ID help please

So I'm fairly new to street only bikes. Been riding dirt and dual sports for over 30 years. In the early 90's I had a honda CBR 600 and BMW KZ75. All that to say I like projects. I buy basket cases and restore them. I moslty do dirt bikes because they are fast and easy to turn around for a quick profit.

Anyway I want to get back into street riding and can't bring myself to go buy something that actually runs and drives. And I've always loved these bikes, but could not afford one as a kid.

I found this 1984 basket case. $300

Is it a 750 or 500? Thats what I want to know. It comes with a spare 750 motor but that doesn't mean thats what's in the frame. The bike is 6 hours away so i can't just go look at it. If i go it'll be with intent to buy and I dont' want a 500.

 

Well it is definitely not a 500. they may have made both 700 and 750 that year. Good luck

 

It's a VF700/750. You are a very brave person.
(I don't think that spare engine will fit tho as the bike is chain drive and that is a shaftie.)

 

Ah so Magna or Sabre motor?

I can't be that brave. I bought a Honda Rancher as a rolling chassis and 6 rubbermaid containers. Every nut and bolt was removed. Engine included. Spent the first 12 hours sorting hardware based on parts diagrams. This one is at least assembled. Bike looks complete I may go for it. I love projects.

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

I do believe that is a 700/750. On the upper fairing the 500's had 3 vents as opposed to 1 screened vent. Visible just under the handlebar in your photos. I think 500's also had the engine covers powder coated black (except valve covers, aluminum finish). Also the 500's brake rotors were a little different than the ones on the bike in your pictures.

As jeremyr62 pointed out the spare engine is probably from a Magna or Sabre of the same vintage.

Good Luck!

 

The spare engine is a 750. If you follow the link to Photobucket & enlarge your can read the cc stamping on the back cylinders just below the cooling fins.

 

Just be prepared for top end engine work if the camshafts are toast. Good luck.