1984 Honda VF1000F Review

[@SkyrayModels]

Could not agree more with you. Bought a low mileage write off Bol Dor model in 1988,with less than 11000 miles,needed new forks and a fairing repaint,got it road worthy,and rode it for a summer,checked rear cams to find they where badly pitted,so sold it off. Bought a V65 Magna about 5yrs ago,with less than 12000 miles on,very clean bike and road nice for a cruiser,but cams where just as bad. Engine runs very hot,i sold that off too. I have a friend who still has the same bike as you just bought,he has it in a Spondon alloy frame. I told him to flog the motor and stick a 1000R engine in it. He tinkers with it or than he rides it LOL!

[@mlke2900]

17 inch rear tire. 16 front gives the appearance of a muscle car look with the side step bars. The bike weighs 585 dry. If you go to Haggertys car value site, they just these values for this bike in great shape at $8000. Mint shape is $13,000.

[@mlke2900]

Yes there is 2 radiators in this bike. With the 2 fans mounted just behind the bottom radiator.

[@mlke2900]

Keep it man even in just good condition these bikes in Haggerty website for bike values these are worth $4000. So invest in it. The way to get around the the cam issue is to keep the oil level above the fill mark about a 1/8th more. This way you never hear any cam leash sounds. Also these bikes like fresh oil changes around 600 miles. That wet slipper clutch likes very clean oil when shifting. Once those clutch plates get dirty oil on them the shifting is not as good.

[@mlke2900]

Do a video of that vf1000r bike you have.

[@mlke2900]

I wired my regulator to get rid of the plug on the rectifier. These bikes tend to collect moisture in the plugs. So I just directly wired it.

[@mlke2900]

I did the same. I directly wired all the rectifier connections. Big differance to.

[@michaeldobson8859]

You are correct in that its a one year bike 1984 only because it was a technical failure. Bad cam shafts ruined the bike and the replacement cams from Honda cut 5 HP. Riding the bike was a bad experience because the weight distribution was way off. The engine was too far back in the frame making the front end uncomfortably light and scary at speeds over 100 mph. I was an original owner and I was glad to get rid of it when new.

[@lr882027]

I did get offered a really mint 1000F 2 years ago but I declined, the price was OK-ish but the bike just didn't appeal to me.

[@mlke2900]

Yes you are correct it us a 1 year bike. Just slight improvements to the 85-86 with the cams on the R models engines. Hp rating is actually 117. Spend the time and money on this because I have one since new in July 1984. The parts are mainly found on ebay. But do restore for sure. It is a sound investment.

[@lr882027]

MIke feel free to reach out for any parts you need

[@mlke2900]

My bike has 65,000 also with no top engine work. Use regular synthetic 10W40 oil. It likes that oil for sure with that anti slipping clutch.

[@mlke2900]

In your country the boulder bikes,are very common. They actually gave a honda vf1000f club there. Check it out.

[@mlke2900]

If your needing any parts just let me know. I have many good-looking parts for that bike. Those bike are a hit or miss with the cam issues. The way around this since I've had mine new is keeping the oil changed every 800 miles. And keeping the oil dipstick level about a 1/8 over fill. When riding thus bike you can actually hear the cam chain get louder as you ride. When I hear it get louder I actually just add more oil the next time I ride. And run a garden hose through the top radiator and open the bottom drain plug and let it flush for about an hour.

[@mlke2900]

For tires the best is the byblass Michellin Pilot active tires.

[@mlke2900]

Whst happend to the vf1000f? Did you end up parting or out or redoing it?

[@lr882027]

I parted it out, did quite well out of it, got what's left pf the motor if you need anything.

[@jeremysmith4393]

just have bad oil pressure problems its the reason the wearing out so fast but if you keep the oil screens/filters cleaned they probably will be great bikes as ling as youre not trying to race yhem every time you drive them

[@klesarhr-bz5of]

IMHO, those VF models (not sure about 1000R because I have not tested), means 750 especially first models (I think were introduced 1983) have had fabric failure on camshafts, than the factory corrected this on further models and...all I have been discussing to were not impressed even I do really like this magic Honda´s V4 sound and what comes out is...if you maintenance your bike on time, if you do not rev it cold to the bone, if you use proper spare parts....man, all these machines should turn 100k kms. Of course, these youngsters today laugh when they see these mid eighties machines with specific design, big and heavy...but that is (only if it is in preserved original condition and with a low km age) what I like the most...(probably that comes with ageing 😉)

[@mlke2900]

I found out using a racing top mounted fork pressure gauge these bikes like the firmest setting it can do. The brakes are the worst problem for sure. I've tried every brake pad out there and my conclusion is it makes no difference. I use my rear brake along with the fronts when braking.

[@klesarhr-bz5of]

yes, that is the common problem with almost all the bikes that times. For instance, big change is if you compare GPZ900R first model (with single piston front brakes) and later models (with double piston brakes)...I am sure man can even somehow mount a modern bike´s triple piston brakes with proper metal sheet hydraulic hose and better cylinder and it would solve the problem with braking (with proper tyres aside, of course, to avoid slide on hard brake)

[@mlke2900]

Do you still have parts for sale in this bike? Thanks from Mike in Ohio

[@lr882027]

Mike, not much left, wot you looking for?

[@viktorwahlstrom4431]

I got a complete vf1000f if you need someting Mike.

[@michaeldobson8859]

One more thing the 900 Kaw was not as fast as the VF1000F biut your correct in that it was a better bike. THe next year VF1000R fixed the engine and weight distribution bit was heavier and slower steering, plus the R was uncomfortable with the clip on bars. There were two radiators one behind the headlight in the fairing and the second one in the chin fairing, which is missing on your bike.

[@lr882027]

My research tells me the 900r was faster, 151 vs 144, maybe the 80 lbs of extra pork on the VF was the difference. Having owned and ridden both, and also owning a VF1000R, the 900r is, as you said, a superior bike. It did come with the top radiator but it had been removed in order to take off the front cylinder head. I like my VF1000R but it really is a juggernaut, long wheel base, plenty of power but plenty of weight to match.

[@darrylpeebles1978]

I have two of these VF 1000 Interceptors and they are great. One has 90K+ and it runs as good as I got when it had 40K on it and that was 8 years ago. The other one has 120K and runs as good as the other one. Yes, the cams are suppose go bad but both of these bikes had them replaced by dealers. If anyone has one for sale I am interested.

[@ICONMSTARR820]

Do you happen too still have the fuel tank for sale?

[@lr882027]

Long gone I'm afraid, I think I got $300 for it a couple of years back. Getting hard to find I would imagine.

[@manuelfvdias]

Have you ever had a Yamaha TRX 850? What do you know about it? Thanks.

[@lr882027]

Never come across one of those, I assume it has the same motor as the TDM850 which was a decent machine by all accounts. Probly a decent bike, spare parts would not be so plentiful.

[@peterpyke1213]

just put mine back on the road after 3.5 years standing.straight through mot.i dont likethe slow speed cornering.paid 1500 in 2014.goes like shit with oodls of torque.a bike with character.2 rads.i bypassed thermostat so i can fan when i like.mine had a replacement engine with 21000 mls on so should see me out.featured on utube for sale,still there.

[@michaeltaylor6092]

Nice review :-)

[@lr882027]

Thank you Sir

[@viktorwahlstrom4431]

If someone still looking for parts, I have a complete vf1000f .

[@RDEnduro]

600lbs! Geeez

[@lr882027]

I thinks it's 575 wet weight, a lot of that mass is in the motor, probly the frame too - it felt heavy when I threw it in the back of the pickup to take to the dump.