1993 VFR 750... should I buy?

[mustang28027]

 Have opportunity to get a 1993 vfr for $900.00. According to the owner, who is a wrencher,  the motor is fine, but needs a new chain, a  fork seal needs to be replaced and  perhaps a fork tube is slightly bent. Plastics are not in A1 shape. I am riding a 2002 FZ1 now and this would be a  second bike. Anyone have experience with this model and year? Aside from the above, anything else these bikes are notorious for? I already know about  the rectifiers...  Thanks in advance!

[Zerosum]

The '93s are prized because they're white.  I love the way they look.  Third Gen is a solid bike.  Very similar to the 4th Gen, so much so that they share the same shop manual.  It's a little heavier, but the engine was vitually unchanged.  I've read that the 3rd Generation had heat-management problems, that it tends to cook the rider's right leg.

I like the VFR because the engine is all about mid-range power.  It pulls nicely off the line like a twin and also had decent roll-on like a multi.  Staying in the engine's "sweet spot" is pretty much effortless, because the sweet spot is between 4K and 9K.  Compared to your FZ-1, it won't blow you away with its peak power, but the power it has is very smooth.

[mustang28027]

It is the white one...

[vfrrider]

Frankenviffer candidate. New chain and sprockets, chain guard, forks and brakes, fix the plastic and repaint NH193P, Pearl Crystal White.

Larry
VFRrider

[Zerosum]

Or go nekkid with it.  There's a video on YouTube of a guy who did that with a 3rd Gen.  He put a classic "UJM" headlight bucket and gauge cluster on it, taller handlebars, and managed to tuck away all the hoses and cables inside the frame so it looked clean.  It looked like a Hawk GT on steroids.

[UHOH]

are you a hands - on work on your own bike type of guy?
That would make the decision, from what you've posted.

[mustang28027]

I can tackle just about anything except going into the motor... so most other things like plastics, chains, brakes, etc I can either repair or replace. While I like the idea of  modding some bikes into streetfighters and cafe racers and such, this one is special to me. Anything other than a change of exhaust or a corbin seat would  be too much. Going to look at it tommorow.

[Nodaclu]

I'd snap it up in a heartbeat, but then, I'm a guy who literally has dreams at night about owning a white '93 VFR, so I might not be the most objective source around.  

[looking for mileage]

I'd recommend buying the bike in a heart beat!
I owned one for 2 years the my Bro was in an accident and wrote it off. (left turn in front of him, classic. He was fine though.) When it was written off It had 107,000 km's on it. I've heard stories of those V4's running up to 200,000 km's B4 they need a rebuild os it seems like a no brainer if your willing to deal with a bent fork and all that little stuff.

  I loved the bike, I dreamt about it every night and when I bought it, it was all I imagined it would be.
I rode my bro in law's 02 fz1 and it definitely has way more power than a bike from the 90's but you wouldn't be buying it for the power, u'd be buying it b/C its a VFR.
  Go for it. I'm picking another one up as soon as I can afford it. For now I ride a CB400 B/C insurance is cheaper.
Peace, DB

[mustang28027]

Looked at the 93 Viffer yesterday. It cranks and runs,  idles a lil rough. The present owner believes it is  bc of an exhaust leak somewhere. I tend to  believe it,  but also feel the entire  exhaust would need  to be looked over,  and the carbs should be  cleaned/rebuilt.  The  throttle sticks.  The  rt fork leaks, so both  forks would need to be reworked.  The  worst thing of all is in the plastics. Rough.  Just about every piece needs to be reworked and repainted. Most do not line up correctly, indicating  the bike has been put down before... I can do the plastics work myself, then take to a bodyshop for paint. I'm looking at spending another $1000.00 in addition to the cost of the bike... it this worth it? For $1900 I could also get a number of other bikes in better condition overall... so you  VFR  lovers post up!! Give me some feedback! Thanks.

[vfrrider]

Plastics are no big deal. You can get the entire set from Airtech now, in fiberglass.

Forks are no big deal replace them, or go USD.

Exhaust is a positive. If there is no center stand, you can use the system from a 94-97 and get more choice for slip-ons, even a left exit system from UK.

Rear shock is a pain, but some aftermarket still avialable.

Pant is available from Colorrite.com.

So, the $1900 is a little high, can that be negotiated down. Right now some nice 93's are going for $3000-$3500. Mine will never be sold.

[rgbeard]

Geeeezus - there's too many NICE bikes out there right now for LOW LOW prices.

This is the time when you RUN away from the bad ones.

This economy has people cleaning out the garage of the nice stuff.  Don't buy the crap.

[Zerosum]

Geeeezus - there's too many NICE bikes out there right now for LOW LOW prices.

This is the time when you RUN away from the bad ones.

This economy has people cleaning out the garage of the nice stuff.  Don't buy the crap.

Seriously.  I saw a clean, low-mileage '04 Honda 919 for $2800 the other day.  The other week I saw a low-mileage '98 VFR800 for $3000.    At these prices, it's hard not to simply impulse buy.

[viffergyrl]

  Do you want to ride the bike or work on the bike?  Lots of good bikes out there...

Edit: I know it is gratifying to pick up a deal and be able to get it running quickly, but I would really hate to see you spend a lot of time and money fixing this one when there are wonderful bikes out there that just need a little bit of work for you to be happy (and riding!). Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

[photomd]

How many miles are on it?

I put 40K+ on one and loved it. It is very reliable, but is known to eat the R/R. It's under the right side tail section. If it's gotten hot, the wires will appear burned and you may have to splice in new wires. Start it and put a voltmeter on the battery (under the seat). Rev it to about 5K and the volts should top out around 14.5v. Spec is something crazy high like 13.5 to 16.5v. IIRC, if the volts are drifting up toward 15.5-16v, the R/R is going south and can melt some of the wiring between the stator and R/R. Other than that, it's just regular bike stuff and V-4 stuff (carbs are hard to get on & off).

If you're looking to a project, then I say go for it. I'm into projects: my Guzzi is currently spread over 3 locations.

[mjrfd99]

I picked up a mint 86 VFR 2+ years ago to turn over for the $. Fell in love w/it - great bike.

[Zerosum]

I picked up a mint 86 VFR 2+ years ago to turn over for the $. Fell in love w/it - great bike.

Yup, that was the story w/ my VFR as well.  I only bought it to see what all the V4 hullabaloo was about, I was supposed to sell it a year later.