Purchasing a 1984 vf1000 help

So i found this bike on craigslist and I want a project bike. this bike would be awesome to rebuild and work on this winter.
This bike is so cheap i could scrap and part out for what i buy it for. just looking for anyone who has any advice what to look for that would be major repairs or costly parts in which would need replacing.
after working out a deal with the owner I am picking up the bike as is next week for $120.

the craigslist post said this

http://images.craigslist.org/00H0H_15pWBIneNdt_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00A0A_63ctJuewPWm_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00z0z_2prgoEYCG41_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00k0k_6tdpkfyKYw6_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00M0M_fp4lR4fUjls_600x450.jpg

1984 vf1000 parts bike or project bike, bought this bike for the forks then found i could not use them.
i have never started the bike but it does turn free
fairly complete minuse the chin scoop and wind screen
the body work is off it now but could easily be reinstalled
it hase an Arizona asseined title with a Colorado VIN inspection

after speaking on the phone with him, he stated the engine had compression and last ran 2 years ago before being put in storage.

 

It will take a $1000 and 200 hours just to get it road safe. If you want a F project I'd wait and find a running example for $700-$800. I've tried a couple of F projects almost this bad and ended up giving up. My R was this bad, took 3 years to rebuild. It all about what you want to do and how much time and money you have.

 

One thing I forgot to mention, I do have a family friend with a fabrication shop I can use whenever I please which makes projects easier, he has mills, lathes, CNC welders and plasma cutters, etc
also time frame wise, I typically rebuild and sell a bike every winter but i've never attempted a sport bike but usually work on dirtbikes/eduro bikes. and the closest bike i've had as a winter project was a 2005 suzuki dl650 but i didn't do much to it, mostly cosmetics. My biggest concern is engine work, i can do engine work just fine, because i know engine work can become costly.

Does anyone have a thread or dollar count for what rebuilding this vf1000 engine wourld cost?

 

You probably know they only imported this to the US that one year, spare and new engine parts are tough to come by. I'd expect well over $1K for a good engine refresh, I'm considering doing a '99 800 and my back of the napkin count is over that, the 1KF must be more. You'd have to define "rebuild". I'd start with a compression check and see where you're at first.

 

Gave away a clean complete example over spun crank bearings aboot seven years ago. Just considered it a hopeless rebuild and passed it on.

 

+1 with what Vfrcapn and Toe Cutter have said. Unfortunately, the complexity of that bike, coupled with the lack of replacement parts, can make for a huge waste of time imo. Also keep in mind that "parting it out" can be a long and drawn out hassle as well.

And then there's the "it has an Arizona assigned title with a Colorado VIN inspection" statement... I'd definitely run the VIN with your DMV and/or insurance company before you buy it. This, and/or a stuck engine, would be a deal breaker in my book.

I'm sure there's VF1000 engine rebuild thread out there somewhere. However, it might not need a "rebuild" depending on how and where it was stored, and (of course) what condition it was in before it was parked. Not sure about the VF1000, but certain Honda V four engines are known for lasting as much as 100,000 miles before needing a major overhaul.

Meanwhile, giving it a shot might be fun if you have the space and time to mess with it. But, as you probably know, you'll need to carefully proceed by checking certain things before you start pouring money into it. This includes the checking the frame and then the engine, transmission, and charging system (these are the "big 4" imo). Once you've cleared those hurdles you can probably work from there with a fair chance of success.


Good luck, welcome to the forums, and keep us posted!

 

You're looking at a lot of work, could take years.
I just finished a Top End Refresh (replace worn/pitted Cam & Follower, clean up Valves/Ports, Valve Guide Seals, reassemble).
Just getting the motor in/out of the Frame is a lot of Drama.
You need to take it apart, clean/paint/restore each part, Bag&Tag, box it and repeat, hundreds of times.
Many parts not available, some critical (water pump special O-Ring)(Cams not available and they will crater).
I need a Chin Spoiler too, hard to find,,..
If you want to keep it, and actually ride it, you'll need to replace the Rear Shock, Steering Stem Bearings and apply a DynoJet Kit.
This bike has a LOT of parts, the Cooling system alone will fill a large box.
You have to be meticulous and fit everything perfectly, but it will fit.
A Media Blaster is a must, to clean 30 years of "experience" off.
Good Luck.

 

Alot of parts that you might need are unavailable.........

 

I would concur with what everyone above has said. Check engine, electrics, cooling systems first (if you buy). I pretty much finished mine a year ago (are they ever really done though), and can tell you that you will spend countless hours searching for some of the parts. I lucked out, and maybe you could too, that EVERYTHING inside the engine spec'd fine. This is not an easy endeavor, if you choose it, the engine alone has a million pieces. Suspension will need redone (Jamie), carbs (squirrel or Billy Carr, well worth the money). It would always be nice to see another one brought back, and the guys on here know their sh%t. You will have a hard time finding a vast array of 1000 threads, compared to the others, but almost everything coordinates between them. I look at it as you may be a lucky one, at least your engine isn't in boxes.
If I can be of any help, I will sure try, as will others here. Good luck

 

It might take some work, but overall I would say that is a good base to start from. I've brought back ones in much worse condition without too much effort. Good luck!

 

You have a lot better start than I did, and it took me about 7 months to get it rideable. I would have the carbs gone thru, suspension as I stated above, Gasket kits are available, (Athena) and a lot of the seals have the dimensions listed in the microfiche. I have access to an oring shop and they are great for finding the occasional odd seal, REALLY cheap. Took my cooling system to a local radiator shop, pressure tested, (repair if needed). Internals, may be hard to find some of them, but I found everything I needed. Mine had a fair number of miles, and EVERYTHING internal mic'ed really well, stock bore, less than .0005 taper, good cams, valves, etc.
Good luck if you decide to get it.
Get the vin checked though.

 

Are you in Colorado Springs ? Or Woodland Park ?

I looked at that bike last year? Last spring? Can`t remember exactly. It was snowing and the current owner had just picked it up from the previous owner so we met at Apex Sports. I really didn`t want that big of a project at the time. Turned it down at $250.
If you did get it and need any info, look me up.
Pull the valve covers and look at the cams.