Topic: I know this is risky here but it does say everything other than SOHC,

[Dusthawk]

I picked up a screaming deal yesterday. A 1985 VF700F Interceptor that runs but needs TLC for a few minor items. It was Non-Op;d years ago so no extra DMV fees. I picked it up for only $100. And no, I haven't forgotten about Rita, with all the dozens of extra parts I should be able to fund the rest of what I need by selling what is extra.

Can anyone here recommend either a good forum or a good site to look into rehabbing this bike? I would like to have it finished and running in July if possible.

Thanks,

Jeff

[cleveland]

Uhhhh, pics.   

[Dusthawk]

lololol, didn't think I should post due to it not being an SOHC, but...

The pipes are brand spankin new tuned pipes that go for about $300 alone. The tires on the bike have less than 500 miles on them and the seat is new as well. Lots of work done by the p.o. but his loss, my gain, lol. I figure I have about $1,000 in extra parts alone. The front and rear rims should go for about $100 each, and two full boxes of all kinds of parts. I even have a complete set of dual disc front brakes from the master cylinder on down.

[cleveland]

She would make a sweet street fighter! 

What are your plans?  Flipping her for a few bucks, keeping her, stock, fighter, etc...?

[Dusthawk]

Gonna get her rolling, sell all the extra parts I get, ride her til I get Rita on the road again, then sell her. The bike is complete, even though the pics don't show all the parts. I should be able to get a very nice price for her when done. I even have the two turn signals in boxes that need to be replaced.

[cleveland]

Sounds like a sweet game plan to me.  Enjoy!

[Dusthawk]

This has been a boon couple of weeks for me, I can't begin to describe how awesome I feel right now. This last Sunday I got another call from a friend telling me of yet another VF700 on Craigslist, listed as a parts bike, for only $50. I called and it was still available, so we went and got it. It had all the parts I needed for the first one, and tons of extras as well.

I spent most of Monday working on the bikes and finally got the first one all put together, and now the battery is charging. I still have some wires to track down and figure out, but I hope it goes well enough. I started charging the battery last night but as of sunset all I get from the solenoid is a buzzing and no cranking.

I have doctors appointments tomorrow, so I won't get much done, but there is always Friday, lolol.

[tramp]

talk about a plan coming together
good luck and good riding

[cleveland]

You lucky son of a.......uh, I mean congrats. 

[Operator]

having owned an 84 VF1000F in the past, I feel a hint of jealousy at your recent find. good luck with the rebuild.

[333]

As for your original question about a forum or website, why not stay right here?  With about 6500 members, surely some of us have had experience with the V fours.

[74cb750]

Damn! tHAT looks exactly like the 1985 VF700 I had painted by a guy in upstate NH.
Caddilac purple, right?

If it is....you're otta luck, it has a bent frame.

[Dusthawk]

Damn! tHAT looks exactly like the 1985 VF700 I had painted by a guy in upstate NH.
Caddilac purple, right?

If it is....you're otta luck, it has a bent frame.

I can safely say this isn't the same VF700F, lolol, the guy who had it before me Rattlecanned the paint job, actually not a bad job.

I think, but I'm not sure, that the starter might be bad, I tapped it a little and it almost tried to crank half a turn. I will try swapping starters tomorrow when I have a full day to devote to it, and in the mean time I will let the battery continue to take the trickle charge. I also have to trace down a bunch of wiring but that should be easy enough, the first bike came with a Clymer manual with all the wiring diagrams and everything.

More soon...

[HavocTurbo]

Lucky thief!!!

Between you and me the last couple of weeks there sure are some cheats PO's.... 

Good luck on the revivals!!

[74cb750]

I have to say, this is the only bike I felt safe on
doing wheelies above 75mph. 

[Frankencake]

I have to say, this is the only bike I felt safe on
doing wheelies above 75mph. 

You wheelied a Vf700f?
 I didn't think it possible not to mention above 75.

I have an 85.  Same year same model.  Mine is bone stock except for the flat black paint and heated grips.  You will love this bike when you get it out on the road.  It has some of the best handling characteristics of any bike that I have ridden.  The real pleasure is moving it around when the engine is not running.  They are way light compared to our SOHCs.  The V-4 is super smooth and has lots of low end torque for lots of throttle.  It won't beat a Ducati but it will get up and go.  That V-4 sings in the high rpms ad you will learn to love it.  I bought one for $800 last year to fix and flip but now, I put more miles on that bike that any other.  It is my long distance touring bike. 
One thing you want to consider is to seal the tank right away.  Look at the design of the tank.  There are low spots below the petcock that are impossible to drain under normal circumstance, so water sits right in the lower seam.  My tank was rotten there (hence the black paint).  I soldered it shut and used POR-15.  It is not the nicest tank to work in but what is?  A lot of the work is best done through the sender hole. 
There is a lot of talk about oil starvation to the cams of the pre 86 bikes.  There are kits available to retrofit the oil lines and get good high pressure oil up there.  You asked about a good forum.  vfrworld.com is the best forum besides this one and is a bit like this one as it has many thoughtful and helpful people.  Jamie Dougherty is one guy over there that knows his #$%* and seem to have dedicated his life to the v-4 engine.  Cheers and good luck. 
 
Like I said,  You'll love this bike and it will make your SOHC jealous.  They'll get over it once they spend some time together in the garage and you'll understand what made those bikes "Bike Of The Year" for many years running.  It was, once again, an innovation like no other by who else but Honda.  These bikes are an important part of Hondas history just as the 750's are.

[Operator]

wheelied a VF700F??? Is that how it got the bent frame??

[Dusthawk]

78SS, I already joined VFRWorld, and you are correct, Sir, Jaime and the rest of them are great! I have met quite a few people there, Squirrel, Jaime, Crusty, NorCalBoy, and bunches of others, my name there is the same as here so look me up, lol.

As far as the tank, the previous owner resealed it a couple years ago when he heard about the standing water problem. That's why he painted the whole bike, to match the redone tank, lol.

[Frankencake]

78SS, I already joined VFRWorld, and you are correct, Sir, Jaime and the rest of them are great! I have met quite a few people there, Squirrel, Jaime, Crusty, NorCalBoy, and bunches of others, my name there is the same as here so look me up, lol.

As far as the tank, the previous owner resealed it a couple years ago when he heard about the standing water problem. That's why he painted the whole bike, to match the redone tank, lol.

If you want a good (funny nonsense type) read, check out The Tiger, Tiger thread.  It is a great waste of time.  It's kind of like the SPBT here.
It's a good thing about the tank. That will save you a bunch of hassle as that tank is not easy to do.  Keep us posted on your progress.

[Dusthawk]

Well, I went through and with the help of a friend, came to the conclusion that the starter MUST be the problem keeping the bike from starting. I will be removing the starter tomorrow from the donor and installing in in the rider, after I read the Clymer that is, lolol.