New to VFR's... picking up an '87 VFR700. Your thoughts, please?

It's been a while since I've been on a bike. Maybe 6 or 7 years now... and I've got the itch again. I've met a really cool guy who's just finished refinishing this bike. He's asking only a pinch of the time/money he's invested into the bike, so I'll jump on it. I should be picking it up next week.

The more I read about these VFR's, the more excited I am about it. Anyway, my only concern is the 61,xxx miles on the bike. It starts right up, idles perfectly, rides and shifts nicely... but still, I wonder about 61k. How well do these hold up at 'high mileage'?

Here is his info on the bike:
Basicly I tore down and reconditiond this bike. It still needs front turn signals. The sale will include the service manual I bought for the project as well as reciepts for almost everything I spent on it. I have the original owners manual and the original tool kit. Plus the shop manual.

One thing I do want you to know, I had the front forks and rear shock rebuilt by GP Suspension, out of Oregon. Look em up. They are one of the best. That alone cost over $500.00.

I also had the frame and swingarm polished. The swingarm has been modified with brace and the bike is running CBR wheels. These are wider than stock.

One slight modification I had to do relates to the cooling fan. For some reason I am still unsure of, the cooling fan would not come on. I think it's the sensor but instead of buying a new sensor I put in a manual switch. It's very clean looking and not rigged at all, it looks great. I also have a thermostat that needs to be installed. The bike does not have one installed curently. I have the new one, just have not put it in. I live in Las Vegas so it's not a problem for me.

It also has new tires and a new chain. When I had the frame off and everyting I took the motor to a local mechanic. He did a compression check and overall once over of the engine and gave it a clean bill of health. I also had him rebuild the carbs for me. All new gaskets etc plus it has stage 1 jet kit installed.

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So what's the word fellas? Should I expect more ride time, or more garage time on this one?

 

so long as the motor has been maintained, 61k is still low mileage. motorcycles are just like any car in terms of longevity. 100k is moderate mileage, 150-200k is higher mileage. you simply dont hear of motorcycles with 100k+ often because they usually get crashed, or parked LONG before that. although a few dedicated souls have put 100k or more on their bikes.

a VFR is a solid platform IMHO. I LOVE my gen 1, a lot dont, but I enjoy it a lot. an 86/87 is a 2nd gen, which is a further refined, and very good machine, as older flat out sportbikes go. I'd like to own a gen 2 honestly. fairly quick for their time, and they get on up there to 80-110ish pretty effortlessly(for my 100lb frame)

 

Looks decent and if it was maintained the miles are not a big issue, CBR wheels are a big plus, great bikes if done right very reliable, not complicated, comfortable and fun to ride, the engine is one of Honda's best. If you have any doughts try to get someone from here that's in your area to have a look at it.

 

Bob and captb pretty much said it. I had a V65 Sabre that had 156k on it when I had to give her up. I was going to mention that those wheels didn't look like the originals; but that's been mentioned. The bike looks in good shape, and you shouldn't need to worry about the mileage. I just bought a 'gen 2' ('86 VFR750), and I absolutely love the thing. Similar mods/upgrades too. As long as it's setup right you should be good to go.

Congrats, and welcome back!

 

I was going to mention the fact that it appears the previous owner has gone through the entire bike, which to me is a selling point. 99.9% of the time, if someone goes through the effort this bike's owner has gone through, his/her bike is very well cared for, and absolutely reliable.

I look a lot at how clean a bike is when I'm contemplating buying it. a spotless bike means an owner who is likely anal about keeping things clean and therefore likely very good about maintaining things.

honestly, I'd offer double what he's asking for it, simply based on that. some of you probably not, but to me I'm willing to pay more than the seller asks for an example I really feel comfy with.

 

Looks like a twin clicker shock in the one pic, I don't know when a normal time period is until you might have to upsize on a bore but if the compression is decent that time might be well past 100K. Any words from the engine pros?

Otherwise looks like a decent bike to me as long as the price is right.

 

thats the bike on youtube. He does a nice walk around on it. go for it.

 

The closer I look, the more similarities I see between this bike and mine. Other than colors, it's very close. Fox twin-clicker, Yosh exhaust system (just be aware, it's going to be LOUD), maybe even the same setup in the front forks.

Now... as far as 'offering him twice what he wants'....

Just silly. If he is offering you a decent deal on the bike (I paid twenty-eight for mine), go for it. If it seems cheap, there could be a problem you're not seeing.

 

I think its a smoking deal and a great choice ,,, I sure would like to know who did that swingarm mod ,,

3 Thumbs Up Rail

 

I'll second that. I've never seen a secondary brace like that installed on a swingarm before, and I'd love to hear or see more details on it.

Additionally, Dangerwillrbnsn, this is really a once in a lifetime find. This dude has VERY tastefully modified this bike, and the frame-off resto he has done to it looks to have been a raging success, as those pics are showing one of the cleanest, most well kept 87's I've ever seen! (Hell, I'd like that dude to rear my 87 down and do that!) You should totally jump all over that bike!

 

I had a big reply all typed out, responding to each of you... but for some reason it disappeared after I hit 'post'. No WAY I'm retyping all that now, lol.

Anyway, thanks for the tips guys! I'm glad to have an almost 100% go for it feedback! I've left a deposit with the owner today, he has taken it off the market. I will return to take it home by next weekend. Anyone who needs info on the lower brace, I will have the word for you when I pick up the bike. I should have receipts for EVERYTHING, so I'll know who did the work, how much it cost, etc. I'll be sure to post back to let you know.

I'm SO stoked on this one. For the measly $1800 I'm paying for such an extensively cared for, modified, and clean bike this owner has spent in just modification. Thanks for the encouragement, it certainly reinforces my decision to go for it. Watching your builds, videos, and threads is really bad for me though... it instills that 'mod bug' and makes me want to do more!

Thanks again!
DWR

 

$1800!

Whoa... now that IS a smokin' deal!

You will, of course, post pics once you get her home.

Really, it's the law.

 

$1800 is a great deal on that! I'm going to fabricate that swingarm brace next summer, I'm at just about my limit on mods on my bikes for this summer, I was comtemplating a design but that looks good to me. The aluminum polishing looks great...that'a alot of work!

 

i agree 100%. if Dangerwillrbnsn doesnt buy this bike, *I* will, just on general principle! 1800 bucks is downright theft of this gorgeous example of a classic bike!

and captb....if you're contemplating fabricating that swingarm brace (especially one that will work with the F2 rear wheel), I'd be interested in maybe, buyin one off ya if you decide to make more than 1 and see if theres a market here on the forum

 

I'll get a spare Swingarm and source aluminum this winter, I have to practice TIG welding. When Dangerwillrbnsn gets some time on his VFR maybe he can give me some measurements and let us know if the chain rubs anywhere or any other interference with the arm bracing. On my GS1150ES I had a Fox TC & CalFab Enforcer Arm and the chain rubbed on it, (see pic arrow front but it was on the other side) I would like to do ecentric chain adjusters like it had too, it gave alot of rear wheel positioning options. (see arrow in pic rear) scanned pic sucks it was the 80s.

 

I'll be really excited to see something like that come to fruition, keep us updated as to your progress when you actually get to it!

 

I think Chuck makes those swingarms, good luck getting them though.

So upgraded front and rear wheels, upgraded swingarm, upgraded (and rare) rear shock, upgraded front forks, aftermarket exhaust, rebuilt carb?

$1800 is a deal. That 87 is in great shape.

 

Info from those in the know say that the brace is by Chuck Crites. I can take some measurements on it in the near future if needed.

 

BUMMER But thanks for the info ......

 

No problem Rail. Why is that a downer? It looks simple enough, with a few measurements replication should be pretty easy.