Author Topic: Honda VF500F...the mini-ceptor (Read 10146 times)

ron.cieri.313 · « **on:** February 08, 2011, 06:29:18 AM »

Now that most of the demons of been cast out of my CB750 a new project bike was in the offing...so, I went to the eighties for a Honda VF500F...are there any fans out there?...this thing is a basketcase but it's all there (well mostly) and all stock but alot of work ahead...hope there are folks who can help along the way.

Will post pics...I'm picking up on Saturday.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2011, 04:48:29 PM »

I've always wanted one but they are very hard to find here in Oklahoma. I haven't ever ridden one but they are rumored to be great handling bikes and I love the engine. Good luck with your new project.

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2011, 05:15:55 PM »

Thanks!...yes, they are hard to find...the owner of the Honda dealer said he rode one in the grand prix races Honda sponsored to promote them and said "yes" they are great handling bikes...the V4 he said, makes a tight work space but not too bad to work on...well, we'll see.

Two other people were trying to buy this one even though it was on craigslist in Dec...then once he relisted, he said everyone started calling...must be spring

...i rode an hour and half away to buy her with my bday $'s (turned 50!)...bought her for $400...pretty good deal i hope

Steve_K · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2011, 05:21:23 PM »

A little V-4 is a good thing. I have worked on one(bled the hydraulic clutch) but never rode it. Seemed to be a nice little sport bike. I would like to see some pics. Did this engine have the cam shaft issues? Honda had a fix and I think, if it was done, some marks were put on the engine # so mechanics would know if it was done. Cam problems may have been only on the VF750, can't remember off hand.
Have fun with it!
Steve

MoMo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2011, 06:01:13 PM »

Recollection of cam problems on the V45 is true. I do not remember any problems at all with the 500, which is a very fun, quick handling bike. You will enjoy the ride. I just regretfully sold a V45 Interceptor, had to or I would have gotten way too many speeding tickets-every time I would look down at the speedo I'd be doing 75 plus. Have fun with it...Larry

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2011, 06:39:42 PM »

Thx all...I plan on having lots of fun...er, once its running again.

The cam problems, as I understand it. were isolated to the early VFR750's and then it was fixed, or "over" fixed with gear driven cams I believe in '84 or '85. I was originally looking at the VFR750, later models to avoid the cam problems when I discovered these vf500's...I like the look of the 500 better with the exposed engine and everything kept saying what great handling bike it is...better balanced then the 750...so I figured, hmmm, gotta believe the 500 is plenty fast enough for me, plus, i luv the red, white and blue look....and then i saw the old racing clips of these bikes on youtube...so freakin' cool. I was thinking about a naked goldwing but, with the cb750 demons exorcised, i hoping that bike can keep that niche filled for now.

MCRider · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2011, 07:27:08 PM »

Must be fate... or destiny? I just got this months VJMC magazine. The past president Jim Townsend, from Indiana, has an article in it about the VF500F he is restoring. He has one already in good shape, and bot 2 more to restore into 1 good one.

Do you belong to VJMC? May be a good resource. www.vjmc.org

Jim is I think near Ft Wayne which would be closer to you than Indy.

gearhead ed · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2011, 07:29:55 PM »

I had a 1986 vf500 ceptor for two years. I put 14,000 miles on it with no problems. A vey nice handling bike in the curves. I adjusted the valves once and it was an all day affair. Good luck with it.

MCRider · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2011, 07:38:12 PM »

I'm reading the aforementioned article and he says "Honda V-Fours are the most difficult bikes to work on I have ever seen". Yikes! Jim has worked on and restored many, many motorcycles.

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2011, 07:59:05 PM »

oh NOOOOOoooooooooooooooo...well sounds like it may be worth it though...i'll check out vjmc

ekpent · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2011, 06:43:25 AM »

The V65 engines in the Magna and Sabre def had a bad rep for not oiling well on the top end-cams at low rpm's and start-ups.One mod was to change it up and run external oil lines.Other than that those engines were a beast.Have fun on the 500 Ron,just dust the old Honda off now and then though

Eric in the Zoo

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2011, 06:53:18 AM »

Hey Eric...she'll get dusted off plenty...I may trailer her up to Cheboygan for the summer and rider her around the coast

bwaller · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2011, 07:48:19 PM »

The VF500F had issues with cams too. I bought one for my son and it chewed through cams. I have most of the bike left if you need parts. Too bad, the last time I had the heads off I deglazed and installled new rings, an NOS oil pump. The engine is mint except for cams/followers. I also have a topend oiling kit that provides higher pressure filtered oil to the top end.

They are a well mannered bike with good power, fun to ride.

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:19:50 AM »

bonjour!...I may need parts so I will definitely keep you in mind...I'm hoping to take delivery on Sat....but I'm quite sure I need the plastic fuse cover box that sits on the center of handle bars....couldn't find it on ebay except a cracked one.

I have a clymers for it and factory service manual on order and coming in the mail. The more I read the clymer's, the more it seems that space is definitely a challenge when working on this bike and especially the engine area.

The PO told me this bike was missing a fuel pump but I also read that the fuel pump was dumped for the '86 model which this is...I don't know how you can work on one of these without a manual eventhough he seemed like a good mechanic.

The air filter box looks good, and I'll change the spark plugs, it turns over, so my first guess is something related to fuel flow...he has already taken off and soaked the carbs...but of course, you never know what someone might have done without a manual

...will keep you all posted and hopefully have pics soon.

weekend_junkie · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2011, 08:01:44 AM »

I bought one of these babys when I lived in NYC and it was trashed already but a lot of fun. The fuel pump died on me shortly after I bought it so I just removed it and routed a shorted fuel line right to the carbs to make it gravity fed. I'd buy that bike back in a second, so enjoy!

fastbroshi · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:43:37 AM »

Have you checked out the vfrdiscussion forum? They should be a lot of help. Gotta love a V4, especially with the geared cams.

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2011, 05:24:51 AM »

I need to do that...I forgot about them...guess I'm really used to coming here.

I did get trailer here home on Saturday and spent Sunday cleaning here up and getting familiar with her.

I'm workng on the gas tank now...cleaning the petcock assembly.

You can feel how wonderfully balanced and compact the bike is just by sitting on her with your feet on the pegs when she's on the center stand.

My wife thinks she is too fast and she has even been started yet

fastbroshi · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:03:23 PM »

Like the avatar, just saw that movie for the first time a couple days ago. Awesome.

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:43:18 PM »

Thx...you really need to read the "graphic novel"....i.e., comic book...if you liked the movie.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2011, 06:42:44 PM »

Install a slightly larger oil line to the heads, from what I remember this helps with the oil feed/cam dead issue. I road a 700 interceptor in Washington state for about 18 months and it was a blast. Great for blasting out of corners. I think CBR600 wheels and forks fit it well. That would let you update the tires a bit and get away from the 16 inch front.
Good luck with it. I would have traded my 700 Interceptor for a 500 anyday.

Good group here: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/interceptors/

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2011, 06:45:56 PM »

Well she is alive and running but how's this for a buzz kill...countershaft seal is leaking. Truly do I have to split the cases on another bike is the somekind of miracle short cut out there?...I thought it was possible to replace without splitting the cases...am I dreaming?

Goofaroo · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2011, 06:57:00 PM »

You should be able to replace the seal by just pulling the countershaft sprocket and yanking out the old seal.

DarkRider · « **Reply #22 on:** March 04, 2011, 09:42:27 AM »

I own one of your bikes big brothers the VF45 aka the VF750F Interceptor. The Gear driven cams came in the VFR 750s in '86, The VF500 never recieved the gear driven cams nor were ever seen a second Generation. The VF1000R in 1985 is what introduced the gear driven cams and as said the VFR750 recieved them in 86. If i recall right from what i read they may have revised the cams in the 84 and 85 models after the cam disasters. But you are in luck there are aftermarket cams out there that you can replace the soft cams with if they ever go.

kirkn · « **Reply #23 on:** March 04, 2011, 11:19:54 AM »

Where are those promised pictures....

ron.cieri.313 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 04, 2011, 07:05:59 PM »

Here's the pics...as best as I could in close quarters...I have to split the cases to replace the countershaft seal...bummer...but she's my project.

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Author Topic: Honda VF500F...the mini-ceptor (Read 10146 times)