Honda V4 Engine Removal Qs

[Vincent]

Anyone removed a VFR750 motor?

Is it easy/hard.

What's the problems?

I've been after a cheap mile muncher for a while, (never had a V4 either), and I can pick up a cheap one with a nasty exhaust but I've heard the engines aren't that easy to get out and you have to get them out to replace the zorst.

[map]

[stinkwheel]

You do not need to remove the engine to replace the exhaust. Certainly not on one of the single side swingarm models at any rate.

You DO need to remove the mainstand because the exhaust passes through it (which can be a pain) and the plastics.

There is a short stub manifold on the rear two cylinders that takes them through a 90 degree turn to point out above the right footpeg. The headers bolt onto the end of this. It sits behind the engine so it shouldn't really need replacing.

When I changed mine, one of the studs on that manifold came adrift and I had to remove it to replace the stud. Now THAT was tight! Got it in the end though with a combination of two wobble bars and a flexi-adapter on my socket set.

There is a heat-shield behind the rear master cylinder that most aftermarket systems require you to junk.

Remember, the front header pipes cross one another (or you'll never get it on).

If it's a single side swingarm model, I can highly recommend a high-level rear exhaust. This allows you to change the rear wheel in about 2 minutes flat. I keep two wheels, one with a sticky tyre, one with a touring tyre for motorways.

Prepare to be amazed at how easily everything comes apart if this is the first premium end of the range Honda you've had.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[.Bishbash.]

Recently rebuilt my GF's V4 400, wasn't too bad getting it out tbh, I think 2 of us had the engine out in 30 mins from a working bike to just an engine. And probably about double that to get it back in and running again after the work we did.

The annoying thing is resitting the carbs as you have to remove them to get the engine out comfortably.

But, as suggested, if it is just the exhaust, there shouldn't be any need to take the engine out, but it will be tight getting them off.

HTH
____________________
Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[Vincent]

Its a white one, not single sided swingarm. (another reason to get it cheaper)

I'm not sure which part of the exhaust has gone till I have a good look. It's usualy the part from the manifold to the pipes by the sound of things. Nice to now it's not an engine -out job though Better not tell the seller that

Whats the going price for the first S/S swingarm model? Any other problems to know about.

Thanks for the assist.

[stinkwheel]

White ones are inexplicably popular with the VFR owners. I suspect they are all closet police bikers or something.

I'll see if I can find my workshop manual when i get home, ought to tell me if you need to drop the engine, I seriously doubt it though.

They would usually rot through at the splitter box, which as as complex a bit of pipebending as you could hope to see on a motorbike. This is my pattern one from sandy bike spares.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/sexyzorst.jpg

I bet you'd get a SS swingarm one for £1500 these days. That said. The only real advantage of the SS swingarm is the ability to quickly and easily change the rear wheel and removal of the need to meticulously set the wheel alignment. Something they totally screwed up by then fitting the silencer across the side of it meaning you have to move the exhaust to get it out. The standard swingarm is lighter, more rigid and easier to service if it goes wrong.

Mine has a high level pipe and I'm going to the bike shop to have a new tyre fitted tomorrow. I'll have the wheel off the bike before he has the plastic wrapping off the new tyre.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[stinkwheel]

I think my manual is in the lockup and it's so windy out that I daren't open an up and over door, it'll take off.

I've looked on ebay at the older style exhausts, they are pretty much the same as my old standard one, just have a pressed-steel collector box like you'd get on a car instead of the pipes being welded together into a splitter. The important thing is they have the same manifold arrangement on the rear cylinders and have seperate front headers. All of which means I can see no reason why the engine would have to come out to fit it, nor the radiator removed.

It is almost certainly the collector box that's rotted.

You can actually remove the front headers with the plastics on. I know because I have done so in the past.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.