Topic: No engine number stamped into 1985 VF1000r block yet was USA registered Chicago

[si144r]

I bought and imported a 1985 VF1000R from the USA Chicago , it has a USA compliance plate with matching chassis number but no engine number stamped into block.

The bike is immaculate and has been USA registered with only 9,400 miles on it.

Has anyone heard of Hondas from 1985 that didnt have engine numbers stamped in them but were still registered by USA states.

Thanks in advance for any information or ideas.
I am in Australia

[754]

Cases were likely replaced..

[Don R]

 Agreed.

[seanbarney41]

in the case of VFR, was probably the whole engine

[Retro Rocket]

in the case of VFR, was probably the whole engine

Not the 1000r Sean, they are a very good, gear driven  engine, I see no reason why the cases were replaced, especially on a low mile example....

[seanbarney41]

in the case of VFR, was probably the whole engine

Not the 1000r Sean, they are a very good, gear driven  engine, I see no reason why the cases were replaced, especially on a low mile example....

were all the 1000's all gear drive cams?...I am thinking gear drive cams did not come to U.S. until certain year?  There are more myths and uncertainties about the early V4's than few other bikes.  All I really know for sure is that a lot of entire V4  engines got replaced by Honda under warranty.

[333]

Even when the cases are replaced, there should be a number stamped on it somewhere. Find a dealer, and ask them where it will be.

[Retro Rocket]

in the case of VFR, was probably the whole engine

Not the 1000r Sean, they are a very good, gear driven  engine, I see no reason why the cases were replaced, especially on a low mile example....

were all the 1000's all gear drive cams?...I am thinking gear drive cams did not come to U.S. until certain year?  There are more myths and uncertainties about the early V4's than few other bikes.  All I really know for sure is that a lot of entire V4  engines got replaced by Honda under warranty.

No, the VF1000, the one that looked like the VF750, was chain driven, google VF1000R and have a look , its a completely different bike...

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=VF1000R&biw=1366&bih=663&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9z-mOpI_KAhUGIaYKHWXGCU8Q_AUIBigB

[seanbarney41]

ok, but I thought the main difference was just the bodywork and hotter tune for the r, my bad

[754]

I have several blank cases here....up to the dealer to stamp them..if they feel like it..

[Duke McDukiedook]

in the case of VFR, was probably the whole engine

You are thinking of the VFs from 83-85. The VF1000R has the geared cams.
The VFRs (from 86 on) were extremely reliable.

[strynboen]

yes vfr is solid
..it vas only erly vf modells..vho broke...they fixed it vith the vfr...750 and 1000...nice bikes

[seanbarney41]

in the case of VFR, was probably the whole engine

You are thinking of the VFs from 83-85. The VF1000R has the geared cams.
The VFRs (from 86 on) were extremely reliable.

not arguing, but please note title of thread says '85.

[Duke McDukiedook]

To be more specific as people have pointed out there were VF1000F bikes and VF1000R bikes.
The R bikes were gear cammed and the Fs were chain driven. The VFRs were a totally different bike.
The ones with the chocolatey cams were the VF750Fs.

[si144r]

Thank you all very much for replying people, much appreciated.
The history of the VF1000 is as follows as I and my mates have owned all models available in Australia.

1984:
saw the  release of the VF1000F (chain driven problematic cams due to lack of line boring) and VF1000R as raced by Wayne Gardener in the Castrol 6Hr (gear driven cams but also not line bored)
NOTE: Lots survived due to regular oil changes and/or oil feed modifications as I have done in order to get full oil pressure from pump to heads straight away on start up instead of secondary feed via gear box.

1985:
Honda released ,
VF1000F with modified cams and heads , thats to say longer cam journals and still chain driven
VF1000 F2 Boldor Tourer , I owned a silver/grey/black private import Austrian bike , and in my opinion the pick of the three models made, lots of grunt , very stable and won the production capacity class at the Isle of Man race in 1985 ridden by Greg Johnson.
Note the VF1000 F2 Bold or was also chain driven cams was the first model to get a twin spindle oil pump that also fed an oil cooler/radiator.
VF1000R with revised different two piece fairing , same colours used , red/white/blue , just in different styles depending on country with the exception of the Rothmans colour scheme due to their sponsorship of the Honda 500cc Moto GP team in that era.
Some countries got the single head light front , some got the twin head light front, the single head light model allows more air to pass between sides of head light and over the top of the motor for cooling purposes.

1986:
Only the VF1000R released to the best of my knowledge.

Thank you all again gents ,
if you have any further knowledge please post or email me as I'm about to register my 1985 USA VF1000R bike for the first time here in Australia and the government state roads and traffic authority here require I explain why the bike doesn't have an engine number but was registered in the USA and ridden the  9,400 miles in the USA before I bought and imported it from Chicago USA to New South Wales , Australia.

Regards
Stuart

[Duke McDukiedook]

Most DMVs here in the states only care about the number on the frame, not the engine.
The frame VIN is how most title motorcycles.

[Dream750]

As shown in the motorcycle ID guide published by American Honda for USA market bikes:   

[si144r]

Update on Engine Number

I took the bike down to the local Government traffic inspection station so they could appoint it an engine number.

What they found was right in line with the centre line of the swing arm and rivetted into the back of the engine block was a factory engine plate with an engine number stamped into it , why in this location that barely had 3/8" or 10mm clearance to be able to see it is unknown.

Even the inspector with his mirror and torch had difficulty making out the number on the riveted tag

Unfortunately it still cant be used as in Australia all engine numbers must be stamped into the engine block.