1985 vf1000r?

/shrug

Sounds like a nice road trip to me...

 

If it truly is in good mechanical condition (mainly transmission and cam wear issues IMO) and it's a bike you WANT then I wouldn't be afraid of it for $1000. Yeah, it's not factory mint, but as has been said, it's mostly all there and these bikes are not uber common!

If you just want a bike to bomb around on, then I wouldn't worry about getting a VF1000R, I'd look for a newer, lighter machine.

I paid $1400 for my '85 last spring in this condition:


Yes, FAR from mint, but mostly there (including the seat cowl and an extra set of upper and lower fairings, not pictured), just under 18k on the clock, and I rode it last summer with no major issues. Some may say I overpaid, but I'm happy to own a major piece of motorcycling history! I hope to bring it back to original colors and condition over time, but even as it sits I can swing through downtown and turn peoples heads wondering "what is that??"

Haven't seen another one on the road yet, and that's worth something to me!

Like I said, if it's a bike you want, don't be afraid of it, but if you just want "a bike" go for something newer and lighter. I'm hoping to do that soon and be able to give the 1000R the love it deserves!

-Paul

 

I guess it would be more help if I told you why I want this bike and what I would be willing to do to the bike. I love they way it looks in its original colors and only its original colors. I want to own a nice example of one of the best looking bikes ever made. I want a bigger bike that is not going to be crazy fast or expensive. I want something that is sporty but will be slightly more comfortable than my 96 CBR 600.

What I would be willing to do to the bike: I don't mind work on the bike to get it where I want, and I am very handy with tools. I have never really worked with fiberglass before other than laying some simple things (sub box, plastic reinforcement). My plan would be a whole repaint to get back to original colors, replace all rusted bolts, maybe repaint the frame (it looks to be showing rust), and clean up everything else.

The only things that worry me is the front mud grad looks to be cracked and I don't know if it will be repairable, and I don't know how hard it would be to find a new one if it is not repairable. The fitment of the seat cowl looks wrong, and the four bolts behind the seat cowl are not suppose to be there, and I don't know what damage they have done.

I don't mind doing the work as long as its not going to cost me more than just buying one is nice original shape.

 

I guess me and my 2 buddies who have R's will have to take a drive through Hampden ME.

 

Hands down the best looking bike Honda built. Stock colors are great, screams HRC!

 

You're more than welcome anytime! I'd have to keep mine in hiding though because it would be ashamed to be seen near such beautiful examples as yours :wink:

And I agree 100% that these bikes look gorgeous in factory colors, which is why I plan to bring mine back to factory as soon as time and money allows!

-Paul

 

I agree that if it's something you "want" and can do the majority of the work "in-house"... Hey, "Go for it!" There are a couple of front fenders up on Ebay right now and a rear tail piece will show up in due time... if not, I am sure you could take the tail section to someone who repairs plastic car panels and have them "plastic weld" it back together and refinish it accordingly... I had that done on a plastic grille for an old '71 AMC Javelin that I restored some years ago... Anything can be brought back to life, it's a matter of how much time and money you are willing to invest in that dream... If you need inspiration you can glance at my thread and see some of what I have had to put up with.... Mine was in a lot worse shape than yours... Remember, it's a labor of love! I will have 3 times the asking price of your prospective project in just my engine rebuild... and that's just the engine, I can say that as I have already paid Mr. Dodge 1/2 of that figure already to start the rebuild! There's a bunch of great guys on here that will be more than willing to help you with questions and offer support! Rock on and Good Luck!!!!!!!

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-...2123-restoration-has-begun-now-questions.html

 

You can take it from this:


dude what forks did you use i wanna doa fork swap on mine

 

shit wrong pic

 

To this:


this is the pic

 

To restore this bike to it's original form, in my opinion, would cost far more than buying one that is complete and in much better shape. Keep in mind that many of the parts for this bike are discontinued and very hard to obtain - even on eBay. Based on what you say you want, I would wait.

 

I discussed my rebuild here: Vf1000r Rebuild - VFR Discussion They were RC51 forks but I ended up going back to stock, I couldn't get it to handle like I wanted. hopit has a similar swap, along with vf1000rs, they both posted in my vfrd thread on their RC fork swaps.

 

So for those of you who have restored one of these bikes, was it worth it, and did you end up spending more than it would cost to buy a nice condition one?

 

I am in the middle of restoring mine yes it costs more than buying a nice one. but it is worth it you can make it exactly what you want

 

I ended up spending about the same as what a really nice condition one would have been, but that was stretched out over 2.5 years and included upgrades.

 

When I restored by '86 500, I ended up investing over $6K in it, but it was worth it - look at it in my photo gallery and you might agree. I did learn a lesson from it though which is why I spent a few years looking for a good, clean 1000R. I learned that even though you'll pay more for the bike in that kind of shape, you'll pay far less in parts and other things. I'd wait. They do come up every now and then.

 

My vf500 rebuild will end up costing TONS more than a nice "new" one would...but since this is my first ground up MC build I am happy to spend the dough. I consider it the cost of education.

 

It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who spent more than I should have. I don't regret it though. I wanted the bike restored to showroom condition. When I found the bike it only had 600 miles on it, but most of the damage was due to sitting idle for 16 years with gas left in the tank.

 

That 500 does look incredible, nice job! I'd love to have one of those in the garage, in that condition. :thumb:

 

Ahhh...So, I am not the only one with that problem... My bike sat for years with fuel in the tank, and when I opened it up...RUSTED..... Could not get one for love nor money in Australia, and eBay came to the rescue. I bought a NEW 1985 TANK for US $255. Cost me anothe US $ 220 to have it shipped across to OZ, but, I have a virgin tank. Even picked up some near new 1985 mufflers as well from USA. Of course, things like buying all new radiator hoses, new sprockets for front and rear, new RK GOLD chain.( Man... Australia is expensive..Didnt realize how much until I saw them on eBay in USA ). Gasket kits for the motor off eBay, and I have comletely re-built the brakes..new pistons, seals, pads throughout, plus the master cylinder as wel. Had all the alloy bits polished and they look great... Next step is drop motor out after my trip to ASIA.. I put all new parts in the carbs as wel....... And new tyres of course, and new leathers when I was in Korea , and new gloves, and new SIMPSON helmet when I was in LA a few years ago. I was keeping a costing spreadsheet, but, sometimes, a guy has to STOP.