Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 9, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 9, 2013 Hi members, I joined the forum a while back with the hopes of finding a decent Interceptor at some point. The time has come and I have - it's an '84 VF1000F with approx. 26K on the clock. I just spoke to the original owner who still has the original keys, tool kit, title, etc. The bike last ran approx. 3 years ago, so it may need a carb cleaning, although he ran the bike dry and drained the bowls. It will need a new rear turn signal and stalk, some bodywork to the gas tank, and at least one mirror. He's asking $1700 for it, so my question is this if it looks good, should I go for it? And did this particular bike have the top end oiling issue with cam lobes wearing out? Any suggestions on what to look for will be greatly appreciated. I plan to go there after work today with cash in hand and trailer in tow. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer unbalanced Posted May 9, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 9, 2013 Sounds like a solid find assuming the body's in decent shape and all there. Parts are tougher to find but they show up now and again - I've been looking for one for a while so good find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 10, 2013 Well I drove out to see the bike with trailer in tow and cash in hand. The bike was in decent shape - the bodywork would have been virtually perfect had the tank not been damaged: The carbs were of course gunked up and there was old gas and rust in the tank, even though the tank was supposedly coated. All electrics worked except for the horn and the brakes were still free. Good tires, 26K on the clock, but surface rust on various parts of the frame, which was a bummer. One mirror was busted and just sitting on the stalk and one taillight was broken. He had the owner's manual and tool kit, one key, and the title. Compression in the two cylinders I checked was around 135. Here's a couple shots of the bike: Knowing that I would need to do the carbs, battery, refresh the brake and clutch fluids, replace the fork seals, and address that tank, I wasn't willing to pay the askig price of $1700. He wasn't willing to budge, so I drove home with an empty trailer. Maybe it was a good deal even at that price, but I felt it was a bit too much and he should have had some wiggle room. He told me he paid $4500 for it new and didn't care what the book value was now. There will be others... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted May 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 10, 2013 I agree with you, I don't think I'd pay more than $1K or so. I am looking for one also, roughly in that shape would be fine, but not for $1700. I see very clean, running examples for under $2500 from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 10, 2013 I do all my own restoration work, including powder coating, and I know what it's going to cost me to make it as nice as my other bikes, so I have to draw the line on how much I'll pay for the bike to start with. I'd rather spend a little more and have less work to do. If there are nice examples out there for $2500, it's worth waiting. Funny thing is he'll probably get his price because someone will come along who knows nothing at all about these bikes or restoring them and will think it's a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFR4Lee Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Tires may look OK, but probably aren't at their age. Apart from the tank ding, it looks pretty good. But, it's a non runner at the moment. You made the call. Hopefully you'll find another at the right price. Funny thing is he'll probably get his price because someone will come along who knows nothing at all about these bikes or restoring them and will think it's a deal. Edit to add, Let someone else find out the hard way it takes them 3x as long as they guessed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 For $1700, it seems like he could've at least put some fresh fuel in it and got it to start...or at least had some wiggle room. Good on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted May 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 10, 2013 I bought one in boxes a few years ago for almost nothing. Put the minimum work in to get it 100% assembled and running, then found the engine case had a crack and spewed oil. You never know if you don't see it run first. There's a very nice one on the Dayton Craigslist now but he's asking $4K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 He told me he paid $4500 for it new and didn't care what the book value was now. That is the most irrelevant thing I've ever heard. If I was selling a 2011 motorcycle that I bought JUST LAST WEEK, then what I paid for it means something (to me). But 1984 pricing? So what? Unless you got, uh, like a Time Masheen Scro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 10, 2013 He told me he paid $4500 for it new and didn't care what the book value was now. That is the most irrelevant thing I've ever heard. When he said, "I know what I paid for it and I don't care what it's worth now," I knew there was no point in wasting any more time there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CornerCarver Posted May 10, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 10, 2013 you did the right thing by walking on that one. I would be worried about the cams as well even it did start. keep looking but you should probably expand your search (or limit it to) the 1985-86 VF1000R model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 13, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 13, 2013 I just found an '84 750 Interceptor with 2600 original miles for sale. Price is $2495 and the red/white bike is immaculate. The original tires will have to be replaced, but otherwise, the owner went through the bike and got it road-worthy and running well. It seems like a decent deal, but I'd still rather have a VF1000F or R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted May 13, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 13, 2013 That's a hell of buy ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedhills Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 the VF750F in my opinion is better than the VF1000F and I have ridden both. the 750 feels lighter and more agile. can't say much for the R though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 15, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 15, 2013 Well a week later and the seller has changed his mind and decided to accept my offer, hundreds less than his price. I guess he didn't get the high offers he expected and he said that he wanted someone like me to take it and keep it original. As least one or two young guys wanted to take it and do some ridiculous mods to it. Tomorrow I'll head back over there and pick it up. I'm satisfied with the price now and am looking forward to digging into it. I just checked the "downloads" section and couldn't find the Honda Service Manual for '84 VF1000F. Is that one missing or am I looking in the wrong place? Also, if someone can point me in the direction of the top oiler mod, I'd appreciate it. I'll do some searching as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted May 16, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 16, 2013 Here you go: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/files/file/184-vf1000f-honda-shop-manual/ (92MB!) On the oil mod, you can buy the Dave Dodge plate kit if it's still available that mounts behind the oil filter. If you go the drill and tap method the parts are pretty inexpensive. If I did it again though I'd hunt for the oil filter kit. I'd probably pull the covers first though and see what shape the cams were in before doing any mod. Congrats on the bike. We'll need some pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 17, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 A week after a disappointing trip out to Orange, MA, I'm happy to say that I just came back from there with the Interceptor in my trailer. Evidently the offers weren't coming in that he expected. Yesterday I shot him a text with the original offer I gave him and said that there were a bunch of 100 dollar bills with his name on them. He texted back, "Sounds like a plan." Supposedly he had received at least one higher offer, but everyone who was interested had plans to do radical stuff to the bike. As the original owner, he didn't like what he was hearing, so my timing was perfect. When I asked why he changed his mind, he said that he knew I'd restore it properly and appreciate the bike for what it was. Loaded into the trailer: Back home in front of the garage: As you can see, it will be in good company... In the shop: This was supposedly put away after it ran dry, so I'm going to try starting it with my aux. fuel tank before I go pulling the carbs. There are a bunch of cosmetic odds and ends to take care of, such as the dent in the tank, broken taillight, etc., but nothing horrendous. My painter can repair the dent and reshoot just the upper white portion and then re-clearcoat the entire tank, so that will work for me. The rest of the bodywork is immaculate. I've already found the top end oiling kit and will consider doing that mod after I check out the valve train. Love the gauges on this: And these are worth a lot to me: I hope to get this running and in decent mechanical shape so that I can enjoy it for part of the summer. When fall rolls around, I can remove all the parts that need refinishing and go to town powder coating. Nothing on the bike looks like a serious challenge and the experience will be good. I'll start a build thread once I dig into the bike and post pics as I go along. I can't wait to hear this run when I start it for the first time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted May 17, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 Good looking project, not too much work. They do have a nice sound, different than the R. Make sure and post lots of bike porn pics for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted May 17, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 You did good ........ now the fun begins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 17, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 I'll be happy to post lots of pics as I progress. I do a lot of powder coating and can show before and after shots of that work as well. While I think of it, does anyone have a spare right hand switceh assembly they'd like to sell? The kill switch on mine is broken and will have to be replaced. Thanks for the words of encouragement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx113 Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Nice bike - you guys are spoiled for choice and price over there. That bike would be 3k here as is where is. I also have a spare NOS euro kill switch for one of those in my switch box. I don't think yours had the head light switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Yokel Posted May 17, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 This thread tickles my happy buttons. Looking forward to the build thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tomk1960 Posted May 17, 2013 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 Nice bike - you guys are spoiled for choice and price over there. Not as spoiled as you think. The CB1300S was never offered in the U.S. and that's a crying shame. http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/details/honda-cb1300s-2007-14895655?__N=1432%20604%201430%201626%201429%201626%201428%204294967259%204294966596&__Ns=p_IsPoa_Int32%7c0%7c%7cp_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_HasPhotos_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cp_Model_String%7c0%7c%7cp_YearMade_Int32%7c1%7c%7cp_PriceSort_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cp_PhotoCount_Int32%7c1&__Qpb=1&__sid=13BFB51B9A0B&__Nne=15 Hey - good to see you outside the Super Sport forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer doubled Posted May 17, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2013 Tom - congrats on the new buy and nice to see you here on VFRD. Looking forward to watching your handywork make this bike shine! ---David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx113 Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 I'm allowed out occasionally, especially as I am spending my resto time working on the 1000r. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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