Alright, let me tell you about this 750 Honda Interceptor project I got myself into. It wasn’t exactly planned, you know? More like it just… happened. Found this old thing, a VF750F, sitting for who knows how long. Looked like it had seen better decades, never mind years.
Getting Started – Or More Like, Staring at a Mess
So, there it was. My first thought? “This could be fun.” My second thought, after a closer look? “What have I done?” The thing was rough. Not just a bit dusty, properly neglected. Still, I’ve always had a soft spot for these old V4s, so I figured, why not? I dragged it into the garage, cleared some space, and just stood there for a bit, trying to figure out where to even begin.
The plan was simple: get it running, make it safe, and then, maybe, make it look half-decent. Famous last words, as always. I started by just trying to turn the engine over by hand. Seized? Nope, thankfully it spun. Small victories, right?
The Teardown – Uncovering More “Joys”
Next up was the teardown. This is where you really get to know a bike. I started pulling off the plastics, what was left of them anyway. Tank came off, seat, side panels. Each piece I removed seemed to uncover another problem. Rusty bolts, frayed wires, gunk everywhere. Standard stuff for a bike this age, I guess, but still, it’s always a bit disheartening.
I decided to tackle the fuel system first. Pulled the carbs. Oh, those carbs. Anyone who’s worked on an old V4 Honda knows the joy of wrestling with that bank of four. They were gummy, choked up – looked like someone had stored syrup in there. So, a full carb strip-down and clean was order of the day. That took a good while, let me tell you. Lots of tiny parts, lots of soaking, lots of brushing.
Hunting for Parts – The Modern-Day Treasure Hunt
While the carbs were getting their spa treatment, I started making a list. And boy, did that list grow.
- New battery, obviously.
- Fuel lines were shot.
- Air filter looked like a science experiment.
- Brake pads? More like brake dust holders.
- Tires were cracked and ancient.
Finding parts for an older machine like this, it’s a whole other game. Some stuff you can get new, aftermarket. Other bits? You’re trawling forums, eBay, hoping someone, somewhere, has what you need. It’s a bit of a slog, sending messages, comparing photos, hoping you don’t get ripped off. But, bit by bit, packages started arriving. It’s like Christmas, but for old motorcycle bits.
Putting it Back Together – Slowly, Carefully
With cleaned carbs and a pile of new parts, it was time for reassembly. This is the part I usually enjoy, seeing it come back together. I flushed the tank out best I could – it had some rust, but not too terrible. New fuel filter, new lines. Got the carbs back on, which was another wrestling match. Connected up the new battery.
Then, the moment of truth. Fuel on, choke on, hit the starter. Cranking… cranking… a cough! A splutter! And then… nothing. Checked for spark. Good. Checked fuel. Seemed okay. After a bit more head-scratching and a splash of starter fluid (don’t judge!), she finally roared – well, maybe “coughed aggressively” – into life. Man, that sound. Rough, uneven, but it was running. That was a good moment.
Next up, brakes. Stripped the calipers, cleaned everything, new pads, fresh fluid. Bled them out. Tires were a job for the local shop – I don’t mess with mounting tires myself if I can avoid it. Checked all the electrics, replaced a few blown bulbs. The usual stuff.
The First Real Ride – Was It Worth It?
Finally, after weeks of evenings and weekends, it was looking like a motorcycle again. Still rough around the edges cosmetically, but mechanically, I felt pretty good about it. Rolled it out of the garage, geared up. Took a deep breath.
That first ride… a bit hesitant at first. Listening for any weird noises, feeling how it handled. But as it warmed up, and I got a bit more confident, I started to remember why I liked these bikes. That V4 engine, even an old one, has character. It wasn’t a rocket ship by today’s standards, but it pulled okay, sounded great (once I sorted the exhaust leaks a bit better), and actually handled decently for its age.
Yeah, it was a lot of work. More than I thought, as usual. There were moments I wanted to just push it out into the street and walk away. But getting an old machine like this back on the road, there’s a satisfaction to it. It’s not perfect, probably never will be. But it’s alive again, and that’s pretty cool. Now, what to tackle next on it… the paint, maybe? Or just ride it as is, a survivor. We’ll see.
