VF1000F Factory Issues

I am sure there is a post about this somewhere but I am wondering does the VF1000F suffer from the camshaft/chain tensioners/oiling issues that some of the 750 bike suffered from?
I just pulled the covers of my VF1000F and the cams look almost new. The rest of the bike has turned out to be beyond economically practical to repair. I am hunting for another VF1000F for a mate for my 750. But if they all the same issues I may change my mind.
I have located another one only 1 hour from home in running condition. It was bought new and serviced locally. Has 58k kilometers or about 37k miles. Same owner for the last 12 years runs and has been garage stored he wants $1000 for it but says open to offers.

 

Sorry but I had wrong miles it has 48k or 31k miles. Here is a photo.

 

Both F motor's I have look great inside. Let's just say, some had problems and some didn't. It's always a hot debate in here as to the frequency but the early VF's did have some issues with tolerances and hardening of the cam system but it doesn't deserve the word ALL. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to which ones were going to go bad and which ones will last 30 years. It's the great VF mystery that has to play into any purchase of a 1st gen. If you do nothing else, at least pop the covers and look at the cams. Chances are if it lasted this long and not making noise, you stand a fair chance that things are cool. Not 100%, but a fair chance. You can always swap over your good top ends to the new bike if needed.

 

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/v4_cams_what.html

 

Great article, lot of myths about the cams in the 750's. I have an original VF750 and an engine in pieces. When I get started on the restoration project later this year I will examine both sets of cams and followers, neither set has a lot of miles on them.

 

WOW !! I hadn't seen that b4, and it's gotta be near definitive. Thanks alot .:lemo:

 

Mike Nixon knows more than all of us put together when talking bike engines and especially carbs. He specializes in CBX, Goldwing and CB750's but also does V4 carb rebuilds. He's even more of a carb Guru than Billy C and he's the only other guy I'd trust my carbs with. Truly a top notch outfit. He's written several books on carbs and has many free maintenance articles on his site. A great asset to the bike community.

 

Anyone needing to farm out carb work on any VF/VFR should compare my prices and quick service to Mr. Bill's. Cheaper, quicker, better customer service, and i answer my phone !!

 

I have followed and read Mike Nixon's stuff for years. As well as a few other Honda engineers of the past. I was always not convinced about the oiling of cams and the so called oil kits out there. If the motor has 20k or more miles on it and the cams and rockers are good. Then WHERE is the problem?? There isn't one!! Period!! It's cause and effect problem solving.

If the cams and rockers are good on the 1k bike then your good to go! period!! My 83 had 68k miles with original cams and followers, so where's the problem of oil starvation? Now in racing all bets are off because it's racing and anything can happen even if it's not supposed to. Hell the guys selling the oil kits could be doing something wrong to begin with and caused their problems and needed the oil kit as a crutch. I have seen that several times even in the pro building ranks (IHRA pro classes).

Yes the type of oil may make a difference in how the trans shifts and how much noise from the lifters and such. Use an oil that is made for older vehicles and has the right properties for metal to metal contact.

This is a good oil read: http://www.peterverdone.com/archive/motoroil.htm

That VF1000F looks great. I'd hit it.

 

I have to agree with GreyVF750F, its the luck of The Draw.
I have 4x VF1000F engines here, and one has clean cams, after 50,000+ miles.
The others have one lobe or more with Inclusions Pitting.

I've never understood the need for Oil Kits, unless racing, and even then, I would expect it for more cooling.
I can't believe Honda would engineer the motor with insufficient oiling.
I've heard of Metal Burrs stuck in the Oil Channels, but never seen Proof.
I may end up getting replacement Cams from an exchange service (one place in Ca/USA, was one in Vcr/Cda).
Pricey, I might just get the Cam Followers done, since the Lobes still have good shape.
I may just end up with 3 functional motors in the end.