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Home Articles Magazine Sections Events 2007 Easyriders Show in Sacramento, California Custom rides @ 2007 Easyriders Sacramento Show

Chopped VF1000 @ 2007 Easyriders Sacramento Show

VFR Powerplant?
VFR Powerplant?
Now here's something you don't see every day. I was tripping around the Easyriders bike show in Sacramento earlier today, and saw this very unique chopper with a Honda V-Four (VF1000?)

I used to ride an '84 VF1000 stocker, and I can safely say that the stock motor is capable of putting out some serious power and torque. I got hooked on metric litrebike power on that VF1000, and my addiction continues to this day.

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Built by Todd Duarte of Elk Grove, California (near Sacramento), it had a number of interesting details. I was unable to speak with Mr. Duarte at the show, so I don't know the details behind its construction - Todd has contacted me by email, so I will try to get further details on this interesting metric bike.

Whether you like this sort of thing or not, it's worth a look.

 

Update: Here's a link to a page showing a stock VF1000F just to give you an idea of the radical transformation embodied in Todd's creation.

‹ "Cool" Custom @ 2007 Easyriders Sacramento ShowupRockem Rocket @ 2007 Easyriders Sacramento Show ›
Author: Michael Curry /// submitted on January 14, 2007 - 9:08pm.
Filed Under
  • 2007 Easyriders Sacramento Show
  • choppers
  • honda
  • Motorcycle Shows
  • Motorcycles

chopped vf1000

Submitted by todd duarte on March 26, 2007 - 8:24pm.

I told Mike that I would forward some information on this VF.

The power plant was taken from a salvaged 1984 VF1000F Interceptor. I rebuilt and polished the engine. Each time I polish a motor I swear it will be my last! The power is transfered to the rear 300 mm tire via a jack shaft. This shaft contains an inboard disk brake-to keep the right side of the rear wheel clean.

FRAME
I built the frame using 1/4 x 6" steel plate, and 1 1/4" dom tubing. The lower frame rails were built from the 1/4" plate. I boxed the entire lower rails and swing arm. This is heavy and keeps virtually all of the bikes weight close to the ground. The rest of the frame was constructed of the dom tubing.
The rake on the frame is 51 degrees with an additional 5 in the triple trees.

SUSPENSION
The rear suspension consists of two marshmallow springs and one Firestone air bag. The marshmallow springs are 3" belted rubber blocks with a 1" bore through the center. These two blocks are the entire suspension for the rear of the bike. The air bag works to soften the rebound. This thing rides like a Caddy!

Front forks are 10" over.

BODY
I built the fuel tank and all other bodywork out of 16 gauge steel. All parts were hand fabricated except for the front and rear fenders. All sheet metal was bent over my knee, and worked with hammer and dolly. No english wheel, planishing hammers.

WHEELS AND TIRES
Front wheel: 21x2.25 80 spoke/////avon venom\ 21"
Rear wheel: 18x10.5 80 spoke//////avon venom 300x18

EXHAUST
The exhaust system was built from stainless, and aluminum tube. Hot rod styled collectors were hand hammered. Entire system except for aluminum side pipes were ceramic coated.

BRAKES
Rear brakes as I mentioned are on the jack shaft with the master cylinder donated by a Yamaha Warrior (Free Parts!) The Front brakes are after market Harley bolt on stuff. The front master cylinder came from the stock VF 1000 along with the clutch. They are both mounted on 1" v bars.

OTHER COMPONENTS
I made the seat pan from fiberglass, shaped the foam, and covered it in black vinyl with a fabric insert. The gas cap came from a 1979 Yamaha XS 650. Those finned aluminum things that you see in the front of the bike surrounded by the fuel tank are hot rod transmission coolers. They are plumbed in a series and replace the ugly bulky radiator.

PAINT
I used a color called charcoal beige for the brownish color you see and the graphic is done in a thick house of Kolor Silver Flake.

OTHER
Probably the coolest thing about this bike is that I built the entire thing for about $6000. Sure some of the Harley guys hate it because of the Honda engine, but its what I could afford. I put it in the Easyriders show so that people could see what you can do with a lot of imagination and a little dough. This is my second metric chopper and I am currently working on a third. People often ask me when I will do an American v-twin, the answer is I probably wont. I will stay true to what I like. The engine has gobs of horsepower, is reliable, and is cheap and easy to work on.

Thanks to Mike for having an open mind and displaying my bike.

Thanks for the info

Submitted by Michael Curry on March 26, 2007 - 8:57pm.

In case you haven't noticed, we're not an American-motorcycle-only site - it's all about motorcycles and motorcycling, and yours is as unique as any I've seen. Not everyone will like it, but there were plenty of people stopping to check out your bike at the Easyriders show.

I just wish I had better lighting at the show, the pictures I took are all pretty dark and don't show the details I saw in person.

Good luck with your future project(s). Please let me know when it's ready, I'd love to see it.

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