:frown2:I have started to dismantle the 84 VT700C I received from my neighbor. After taking off the seat and gas tank, there was a heavy layer of dirt. I found the fuel and water hoses and the fuel filter were very brittle and I will have to replace all of them. I could not get the radiator cap to twist and come off, so I took off the hoses to remove the filler neck. The hoses cracked immediately. I took a set of different size paint brushes and brushed off the dirt while holding the hose of my shop vac nearby the areas being cleaned, to collect the dust (did not want to get dust all over my shop. Later, I pushed the bike outside and blew it off with compressed air. A lot to do and I think I will probably end up dismantling the entire bike to repair/replace items and repaint.:surprise:
After looking at the speedometer, I see that the mileage is 34220. I misread the odometer initially, seeing it as 3422 miles. The info I got from my neighbor about being registered for only the year of 1984, cannot be correct. As we get older our memory slips and I am sure this is what is happening to her. She is in her mid 70's. Other items that I see, such as worm clamps are, I am sure are not factory hose clamps. The condition of the bike tells the story. Any way, I am glad for her generosity and will make the best of a good thing
Wow! Quite a project there! Good luck with your restoration. That's something that will give you a great deal of satisfaction as you progress. Keep your goals in mind, something like that takes baby steps. Please keep us updated as you go along, we'd love to share in your triumphs, even if it is only by proxy.
Thanks for your positive thoughts. That is exactly what I intend to do. I have done restoration work B4 on several automobiles and I take pictures before I take something off and again right after, so I know what it looks like B4 and after. All parts are kept separated and parts are put into zip lock bags for ease of repair and re-installation. I know it will be a long process. I enjoy doing this kind of work and the satisfaction of completing an item out of the total project. I intend to post various threads as I progress. Thanks again. Bob
Welcome to the forum.
I have an '83 750 and tried to man-handle my radiator cap off and started to grab it with water pump pliers, and then I noticed a very small safety locking screw in the side of the cap to keep it from twisting off at the wrong time.
I would recommend trying to get the engine running, if it is good inside, and not tear it apart since many parts are very hard to replace. If it runs good that will be a fun ride.
Hi Bob, I am Bob also. I just noticed the rust on that frame. If in the desert I was surprised at that much rust. And then I saw the VIN plate said vt750, so it may have been a Canadian model , since in the USA the 1984 was reduced to a 700, but Canada still had the 750's. Possibly in it's early life it was up there. - ???
Thanks. Here is a picture of the Identification plate on the front of frame. It says 1984 Model VT750C. If it was a USA motorcycle wouldn't the plate say Model VT700C? Would this make it a Canadian MC? I do not know enough about it. Any other 84 shadows out there with an identification plate that actually says Model VT700C? Thanks again, Bob
My neighbor, has not been able to find the keys to this MC. Sooooo, I bought a replacement switch off Ebay and installed it. I was concerned about not having a key to open the gas cap, but after getting all the old keys together, that I had accumulated over the years, I found one that was very long and narrow, that went in and turned, unlocking the cap. :surprise:However this key did not go into the original ignition switch. The original battery was BONE dry and cracked, so I left it in place and hooked up a charged battery with Jumper cables to the old battery. Turned on the new switch and several dash lights lite up, the fan, in front of the radiator came on and the starter switch turned over the engine. Positive news! I did not get any spark to the spark plugs, when I held them against the engine case to ground them. This might have to do with taking the front dash/headlight assembly apart to get to the ignition switch, no water in the cooling system or other electrical problems I am not aware of yet. Continuing the saga!
It sure looks better after you blew away some of the sand dunes.
I still think it is a Canadian model for 1984.
Our old bikes will crank and not fire if the kill switch is off, because it removes the power to the coils. So it could be off or defective and not allowing ignition power.
If you have a simple 12 volt test light put it in the coil positive terminal (black/ white wire, I think) and see if it has battery volts. Key on, kill switch on.
The kill switch wiring does go through one of the main connectors at the steering so maybe it is disconnected.