1983 vf750s

[Diggers]

I'm thinking of buying one of these, but I'm aware of the problem they had with the cam chains. I hardly know what one is, but are there any tell tale signs of it needing replacement soon? If so, what sort of $$ to replace it? Any other hints re this type of bike? Cheers

[BMWST?]

vf750 s..my flatmate had one and sold it as soon as he could get his hands on a vfr

[vifferman]

A rattly engine is the biggest giveaway that the camchain tensioners are 'ted. But (however) if it's a Honda, and isn't a two-smoke or doesn't have gear-driven cams, then it's gonna end up with a noisy cam drive sooner or later.

I can't remember which years it was, but there were also cam oiling problems on the VF, resulting in the (plain) cam bearings eating the bearing surfaces on the cams, and/or the rockers getting pitted. Apparently once they start to wear, they will continue to degrade.

Apart from that, the only things to look at are the gearbox (another Honda weakness, which will cause graunchy 1st-2nd gearchanges, and false neutrals between 5th and 6th, and sometimes 4th and 5th), and normal wear'n'tear. F'rinstance, if the disks are worn beyond the 4mm limit then they could be expensive to replace if you can't find good secondhand disks.

[robinm]

about 15 years ago, I love '80's bikes, but that one was a horrible bike. There was nothing actually wrong with it, it rode ok,etc but it was just a horrible bike. I have lots of fond memories of most of the dozen's of bikes that I have owned since I bought my first bike in 1972, but I am afraid I have no fond memories of that heap at all.

[Diggers]

Thanks for the advice vifferman. I've read up on the cam oiling issues etc. Sounds like not the sort of bike for me (i.e. one that might need some work!!) Cheers

[roadracingoldfart]

Thanks for the advice vifferman. I've read up on the cam oiling issues etc. Sounds like not the sort of bike for me (i.e. one that might need some work!!) Cheers

Get a VFR 700 or 750 , good bikes and reliable if you want an older one.
Any bike of that era was fraut with a few bad traits and most of them were a simple parts replacement with bugger all specialist work needed(but a few special tools needed to do the work)

[Bonez]

This may be usefull-

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Honda_Sabre_V4