1984 Honda Interceptor VF700F

There is one for sale just up the street from me, original owners son in law selling it. Only has 10,550 miles, looks completely stock, bodywork looks flawless....but its been sitting so there is the normal corrosion here and there. But I bet it will clean up and look show room fresh with minimal work.

Will fire but wont stay running....carbs are no doubt filthy.

I can't find much about them other than they had a problem with cam wear due to insufficient oil flow to the heads. There were aftermarket kits to increase oil flow but this bike never had anything done. From what I read Honda would replace cams for the first 5-6 years if there was any wear, but this bike never had the cams replaced.

Does anyone know what these go for? I can't seem to find much out there about them, guess they are not a very desirable model.

I own a 86 Vf500. When the VF is running good it is a sweet ride. When they are not they are a royal PITA. Complicated, difficult to work on and parts are hard to come by. Here is where the VFR experts hang out:
vfrworld.com

Hello David...did some sleuthing in the NADA and VJEMC guides and that model in decent shape should go for between US$1500 and $2000...running poorly should go for less. The real collector is the V45 (750 interceptor). The 1984 is one of the 'tariff' bikes. I found a 2011 article on the V45 interceptor but not on the 700 model...you can take a gander at it when you stop by next.

Best performance in it's class back in the day. The V4 engine has really nice power characteristics. I'd grab it if the price is right.

I had a VF500 and loved that bike. Great suspension and the bike handled wonderfully. Not sure it's needed but I'd throw on one of those cam oiler kits for peace of mind.

I test rode a n 80's VF700 when I was looking for my first bike. I was having a great time until my legs cramped up. Apparently sport bikes aren't my thing . It was fun while it lasted anyway

I had the 1983 VF750 interceptor for a short time back the day. To me back then it was an extremely good looking motorcycle to say the least, and they were one of the rare motorcycles that supply and demand was in its favor. They sold new for around $3400 give or take, but prices even used were much higher than that since the hype of the V4, plus the domination by Freddie Spencer and others in road racing made it a highly sought after motorcycle. 1983 was the last year of the cheap 750s and the beginning of the major inflation seen since. So 1984 they made the motorcycle a 700 to comply with the legislation to help the "PILES", which is my nickname for those HD Chinese things. The 700 still looked good, probably ran fine, but was like a censored movie, lost a lot of appeal.
I liked my 750 OK, and I'll just say OK due to the 16" state of the art front wheel, which was really dangerous in real life, the carbs which would overheat in hot stop/go riding and the complexity to do maintenance, such as valve clearance checks ect. I liked the ride, power was very good, comfort good. I liked it. Later got a 1983 GPZ750 kawasaki though, and even though less high tech, a better motorcycle in all regards.

I've been trying to get somebody I know to take some interest in it. So far no-one seems interested. Hate to see the bike end up in the wrong hands considering how untouched it is now....but I guess we can't save 'em all huh.

I think he is asking too much, but I didn't tell him that. $2,500 asking now. If the bike was running, maybe, but it needs a lot of work before it will be safe to ride again. It's going to need going thru front to back and for sure lots of attention to the carbs, which I understand are a PITA to get off the bike.

I may make him a much lower offer and wait and see, so far he has had no interest in it other than me.

The more I read I see there are two different camps on the oil/cam issue. Some say to do it or your bike will explode and kill you and nearby innocent motorist, others say not to because it will rob too much oil from the lower end. It is true that cams are easier to change than a crank, and that's the argument. They say to use good oil, change it frequently and don't worry about it.

RonKZ650 wrote: Later got a 1983 GPZ750 kawasaki though, and even though less high tech, a better motorcycle in all regards.

I would rather have a GPz750 any day. I even know where one is, but the owner doesn't seem interested in selling it. :whistle: :laugh:

Getting the carbs off isn't the issue, it's putting them back on. My first bike was a v45 honda magna. Same engine as the interceptor. They are extremely fast when running right, but they have to be set up perfect, and parts are hard to come by. Mine ended up needing a new set of rings, and to take it to a shop and have them hone the cylinder, and replace the rings was going to cost me $1,200. I took the carbs off to clean them and it took me about an hour to get them seated back in place. I love the bikes, but I will never personally own another. I have a couple friends that have them and I'll just let them ride my kz for awhile so I can enjoy the v4 without actually having to work on one. :evil:

Many of the early VF750/700 engines had issues eating cams. It was a massive issue for the factory - often replacing cams and all the rockers and more.

There used to be an external oiler kit available for these bikes. If this one is fitted with that, that's a good sign.

Yup, my buddy bought a VF700 or 750 cheap (can't remember which), and it made horrible noises up top (Keith Moon playing an anvil with two ball-peens).

He ended up selling it instead of diving into cam replacement.

loudhvx wrote: it made horrible noises up top (Keith Moon playing an anvil with two ball-peens).

What a picture! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: