85 VF 700 Possible Buy Some Questions

Thinking of adding '85 VF 700 w/ 15K on odo. Have read up on Michael's 1st and 2nd generation info and Ken95Sto171 thread about VF500, but would appreciate any specifics about what to look for on an '85 700 Interceptor. This bike may be a two-owner that passed between two friends. Have not seen bike yet, but told it is in very good shape. What would I be looking for, or expecting to hear, if the poor oiling condition has effected the cams? Are there any common electrical problems on this model? Are parts available? What would be recommended for making it a dependable ride?

Any info will be appreciated.

 

I own an 85 VF700F with over 50,000 miles on it and this bike is has been nothing but a really great ride. Things I would look for would be... Look for leaking around the hydraulic clutch, if it’s been leaking the paint beneath it will usually have peeled or bubbled. Inspect the front fork seals for leakage. Grab the front brake and compress the front forks to see how they react and look for leaks around the seals afterwards. Look for rust around the gas cap and in the tank. Remove the fuse cover and inspect the fuses, look for newly replaced ones. The cams are chain driven and for the most part are quiet, without pulling anything apart it would be difficult to tell their condition, so go by sound. Ask what kind of oil has been used, remove the oil fill cap and check the fluid level, stick your finger in and check the color. Start it up and check that all the gauges work and that it idles well. (between 1200 and 1500 rpm) Check that the choke, clutch, and brakes all work. Check all the pads. Take it for a ride and if you can get it hot enough for the fans to come one. Bad fuses and bad temperature switches have been know to happen. I wish the fuel filter was easier to get at because a well tended bike will have a clean filter. As far a known problems, you’re right about the cams and the lack of oil to them. I never experienced the problem on my bike but there were a lot that were okay as the cam material had been changed to a harder compound of steel. There were aftermarket kits available to increase the amount of oil to the cams but I’m not sure of their availability now. Mine has only required regular maintenance, chain, gears, pads, tires, fuel and air filter, plugs, front fork oil and engine oil. As far as any other parts, I’ve had no problem getting them off Ebay. You can usually substitute a year earlier or even get parts from another model. With the new 07 Interceptor coming out with the 80’s red/white/blue paint scheme, I’m thinking the popularity of the old bikes with that same paint scheme will increase. I also own a yellow 2000 VFR800FI and can’t imagine ever selling the 85. It just too much fun, very comfortable, handles great and get comments and looks everywhere I take it. If you have any other specific questions or if I can help in any other way let me know.

 

MontnaHigh: Great info. Thank you for the reply. I stopped to see this bike Monday after dark and it was raining hard, so no ride. I plan to go back with plenty of daylight and clear skies. Due to the darknes and the weather, I just did a quick look over. Bike fired right up and ran smooth, did not pay attention to temp. Overall,bike appeared immaculate with a Lockhart lowering fairing. Due to fading paint, previous owner had it repainted and it is A-1 paint work in original colors. Owner wants $1,700.00 Thanks Again. GoVFR

 

stepping off your '01 onto that O.P.S (figure what that means) you'll feel that you went back about 40 years in technology, and that's NOT a good thing!!

 

Squirrelman:
Thanks for the comment. The 01 is definitely sweet. And I guess you mean the 85 is an "old pleasant scoot". I'm thinking it would be a little nostaglia in the garage.

GoVFR

 

ROFL

I own this same bike.... When it starts listen for the cam gear rattle... this could be for 2 reasons... Low and or old oil... Or the cam chain and tensioner need to be replaced... I'm the 3rd owner of mine and the first owner had it till it had 18,000 miles and he was meticoulous...atleast that's what it says in the owner's manual maintenance log.... I got it when it had 20,899 miles on it... it now has 22,975 as of this AM.

Regardless, I understand some folks who will feel like they are going 40 years back in time when they get on one...realisticly it's 20 years but who's really counting as 20 years ago the bike was way ahead of anything around at the time...

I have yet to do the oil mod... I will say that as of this summer I have developed an oil leak from my rear valve cover.... probably because my mechinc was cheap and reused the gasket (Pointing finger at self) so hence, I'm not too concerned about lack of oil.... The oil mods are still around... 250 bucks is the usual going price... I'm told the v65 and v45 sabres and magnas were a little more succeptible to it and at the time it was the 750cc v45's that did it... then again I have heard of some VF700Fs needing the mod too but nobody can seem to agree on it... A few old timer will tell you if you did not need the mod by the time the bike had 10-15,000 miles you will never need it...

If it sat in storage for any length of time much like mine did it will probably run like utter crap for a bit.... I fixed mine by running a 2 tanks of gumout treated gasoline... then I had someone with experience synchronize the carbs... She purrs like a kitten now... Check the inside of the tank for excessive rust inside... Mine has a littlebit but i'm not overly concerned... I put a fuel filter in line as a "Just in case" and it's a clear one so I have been checking it and it's been nice and clean so far....

Oh and I do not care how much they say they may have taken care of it... But I find the most neglected and also some fellow owners of the same bike have always said the one neglected ite, self included, is the fluid in the hydrolic clutch.... No matter what they tell you have it changed... I need to do mine really badly... did the brake fluid and why I would not think to do the clutch at the same time since it is the same excact fluid is beyond me....

If it's in halfway decent shape these bikes are head turners I do not care what anyone says.... I was riding during Bike week up here in New Hampshire and even the typical Hog rider will double take look at my bike... We have a consignment used bike shop that I go to to pick up Apparel and stuff as they have the best selection of riding gear and the owner keeps asking me when I will trade up cause he knows my bike will be a quick cheap turnaround for him...

I have a dream to purchase a newer VFR but then I ride mine and think..... MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm VF700F power.... Sure it's 20 years old but dam is it fun to ride....