1987 honda interceptor

I am looking at a 1987 Interceptor on craigs list. It’s a far drive so I would like peoples opinion on weather or not it’s worth it, what questions I should ask, and what problems I should look for. I was also wondering how these bikes fit someone of the 6' 2" height. I have never scene one of these bikes before so any info would be appreciated.

1987 honda interceptor

Thanks for you help.

 

Depends on your mechanical abilities. Most of these older bikes have problems with age and lack of careful maintenance. Like front calipers don't slide right or at all. Sliders need taken apart, cleaned and greased. Same with rear. What's the fluid in the radiator look like. Inside of fuel tank,rust? Stuff like that. Take a battery and make sure he has some fuel. Start the bike up and let it warm up. Does it idle fine with and without choke? Are all the exhaust pipes getting hot? If not either of those then the carbs will have to be looked at. Otherwise a little Seafoam in the fuel will help clean any varnish that may be in them. Brake hoses and other hoses. What condition are they in? Cracked or hardened? I'm 6' and have an 83 and I'm comfy on it. These are still very good bikes if taken care of properly. Check the chain and sprockets also. See if you can take it for a ride to check suspension and clutch. Most may need front forks cleaned and new fluid. The rear shock would have to be replaced if it's bogus. There are alternatives from people on this site for that or find a Fox Twin Clicker on e-bay. Like hens teeth almost. Motors are basicly bullet proof.

It looks like it has had a good life from the photo's so that a good sign. The price is good if all is well and just needs minor work to make things right if you can do the work! Most bike shops shy away from older bikes like that. Or you end up paying $$$$ just to get it right. Good luck. Let us know how it comes out. There's a lot of help here.

 

LOOKS OK , but it's an '86, not '87. Can't see mileage ???

White upper fairing may be from an '87 and could suggest some crash damage, which is not an automatic deal breaker.

The price is just right for a quick sale, however, reading the ad between the lines.....he could be trying to cover up some running problems by saying "it only needs a battery."

YOU would need to hear the engine run before purchase or you'd be taking a big risk......but it might need only a carb cleaning or voltage regulator, so you could get it on the road without too much additional expense.

What to check: look first at the guy's garage, cuz if it's a dirty disorganized mess he probably didn't take good care of the bike.

Check oil quantity, cleanliness and for any traces of water/antifreeze ; check coolant under the rad cap and overflow bottle for any signs of oil; push the bike and try to click into each gear to check gearbox; check for hacked up or improvised wiring; try to evaluate condition of chain and sprockets; make sure the front fork moves smoothly up and down and isn't leaking oil; use flashlight to check for rust in fuel tank.

GOOD LUCK : that bike could be a treasure or a trashheap.

 

exactly what squirrel said...if it was an 87 it would be white and have square guages.... be aware, The guy may have just did a typo on the year but it looks to me like an 86...

good luck

 

First off this guy has no idea about REAL value. That bike would not be worth 3 grand even if the fairings were brand new and matched. Besides that, it isn't running?!?! I would show up with a fully charged battery and tell the guy to starter up. The battery could have gone bad because it has a bad R/R or alternator or both or it could have just had a bad battery.... Without a doubt though if you can get him to start the thing, show you the rest of the body and can demenstrate the gear box working properly; then you could have a gem.

I'm just always weary of a guy that says..... "this bike could be worth $3000 to the right person" then lists it at less than half that. I'm a salesman and know a load of shit when I hear it. I bought my first '87 as a hunk of crap but it at least started and ran really well. Cosmetics are the things we mostly stress over when the mechanics are the most important.

That all being said I would make the drive and check the vin# as soon as I got the chance. It's definitely an 86', so If he's this wrong, you could have an 86' 750 and that would be sweet.

 

how would I tell if its an 86 750 by the VIN?

 

If you haven't owned a bike of this age before, set aside $500 or more for sudden incidentals on the way to getting it riding. These bikes are great, but at >20 years old, things can need to be replaced, especially if the mileage is low (20-30K miles?) Mine had barely been ridden for the last 15 years of it's life when I bought it, and in putting the first 1000 miles on it after that, I replaced a bunch of stuff:

- voltage regulator/rectifier
- battery (due to the above frying)
- fork seals (did a whole rebuild with a very reputable race builder)
- tires (although you seem covered on that)
- steering head bearings
- wheel bearings
- chain + sprockets

A lot of this is stuff that needs to be done now and then in the life of a bike, but the low mileage and high age means that it may have sat a really long time, and things like chains and tires and batteries don't get better with age as they sit. Mine was $1500, and ran like a top, and I still think it was a great deal. Including buying it, I'm probably between $2500-3000 over the last 3 years or so. That also includes upgrades like hardcase topbox.

 

Dude. What's a hardcase topbox?

 

It would be an RC24 for 750 and RC26 for 700

 

that would be a box........... thats hard..............and sits on top................


its the box that sits on the tail instead of saddle bags Tex....

 

hard case install instructions: http://vfrworld.com/forums/gear-acc...ack-86-vfr-using-givis-universal-fit-kit.html

Still haven't picked up side cases, but the top case is great for commuting into work. Much rather have the computer in the case than on my back. Especially when I had my low-speed high-side. The brain-cell padded laptop in the Givi case was just fine. Came out better than I did.

 

carbs probably need cleaning off the bat....he's probably had the same fuel sittin' in there for a while. i wouldn't offer him more then 800-1000 bucks. and you should bring it in for a check up. probably look to get the plugs, oil, carbs cleaned. set like 700 away for that. but jump start it with ur car. see if it run b4 u do anything.

 

Even if it won't run ( dirty carbs, etc.) you can get some idea of the motor's condition by hearing it crank over on the starter.

No crank=no buy.

Check that the transmission shifts into each gear while you PUSH the bike forward.

 

Got one I will sell that runs for 1300.

 

is it correct paint?

 

When I waswhen I was baying mine there was no crank....and I bought it. But it was cheap 350 $ runs now but that fuel pump is kiling me....wtf

 

It is NOT the fuel pump.

 

No , but it runs and has all the parts. Did I mention it runs? I have many analogies to follow up with but none are appropriate even for VFRW.Will give an example upon request.

 

Carborators....

Man I love mine vfr....even if its not what it should be....yet....mine is blue I gues someone painted....
Got all the parts...hoply. soon it will be on the roud...need to do little plastic fiber glass and basicly I'm mising wondscreenn....and carb rebuild...right ..

 

you know this bike looks ten times better than mine did wheni bought it. but everyine else is right you need to crank it over no good if the motor is shot good luck