newbie looking to buy vf1000r

hello all

i am a newbie out on the west coast of Canada (Vancouver). i have a couple bikes now, one being an 04 wing and the other an 81 cbx which is just finishing off a full frame off resto. i am getting the urge for another project and as it seems i have gotten pretty friendly with my local Honda shop, and they have most of my money i should stick with another Honda. i have my mind set and my eye on an 86 vf1000r that looks not too bad however i don't know much about these bikes. my first question would be:

can anyone give me any pointers or advise on what to look for AND listen for when going to view one of these used bikes? is there any dead giveaways that would tell me to stay away from one over the other?

thanks
kent

 

I just sold a mint '86 a few months ago. Check my photo gallery if you want to see it. My advice would be try to find one that is in stock condition and one where the bodywork is in excellent condition - which includes the tank. The bodywork is unobtainable and the parts are very hard to find. My opinion is to buy as complete of a bike as you can. Are you looking to buy this as part of a collection with little use or is this going to be an every day bike?

 

Found out that a VFR1K is for sale at my local service shop, however, it's in CT. If you are interested, I can supply more info.

Fred w/ Ver. 96 & Y2K

 

I would like more info on that vf1000

 

thanks guys

this bike would be part of a collection and not ridden a ton. i like more the restoring and polishing as much as riding them. i think the vf1000r would be a bike you may not LOSE money on (hopefully) and have some fun with as well. before i pull the trigger on the bike in CT or an ebay bike i should look at the one in my area first. just wondered if there are any telltale signs to look for?

 

You won't lose money as long as you don't over pay. A mint condition bike should be around $5K, maybe a little more. Keep the bike in that shape and you won't lose. Like I said, I think the main thing is to not buy a bike that needs bodywork or major parts. Good luck with the search and let us know how it goes.