I’m a new member to the forum. I had decided last year that it would be fun to have an old project bike to work on. So I started to look for something interesting.
I used to have a 1984 V65 Sabre which I owned and ran for 11 years from 1991 to 2002. It was a very happy period of ownership, so when I saw a 1985 VF1000F described as a “none (sic) runner project” up for sale I was curious and after a short exchange of messages to the seller, a price was agreed and the bike duly delivered to Glasgow in August.
I should have perhaps done some more homework, as it turns out, it’s a German bike brought into the UK around 1997.
I didn’t think the unusual colour scheme and frame colour was a standard offering, even in Europe. I’m hoping to change it to a black and white colour scheme, that I have seen pictures of, that I prefer.
When I got the bike, closer examination showed it was in much worse condition than I anticipated. Although, I actually think it had been well cared for at one time, but not so recently. The last time it was Mot’d was in March 2021. Unfortunately, I was unable to get the bike started, and eventually decided to take the engine out, and go deeper than I originally intended.
Closer examination leads me to believe the engine has been taken apart previously, as there are signs of silicon/sealer between the crankcases, supported with a significant amount trapped in the oil pump filter screen. Anyway, during the strip down I found some unusual wear on the front cylinder’s camshaft sprockets and some damage to the top of one of the front cylinders cam chain tensioners. I’ll shortly post a question “In the Shed” with photos looking for comments and advice.
Thanks for confirming the colour scheme is not original. Going by the bike’s serial numbers, I believe it was originally a German registered motorcycle, so it is possible the German forum picture you saw, was of my bike.
There’s a lot of work required to fix the bike, but I think I’ll pass on the JPS colour scheme However, I’m hopeful I can eventually change the frame and paintwork to something like this picture.
Hi Rory, like you i just bought a project bike, a VF1000F2 Bol Dor. Mine has been off the road for 20 years and needing a lot of work(tbh I might have bit off more than I can chew). I’m currently trying to start it before a complete stripdown. Expecting this to be a multiple year project. Cheers from Kilmarnock, John.
It’s great to hear from you. I’m not sure whether I should congratulate you on your recent VF1000 purchase or commiserate!!
I have a 1985 VF1000F, which I believe started life in Germany. I bought it last year because I was keen to have a project over winter, but it turned into a lot more than that. I reckon it hadn’t run for maybe 8 years and I couldn’t get it to start. Problems with no spark, poor compression and likely fueling issues, forced me to take it apart. It is currently in a thousand pieces (or at least feels that way) and I’m very slowly trying to put it back together.
It would be great to catch up sometime. We are both very lucky as Bif the VF Guru lives in Dumfries and he’s very helpful and approachable.
Cheers Rory, good to meet others on the same journey and to know that there is a wealth of knowledge out there to tap into. Interesting colour scheme on your VF, you thinking of keeping it? Like yours mine is in a thousand pieces, some even on the house due to my garage having too much in it already. Wife not complaining (yet), since she prefers me working on bikes as opposed to riding them. Cheers.
I had a German lad contact me from the VF forum saying he had seen the bike featured in an article in Germany, the colour scheme is a one off. I like the black but not the JPS aspect (as the German put it). I’ve found someone in Glasgow who is prepared to repaint the entire painted parts in a simple black and white scheme. Getting my hands on suitable decals is holding me up. There’s a local vehicle graphic signs company who is trying to help, but it’s a very slow process unfortunately. It’s probably not a bad thing, as the paintwork will not be cheap - almost one and a half times the price I paid for the entire bike. So gives me time to save up!
I also need new main bearing and big end shells, before I can start reassembly. I’m hoping Bif can help there. Fingers crossed.
Mains and big-ends can be an issue, very rare to find any, let alone the correct ones….the block and crank are “size coded” and there is a bunch of different colour coded bearings to fit each combination. It’s not just a matter of fittng new bearings unfortunately, they must be colour matched to the mating parts. I was lucky enough to find some at a local Honda dealer here in Aus who was going out of business…they had “new old stock” lying around in their spares storage….date on the packages was 1985.
I apologize for hijacking this thread, but Smithy’s reply got me thinking. This color code that you speak of, is it on the rods and cranks themselves or is it found externally. I ask because I was thinking that maybe now may be a good time to start trying source replacements before I need them, if the color codes can be determined.
The codes for the mains are stamped on the rear of the crankcase and on the crank itself…the codes for the big-ends are stamped on the crank and rods. There’s also a “weight code” for the rods. This below will give you a good idea, straight out of my genuine Honda service manual for my VF1000RE.
Amazed at the wealth of knowledge in here. I’m getting in deeper every day and will need to rely on you guys. Im looking at full engine strip down at the moment. Thanks again.
Parts can be difficult to come by for our 40+ year old bikes…but people like Bif are a wealth of knowledge and know where to get difficult to get items.
Hello John, my recently purchased VF1000R-F hasn’t run for 20 years. Although the petrol in the tank smells OK, I resisted the temptation to try and start it, and stripped the carbs instead. Good decision as two pilot jets are blocked and won’t clear, even after 30 minutes in the ultransonic bath. One needle is stuck tight in its seat and all four diaphragms are in a sorry state.
Next jobs are to check the cams and adjust, then renew fork seals, all hoses, new chain, headstock grease, brake calipers and tires of course.
I hope that’s sufficient as I really want to ride it this year.
Hi Robert, hope you get your carbs sorted out and get to ride it this year. I’ve got my carbs back on the bench for further investigation. I doubt I’ll be on the road this year. Had the cylinders soaking in penetrant and engine oil and managed to get it to crank over. Small progress, but progress all the same. Cheers and best of luck to you.
However, I’m hopeful I can eventually change the frame and paintwork to something like this picture.
