It's over 20 years old! I now accept that fact.

I am the owner of a 1984 VF750F. Back in the day, what a bike! It was a huge step-up in handling and design. But nowadays, it it Old School. A guy can spend a ton of money trying to make it "modern," but it will always be Old School - overweight/underpowered with crappy suspension compared to any modern bike and have the engine design flaws to boot! The tires are also Old School, although you can upgrade to F2 wheels and spend a bunch of money that way. The suspension is Old School, but you can spend a bunch of money to refit that, too. I have concluded that it is better to appreciate this bike's place in history and make it function as it was designed rather than to spend a ton of money to bring it into the 21st Century. It shows much more respect to the original designers of this fine old bike and to the pocketbook to buy a modern sportsbike if that's what you want. Its older than your grandkid, for crying out loud! Let it be!

That's my story and I am sticking to it. Now, to repair my VF750F and ride it for what it is, and then to buy that new VFR (or Fifth Gen, anyhow . . . .). Or Multistrada.

Different opinions?

 

I agree with these statements for the most part but then again im of the mindset of one of the few VF owners who are willing to upgrade to F2 wheels and more modern suspension to make my Interceptor more capable as my own riding skills increase.

 

My '83 ceptor is bone stock, and will stay that way. I want to experence the feel of the very first sport bike the way it was back in the day. In '83 I was 14. I had a 175 Yamaha Enduro (wish I still had that one). One of my dad's employees bought a brand new Interceptor. One day dad was gone to lunch, when the guy said "Go ahead, take her for a spin". I was in LOVE. I still remember that day everytime I ride my old '83. It took me 20 years to finally get one, and I love it for what it is. My RWB '07 ripps, but the old '83 still lights my fire, just like it is.:whoo:

 

Amen, eddievalleytrailer. For me, it is about an era. I moved from a 650 Bonneville to ride a friend's VF750F. Epiphany!

 

Ditto; it's too easy to buy a modern rocket. You can't bolt on history. If you change it, make sure that you can put it back. These bikes are only going to get more rare and valuable if they are as close to stock as you can make them.

 

Well said. I agree. This is why my 1986 VF500F and VFR750F are 100% stock in near showroom condition. Since 1999, I've owned a 5th Gen and now a 6th Gen for the "modern day" needs.

 

i still remember my first vf it was a 84, 500 of course rwb. thinking back still brings a smile to my face. my 88 brought some trouble (colonel getting me out of jail for speeding) but still worth the time spent with it.

 

I as well own an 84 ceptor as my first bike and i think it rocks! good comfort for me and is well built. i would rather have a heavy bike for riding on the freeways and not get blown around as much as newer 600's do! I drove my friends 2003 blackbird the other day and let me say it was an awesome bike, just very touchy for me. I like my ceptor because it is a very deliberate and forgiving bike. The 750 is plenty for me at this stage! PEACE

 

Look at these HD guys that spend big bucks to be old school. You can do it for a whole lot less and look better doing it. Plus, your bike will start every time!

 

All the mods im doing to mine are completely reversable if i so chose to do so...Mostly doing the F2 wheels along with stage 1 jets, mid range megacycle cams and top end oiler kit.

 

The reason I joined this board was to beg for help while I try to update my '86, heh heh. Haven't needed to yet, but the day's comin' I'm sure. In the meantime... I guess I'll tell a story.

I only started riding about... four years ago now, but I was a four wheel hot rodder before hand. One of the immediate things I noticed about the bike industry is how much more aggressive it is. The automotive performance industry peaked in the 70s, has only recently resurged, but is so overrun with electronics that if you want real performance on a real income, you seek the old school. Bikes, though, didn't peak, and the industry makes no qualms about us all being insane :wink:

So yeah, I've got my fuel injected, low, light, ludicrous FZ-1 and then I got this VFR. And I start reading about the wheel swaps and this and that... and frankly I've not been so excited about hot rodding something in years. Learning my way around the vague bike aftermarket that LOSES support as bikes get older rather than GAINING it like the cars do, doing the wrench turning, searching for the parts and info, having things come together... I'm having too much fun to stop. I know she'll never be in the same league as my Fazer, but that's not the point. The point is to see how close I can get and create something that's uniquely mine in the process. Having unique things is an affectation of mine, as is making them as potent as they can be. So Imma keep going... I don't buy machines as investments. They weep when they aren't used for their intended purpose.

ETA: Oh, forgot to mention... I don't accept the fact that I'm approaching 30, why should I accept that my bike is 21? :wink:

 

same bike i got 1990 model still goes sweet

 

Wow, it looks sweet too. I love seeing the older bikes that have been maintained and that are still "runners".

 

I've got an '83 Interceptor that is mostly stock, with just a few add-ons. I never really considered any modifications to it because, well, it would still be an old bike with a few modifications. There is nothing that can be done that would bring it up to anything approaching a modern sport bike's performance, at least on my budget. I agree that the thing to do is just enjoy it for the great, older bike that it is.

Of course I'm also approaching this from a different direction than most of you. My first bike was a 1974 Kawasaki 500 triple. It would outrun anything else stoplight to stoplight but it wouldn't go around corners and the brakes were practically non-existent. After I wrecked that I bought a 1972 Kawasaki 750 triple. Even faster than the 500 but also with the same downsides. After I blew it up for the nth time I sold it and bought a 1978 Kawasaki Z1R. Fast with great brakes but it still wouldn't go around a corner. Then I bought my 1983 vf750f. This bike was heads and shoulders above almost every bike out there. It really was a quantam leap forward. Almost everything that came after it was just another step forward from the foundation that the Interceptor laid down.

I guess I appreciate my bike for the trail blazer that it was. Besides, if I really wanted a more modern bike it would be easier to buy it than to try ot update what I've got.