Topic: Talk to me about a VF500 Interceptor

[Scott S]

 There's one for sale locally. Cheap, with title. But ugly. Needs tires, chain/sprockets. He's heard it run but I suspect it would take me a weekend to hear it running again.

 The best ones in the world only bring about $2000. He's asking $500. I bet if I showed up with the van and $200 or $300 I could get it.

 If my intentions were NOT to restore it but to make a rough and ugly street fighter that just runs and stops good.....should I do it?

 I know the VF750 had some cam chain issues or something on the early models, but the 500 seems to be immune to that.

[bwaller]

No the 500's had the soft cam issues too. Probably a survivor still running either had the cams replaced. I have one for parts if you need... Great tank, seat, front fairing, engine bits.

[MoMo]

A fun bike.   If you can get it cheap enough and only have to put several hundred dollars into it go for it.  I had a 750 Interceptor and presently a 700 Sabre with no issues,,  most of the bikes with cam issues were recalled and repaired my Honda(I did quite a few back then)...Larry

[seanbarney41]

I got one this fall.  I did not get much seat time before the weather got bad but what little riding I have done promises an amazing bike.  These are wayyyyyyy more intimidating to work on than an sohc4...were talking 2 downdraft carbs, 2 sidedraft carbs all linked together alternating.    but everything is amazingly well engineered and it's still all the same basic stuff
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=141697.msg1606433#msg1606433

[Scott S]

 Man...they seem very complicated. I'd really hate to get in over my head.

 This one is REALLY ugly. Front master cylinder isn't working but he has a replacement. Mufflers aren't on the bike but he has them. It's an '85, so I assume it still has a fuel pump.
 The brakes don't scare me, nor do the tires, sprockets, cosmetics, etc.

 The carbs and (potential) engine issues? Yeah.....they scare me bad. He said it ran as recently as 3 weeks ago.




 The green windscreen would be tossed quickly. I can see doing something like this for the headlights/cowl. The rest of the body work would be kept flat or satin black (albeit done much better than the P.O. did) and possibly a bare metal tank.

[dhall57]

Man...they seem very complicated. I'd really hate to get in over my head.

 This one is REALLY ugly.



 The green windscreen would be tossed quickly. I can see doing something like this for the headlights/cowl. The rest of the body work would be kept flat or satin black (albeit done much better than the P.O. did) and possibly a bare metal tank.

With making comments like this Scott I think you all ready know what do. Your just like me its hard not to bring any of these old Honda's home. But on this one put on your walking shoes and look for something better. My 2 cents

[grcamna2]

I've owned a few and worked on many;they're a very comfortable bike to ride and the 86' has a strong top end.They aren't bad as far as working on them,ask Sean.
Before buying that one I would pull off both camcase covers and check the camshaft lobes and followers and if they're good Grab it.

[seanbarney41]

That would be nice, but I doubt the current owner is gonna be ok with that level of disassembly.  I am not a fan of Streetfighters and there may be enough left of this one to not have to go that route.  The only body work I see missing is the chin spoiler.  These are not popular bikes, but the fans of them are rabid and good parts sell for good money on ebay.  Working on these is a learning curve for sure for us sohc4 guys, but I have found it amazingly do able.  I would only worry about the cams if this bike is low mileage.  To me, the v-fours are the most intrigueing Honda's of the era and I bet if you get a good ride on this, you are gonna fall in love.  If it #$%*s the bed, part it out.  Although it's a much smaller audience and posts are much fewer than here, I have found excellent friendly and knowledgeable help at VFR Discussions.com   

[Scott S]

 I wouldn't spend a dime making this one pretty or trying to restore it. Maybe some flat black paint or paint stripper, but that's it.

 My old Super at work has one he bought new. One owner, unmolested....I can get it for about $2K. If I thought I could make this one a dependable runner for under a grand....sure.
 If I just WANTED a VF500, I'd look for one that's much nicer.

[seanbarney41]

I'm losing your logic here...what's the point of having it not be a dependable runner? and why would you spend a grand to get it there and then leave it ugly?

[grcamna2]

Look for an 86' because they did a good amount of top end improvements in the cams.They made the powerband better from the midrange on up also.The early(84-85')ones didn't make much power underneath 9K rpm,but above that they'd scream.

[Scott S]

I'm losing your logic here...what's the point of having it not be a dependable runner? and why would you spend a grand to get it there and then leave it ugly?

 No, no....I'd make it a dependable runner. I'm just not so concerned about the cosmetics. I'm saying it would be dumb to try to "restore" one like this when you can get SUPER nice ones for ~$2K.

[seanbarney41]

OK, I got ya.  If you end up gettin' this thing, I think you will see that removing ugly damaged body  work just makes for even more work.  These really don't just turn into a "cool naked bike" easily.

[Steve_K]

Air-Tech sells the chin fairing(cowl?) and mid section fairing parts if you want a full fairing bike.  I have heard that they are a great handling bike.  With the cam issue resolved, what are great bike.
Steve

[socal1200r]

I'm thinking real hard about getting one from a local seller.  Has 19K miles, and he (original owner) just spent almost $1K getting a bunch of work done from it sitting for a while. It looks to be in very good original condition, except for the taller smoked windscreen.  He's asking $2400 for it, could probably get it for a little less.  But I already have my '79 CB650 and an '87 Cagiva 650 Alazzurra, so I'm not sure of the wisdom in getting another middle-weight bike, except for the fact that it's a 500 Interceptor with a 12K redline!  There's another bike that I have bookmarked, a '93 Kawasaki ZR1100, 20K miles, only mods are a 4-1 pipe.  That bike could easily haul around a passenger, whereas the middle-weights not so much.  And there's the '83 Chevy S-10 with a 350 V8 that's on my list as well, lol...

Right now I'm leaning towards the V8 S-10, to use as a daily driver (not my 1986 Mercedes 420SEL, lol), but I really like that Interceptor...

[seanbarney41]

wow, nice to have choices