This is where I started. This big loop of hose to connect the wrong radiator to the right bike
It was a nice day yesterday and I had a choice of gong to the dump or working on my bike. Rain was correctly forecast for today. So this was a no-brainer of a decision. I had a do-able scope of work. I wanted to change the frame rail on my bike so that I could get ride of that loop of hose and install the radiator trim. Along the way I needed to install the air-dirt-whatever-it’s-there-for plate that sits behind the radiator and in front of the carburetor. Due to life getting in the way my bike hasn’t so much as been cleaned for several years so my trusty brass brush got a workout along with some odorless mineral spirits and Gunk Foamy Degreaser.
Our back yard at a park and ride in NH.
We moved here because even though you aren’t supposed to work on vehicles in a Park ‘n Ride the asphalt is pretty well stained plus we closed off this corner with a clear conscience, taking up only as many spaces as the vehicles needed and shielding my work from casual passer by.
This is the frame rail from a 1982 VF750C that I bought for parts for our bikes.
Now, last summer we bought a 1982 Honda VF750C for parts. It had already been worked on by a Harley Guy and he couldn’t get it running. For $100 it was worth more to us as much needed repair parts for our bike, bikes that hadn’t seen needed maintenance for a while. After careful comparison I decided that I could use the left side frame rail to eliminate that big loop of hose from my bike. My ’86 is already a collection of parts from various years and if I wanted to make it all one 1986 VF700C it would be cheaper to just buy another bike.
This is the old radiator hose. I was so sure that the ’82 frame rail was going to fit that I cut a piece from it to install on my newly cleaner bike.
Everything was going smoothly. I cleaned as I went along, and the new frame rail matched up at the rear frame attach point, the rear engine mount, the water pump hose, the front engine mounts both left and right and the coolant line was even with the bottom of the radiator. And then the project fell off the rails and skidded to a stop. The front frame attach point is one inch or so too short. I briefly thought about just drilling a new hole and running with one bolt and then I thought longer about spending time in the emergency room again. So back I go, at least the parts are clean now. Except that I had already cut and fitted the radiator hose. Bummer. I cut a couple of different lengths looking for a magic solution to the tight “S” bend the hose needs to make between my ’82 radiator and my ’86 bike. No magic. So off I go to the nearest “real” parts store the O’Reilly’s / VIP in Manchester on Hooksett Road. I was not in the best of moods to begin with but when Mark asked me what I needed I replied with a polite “7/8″ heater hose about 2′ long.” Mark replied “You mean 5/8″”. No. 7/8″. He walked away and came back and said “We only have 3/4″ and 1″” something I expected to hear, so no harm no foul. Then Mark said “Are you sure you didn’t mean 7/16″?”
Now I’m a 57 year old gay man and I have a gay voice. A gay voice is one that is rich in harmonics and carefully modulated because of all the time we try “Not to sound gay.” And my voice is deep and resonant. Now I want the entire store to hear my opinion of a clerk who keeps trying to tell me that I don’t know what I want, so I take a step back and announce in my best stentorian voice “Now you’re just getting to be insulting.” At which point Joseph steps up and tells me to leave the store. Huh. O’Reilly’s, Irish, Catholic?, and a gay man. Who could have seen this coming. Maybe they didn’t want to serve me in the first place?
This is the 7/8″ X 3′ piece of green stripe hose I bought at Robbin’s Auto in Manchester, NH
So I went over to Robbin’s on South Willow, they listened to my story and sold me a piece of hose, correctly suggesting that I might want another foot “Just in case.”
After a full days work this is where I ended up. Same loop of hose only new, with new coolant.
As I was being escorted to the door, I explained to Joseph that since he didn’t want to hear my complaint, I planned to complain loudly on various social media.
With newly cleaned carbs my bike is running well. I need to hunt up a good ’86 radiator. And thus ends my rant.
