Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

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Yellow Vespa
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Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#1

Post by Yellow Vespa »

Hello to all. New member here out of Golden Valley, Az. I just wanted to introduce myself and add that Vyper is back, well, sorta. Sitting in a Phoenix storage unit for 5-6 odd years she's cosmetically still tack sharp. Going up on the lift later today or tomorrow to evaluate the mechanicals. I'll keep everyone posted. Picture is just after loading for the 200 mile drive home.

Image
:-D Current owner of Vyper by sunnbobb
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#2

Post by Sagebrush »

You need five posts before you can post a picture.
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#3

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Great find !

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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#4

Post by 5speed »

welcome to the site. Looks very hot where you are. lol
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#5

Post by Track T 2411 »

Welcome from Wisconsin. Lucky find, good for you! I hope there's not too many mechanical issues, storing a bike for long periods isn't always good. Looking forward to seeing it on the road!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
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Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#6

Post by Yellow Vespa »

My apologies to the forum and to sagebrush, I didn't realize I needed 5 posts to add a picture. Thanks for the welcoming posts.
Track T 2411 wrote:Welcome from Wisconsin. Lucky find, good for you! I hope there's not too many mechanical issues, storing a bike for long periods isn't always good. Looking forward to seeing it on the road!
There are mechanical issues. With outside temperatures always in the 105-110 range every day during the 3 month summer and several weeks every year that stay in the 111-115 range and the odd week or two where it's 116-118 the temps inside the storage unit probably hovered in the 130-150 range (or more).

The fuel petcock was open, fuel tank is dry. Constant tank pressure from the heat probably forced every bit of fuel into the carbs where it dried and baked. The carb throttle plates are frozen solid. .. as is the engine. My guess is that the fuel, how much of it I haven't a clue, was slowly pressure fed into the carbs and then into the intakes and the engine. At a minimal she'll need a carb set overhaul, remove the heads and inspect the bore after a cleanup.

I'll go out tomorrow and remove the carburetors, the radiator and timing belt covers to confirm the engine is locked up. The starter sounded weak as it clicked so engine status needs to be properly confirmed.

I'll make any new posts on what I find and progress in the appropriate category.
:-D Current owner of Vyper by sunnbobb
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#7

Post by rcmatt007 »

well dang.... they do not want to sit.... welcome to NGW
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#8

Post by Track T 2411 »

Ugh. That sucks! As far as the engine goes, you might consider a good diesel fuel soak of the cylinders. It might be enough to free up the rings and get things moving. There are also other more potent concoctions people have used to free up a stuck motor...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#9

Post by Sugs »

Nice find and welcome to the site. Hopefully won't cause you too much grief.
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#10

Post by Yellow Vespa »

Sugs wrote:Nice find and welcome to the site. Hopefully won't cause you too much grief.
Yes, I am thrilled to own this build. No grief at all and not upset.
Track T 2411 wrote:Ugh. That sucks! As far as the engine goes, you might consider a good diesel fuel soak of the cylinders. It might be enough to free up the rings and get things moving. There are also other more potent concoctions people have used to free up a stuck motor...
If she is frozen .. ( the starter gave a wimpy click as if pre-engaged, or other (electrical) malfunction, .. not a solid nice engaging clunk that a locked up engine will sound like). That's why I'm going to pull the timing covers to get at the crank bolt. It was going to get t-belts anyway before I run it so nothing lost work wise. If it is locked up then the heads will come off for a visual and proper cleanup with the shop vacuum. No compressed air guns to blow anything out, that will force debris past the top ring land and get behind the ring. soak, vacuum, soak, vacuum .. I'm 70 and retired .. lots of time.

Everyone has their own formula for freeing an engine up. I like a mixture of something with high petroleum distillates (like old style carb cleaner) and ATF (high in detergent). FYI, fuel injection cleaner still has petroleum distillates but modern off the shelf carb cleaner no longer has.
:-D Current owner of Vyper by sunnbobb
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#11

Post by robin1731 »

Welcome aboard. Time to start a thread in the project section.
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#12

Post by Brant »

Welcome ! If I recall correctly, the bike was sold up in Washington. Wonder how it got to AZ. Can you share some more of the story as to how you came to own it or any background the seller had to share?
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#13

Post by Yellow Vespa »

Brant wrote:Welcome ! If I recall correctly, the bike was sold up in Washington. Wonder how it got to AZ. Can you share some more of the story as to how you came to own it or any background the seller had to share?
Morning all, .. That's correct, it was sold up in Washington state. Going to start a new thread over in the Members Projects forum. Will continue there.
:-D Current owner of Vyper by sunnbobb
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#14

Post by 77Gowing »

Pardon me for asking but what happened to Sunnbbob!
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Re: Newbie finds Sunnbobbs "Vyper" on Phoenix Craigslist

#15

Post by Yellow Vespa »

77Gowing wrote:Pardon me for asking but what happened to Sunnbbob!
He's out there. I emailed him a couple weeks back to let him know of the find and he responded right off. I didn't know him prior.
:-D Current owner of Vyper by sunnbobb
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