Would you commute on an 83 vf750f?

Hi, I am new to this board. I was considering getting a 83 vf750f to commute 25 miles each way in heavy traffic. I currently commute on an 87 1100 shadow, but would like something that has less of a stretched out cruiser riding stance and brakes and corners better than my shadow. I used to ride a 1999 GSXR 750 and really did not need all of the power it had, but now I miss the cornering and braking even if my knees don't miss that full tuck position for 50 miles a day. Just wondering if I would be able to get things like tires (kind of funky sizes) and parts (heard there can be some problems such as cams that pop up). I don't mind working on bikes and I can pick this one up for next to nothing (possibly actually nothing). It has sat up for a few years and will need some work (carbs, tires, ect.) to get it going. Just not sure if this would make a serious commuter or if it is better left for a collector.

 

Not a bad bike for what your asking, and what it sounds like you can get it for, so I say Yes. Was going to throw it out that you might want to find something newer as the tires for the newer machine is one area that has big improvements say 1990 and newer I had an VF1000 that was almost a problem child due to what I wanted for tires and what fits. Other wise parts are still around and once running they do well, no bike likes to sit for a long time.

 

second that....I give a thumbs up for the bike.

 

It is great bike for what you are talking about.

I own one of those and I used it for two years and it went 40.000 miles. It was old when I bought it and I have no idea how many miles it had before I got it. When I stoped using it had the motor lost lot of power cos the timing gear (the bikes biggest porblem) was worn out, suspension and break´s finished and the gearbox had lost second, third and fifth gear.

If every thing is working ok. I say go for it but if you have to fix it, it might cost alot.

I know my english is not good.... :sorry:

 

How many miles on the '83??

Just about anything is good riding if it's free....but this model is far from the best Honda Honda made.

 

I still do not know how many miles are on it. I know the milage is relatively low. It was stored for many years. I believe it was used for 5 years, then stored badly for 7 years (has some sun damage on guages and some tank damage (someone used it for target practice). It has been in dry storage since and the current owner has some of the replacement parts tank, new ignition. It would not be a project for the faint at heart, but not the worst I have seen. I did car restoration for 7 years. I do get that the transportation industry has made some advancements since 83 especially in the motorcycle industry, but I am assuming that this would have quite a bit better handling and braking characteristics than my 87 shadow. Standard riding position vs. stretched out cruiser, dual disc front vs single, disc rear vs drum, fuel guage vs just petcock hidden away under the tank (at very least an easier petcock to get to), ect. Looks like a better commuter on paper, but I don't have any experience on any interceptors.

 

I think I found a decent parts bike (an 84) for another couple hundred. Maybe this is coming together. Is there a lot of part differences from 83 to 84? It is always great to buy a good parts bike. That way when my wife starts to get upset and say "you didn't bring home another project motorcycle, did you?" I can truthfully say no, because I have brought home two motorcycles.

 

Go for it, I commute 120+ miles a day on an 86' w/ 40K on the clock. No worries, if the project bombs you still can get your money back out of the parts you will have( this is what I use to convince myself when it comes to buying "projects"):wink:

 

Your English is just fine, Sussi!

 

I would probably wait for a later model with gear-driven cams and better tire selection. On the other hand, a free bike that runs is tough to reject . . . .

 

There's nothing wrong with commuting on a 25-30 year old bike. If it's in good mechanical condition, that's all you need. I've made quite a few 700+ mile trips on my 74 Suzuki GT750, and I have a friend who does Iron-Butt rides on his 30+ year old bikes.

Fix it up and enjoy it, I say!


Lane

 

I commute on my '83. Tires are no problem and the Dealer has most parts in stock. I'd get it, fix it up and ride the pi$$ out of it. The first gen is no slouch either. Mine has plenty of power and handles pretty well too. It won't stay with my '07 RWB, but is still tons of fun. Here it is in full commuter apparel.

 

Don't get me wrong - I myself have an '84 VF750F. It's fun to ride an old bike around. However, as squirrelman has astutely recognized, the VF models certainly aren't the best Hondas in the lineup. Cam chain tensioners are weak, the cams themselves (and/or the oiling mechanisms) are dodgy, the rear shock stinks, the front forks are Stone Age, the brakes are kinda weak, and the tire selection is very limited. Fixing it is $$$ to a greater or lesser degree. There are plenty of other old bikes that don't suffer as much from these problems.

The original poster had a 1999 Gixxer as his last sportbike. The VF750F is a world apart - and behind - a 1999 Gixxer. If that's understood, go ahead.

 

I am not expecting it to perform anything like the GSXR. I am more interested in its comparisons to my 87 shadow. I am imagining it performing more like a concourse or a pc800. Thanks for all of the help you guys. I know I can get the 83 for free. I think my biggest worry is time and space. I am in the middle of welding a sub frame on a Camaro and pulling the suspension and drivtrain out of a 64 VW bus parts car. I am starting to think the VF would be a better commuter than the 1100 shadow.

 

If the bike has made it past 20K miles with no issues, you shouldn't have any major problems with it down the road. If the cams made it this far with no issues, they should be OK. If 2nd gear is still good, it should last the life of the bike as long as you don't hammer it all the time. Steel-braided lines will immensely help the 20-yr old rubber brake lines. The rear shock can be upgraded to a newer one with an adapter - and the front springs can be replaced for not much $.

I bought my '83 V45 Magna in 1998 with 19K on it and traded it for an '85 VF700F in 2006. The Magna had 52K miles on it when I traded it and started using about 1/2 quart of oil between oil changes - probably due to the valve seals starting to leak. I commuted to work on it every year I had it. Never let me down and was never in the shop (I did all my own maintenance).

Radials are hard to find for the early 'Ceptors, but Bias-Ply are still in plentiful supply. Since you're just commuting, the bias-ply should be find.

Pop the front or rear valve cover to take a look at the cams (rears are usually about 10% worse than the front). Buy it, clean it up, see if 2nd gear is good and then work on the rest.

 

I've had my '84 700F for 23 yrs., low relative miles, 50K. Never had the cam probs others have written about. Still pulls strong from 8 - 10K rpm. Original clutch. In agreement with previous poster about brake lines, just going up to ss myself. Also, Works Performance sold me a rear shock and progressive fork springs a few years back for a combined total that was less than a stock shock from the dealer. Good luck if you go for it.

AE

 

I got the 83 to my house last night. Now I just need to see if I can get the parts bike. Then they can start being torn to pieces.

 

Godd luck. By the way, today I commuted to work on my Interceptor - the VF750F, not the VFR 800!

 

I started tearing into the 83. The guy withthe parts bike has not gotten back with me. Maybe he has changed his mind. Either way the 83 does not look so bad. (It looks bad, but may not be that bad). Everything is there. The brakes and clutch master are dry and will probably need to be gone through. The inspection lenses on the reservoiurs are cracked. Does anyone know if these come in the master cylinder rebuild kits? Carbs will obviosly need to be gone through and tires replaced. Forks will need to be rebuilt. It needs new rubber on the foot pegs. Before I get too far I want to get the front valve cover off and inspect the cams. It looks like I will be able to do this after pulling the upper radiator and fans, is this correct? The rest of the issues are all cosmetic. Some sun fading on plastic, the seat was covered in all white, where the paint was blue, it has been painted glow in the dark. This thing must have been pretty cool in the mid 80's. The previous owner said this bike started its life on the track. The seat height has been cut down some, it has steel braided brake and clutch lines, It has a full performance exhaust, and a lot of the hardware has been safty wired which makes me think it was probably raced at one time. I guess I will see just how hard when I get that front cam cover off.

 

Yeah, I'd be sure the cams and rocker arms are in good shape before doing the brake and clutch master cyls. If that thing has been raced, the PO may have upgraded the cams at sometime in the past. That would be GREAT!!! The cracked windows in the M/Cs is common. I'm sure you could find them, but I don't think they came with the kit I bought about 5 years ago. Try www.mrcycles.com for the stock parts you'll need. They always have the best prices and always do what they promise.
BTW, Where are the pictures??