What Should I Look For In A Used 750?

I'm going to be looking at a used VFR750 that I found in the classifieds for a good price but I don't have any experience with them and have only rode Yamahas and Suzukis. The owner said it's an '86 but not currently running because the carbs need cleaning and it has some wiring issues and so on.
Besides the usual consumable items like the battery, tires and shocks what
should I look for on the VFR to see if it's worth buying? Do they have any
known problems with cam lobes, timing chains, starters, 2nd gear, the electrical system, etc. that I should look for?

 

Not running?

Hello:

Your post is aging a bit, so, I don't know if you are still thinking about getting the bike.

If the bike is not running, there isn't much you can do. They have bullet-proof gear-driven cams. I've never heard of a cam lobe problem. The transmissions are strong.

The regulator/rectifiers notoriously fail and there are as many solutions as there are VFR riders. (The problem is heat, pure and simple.) If the bike isn't running, you won't be able to tell if the R/R is okay.

So, other than the "consumables," as you pointed-out, there is not much you can do.

This sounds like a bit of a project bike. I guess the best way to approach the deal (if it is still alive) is to get it for as little money as you can, do the repairs, and you will be very happy with a solid bike with a cult following.

Gray Market

 

Depending on the price. They are a great bike to fix up. Hows the plastic? Getting it running shouldn't be that difficult and this forum will be a great help there. The 750 is a little more rare so you'll have a decent collectable when your done. I paid more to the high end for mine but couldn't be happier with her. If your mechanically inclined and the price is right I would go for it. Good luck

 

One additional thing & a simple task is take a bottle of water with you & pour on the ground long enough to roll the entire circomferance of the tyres through.
Keeping the bike straight & up right roll the bike through the water.
You then quickly tell if the front & rear is tracking the same by the water tracks after the puddle. if not could be many things wrong like bent forks, frame, swing arm, as major costly repairs.

Simple & fast. :wink:

 

As a cost guide, ebay has 86' VFR750's occasionally for $1800-5000. KBB is 1375.00+/- as a bike in good condition (fat chance finding one), but I got my bike, 95% clean plastic, MD safety inspected in the driveway, minus tags/tax/title for 1550.00, but it was a great seller that trusted me to take care of the bike. Parts are getting hard to find, so don't let it need too much. Make sure it has a good gas tank. Carb rebuild will set you back a little, unless you want to try to take it on yourself. Rear brakes are a little expensive, and tires too.

As for the collectable aspect, I love my bike, wouldn't sell it for anything, plan on keeping it (it's like a 69 Camaro or whatever muscle car you like). I haven't seen any others local, get lots of compliments ect, and even took it to the AHDRA drags this weekend where even the HD guys liked it.

Next buy, the VF1000.

 

Always learn something ...

Hello:

Ah, I love these discussion groups; you always learn SOMETHING. That is a great one. Thanks for that.

Gray Market