85 VF700 - What to do?

I think I know the answer, but I have this bike. It needs some work, carb work, tank rust inside, forks, but I can't find any local shops that will work on it because its so old. I have 0 mechanical skills. I don't really want to sell it, I love the bike, but I think reality is telling me I will have to.

I've owned the bike for over 10 years.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

I know exactly what you are going through, I own the same model bike and I also had it for almost 10 years. About 4 years ago I had to give up riding it and left it stored in a garage with gas in it. On top of that it fell over off the center stand breaking the clutch master cylinder in the process. So, last year when I decided to start riding again I was facing the same difficult decision...

I decided to restore it, and even though I ended up spending way over a $1000 and tons of my time I don't regret it. It is very gratifying to finally being able to ride your old beloved bike.

I think your best option is to do a combination of working on it yourself with delegating some tasks to professionals.
Gas tank: if it has no too much rust you can try some chemicals (cannot recommend any since I've never done it myself, but I heard other people having some success with this approach). If it's too rusty your best option is to just replace it. You can get a used one on e-bay for $200-300 (maybe less if you are lucky). It might take a while to locate one though. In my case I've given up after waiting for a couple of months and send my original tank for reconditioning. There is a place in PA that will cut it open for you, clean all the rust, treat it with some proprietary restoration compound and weld it back. They provide 2 year warranty and I, for one, was pleased with their work. The biggest problem with this path is that you have to paint it afterwards and it is expensive. I ended up spending $600 total but I practically got a new tank as the result.
Forks: Your best bet is to take them off of the bike yourself and bring them to a shop (together with replacement seals that you can get on e-bay). Replacing seals is the most difficult part (IMO) and they can do it relatively cheap in a shop because they have all the tools (like impact drive and seal drive)
Carbs: same as forks. If you mange to take them off you can send them for cleaning/rebuild. Many shops offer this service on e-bay. It will cost you ~$200.

 

Where are you?

Hello:

Your profile does not state where you are located. Where are you?

Gray Market

 

.................

 

I live in Yardley, PA, right across the river from Trenton, NJ.

Dan

 

sell it and get a newer ( Honda, of course) bike with fewer headaches......

your old antiquated heap will never be as good as a much newer bike