May buy a nice VF1000R with 3K miles...questions

Hey guys, been a long while since I posted here but I have a line on a very nice 1985 VF1000R with a bit over 3 K miles. Some questions:

1) So I know there are potential oiling issues on the VF1000R...does anyone still make an oiling mod kit? Is this a must? If they don't exist anymore are there ways of driving the bike that prevent it?

2) How hard are parts to get for this bike?

3) Suspension I know can be done by Jamie Daugherty.

4) Any other things to watch out for?

 

Nice bike..... I have a 1984 VF1000F with 68,000 miles. No top end oiling kit .... motor does not smoke or make wierd noises. I change the oil at 2,000 mile intervals , bike pulls hard .

The guys on this site can and will give you the skinny on that bike..... they know plenty about thease awesome V4's.......

 

I own 3 VF1000R and 1 1984 VF1000F in various stages of modification.

1 stock 9000 mile 86. It's kinda a pig but looks killer. Probably enjoyed riding my stock 84 VF1000F more, but getting back on the 1000R always put a smile on my face.

30,000 mile lightly modified 85. Daugherty modified CBR F3 shock, Race Tech Gold Valves and Springs. BIG difference, the bike now handles. I would have done some Daugherty front suspension pieces but I already had this hardware.
https://vfrworld.com/threads/1985-vf1000r-getting-close.37749/
https://vfrworld.com/threads/installing-a-daugherty-f3-shock-on-a-85-1000r.45265/

50,000 fairly modified 86. YSS shock, VFR/CBR front end, 3.5" CBR front wheel, 5.5" VTR1000F rear wheel. Another level. Certainly not as extreme as some suspension/wheel swaps but it made a HUGE difference and looks somewhat era correct.
https://vfrworld.com/threads/new-addition-to-the-shop.54222/

27000 mile fairly modified 84. Getting ready for some wider wheels too. This one has a Daugherty F2 shock and Cartridge Emulators in front.
https://vfrworld.com/threads/vf1000f-wheel-swap.57329/

1 - Without digging up the long buried dead horse that is early V4 cams, that model with that mileage, I wouldn't worry about it. Use good oil and change it often. If you want to find a oiling kit and install, go for it. Should be fine either way.

2 - Some parts can be fairly hard. Most maintenance stuff is no problem. If you are missing/needing bodywork, apparently it is painted, fiberglass encased gold for anything decent.

3 - Do the suspension. Spend the money. Any level of suspension work is rewarded on this bike. It will still be a heavy pig, but at least it will feel like it loses some weight when it gets rolling with some good suspension mods. DO THE SUSPENSION. The rear shock isn't even a good door stop. Add some ride height on the rear regardless of what path you choose. The front is typical undersprung/over-damped 80s Honda. Do something.

4 - Front turn signal mounts like to gash up the fork lowers if they have been bumped. The rear shock will freeze, but that doesn't matter, BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO REPLACE IT. Regulator/Rectifier plug likes to melt, inspect. Also inspect the plug on the starter solenoid. Fuel pump relays like to fail.

My $.02

 

^^^ there you have it.

"heavy pig"

i test-rode two

 

Thanks for the information! I think this bike really doesn't need much except for the suspension, lol. Going to check it out soon. I live about 2.5 hours from Jamie in Indiana and the if I get this bike it WILL get suspension over the winter for sure.

I know they are heavy pigs and I have other bikes to cover that , haha. I always loved how these bikes looked quite honestly. Just out of curiosity, what do you think a fair value would be for a very nice, all original except exhaust and jet kit, VF1000R would be? They seem to be all over the board....