Author Topic: Project Shadow...aka my 1985 Honda VF750F Interceptor...(Updated 05/12/10) (Read 12924 times)

DarkRider · « **on:** September 07, 2007, 11:05:25 PM »

I have mentioned this bike several times over the past year and realised that i have not made a topic directly related to it as a project just some pics from when i first got the bike. Now i have owned it almost a year and the bike has changed drasticly since its initial purchase. Mostly just cosmetic items like rear fender eliminaton to initally a painted windscreen then to a partal make over to aim it towards being black and red...within the next few months the bike will be undergoing a complete overhaul part of which will be occuring starting tomorrow once i take the bike to max motorsports...some of which will be occuring out of my eye sight...namely fitting the new signal nights front and rear. It will be getting clear LP short stalk II lights with the black housing. as well as some other work done. Namely the front forks redone and a new rear tire.

This is what i started with back in october of last year..

This was midway through the bikes evolution

This is how the bike looks now

Soon all the red will disappear and be replaced with a color called Blitz Black...its much like the satin black i used on the fairings of the bike just a little bit flatter it appears. Its also a durable paint since it is actually a john deere paint color. Also sometime within the next few months it will be recieving Honda CBR wheels to give me a wider selection of tires as well as better handling from the wider tires. It will also be regeared for more low end acceleration. Combined with rejetting and some custom mufflers...im still working on the design of said mufflers at the moment but they will be something like the current GP style mufflers out there now...chances are i will be hacking apart the cans off of my parts bike as part of the process of making these new cans. Or i may just take a page from Pro teals book and make some baffled straight pipes....

Thats all at this stage of the game

DarkRider · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2007, 02:58:28 PM »

Well the bike has been dropped off at Max Motorsports...so the next update will be coming soon..

bill440cars · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2007, 05:53:25 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on September 08, 2007, 02:58:28 PM

Well the bike has been dropped off at Max Motorsports...so the next update will be coming soon..

Well Chris,

I, for one, will be waiting to hear (and see) the "Upcoming Updates".

Later on, Bill

DarkRider · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2007, 06:43:20 AM »

Found out something interesting...Apparently there was an early interceptor prototype codenamed blackbird...and im noticing theres a few paraells to project shadow and blackbirds appearance...namely a semi gloss black paint scheme..modified from stock apperance..Heh...who knows whats next....

DarkRider · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2007, 09:48:19 AM »

Just an update...wound up ordering an adjustable brake lever as well now...its intended for an XR but i have been told it will interchange with the Interceptor. Also heres a pic of the model of signal lights im getting...

Im getting the black body with the clear lenses.

ZetecOwns · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2007, 03:44:55 PM »

I was just posting about Blitz Black in another thread, and now I come across this.

I'm thinking about using it on my little CL350 when the time comes. I want nearly every piece of the bike black, although I might paint some pieces a gloss black to break it up.

Can't wait to see pics, it seems like a very cool project.

DarkRider · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2007, 07:43:59 AM »

Its been a long time coming...finally found a shop who had decent rates and i was able to make arrangements to make payments on the work and so on...the work starts next week just waiting on parts to arrive at this time.

DarkRider · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2007, 02:50:40 PM »

Some of the parts have arrived...so that was a plus....

Possably another project on the horizon...instead of the GPz even perhaps...found a rough 1990 VFR750...needs body work mostly from the looks of it...just waiting on hearing back from the seller..

DarkRider · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2007, 09:15:30 AM »

Well the VFR didnt pan out..kid never did get ahold of me...oh well..on the flip side i now officially own a 1981 Kawasaki GPz 550. Paid for it yesterday. Some progress has been made on the Interceptor at the shop. The front forks have been redone with new seals and 20 wt oil. The new signal lights are installed, its now down to the oil change as well as the rear tire and plugs along with some NGK racing spark plug wires. The bike looks a lot different with just the simple change of the lights...Also managed to clean up the front wheel and get all the crap from the forks off of it. repolished the lips on it with some steel wool...all i need to do now is clean up the rear wheel. On the flip side the bike gained a little more bling on the engine lol...Got a chrome oil filter for the same price as the stock black part...so it will go with the stock chrome cooling line. Thats about all i can think of for now...Gonna see if my rear tire came in in a bit..and maybe see if i can get some progress pics...

bill440cars · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2007, 10:49:02 AM »

Hey Chris, at least a change in plans doesn't seem to slow you up, you always seem to have a backup plan waiting.

Glad things are working out for you. On my Super Hawk build, soon as I get the CB77 crankcase (that I picked up off ebay for a decent price), I hope to get on with putting together a CB77 motor for my Super Hawk. I'll try to furnish some photos off and on. Lots of Luck on yours!

Later on, Bill

ZetecOwns · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2007, 11:42:31 AM »

Looking forward to the pics, and glad you're making progress.

DarkRider · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2007, 01:24:13 PM »

Heh i tend to adapt as i go bill..usually the best way to do things sometimes...yea im not the only one making progress..my roomate has gotten his 83 Interceptor running as well..hes just working out some bugs on it at the moment. My 84 will eventilally loose its V4 engine and gain the power plant from a Kawasaki H2 Mach Iv.

neil young · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2007, 01:45:42 PM »

right on Chris.thats a nice bike.good luck.

DarkRider · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2007, 02:22:25 PM »

Thank you Neil. I should have an update as to where things are by tuesday as to where things are..never did get to the shop today unfortunitly..

DarkRider · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:04:27 PM »

Disaster!!!! The new signal lights are ruined before the bike gets out of the shop...Chris (the mechanic working on the bike) had it sitting idling to warm up the old oil in the engine for the oil change and the front two melted jusf from sitting there with the running lights on...The bike has been checked to see if there was a wiring problem but because these are cheeper aftermarket lights that is what is suspected is the cause..since the wiring checked out fine. new brushed aluminum signal lights have been ordered to replace these ones..The rear tire will be installed tomorrow..so with a little luck i will have pics tomorrow since i get to bring it home then till the new signals and plug wires are still on the way...

paxtonpony · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2007, 11:58:45 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on September 22, 2007, 01:24:13 PM

My 84 will eventilally loose its V4 engine and gain the power plant from a Kawasaki H2 Mach Iv.

?? WHAT!?! Man, the V4 sound is one of the best things about those bikes.

Personal opinion, you need a Freddy Spencer paint job. Looks like a fun project though, if I was going to sell the CB I would definitely grab an early interceptor. 500, 700, 750 or 1000... doesn't matter, they're all cool. I'd lean towards a 500 or 1000r if I could find one.

DarkRider · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:00:24 PM »

I got some comon sense...the 84 is the parts bike for Project Shadow. Im leaning towards making it a naked track bike again. I have thought about the idea of painting one of my two interceptors to replicate spencers bike. I have seen images of Fred Merkels bike and the later Spencer VFR...just not the VF that Spencer rode. I have thought about transforming the 84 into a race replica.

DarkRider · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2007, 10:59:31 AM »

Once again Disaster strikes...this time in the form of a malifunctioning clutch...checked the master cyl on it as well as the master cyls on the front and rear brakes..turns out all 3 need to be flushed...slowly as these repairs are completed the Interceptor is going to wind up mostly restored. Next up for Shadow is some rejetting and cut down exhaust baffles as well as a K&N...but between these two stages will be either a project thread on the CB550 or a continuation of the thread on the GPz550.

bill440cars · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2007, 06:17:04 PM »

Hey Chris, sounds like you've got things coming together somewhat.

Kinda interesting working between several projects, huh?

I'm kinda working on getting ready to do some work on the Super Hawk, trying to get things sorted on the SL350s (so I can see just where I stand there), trying to (finally get finished up on the 80' CB750K w/sidecar) and doing some work on my trailer (so that I can put load the 750/sidecar on it to take to my buddy's to get the carbs adjusted & synch'd and get him to help me put the final adjustments on the sidecar). My trailer is basically a 4' x 8' and the 750/sidecar measures about 4' wide. Just a bit too close for my taste.

I'm adding about 2" on each side of the trailer (there is that much space between the side of the trailer and the fender) Will still be somewhat close but will have a few inches to play with.

The way I'm doing it will leave a 2" turned up side piece as a guide of sorts.

Also, I'm working on deciding what I'll keep and what will go. Still kinda kicking around the idea of putting the sidecar on the 750A, so I can use the 80' CB750K to it's full potential. You know, so I can take it out and let it sail down the road on it's 2 wheels. That 750 DOHC motor just sounds like it needs to be cut loose from the sidecar so that it can FLY!

Take care Chris and KEEP those Projects GOING!

Later on, Bill

DarkRider · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2007, 06:42:08 PM »

That 750A seems like it would be a much better suited bike to side car work. Auto trans...less involved in operation allowing you to focus fully on handling it with the little quirks that having a sidecar presents...I want to do up a sidecar rig sometime as well...as i have said to bill before my GS1100G would be the best choice out of my collection for such a task..it would have ample power to get down the road in a hiurry with a sidecar attached. heh...i could almost see pullin off a wheelie with that large of engine pullin a sidecar lol..Mind you a sidecar unit would be one hell of a long distance traveling bike...stable as hell...plenty of room for carrying things like your tent and supplies.just carry everything in the sidecar..which in turn adds ballast to compensate for not having a passenger..unless of course you are touring with a passenger...

bill440cars · « **Reply #20 on:** October 06, 2007, 07:30:43 PM »

"Touring with a passenger"

Let me put it this way Chris. My Grandmother rode years (LOTS of years) ago, with my Grandfather (In fact, they rode to Springfield Mass on a H-D and came back on a NEW 39' Indian Chief!). My Mom rode with my Dad years ago (LOTS, but not as many as my Grandparents) but, I just can't see that MY wife ever will ride with me.
My 80' CB750K will pull the sidecar with NO problem, but it reminds me of a race horse hooked to a buggy. Just seems a waste, ya know? I think the sidecar would be just dandy hooked to the 750A because of the reasons you stated and besides, I will probably only be traveling around town with some occasional trips to Ft. Smith (about 15miles away). Plus, the 80' 750 has a 4 into 2 exhaust, which is a little noisy and the 750A should be a bit quieter for my sidecar passenger (James, the "Special Needs" young man we work with).
Later on, Bill.

DarkRider · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2007, 07:08:07 AM »

I know exactly what you mean about having a race horse attatched to a buggy lol But yea the thing with the exhaust is another good point as well...That 750 K deserves to be taking highways leaned out without the burden of a sidecar..im mainly looking at the sidecar idea for the GS is as said for long distance touring...but i doubt that will ever come to form especially after thinking of some ideas for that beast lol...Lets just say its a sorta Cooey replica meets HD Dyna....and leave it at that lol

DarkRider · « **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2007, 06:46:10 AM »

Goin nuts without my bike..hopefully with some luck it will be home next weekend...i hope....

DarkRider · « **Reply #23 on:** October 18, 2007, 06:00:43 AM »

only one more day between me and the Interceptor coming home...just hoping my wrist doesnt cause me problems.....being injured sucks...

bill440cars · « **Reply #24 on:** October 18, 2007, 06:50:54 AM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on October 18, 2007, 06:00:43 AM

only one more day between me and the Interceptor coming home...just hoping my wrist doesn't cause me problems.....being injured sucks...

Hope your wrist holds up for some bike cruising there Chris!

Later on, Bill

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Author Topic: Project Shadow...aka my 1985 Honda VF750F Interceptor...(Updated 05/12/10) (Read 12924 times)

ZetecOwns

ZetecOwns