Is a 1986 VF1000 a good buy?

Wait...someone taking offense to comments about what bikes they ride? Huh!

You were quite eloquent in describing why you ride whichever bike you choose and anyone who calls themselves a true motorcyclist would certainly respect that. Too bad you're unable to allow others to purchase, maintain and ride whichever bikes they choose without some infantile statement meant to belittle for only your amusement. Add hypocrite to your list of personality defects.

 

I think this is what is going to end up happening. The 750 runs and doesnt seem to have any issues other than needing a battery but that could be a symptom of a crapped out reg/rec. Its for sale at a tow company, which means they prob impounded it so I'll have to go over everything thoroughly but the upside is they dont know very much about this bike, so I'll have that on my side when I negotiate. The 1000 is beautiful, but has too many unanswered questions and too much risk. I will most likely be taking a look at the 750 this weekend. I'll give an update, as well as a editing of my profile, if it comes home with me.

 

Hey its all good here. Whether you occasionally ride a Ruckus, a Goldwing, HD, all the way up to the 1000RR's or even Aprilia RSV4's we all are here because we love the thrill of two wheels. :soapbox:

 

So be careful about tow companies and impounds. That's how I bought my 1KR with only a bill of sale and had a nightmare getting it DMV registered and inspected by the CHP. Hopefully they have some official DMV paperwork.

Honda used some standard starters across the V4 line, you should be able to get one very cheap if the owner is willing to install it and try to fire it up for you. I have a '93 VFR starter in my R now. If you're serious about the R it could be worth a $50 investment to hear it run. Good luck with whichever you choose.

 

Ouch !! Hypocrates see all side of the situation always, and internet opinions are totally freakin free. :drinker: Either way it makes minimal sense.

 

Well, I think the owner is desperate to sell. He called me and wants to make a deal. I'm going later this afternoon to check it out and I will try and get compression out of it with some tools that I will be bringing. Next reply, I might be the owner of the prettiest non running 1st gen VF I've seen on craigslist.

 

Sellers usually call YOU to make a deal when either no one has shown interest or people have come to look but don't buy. I can't believe a reasonable R in sunny CA has had no interest, so...look with your head and not your heart. R's have a way luring you in. Look in the tank. Ask a million questions. Ask if others have been to see it. Keep us posted.

 

I kick myself to this day for not buying vfrcapn's bike. Times were tight and ugly back then though.

 

Thanks for all that, I definitely had all that in mind when I went to go check it out. I checked the tank, totally rusted. Exterior looked ok, but the inside was horrible. So we couldnt get a deal done. I admit I kind of lowballed him at 1200. Thats damn cheap for a VF1000R that looks tits like that one (at least to me). But he wanted 1500 and I just couldnt do it for a bike that didnt run, nor even turn over because the seller wouldnt even put a battery in it or install a starter soleniod or change the oil that he admitted had coolant in it from blowing the head gasket. Way too much risk. All I need is to blow all that cash, spend another 200-500 on parts to get it going, turn it over and find out it has a spun crank bearing. The thing is he had 2 other VF1000's (one was a Euro model), a VF750, an old cb750 torn apart and some kind of chopper project. Kept saying how he needed to dump this project and that other buyers were flaking on him, but he wouldnt let it go, even when I counterofferd him (stupidly in hindsight) 1350. Oh well, he'll find some other sucker I guess. The search continues....

 

I'll give you a good boot if I ever see you...his bike is nice and lucky for him, back in his garage.

 

Probably just as well. The story just got more curious to me. If he had other VF's around, surely one of them had a starter/starter solenoid he could throw in for the sale or at least start it. He rebuilt the heads and yet didn't drain the bad oil? Wow. I guarantee the tank corner is rusted through and even if sealed, the paint would fail there. Good for you that he wants all the money, could have saved you lot's of trouble.

 

Hmmmmm.......
1986 Honda VF1000R

 

you gotta be kidding...if I was thinking of spending that kind of dough I'd just go big with this one.
Honda 2007 Interceptor® (VFR800FI)

 

found my next project. 300 bucks. 92 VFR750. Rough shape. No fairing, needs tires, needs new reg/rec. and new set of keys (checked with the DMV, its clean and not in the system). The tank is in great shape, other than some prior owner painting it matte black. Think it has potential. Will post some pics when I pick it up and get a thread going in the 3rd gen forum. Thanks for the help with the VF1000.

 

Don't go gett'n your fluff in a ruff, just pointing oot another.........they don't grow on trees doncha know. Was not sure how worked up you were aboot getting one. It is an 86 after all. TOE> :chairshot: >KOCONUT

 

That numb nut will take $2200 when it is all set and done.

 

I understand, its got that special 80's flair. I love the look of them and understand their appeal. I just tend to forget that stuff when it comes time to pull the money out. This one I'll be able to most likely flip and make some more dough on. Maybe then I will find my eleanor....:flypig: I mean I got guys at work trying to sell me they're bikes, now that the word is out that I pick them up cheap, get them running and flip them. Should start a shop or something.

 

new project has landed...
http://vfrworld.com/forums/3rd-4th-generation-1990-1997/41642-new-project-1992-vfr-750-a.html