Out For My Last Ride Of The Season And Look What I Found, Bought, And Just Sold...

With the threat of snow looming over New England, I decided to take my Interceptor out for it's last ride of the year. Even though it was pretty cold, she started right up and ran great. I went to the gas station to fill up and put some Sta-Bil in the tank when a gentleman walked over and said he recognized the old Interceptor. Then he told me that he had an '83 VF750F with low miles on it that he was thinking of selling. "Would you like to see it?" he asked. "Hell yeah!" So I followed him over to his house.

The bike is tucked out in a nice barn he has out back. The seat, tank, and fairing were off and stored upstairs, so here's what I saw - sorry for the poor quality. Lighting was marginal and the bike was jammed in with a couple of others.

[image: 20131126_143310_zps6db1dd58.jpg]

[image: 20131126_143628_zpsc27c0896.jpg]

And here's proof of the low mileage:

[image: 20131126_143405_zps6ddcf0f7.jpg]

Then he took me upstairs to see the rest of the parts. The seat was perfect and from what I could tell, the fairing and tank were in excellent original condition.

[image: 20131126_144145_zpsc5ba2a8c.jpg]

[image: 20131126_144431_zps7aaf7770.jpg]

[image: 20131126_144414_zps345e0165.jpg]

The bike will need the usual stuff - tires, carb cleaning, fork seals, brake fluid flush and possibly rebuild, etc. From what I could see, it looked to be in overall excellent condition - everything was cosmetically very nice, clean, and it would need very little besides a good wash and wax to look sweet.

I asked what he wanted for it and he said he'd like to get $2000, which includes a NIB Supertrapp exhaust for it. I think he mentinoed having NOS turn signals for it as well. Coincidently, he knows the guy I bought my NIB Supertrapp from.

I'm not in the market for one of these right now but it was cool to see a true barn find. If anyone here would like to talk to him about it, I can set something up.

I'd love to see this all back together outside in daylight. It's sure to be a beauty.

Dam buy some lotto tickets .........

Awesome find! I just might be interested if you are not.

I'd love to add it to my collection, but now isn't a good time. PM me your contact info and I'll send it on to Roy, the owner.

where did you get the supertrapp 's from and can you post a pic of them? great find some guys have all the luck

And THIS is why the internet is amazing.... Someone on this site is going to snap this thing up and ride the wheels off of it.

Amazing find. Wish I wasn't re-locating right now, I'd buy it!

That thing needs a new owner to TLC it and ride it.

Looks a lot better than the barn find Indian they had at the MC show.

90 some yo bike parked in 1946. Apparently in an actual barn with manure dust and all.

Might be beyond recussitation. :goofy:

[image: post-208-0-70953600-1386816487.jpg]

theelf

where did you get the supertrapp 's from and can you post a pic of them? great find some guys have all the luck

You can see a couple pics of the Supertrapp I got in this thread: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/76234-whats-a-supertrapp-worth/

I haven't seen the one that comes with the VF750F, but if VFRDylan buys the bike (he's interested) than maybe we'll all see it soon.

If anyone is interested, this bike is still on the market and the owner will take $1800 for it. If you're intertested, PM me and I'll hook you up with him.

I offer him $1800 in cash in March and he was firm on $2K. The bike does not come with the extra exhaust (or at least it did not when I met Ray in-person).

Bike is as advertised and in very good condition. Only things I could see: tires (just old) and new fork seals, one is leaking.

VFRDYLAN

I offer him $1800 in cash in March and he was firm on $2K. The bike does not come with the extra exhaust (or at least it did not when I met Ray in-person).

Bike is as advertised and in very good condition. Only things I could see: tires (just old) and new fork seals, one is leaking.

Dylan, please tell me you'll grab this at $1800. That would be so cool. We can take my trailer to go get it if you need to.

It's too bad that it didn't work out. I got the impression that he later regretted holding out for $2000 and he told me that he should have taken your offer.

Kel

VFRDYLAN

I offer him $1800 in cash in March and he was firm on $2K. The bike does not come with the extra exhaust (or at least it did not when I met Ray in-person).

Bike is as advertised and in very good condition. Only things I could see: tires (just old) and new fork seals, one is leaking.

Dylan, please tell me you'll grab this at $1800. That would be so cool. We can take my trailer to go get it if you need to.

I was there with cash in hand and my truck with all the tie-downs.

Since then, I picked up an old 64 Vespa 125 that I'm restoring for my wife.

He should have taken your offer. The bike is doing him no good sitting there and he isn't planning on doing any work on it. I'd love to grab it to have for my son to ride after he's ridden a smaller bike for a season or two. I really can't justify it right now though...

Unfortunately, If I was to buy it now, I'd probably look to do a quick repair, clean and flip as my fun money is tied up.

That wouldn't be the best use for the bike. It is in really nice condition and deserves to be ridden.

What would this be worth if I went through it and got everything in good working order? It would be very difficult to not go crazy with powder coating if any is needed, though...

Is the bodywork in as good condition as it looks?

If you find someone nostalgic, you might get 2-3000.

All of a sudden nostalgia sounds like a nasty disease. :laugh2:

It is very nice. Dylan - do you agree?

An original red 83 in "unmolested" condition went for north of $4K on Ebay last fall (IIRC $4300). And this one is in better condition that one, plus it is blue.

The key for the top dollar is unmolesteed and stock, if you PC'd the parts it may look nicer, but it would drive down the value.

All this bike needs is a cleaning and to replace the fork seal, but you need to use OEM honda parts.

VFRDYLAN

An original red 83 in "unmolested" condition went for north of $4K on Ebay last fall (IIRC $4300). And this one is in better condition that one, plus it is blue.

The key for the top dollar is unmolesteed and stock, if you PC'd the parts it may look nicer, but it would drive down the value.

All this bike needs is a cleaning and to replace the fork seal, but you need to use OEM honda parts.

The blue ones are worth more money? Are they rarer than the red ones?

I agree that bone stock is best, provided it's in really good shape, but if I went to replace the fork seals and the legs were scratched up or chipped (I don't think these ones were) I wouldn't hesitate to PC them. The finish would be identical to OEM and with new TRAC stickers, I can't imagine that the value of the bike would be negatively affected.

tomk1960

VFRDYLAN

An original red 83 in "unmolested" condition went for north of $4K on Ebay last fall (IIRC $4300). And this one is in better condition that one, plus it is blue.

The key for the top dollar is unmolesteed and stock, if you PC'd the parts it may look nicer, but it would drive down the value.

All this bike needs is a cleaning and to replace the fork seal, but you need to use OEM honda parts.

The blue ones are worth more money? Are they rarer than the red ones?

I agree that bone stock is best, provided it's in really good shape, but if I went to replace the fork seals and the legs were scratched up or chipped (I don't think these ones were) I wouldn't hesitate to PC them. The finish would be identical to OEM and with new TRAC stickers, I can't imagine that the value of the bike would be negatively affected.

Tom, as the old saying goes, it is only original once. Even if you restore it idenitical to OEM, it is restored, not 'original'.

I personally appreciate restored bikes and original rust is not appealing. But for the collector, there is a difference.

As for Blue vs. Red, I'm not sure the numbers that were produced, but my eyes tell me there are fewer of them out there.

VFRDYLAN

tomk1960

VFRDYLAN

An original red 83 in "unmolested" condition went for north of $4K on Ebay last fall (IIRC $4300). And this one is in better condition that one, plus it is blue.

The key for the top dollar is unmolesteed and stock, if you PC'd the parts it may look nicer, but it would drive down the value.

All this bike needs is a cleaning and to replace the fork seal, but you need to use OEM honda parts.

The blue ones are worth more money? Are they rarer than the red ones?

I agree that bone stock is best, provided it's in really good shape, but if I went to replace the fork seals and the legs were scratched up or chipped (I don't think these ones were) I wouldn't hesitate to PC them. The finish would be identical to OEM and with new TRAC stickers, I can't imagine that the value of the bike would be negatively affected.

Tom, as the old saying goes, it is only original once. Even if you restore it idenitical to OEM, it is restored, not 'original'.

I personally appreciate restored bikes and original rust is not appealing. But for the collector, there is a difference.

As for Blue vs. Red, I'm not sure the numbers that were produced, but my eyes tell me there are fewer of them out there.

I hear you and I agree. But it's sooooo hard for me to put a part back on a bike if it doesn't look all nice and new again!

Tom,

Are you going to buy this one? I may pursue it if you don't. And I wouldn't be reselling it, rather for my own use.

By the way there is a blue one with 8800 miles in about the same condition in Las Vegas for $2100.

It's been on CL for several go rounds and at least 2 months, for what that's worth. Might help with determining value.

VF1000RS

Tom,

Are you going to buy this one? I may pursue it if you don't. And I wouldn't be reselling it, rather for my own use.

While I've love to, I don't think I will. If you want to pursue it, I'll contact the owner and bring the two of you together. It would be great to see a fellow member get this bike and resurrect it.

Both Tom & I have seen this bike in person and it is in good condition. The owner removed most of the plastic and the pieces are wrapped to avoid any unexpected damage. The original decals/stickers are there and in good condition (not perfect).

The bike is stored in his barn along with some other bikes (forget what), so there is some minor oxidizing on the metal, but nothing a cleaning would not cure.

It has around 6K. When I checked it out, the VIN on the neck has not been "stamped/punched", and IIRC there was a recall in the 80's on the cam and the dealership would mark the bike so they knew the work was done. (Hopefully another member can confirm)

I good bike and the owner is a nice guy (his name is Roy).

If you need any help let me know and I'll do what I can.

Thanks Tom and Dylan for the info. Tom, can you get me in contact with him? Send me a PM and I can forward my contact info.

Roy, the owner of this beautiful low-mileage beauty had several people interested in the bike after it didn't work out with Dylan. They were out of state, and despite the fact that it takes almost no effort to work with a buyer to ship a bike, he wanted no part of it. He called me recently and said that he was anxious to sell and made me an offer that I couldn't refuse. So I went and picked it up yesterday and brought it home. All of the bodywork had been removed and was carefully stored, so for the purpose of taking a picture, I put it all back on and snapped this:

[image: 20140531_175840_zpsrjmgwlmv.jpg]

All of the dust and grime from sitting in the barn for years is still there, yet it looks amazing nonetheless. When my girlfriend got home, she took one look at it and said, "I think we should keep it - it's so pretty!" Now you know what I won't let go of her. ;)

Dylan was right when he said that he would't go refinishing anything on the bike. Most of all of the components that usually look grungy after all this time look nearly new. The paint on the fork legs just needs to be washed and waxed, so I'll replace the seals and put them back on. The carbs have to come out and get overhauled, since the PO started to remove them after unbolting the plenum. In the process, he broke one of the T-rails. :wacko: Besides carbs and fork overhauling, it will need tires, a battery, blake line flushing, and a good clean and wax. Based on what I'm in the middle of now, my goal will be to have the bike ready for sometime in July.

That pearl white with blue is really going to glow after a good wax job...

Looks awesome, great save and it'll be nice to see it on the road with your girlfriend @ the controls.

That thing looks amazing in the daylight. Man, I would love that thing in my garage...I'd have to paint it red though. :goofy:

Seriously, I had a red one and would love to have another but this one needs to stay bone stock IMO. Another nice find Tom. I thought I was jealous over the CB...Jeez.

I really wasn't sure if I wanted to keep this, but the more I look at it, the more I love it. Late in the day today I started picking away at it a bit - washed the seat and rubbed in some vinyl protectant. Then I waxed the left muffler, the fuel tank, and the mufflers. It's like a time machine the way so many of the part look like new. Decals that are usually long gone are still where they were the day the bike left the showroom. Little details like the red plastic cover on the battery terminal is still like new.

Anyway, I think it's going to stay here now. I can't bear to let it go and I can't wait to get it running again soon. I expect to have it all ready to go by July.

This picture doesn't do the tank justice. The paint glows.

[image: 2014-06-01200337_zpsa7e98d5b.jpg]

I agree with Dylan and Kel - this bike needs to be left totally stock. There's really nothing that needs to be refinished anyway. General maintenance, cleaning and waxing are all this survivor is going to get. Then it's time to ride.

You lucky bastard.

Awesome ...

time machine indeed. looks great already.

That thing needs to be ridden. That's what it was made for. :beer:

VFR4Lee

That thing needs to be ridden. That's what it was made for. :beer:

I can promise you that it WILL be ridden. After I tend to all the mechanical items on the list, it will be registered and enjoyed. It will be babied and cared for though - I intend to keep it as nice (or nicer) than you see it now. The only mod that I might do is bob the rear fender like I did with my other Interceptor. But I promise to cut a spare fender and keep the original parts so that it can be converted back to look totally stock.

Looks simply amazing...yes, I`m a little jealous!

VF1000RS

Looks simply amazing...yes, I`m a little jealous!

Now you know how I feel every time I look at the picture of those two bikes of yours. They're pieces of artwork!

Hey does anyone know what this part is for?

[image: 20140602_210408_zpscomlvsoz.jpg]

It was mixed in with a small box of parts that included the airbox and a spare filter. The PO started to remove the carbs, broke a vent T and then gave up.

Don't know that I've seen that part on my VF700F, but it looks exactly like a piece that I had on all my Yamaha 750 and 850 triples. It's placed on two of the head's intake tubes and captured by installing the carb boots. The tube from the crankcase breather runs up thru the little hump into the airbox. Your new friend had some other bikes in the barn too, didn't he? Any old Yamahas in the herd?

Pops

Don't know that I've seen that part on my VF700F, but it looks exactly like a piece that I had on all my Yamaha 750 and 850 triples. It's placed on two of the head's intake tubes and captured by installing the carb boots. The tube from the crankcase breather runs up thru the little hump into the airbox. Your new friend had some other bikes in the barn too, didn't he? Any old Yamahas in the herd?

I think he might have had one in the barn, so maybe that's where the part came from. There's nothing like it on my VF1000F, so I'd be surprised if one was on the 750. I'll be seeing him soon, so I'll ask. Thanks!

Tom, I dug out a pic of the last set of Hitachi carbs I rebuilt for an XS850 Yamaha. There's the part in the upper right hand corner!

[image: post-23889-0-21661900-1401809492.jpg]

Thanks for checking, Pops! I'll let the PO know that I'm holding that piece hostage until he forks over a wad of cash. :wink:

My son and I just finished getting his '77 CB550 ready to ride, so now I'm onto this '83 VF750F. My plan is to do the following:

• Adjust the valves
• Replace the plugs
• Replace all coolant tube o-rings, flush and refill system
• Replace fork seals and bushes
• Rebuild brake calipers and master cylinders
• Replace checked tires
• Clean/lube/adjust chain
• Change oil and filter
• Clean and polish the bike
• Overhaul carbs (already done)

Even though the brake lines look brand new, they're 30 years old. Should I replace them with braided lines?

This is in the nicest, most original condition 30 yr old bike I've ever owned, so I have no intention of powder coating or refinishing anything. I might polish and clearcoat the valve covers, (they could use it) but otherwise, I want to leave the bike completely original. I already have almost all the parts I need and my goal is to have it done within a month if my summer vacation doesn't get in the way. I'll start posting pictures as I begin the process.

Tom

B-12 no where's to found any more .

I have the bike ready for valve adjustment - coolant drained, upper radiator removed, valve covers off, etc. I need t get the alternator cover off so I can turn the engine over but it's stuck and stuck good! I have a feeling that it's never been off. Are there any tricks to popping it off? I don't see any tabs sticking out that were meant for prying, so I need to be careful not to damage anything. If you know a good way to get it off, please share your technique.

Thanks!

Heat it up with propane torch and take razor blade or a sharpened jeweler screw driver and try to insert it in the seam .

No, don't put a torch near it. It has a clear finish on it.

Give it a solid whack on a couple sides with a rubber mallet, that will break it free and let you wiggle it off.

Numerous blows with the rubber mallet finally broke that alternator cover loose. With only 6100 miles on the bike, I have to wonder if the cover had ever been off before. So now the valve covers are off, I have the coolant tubes out so that I can replace the o-rings with new ones, and I'm ready to adjust the valves. In the meantime, I'm looking at these:

[image: 20140705_183850_zpsedfqz0n3.jpg]

They look nicer in the picture than they actually are. Some corrosion has started underneath that 30 year old clearcoat and it can't just be polished out. It's been suggested that I not refinish anything on the bike and leave it totally original, but I don't know if I can put these covers back on without at least stripping off the old clearcoat, polishing them, and then powder coat a nice satin clear so that they look new again. Would YOU put these back on if you had a choice? Call me anal, but sometimes I just can't leave things alone if I know they can be made to look better...

I spent 11hrs polishing mine.

The PO told me that the valves were adjusted at 3000 miles and that I wouldn't need to touch them. (at 6K now) Well I didn't believe him and every set I've measured so far is .003 - not .006 as the shop manual specifies. Was the spec updated at some point later or are these set much too tight?

Too tight.

The only reason not to clean them up is if you want to sell it as original. If you are holding on to it go for it. I would.

VF1000RS

Too tight.

Thanks, I thought so. I started adjusting them last night and found the nuts to be unbelievably tight as well. I doubt that these valves have ever been adjusted. If they were, the mechanic did them wrong and overtorqued the locknuts as well. All will be well again soon enough...

Well I finally got to spend some quality time working on the VF750 this weekend. The valves are all properly adjusted now. The locknuts were unbelievably tight and I actually broke a 1/4 rachet getting one of them loose. I ended up having to use an impact wrench to break their hold. Every one of them was .003 which makes me wonder if they were ever adjusted after the bike was purchased new. New gaskets and bolt rubbers went back on and the heads are buttoned up. I also installed new NGK plugs and repaced all coolant tube O-rings and seals.

The carbs are completely cleaned and overhauled and the broken plastic fuel T's have been replaced. (PO had tried to remove the carbs AFTER removing the plenum first!)

I have to get the radiator back on, reinstall the carbs and reinstall the alternator cover. (after I finish polishing that cover and clearcoat it first) With vacation coming up this weekend, I won't finish in time, so it will be a couple more weeks before I can fire it up. Once I know it's running fine, I'll replace the leaky fork seals and get some new tires. Can't wait to hear her run!

Last night I replaced the radiator, carbs, and alternator cover. When I got home from work today, I took the bike down off the lift and rolled it out to the edge of the garage with the exhaust pointing out. I refilled the radiator, hooked up a battery and aux. fuel tank, and turned the key. Everything lit up nice and bright and I hit the starter button. Within a couple seconds, she fired right up and was running smoothly in no time. I let the bike warm up good so that the air would work it's way out of the radiator and made sure that the cooling fans came on.

So once again, it's alive. This weekend I'll replace the fork seals and rebuild the dragging rear brake system.

That feeling I get when I start a "new" old bike for the very first time never gets old!

I dug into the bike again this afternoon and have the entire front brake system off and cleaned. The calipers are in very nice original condition. The master cylinder is very decent, but not as nice as I would like.

[image: 20140817_183619_zps8ziebhz6.jpg]

The inside of the MC was incredibly clean, as was the bore. After restoring many disgusting master cylinders, this was a breath of fresh air.

[image: 20140817_183700_zpskeisovek.jpg]

For the sake of originality, I'm going to fight temptation and NOT powder coat it. Everything will be proprely rebuilt and reassembled, but otherwise left alone.

Next, the forks are coming off for new seals and bushes. The right fork leaks like a sieve. Here's the bike being prepped for surgery.

[image: 20140817_180131_zpsgxct5euk.jpg]

While the front wheel is off, it will get a new tire. Once the front end is done, I'll rebuild the rear brake system and replace that tire as well. My goal is to have the bike done in time for Rice-O-Rama, which takes place on September 7th. I think I'll have it ready in time.

Looking good. Glad others are interested in keeping the old interceptors around and looking good

I'm having second thoughts about these master cylinders.

[image: 20140818_225814_zps3uenevro.jpg]

They look like crap and I really hate to put them back on an otherwise pristine bike, just for the sake of originality. A couple hours' work and I can have them looking new in the correct finish again. I'll have to think about it a little more, but I'm leaning in that direction...

So to the purist the original finish and all the factory inconsistencies are very important. This bike in my opinion, is a collectors bike and I've seen it up close and personal. Once a part is refinished it obviously can't be turned back to factory and I think to some degree, value is lost. Tom, you've done amazing powder coating for me on bikes that I have restored but they started as basket cases and I have resurrected them, point in case my CB900F. I think if a bike can be left in its original unmolested state, it is better. Now if I were going to keep it and never sell it...than who cares what anyone thinks.

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

RC24

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

That's ok - it means that there will be more of them for the rest of us. :wink:

Even if this bike had chocolate cams, which it doesn't, I would have no regrets over buying it. There are solutions to the problem when it comes up. Keep the valves properly adjusted, change the oil often, and they run just fine.

RC24

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

Define bother. The beauty of these machines is sometimes the frustration of owning them. The unfinished tool marks and unfounded ideas that somehow made it to the production floors are what make these bikes unique. They don't brake very well, the suspension is terrible, and reliability...forget it. However, once you've corrected the mistakes and rebuilt the old systems, then you begin to understand what they were trying to accomplish way back when. Now after you have stripped it down and every inch is familiar, then you can start it. The ride is visceral and pure. The motorcycle begs to be ridden and needs someone who can make it do what modern bikes do with ease. I’ll be the first to admit that my 83 Interceptor isn’t like the ZX1100, Hayabusa, or 900ss/sp that I’ve owned, but it’s certainly worth the bother.

youn6372

RC24

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

Define bother.

And you said "once you've corrected". Honda did correct it. It's called the 86

RC24

youn6372

RC24

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

Define bother.

Bother, as in owning one. That power plant almost killed Honda's v4 platform, and Just because it's quirky doesn't make it worth owning. Like the 2 speed Hondamatics. If I wanted to own a motorcycle Just to work on it constantly, I'd get a Harley

Perhaps you're new here or are confusing this place with somewhere else but tread lightly my friend. The first gen section is no place for comments on how crappy you think they are. There are many owners here of all gens that spend a fair amount of time working on their bikes, either on mods or maintenance. It's part of the hobby. Tom does amazing work with older bikes and I'm pretty sure he's never bought a bike "just to work on it". He likes riding them as well. Old bikes, old cars, old houses, etc. deserve special custodians and clearly you are not one. That's cool...it's not for everyone but please refrain from adding comments like that in a thread started to showcase a beautiful classic.

Kel

RC24

youn6372

RC24

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

Define bother.

Bother, as in owning one. That power plant almost killed Honda's v4 platform, and Just because it's quirky doesn't make it worth owning. Like the 2 speed Hondamatics. If I wanted to own a motorcycle Just to work on it constantly, I'd get a Harley

Perhaps you're new here or are confusing this place with somewhere else but tread lightly my friend. The first gen section is no place for comments on how crappy you think they are. There are many owners here of all gens that spend a fair amount of time working on their bikes, either on mods or maintenance. It's part of the hobby. Tom does amazing work with older bikes and I'm pretty sure he's never bought a bike "just to work on it". He likes riding them as well. Old bikes, old cars, old houses, etc. deserve special custodians and clearly you are not one. That's cool...it's not for everyone but please refrain from adding comments like that in a thread started to showcase a beautiful classic.

RC24I'm not discounting anyone's work. My original comment was merely reflecting the find of a half taken apart bike that was left to sit. I would suspect something was amiss that the seller would not necessarily be forthcoming about. Especially for a model with widely documented engine problems

Every bike in my garage, except for my Vulcan 1500, (that I bought new) was "left to sit" before I found it. Some sat for a couple years, others for much longer. I bet at least half the guys here with first gen VF's will tell you the same thing about their bikes. Something was amiss with all of mine - mostly gummed up carbs and dragging brakes, bad fork seals, etc. This one sat too long and the carbs gummed up. Then the PO did the wrong thing - he removed the plenum and tried lifting out the carbs and broke 3 of of 4 plastic tubes. At that point, he gave up and put it in storage. He did the smart thing and removed the bodywork, putting it out of the way so that it wouldn't get dented, scratched, or broken. It took me all of 15 minutes to put it all back on for a photo op. Then it came off again so that I could dig in and get the bike running again.

Every bike in my garage is registered and ridden regularly. I actually rotate them to make sure that they all get out weekly or every other week. There have been weeks when I've ridden a different old Honda to work every day! This one now runs and will be ready for registering soon. Even if the motor blew up tomorrow, I wouldn't lose a dime because 1) I bought it for a VERY good price, 2) I did all the work myself, and 3) If I had to part it out, I'd get my money back. (never, ever have had to do this - at least not yet and hope I never do) Any project bike I look at has to meet this criteria before I'll consider taking it home. And I love bringing project bikes home so that I can restore them to their former glory...and then ride them. :happy:

Based on only 9 posts so far, Kel is right - you're new here. You're definitely in the wrong place to be trashing the bikes that this forum is dedicated to, so please refrain and I would appreciate it if you don't continue to pollute this thread. This is a support group - we're all here to help each other out with technical advice, parts, and we all love to share our progress as we go along. Sure, these aren't state of the art machines and they have their issues. If they were that bad, however, they would all be gone now, wouldn't they?

Now tell us why you're here. What VF have you got? How about some pics?

tomk1960

RC24

Then there's the camshaft issue. I wouldnt bother with any of the VF700s

That's ok - it means that there will be more of them for the rest of us. :wink:

Even if this bike had chocolate cams, which it doesn't, I would have no regrets over buying it. There are solutions to the problem when it comes up. Keep the valves properly adjusted, change the oil often, and they run just fine.

Honda testers and techs state that the single biggest issue with increasing the longevity of the original cams is to properly warm the engine before zipping off. This is one reason they were caught off guard by the early cam failures, they warmed the bikes properly before every test ride.

I can see any further posts by me regarding the VF line is not going to be constructive towards your endeavor, so good luck with your project.

Clever lad

Well after much thought I've decided not to bother with my interceptor any more. I'll be buying a Harley. If anyone wants my bike, I left it at work in the trash and walked home this morning.

[image: post-30519-0-84085400-1409491107.jpg]

Michael, if only in my wildest dream of dreams I could stumble upon that trash barrel!

April fools in August ?

Michael is of course joking. When he first got that VF750, he was skeptical about it. I told him that it would rival his 900F in regards to acceleration and power and he said "No way." Now that he's been riding it a while and has fallen in love, he'll tell you that it's faster than his 900F. Never say never - he's another convert.

Great thread, I love how folks here fix and bring old machines back to life. This was already in great shape, but still...

I'm curious as to how the cam problems were solved in the VF750. I remember reading that the cams were actually OK, but the placement was not totally horizontal (off by a very small degree?) and this led to oscillations which resulted in premature wear. Was all the VF line afflicted, or just the 750? How do the current owners fix this problem? Sorry for the questions, it's just that I searched around and couldn't find satisfactory answers and thought this would be the best place to ask...

I can't really tell you what was done to resolve any cam issues that took place way back in the 80's, but here is an excellent write-up by Mike Nixon that explains the real issue. It's well written and makes a lot of sense. He was there, working for Honda when this was all going down.

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

Glad you're enjoying the thread. I'll have more updates tomorrow as I get closer to finishing this bike up.

Here's how the bike sits as of this afternoon:

[image: 20140901_184720_zpsujkvfcam.jpg]

You can't necessarily see everything I've done, but it's a fair amount so far. Besides the overhauled carbs, adjusted valves, coolant system flush, coolant tube, O-ring replacements, a lot more has been finished or will be done soon. This past week saw me finish rebuilding the forks, mount and balance new Battlax tires front and back, new chain, (old one was frozen in numerous spots) new wheel bearings front and back, rebuild the clutch slave cylinder, and a fair amount of cleaning. The calipers and master cylinders have been thoroughly cleaned and are ready for the new K&L kits. I have new EBC pads ready to go in. I estimate another 3-4 hours to get everything back together, bled, and ready for Rice-O-Rama. I think I'll have it ready in time.

Man, that frame looks so skinny. :wink:

Seems like a good example of it takes more work to rebuild something,

than to build it in the first place. Keep on going. :beer:

tomk1960

I can't really tell you what was done to resolve any cam issues that took place way back in the 80's, but here is an excellent write-up by Mike Nixon that explains the real issue. It's well written and makes a lot of sense. He was there, working for Honda when this was all going down.

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

Glad you're enjoying the thread. I'll have more updates tomorrow as I get closer to finishing this bike up.

Great link, it explains everything in perfect detail...

Looking good Tom.

Inching closer to completion. Last night I rebuilt the 3 calipers and 3 master cylinders, along with the slaves. Tonight I bolted the caliper brackets and calipers back on, hooked up the lines, and bled the front and back brakes. I have a nice firm lever and pedal now and no dragging. Tomorrow I'll bleed the clutch system and it will be ready to ride. Lots of cleaning and polishing to do between now and Sunday, (Rice-O-Rama) but it's getting exciting to be so close to mechanical completion now.

Somehow I think a plate from one of the others in the garage is going to accidently find it's way over to this bike in the next day or so. ;)

Can't wait to see it Tom. I keep telling myself that I'll start detailing my bike tomorrow...I've said that the last 4 days. I thought today was the day...but I'm thinking maybe tomorrow. :wink:

Odds are very good I'll end up just hitting it with some Honda Polish Sunday morning. Any precious spare time is spent riding. Oh well.

youn6372

Well after much thought I've decided not to bother with my interceptor any more. I'll be buying a Harley. If anyone wants my bike, I left it at work in the trash and walked home this morning.

May I have your carbs, cams, sideplates, and radiator? You know...since you are just throwing them away :biggrin:

tomk1960

Inching closer to completion. Last night I rebuilt the 3 calipers and 3 master cylinders, along with the slaves. Tonight I bolted the caliper brackets and calipers back on, hooked up the lines, and bled the front and back brakes. I have a nice firm lever and pedal now and no dragging. Tomorrow I'll bleed the clutch system and it will be ready to ride. Lots of cleaning and polishing to do between now and Sunday, (Rice-O-Rama) but it's getting exciting to be so close to mechanical completion now.

Somehow I think a plate from one of the others in the garage is going to accidently find it's way over to this bike in the next day or so. ;)

Looks great Tom...I love the fact you are getting another old one back on the road...congrats

As soon as I got home from work yesterday, I got right back to the Interceptor. It took a little longer to bleed the clutch master cylinder vs. the brakes, but that was probably because of the extremely long line going from the MC to the slave. After all the air was out of the line, I could tell that the slave wasn't pushing the rod to activate the clutch. I was a bit puzzled by this, so I unbolted the slave and watched the piston as I carefully pumped the clutch lever. I got the piston to move out close to the edge and then stopped and bolted it back on. A few pumps of the lever and voila - the clutch was working.

I rolled the bike out into the driveway and after sitting for a few weeks, she fired right up. It was finally time for a test ride. I live on a quite side street with a cul de sac, so I headed in that direction. I immediately noticed a distinctive "badump...badump...badump" every time the wheels went through a revolution. That didn't feel right, so I went right back and into the garage. Since I mounted and balanced the tires myself, a little inspection was in order. Sure enough, even though the front tire was holding air fine, I could see that the bead wasn't fully seated in the rim. 5 minutes later, that was straightened out and my next ride felt a lot better.

Tonight I'll focus on cleaning and waxing in preparation for Rice-O-Rama on Sunday. As of last night, this is how she looked:

[image: 20140904_214919_zpsno9jicib.jpg]Tomorrow a REAL ride will be in order.

The bike is done and after a few hours of detailing, it's ready to show tomorrow.

[image: 20140906_153126_zpsmkgcbusq.jpg]

[image: 20140906_153241_zpsfwscbk0u.jpg]

As suggested, I didn't go refinishing everything like I did with my VF1000F. I left this in it's original condition, which is excellent. The condition of the front end's finish was still really nice:

[image: 20140906_153336_zpsc87lzuvl.jpg]

The original paint is still nearly perfect. A wash and a wax brought the shine right back.

[image: 20140906_153326_zpsfetefwww.jpg]

Most important, the bike is now mechanically very sound. Work done includes:

Rebuilt entire brake system front to back - master cylinders, calipers, new pads

Rebuilt clutch master cylinder and slave

Rebuilt front end - new fork seals, bushes, and dust caps

Adjusted valves

Completely overhauled carbs

New Battlax tires

All wheel bearings replaced

Coolant flushed and replaced

New Big Crank battery

Next week I'll get it registered and start enjoying it. This was a fun project and wasn't quite as involved as my other Interceptor.

My next project bike just arrived...something completely different.

[image: 20140906_174145_zpsikxr7dpc.jpg]

This one is going to require a little more work. :cool:

Dam looks good !!!

Tom,

That is a nice bike. Glad I looked up this thread after seeing it at Rice O Rama yesterday. I have three in a shed.. one I rode a few years ago, I need to get the desire back to get it back in riding shape this winter for next season.

Finally got to take the bike out for a "real" ride today and boy, what a blast. It runs absolutely great and I'm thrilled. It revs up nice under load and has plenty of power, shifts smoothly, and the brakes are very nice. This will easily kick my '82 CB900F's ass, although I still love that bike too. Then came the photo op:

[image: 20140914_184150_zpsm47pgpcr.jpg]

Too bad there's only a couple months of riding left. It's going to fly by.

tomk1960

I can't really tell you what was done to resolve any cam issues that took place way back in the 80's, but here is an excellent write-up by Mike Nixon that explains the real issue. It's well written and makes a lot of sense.

I had an 82 V45 Sabre that suffered the 'soft' cam shafts, luckily I picked up a complete bike as a spare and someone had replaced the cams and all the rocker gear as well as fitting a modified oil feeder. The new cam had still looked like new at 85000 klms when I sold the bike.

tomk1960

Finally got to take the bike out for a "real" ride today and boy, what a blast. It runs absolutely great and I'm thrilled. It revs up nice under load and has plenty of power, shifts smoothly, and the brakes are very nice. This will easily kick my '82 CB900F's ass, although I still love that bike too. Then came the photo op:

[image: 20140914_184150_zpsm47pgpcr.jpg]

Too bad there's only a couple months of riding left. It's going to fly by.

Tom, You need a 500 to complete the trifecta!

After riding the VF750F for several weeks, I decided that having a 750F and 1000F Interceptor were somewhat redundant. If I had never owned the VF1000F, then I wouldn't know what I was missing. But every time I took the 750 out and twisted the throttle, I missed the ridiculous power that the 1000 has. I didn't want the 750 sitting idle for long periods of time in between rides, so I decided that it needed a new home. I put it on eBay several weeks ago and it was sold within 7 days. A guy in MD who absolutely loves these bought it and is very excited to have it heading his way. Today the shipping company arrived and I watched it carefully loaded up and taken away. Mixed feelings for sure.

I'm glad that I was able to bring this one back to life and get it in really good running condition. It's now going to be enjoyed by a new owner and hopefully a new member here soon.

Next project already underway...'78 GL1000!

Kudos again on an amazing reclamation of a classic, some say the classic, sport bike that started it all.

That 1 litre V4 power is addictive and hard to live without once you have experienced it.

Congrats to the new owner, maybe he will chime in here when he takes delivery of that beauty.

CornerCarver

Congrats to the new owner, maybe he will chime in here when he takes delivery of that beauty.

We will be staying in touch and I'll encourage him to join the forum. He already has a low mileage 750 and seems to know quite a bit about them.

One thing I noticed with the VF750 was the clip-on's had a slightly differrent downward angle from the ones on my VF1000F. I actually liked them a little better and may try to find a used pair to swap over.

tomk1960

CornerCarver

Congrats to the new owner, maybe he will chime in here when he takes delivery of that beauty.

We will be staying in touch and I'll encourage him to join the forum. He already has a low mileage 750 and seems to know quite a bit about them.

One thing I noticed with the VF750 was the clip-on's had a slightly differrent downward angle from the ones on my VF1000F. I actually liked them a little better and may try to find a used pair to swap over.

Just remember that the 750`s fork tubes are 39mm in diameter and the 1000`s are 41mm. I`m sure there is enough built-in beef that you could have them bored out.

That bike and the new owner are lucky you got your hands on her. We all thank you.