Hey guys, I'm new to this group but not new to Honda V4s. I've had or have ridden just about all the different early V4s and have stuck with the V65s for my main rides. Two years ago I ventured into the interceptor realm for the first time. I came across an '84 VF1000F that had been stored in a barn for about 10 years. Most of the parts were there and it looked to be in decent shape so I pulled the trigger.
What I found was the usual restoration things and the mandatory mice damage. The mice had built an apartment complex and a nut grocery store in the collector.The biggest thing was the rear exhaust cam was shot, this is why the PO had quit riding it. After fixing all the mice damage there was 2 cams and several rockers that had to be replaced, brakes, tires, fluids, steering bearings and a few other little things she was ready to live again. I did discover during the carb cleaning that someone had put R carbs on it. OK, we'll just see what happens.
Amazing enough, it started right up. What a growl it has with F1r cans! Even with a new battery it sounds like it struggles a bit to turn the engine over put it starts right up. Stupid me, I should have checked the compression to see if someone may have replaced the pistons but I didn't. I have ridden with another 84 1KF and this bike is definitely quicker. I took it to North Carolina last year and a ride to Ohio last summer. Work took my out of riding during the fall so most bikes just sat there for several months.
This winter I retired and had some time and the weather sucked for riding so I ended up doing some painting. Now I think I'm done with the restoration and ready for spring to get here.
Excellent looking work with the restoration and a very cool looking example of the VF1K. Myself being a former VF1000F owner, I still have a very large soft spot in my heart for the bike. You are certainly correct about the sound of the exhaust with the F1 pipes, they do make the growl much nicer. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I did mine.
Welcome to the site and ENJOY. We know you will. LOL
This was my old bike and she is still running strong, though she now resides in the garage of my best friend of 30 years. At least I still get to see and ride the old girl once in a while. :)
Looks great! There's another one here locally that's in about the same original condition. I got to talk with the owner a bit - there aren't many of those around. Nice ride!
I wasn't really looking for an interceptor but this one came along and I decided to give it a try. I like the old school look of the F and the color scheme. I've ridden it in NC and made a pass in the Dragon which was pretty fun. For a distance ride I rode it from my house to a SabMag thing in OH and back in a day last summer, 850 miles in about 24 hours. The bike ran fine, my biggest complaint was leg room. At 6'3" its a little small for me from the waist down but from the waste up it feels very much like a big sabre.
I thought I was done with the restore last year but over the winter I got board and decided that it could use some cosmetic work and got busy. Lots of painting and prettying to get it where it is today. I think I'll ride it down to NC again in May and then maybe I'll let someone else complete the restoration work.
stuff I've done...
changed all fluids
new tires
rebuilt carbs
replace 2 cams
replace 2 rockers
replace fork seals
replace chain and sprockets
replace ignition switch
adjusted valve clearances
created one bracket on faring
rewired brake light (mouse damage)
replace steering bearings
cleaned fuel tank and fuel system
flushed cooling system
painted forks, triple tree, handle bars, frame (more like a major touch up), grab bars
Thanks for the invite CornerCarver but I doubt I'll make that one.
The V4Honda board's Spring Get Together is two weeks earlier at the BR Motorcycle Campground and I'm planning a trip to TX in early June. I'll take the Sabre to TX, maybe even consider an IronButt.
Life should be about riding around on VFR's in the mountains with new tires that never wear out, oil that never needs changing, chains that never need adjusting, no time tables to worry about, constantly changing cool scenery, magic good food that just appears when hungry, and no cages on the roads. Sorry, in dream mode again...... :wheel:
Very Fine Ride right there, actually, probably My favorite less a couple things, like many here I have a spot reserved for one of those some day again. Great bike Honda should have stayed on course with this version like the 750 IMO Thanks for sharing brings back great times, you don't see many like this one ;)
Life should be about riding around on VFR's in the mountains with new tires that never wear out, oil that never needs changing, chains that never need adjusting, no time tables to worry about, constantly changing cool scenery, magic good food that just appears when hungry, and no cages on the roads. Sorry, in dream mode again...... :wheel:
Retirement has it benefits.
I am blessed to have the time, tools and the health to be able to work on bikes and then take them for extended tours around my neighborhood. Kentucky is one of the best kept secrets when it comes to roads and destinations without all the traffic.
It all started about 12 years ago with a $150 82 750 magna. It ran for a few years but died a slow death until it became an organ donor. This one financed the one I'd wanted since college, a blue V65 magna, the one in the picture. I'd had a couple 700 sabres but really wanted a V65 and this one came along. Had it now for 7 years. There's been about a dozen V4s of all sizes and flavors go through my garage.
I've always thought the 1st generation interceptors had a little something special with the look of old school racing. This one came from Colorado via northern Ohio. Once I'd done the usual referb plus replacing cams and rockers and put it back together it started right up. I did hate to waste some brand new, 12 year old metzlers but they were hard as rocks. They still had nubs on the tread.
I've put a couple thousand miles on this and have a trip planned in a couple months to North Carolina then I'll have to decide what I want to do with it.
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End of thread · 23 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 6 Jul 2017