84 VF1000 Interceptor

I get it: if i wanted to throw money and time into an old bike it would be a BSA Goldstar or '72 Norton Commando.

The oiling problem means that the bike was seriously flawed from day-one.

 

What I don't get is the list of ancient relics in his profile that are better suited for melting down vs. the comments about old bikes. I suspect he's screwing with you. :wink:

 

No, you obviously don't get it.

If you think the old Goldies or Nortons weren't flawed in their design or construction, you're looking back through some seriously rose colored glasses. "Lighting by lucas, prince of darkness", "oil Leaker", "holy crap it just bust into flames", "The rear tire oiled up and just stepped out"............any of these phrases sound familiar?

They should, there's truth in every one of them.

I spent more time wrenching on brit bikes than I did riding them. But I have some fond memories of them too. I just don't sugar coat the fact that they were unreliable, maintenance intensive, temperamental machines...that stained every piece of concrete or pavement they graced....

Don't even think of mentioning old Ducatis either...........

It appears that to you bikes are a mode of transportation, a status symbol, or an investment.

And that's OK. If that's all you want out of it.

But, most who restore the old VF's are not into that. The bike is a time machine, maybe a return to high school, an object that was wanted but not affordable at the time for some, or just a reminder of a simpler time in their life. Or it's just something different and unique from every other cookie cutter plastic bike on the road.
It was also the watershed series (VF) that started road bikes that were built to improve the race bike, instead of the other way around. The memories and history of Freddie Spenser or Fred Merkel decimating the competition on a VF are pretty vivid for some of us, or the vision of waves of VF's ripping around road tracks because they were the bike to have, and it was an attainable machine for many privateers.

You either rode a VF or you chased one (that lone kawak aside). If you don't remember that, you're either a. Too young to know or b. too old to remember anymore.

And lets not forget Joey Dunlop on an RS/FWS (VF) absolutely destroying the Isle of Mann (although, joey was so good it often seems he probably could have won on a vespa). For many, the VF is a racing memory machine too.

Gents restore and ride VF's for many of the same nostalgic reasons they would a Shovel head, a Goldie or a Pantah. Do VF's have a few issues? Yup sure do. But that's not why gents restore them. Much like old brit, american or italian bikes, it's got nothing to do with making money or daily transportation.

You obviously can't grasp why someone would "throw their money away" on that kind of sentiment, and for that I feel bad for you...you must live a sad and cold life...

I'm sure there'll be some kind of "trollish" backlash from this post, so I'm just going to put you on the ignore list from now on and be done with the negativity that you seem to regularly espouse about anything VF.

Later gator....

Meh, just seems like a broken record to me.....plain old white noise......

 

Squirrel Boy pops out of his tree occasionally to throw nuts here and on VFRD. I think he gets bored. Kind of sad really, especially when he says the same things again and again, then disappears...

Nice looking F by the way. Enjoy it! Just took mine out last night for a blast, I forget what a great bike!

 

Very nice looking project, I'm sure you'll have many enjoyable miles with it!

 

Nice looking bike. They don't handle as well as the 750's, but they do have the power. Always wanted one for a long distance sport touring machine. It should be a nice compliment to your stable.

 

I've found them to handle the same. The frames are the same, the 1000's have better forks and a better rear wheel/tire. The rear shock linkage is different (probably better on the 750) and the 750's are about 25lb lighter, so all of that pretty much evens them out.

 

Great White, that was a most awesome and nostalgic dissertation: I cant tell you how many old school cats have wished that they still had some car/bike/plane or whatever, but they sold it for some reason or another. Or how many more are looking for that illusive unicorn so that they can purchase that piece of their life back... Thanks Bro!! Enjoy your 'new' ride Kevin!

 

At least he's consistant...

ound:

BTW very nice looking bike. Any updates on the restoration?

-Jake

 

What he said........but I won't ignore ol squirrelman.....he may be a loon but he does have a gift of knowledge that he doles out every now and again...
thats his nature and..... well sometimes its funny to read..

Custy..

By the way I love the old 1000 had one stationed in Panama....

 

http://vfrworld.com/forums/first-se...23316-new-forum-just-into-my-1985-vf750f.html

:tongue:

 

ummm...I was referring to the OP. Trying to stay on topic and all . It's cool though, it's my bad for not specifying. Always interesting to see what other members are up to. I'm currently working on an '84 VF500F that floated some valves. I got tons of spare parts when I bought the bikes which included a motor that has a five-angle valve grind and has been ported/polished. Working on putting that one back together and swapping with the other motor (which I will fix later).

-Jake

 

the SQ-MAN is right!!! let me take that junk off your hands she will fit in just nice next to the 500 :biggrin:

 

Great post !!

Just came across this and thought, how well said. You get it Great White!! I have a 1984 vf1000 with 10,500 original ( pix in my gallery ) and I owned several BSA Lightnings and a 1975 Norton Interstate back in the 1970's and loved working on them. I baby all my bikes and the VF I have gets the same attention and care. Good Riding Great White.
Best regards
Moy

 

Only fair if you post a pic of the 1KF! Nice! :thumb:

 

I've had one for 4 years now (1984 vf 1000f) im 20 years old and love it, all my friends ride new sport bikes (gsxrs, kawas) cant say I've ever had a hard time keeping up with them usually its them chasing me... [/IMG]

 

Funny how they just seem to follow you home.. :tongue:

 

Nice! It looks like that one has some R forks on it too. I wonder why that is.....

 

Funny how when you have one they keep showing and then you have two etc.

 

I don't know but they're leaking bad. It's got the shock swap also, along with an oil mod using solid lines. And it's been repainted, not very well though. It'll need some work but the basics are there - it runs, motor sounds good and it's titled.