen Davidson

P.s. Biked up my bell today too!


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[Davidson1023]

Forgot to mention.. The last two pictures are of where my exhaust leaves the engine, right side is the clean one left side is the nasty one. I haven't done anything to them, the left just looks awful all on it's own... And it seems to smoke a little but after the bike warms up (smells hot!). Any clue what that's about? Thanks again everyone!


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[ZackDaniels]

Gunk (oil, grease, asphalt, dust, pants that got too close, etc) caking itself onto the engine and burning up a bit. Scrub a dub dub for an afternoon and see if anything is still actively leaking out to the same area.

[Davidson1023]

I hope it's that easy of a fix!!! I'll get on it tonight, see what I come up with.


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[razor78016]

LOL it looks like she's the one changing the oil, but I could be wrong.

Ray.

[Davidson1023]

Hah no, although she was cleaning up some spills off the asphalt. If only it worked that way! Maybe next time though...


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[ZackDaniels]

Ah well, she's still the purdiest handle bar add-on I've ever seen. Probably really expensive as aftermarket parts go though, but the self cleaning ability sure is a nice perk... I'm torn.

Carb cleaner works miracles on lifting decades of crap off metal. Just keep it completely away from rubber and paint or you'll make yourself cry.

[RONW]

you might put in new plugs while you're at it. If you have the side covers that's suppose to be there, or if you don't, without them the plastic p-connectors (circled) will get drenched. That's asking for all kinds of electrical problems including anemia.

.... right side is the clean one left side is the nasty one. I haven't done anything to them, the left just looks awful all on it's own... And it seems to smoke a little but after the bike warms up (smells hot!). Any clue what that's about?

I used your pics below. I'm guessing that it's probably more cosmetic than a bona fide problem. Either way, dunno the reason myself. You'd probably cause more problems then it's worth if you pulled the cylinder head covers. Btw, those old chrome hold up so much better don't they like on your front fender. Pre-EPA and so forth.

[Davidson1023]

Yeah they really do. I haven't touched the bike cosmetically (yet) and for some of the parts (front fender as you said) to have the shine it does is pretty amazing. Until I paint it, of course. Reminds me I need to take a picture of the hot mess that is my rear fender... Someone wired the tail lights through the passenger backrest and now I gotta figure out how I'm redoing it when (and if) I cut the rear fender down.


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[Davidson1023]

And sadly I don't have the side covers... Another miracle disappearance. And I can't imagine spending 150 bucks to replace them, so I'll have to figure out something interesting to do there.


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