Vf1000F - Would You Undertake This?

There's an auction next month and this pic was in the listing.  No other information was given, not even a mention of this specific bike.  They say there will be more information added later this month, but I am REALLY curious...  

Now let me tell you, I've had several old GS Suzuki's in my garage at one time in various states of repair, if that gives you any idea of what my past years were like.  Just kept finding nice old bikes for under a grand each that needed love and like a cute puppy dog, they kept following me home.  I eventually got rid of the old suzuki's much to the relief of my poor wife.  Then I found the VFR and I've been quite happy just riding (after I fixed her up, of course).  Since then, I've restrained myself from taking on any new "projects."  But darn it, this is a VF1000.  What to do?  It's a carburated bike, so I'm familiar with what all will need work there.  But how's the parts market and how pricey are they?

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

[image: VF1000F_zps86e9a851.jpg]

I don't mind old bikes or bikes that have sat for awhile, but old bikes that have sat outside awhile  tend to scare me off. Judging by the sun damage on that seat, I'd guess this poor thing has been outside, uncovered for a long time.  That means all sorts of potential problems. Carbs could be beyond what a cleaning can fix. Seals dry rotted and split. Gas tank rusted. Cylinders rusted to the rings. Water and God knows what inside the bottom end(crank bearings are no longer available), Wiring harness chewed. Radiators clogged/rusted. Gauges clouded over. Then there's the normal stuff that can go on these 1st gens...Cams could be toast. 2nd gear gone. Cam chain tensioners. You get the idea.

When you add up all the UV destroyed pieces, rusted metal parts, lots of unavailable OEM stuff, new paint, and all the stuff you'd replace on a good used bike(fork seals, battery, tires, air filter, oil/coolant change, wheel bearings, R/R, chain/sprockets, etc,) is it worth it to you?

I guess you're looking in the thousands. Probably quite a bit more than a really nice used one. That being said, it all boils down to how bad you want a tough project and how bad the motor is and how much you can get it for. Unfortunately, it would be pricey even if they gave it to you.

Since I already have a few 1000s, I would be intersested, if only just for parts.  But if this was my first dive into the big old V4 pool...   nope.  Pass.  Unless, again, I bought this for parts at a really good price for my next (much) nicer one.

If you can score for $225 or less, I might take a flyer on it if I were you.  When you then discover only HALF of the issues that Kel brought up you can part it out for $$$ and start with the period correct aftermarket exhaust.

For a builder to keep, pass.

It costs nothing to look, so why not go to the auction and check it out?  If you could get it for $100-$200 and it turns out to be too far gone, you'll get your money back and then some if you part it out.  The only person who will bid high on a bike like that is a dreamer or someone who has absolutely no idea what's involved.  An informed buyer will know that the restoration cost will far outweigh the purchase price and bid low.  If the auctioneer sets a ridiculous minimum bid, just watch to see if someone bites.  Bikes like these often move from the garage of one uninformed buyer to the next, until someone like you comes along and finally digs in. My CB750F was only registered by the original owner, then it passed through the hands of at least 3 more owners who were clueless about restoring bikes.  Now I have it and it's almost done.

Great opinions, appreciate it.  There's a bunch of other bikes and parts in this auction, too.  I'll post up the link here shortly.  Definitely plan to head out there and check it all out, there's tons of stuff and its only about 45 minutes drive from my house.

I don't think I would buy it for even $250. That's saying something.

If I got that bike, I would take it all apart and try to fix it, or part it out.  I would literally check everything

I'd pay $200, take off the plastics, especially the rear seat cowl, and exhaust, and leave the rest of the bike.

For a couple hundred bucks, it might make an OK parts bike, if you already had a VF1000 restoration under way.

What if it ran? And it ran great? And the forks are straight and all the mechanical components are fine? Why not buy it cheap and do something interesting with it? Why does it need to be looked at as a full on restoration candidate?

If it runs, well, that would change everything in my book...  :-)

the solo seat is worth 200 bucks.  the rest of the bike.....not so much. 

Well, as you know how to work on bikes, go take a gander. You know how to do the basic checks, i.e. water in the oil, brake fluid, etc...

If it looks just like it's been abused but still mechanically together, go for it. I'd probably go 3-500 hundred. True, if you had to send it out for work, that's one thing, but if you're doing the work yourself...

Heck, stick it in a corner of your garage for the next 15 years and then sell it for a couple grand without turning a wrench. We're coming to the end of cheap interceptors. Yeah, you can still find a good deal on occasion, but it's changing quickly. Out here you just don't find a VF anything for 500 dollars unless its just a pile of parts without a title. These are the stories you tell in another decade along the lines of "yeah, I could have bought one for a few hundred dollars. Not really sure why I didn't." What are you going to buy for even $500 dollars? I know people that blow more then that at casinos every month. Or what about a laptop that's outdated in 5 years? Just food for thought.

Let me know where to be and I'll buy it!!!!  I'm looking for another VF1000 project right now, actually.

Let me know where to be and I'll buy it!!!!  I'm looking for another VF1000 project right now, actually.

If it has been stored outside for a while, move on. I keep finding more and more wrong with my cheap F2 that's purely from weather and rust than anything else. Only thing making it worth continuing is that it has a good lot of kit on it, the engine seems to work fine, and I'm a headstrong buffoon.

Yes, I can fix everything, but to finish it up, it's going to be a good deal over a grand in parts. And that's parts that you can still find pretty easily new.

VF1000? Don't the have what the English called "Chocolate cams" though? If they did, a top end oiler kit might be a good thing to look for if this bike does not have one.......