Hi there.. I've been lurking around the idea of a VF700 for a few months.. so I found one on craigslist and went for it. $140 dollars. It has gasoline in the motor oil.. No kidding, it's not milky from running with water in it. 1984 VF700 with only 13,000 miles on it. From listening to the many many stories of the seller, the previous owner ran the bike from an auxiliary tank. I think he flooded out the carbs and put fuel into the cylinders and into the crankcase. The fuel pump would not run so they just hooked up a gravity feed. The tank interior is severely corroded. Anywho.. I don't think there is corrosion in the crank case, from water and condensation. It's just gas from abusing the machine during a very misguided startup. I'm pretty amazed that the bike is in such poor condition. At the same time I'm still amazed it was able to be gotten for so little.
lol.. ok. Here's a picture or two sitting in the truck. Side panels are off and the air box is in a bag, while some carb parts are who knows where.. like the fuel and air joint pipes, thrust springs.
:welcome: to the madness :wave: That is a score and look like you will be busy this winter Glad to have you.......now go fix the Ole girl and get her back on the road.
There's a little rust where your exhaust pipe goes... Seriously, great find, and welcome to the madness!
Jeesh, you should see the interior of the fuel tank.. it's a bomb.. I'm afraid to clean it because it's going to spring a leak. Once it's up and running without issues, the bike needs a replacement tank, float and guage. Not to mention a lower cowl, which is missing. All the calipers had to be unbolted, and every plastic is glued together. But I can get her to start tomorrow, probably badly, but definitely started.
well.. I'm pretty surprised at this deal. But crybaby here says there are 1986 VF750s out there.. which a gear driven cam, and is really what I wanted. This bike didn't include a title.. which is just one of the problems.. NJ MVC has a department set up for 'improper evidence' if you can believe that. Eight weeks is the turn around time, reportedly.
Welcome aboard, nice scoop. Personally, if you want to get it properly road legal, I would sort out the title issues before putting too much into it. I can't speak for the States but in SA I know of too many horror stories where a guy spends a year fixing up a bike/car only to find out (in some cases told in as many words by the relevant authorities) the vehicle will NEVER be registered.
Sound advice - if you don't hold clear legal title to the bike - chances are someone else does and when you are done fixing it up they will be happy to re-possess their property. Don't spend a cent on anything until you know for sure you own it (and you have not handed over $140 for a stolen bike ). SkiMad
Ohhhhh missing title.......that's a mafuggin wrap my friend! Get that title sorted or load a shotty and enjoy good ol' 'murican justice.
I'm not intimidated by the missing title.. it's a risk. The bike's VIN didn't produce a report that it's stolen. The seller didn't expect law enforcement right there in his yard that day. Anywho, the NJ MVC has a process in place to get a title for this situation, in addition to a town policeman doing a search for theft, the MVC does this for leins and I don't know what else. It will issue a title when its clear. The last actual titled owner doesn't need to be contacted, thankfully.
Congrats and welcome aboard. Where you at in Jersey? If the bike bombs, I know a good swamp we can bury it in.
Sounds like a great project. I just picked up my 85 vf750 for $150, you will not be disappointed, these are great bikes
Might make a list of everything it's going to need and the cost. A cam lobe inspection would be in order as well before spending any money in this thing. Be smart, it's not uncommon to find that the bike will suck more money out of your wallet than it'll be worth once it's roadworthy. Keep the option open to parting it out, making a few hundred bucks toward one in better comdition. Just sayin
I But for some people like myself, i really don't care about worth. if i like the bike i will spend what i need to on it. Hell i spent 5k hopping up a 1991 geo freaking metro... Lol. Anybody can have a cbr600 i would rather have a unique ride
Suit yourself. I'm just saying there are bikes out the with titles, plastic, and gas tanks for $500 or less. And the one you just picked up could be the perfect parts bike to finish the job plus sell the extra parts ending up money ahead in the end.