grandpaul
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- Joined
- Jan 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,638

I was going to post this as an update to my original build thread, but even scrolling thru the entire rebuilds section, I can't find that thread. So, here is the update:
After building up the original Dreer prototype, I stayed in touch with Kenny and bought a bunch more VR880 stuff from him, including bodywork. Then, after several other build projects, I had a spare frame and engine parts, so I built a 2nd, then a 3rd VR880 replica. This one is a '74 880 with a Yamaha XS650 front end and a Honda CB750 rear wheel, with a VR880 box section swingarm on big bearings. After I finished it, I decided to have Tom Reid install the Spyke starter Kenny sold me when I was building the prototype bike. That took nearly a year. Once i got it back together, the e-starter worked amazingly well, but after the 2nd or 3rd test ride, it started making crunchy noises. It got parked due to an overloaded work schedule, then in 2019 we moved up here to central Texas (Leander) and it sat in storage until last year. In November, I broke my leg in my first at-fault accident in 47 years of riding; not having medical insurance necessitated selling off a few bikes to pay off the hospital/doctor bills. Among the bikes sold was this '74 880, with the understanding that it would be sorted and ready to ride. So, once my leg was up to moving around, I got after it...
First order of business was to check for a stray pushrod or rocker adjuster - no joy.
Second, check the primary for something amiss - no joy.
Next, fire up the wifi endoscope and have a look inside the cylinders- Houston, we have a problem.
I didn't recognize what this might have been, so the head had to come off-
Once the head was off, the cause was evident- a broken intake valve guide.
After building up the original Dreer prototype, I stayed in touch with Kenny and bought a bunch more VR880 stuff from him, including bodywork. Then, after several other build projects, I had a spare frame and engine parts, so I built a 2nd, then a 3rd VR880 replica. This one is a '74 880 with a Yamaha XS650 front end and a Honda CB750 rear wheel, with a VR880 box section swingarm on big bearings. After I finished it, I decided to have Tom Reid install the Spyke starter Kenny sold me when I was building the prototype bike. That took nearly a year. Once i got it back together, the e-starter worked amazingly well, but after the 2nd or 3rd test ride, it started making crunchy noises. It got parked due to an overloaded work schedule, then in 2019 we moved up here to central Texas (Leander) and it sat in storage until last year. In November, I broke my leg in my first at-fault accident in 47 years of riding; not having medical insurance necessitated selling off a few bikes to pay off the hospital/doctor bills. Among the bikes sold was this '74 880, with the understanding that it would be sorted and ready to ride. So, once my leg was up to moving around, I got after it...
First order of business was to check for a stray pushrod or rocker adjuster - no joy.
Second, check the primary for something amiss - no joy.
Next, fire up the wifi endoscope and have a look inside the cylinders- Houston, we have a problem.
I didn't recognize what this might have been, so the head had to come off-
Once the head was off, the cause was evident- a broken intake valve guide.