Life expectancy on an 85 vf500 interceptor

I've got an 85 miniceptor with 32000 miles on it, just wondering how long these bikes normally last, I'm going to switch to synthetic oil in another 1000 miles, hoping that nothing starts leaking...

 

with proper care, changing fluids as per honda, should last 100-200K miles

where are you expecting a leak?

 

yes, with an oiling kit and proper maintenance shouldnt be an issue

 

by "proper maintenance" I mean following the directions to the letter, and replacing wear items as they need to be replaced... I am sure you read the story of a bike messenger in the UK who did 400,000 miles on his first motor, 400K on his second and 200K on his third before the rest of the bike gave up. It was a Gen3 or 4, but still. He was doing an oil change weekly if I remember due to his job (riding all over the UK delivering time critical parcels/documents).

 

That was a good article. He said he used the cheap oil and oil filters on every oil change. but when you change your oil every week I guess it really doesn't matter what you use...

 

funny oil change story for you...

about 5 years ago I had one of my employees working in Japan (a Japanese guy of about 60 years old). Across the street was a gas station and he used to have his oil changed EVERY DAY. I thought he was joking but he was dead serious and when I was over there for a week I did in fact notice his car on the lift on a few occasions. Turns out an oil change was $70, but parking in the lot next door was $120 a day - so he was saving $50 a day by "leaving the car for an oil change". Not joking...

 

any bike that hasn't had the shit Flogged out of it should hit the 100 K mark easy..... with the engineering problems that have become prevalent in the gen 1 Interceptor line the life expectancy has been greatly diminished, However, as stated above, by implamenting the fixes that have been designed to overcome said problems are installed, life for the bike seems to be extended...

Cheers

 

There is no fix for the VF500F valve spring issues short of replacing them on a periodic basis. As the springs are no longer available and there is no alternative you're looking at a finite life cycle. By 50-60k if you haven't dropped a valve your cams are probably worn out.

-Jake

 

Agreed with everyone saying that 100k on the first gens is unlikely.


Also on a bike this old I wouldn't use Full Synthetic. Someone put Full Synth in my bike and it started leaking .

 

When I purchased my vf500f it had dropped a valve at 32.5k miles. Death is knocking on your Interceptor's door. God speed.

 

I've got 60,000kms (38k miles) on my VF500.

It never see's anything over 9,000rpms. I rarely give it WOT. I change the oil often.

It does need the valves checked though. Hasn't in over 20,000kms.

 

The inner and outer valve springs - as noted - are NLA. There is a company that has a valve kit for the VTR250 (same part numbers are the '84/'85) and they are willing to take a look at making a kit for the VF500F. I have this on the clipboard - I am looking for a set of decent used '84 heads to send to them. The caveat is that this kit will be expensive - i.e. in the $500 range.

This said, these engines will last but they require careful maintenance following the guidelines set forth in the Factory Manual. Also, letting the engine warm up to operating temperature is key -- along with Honda GN4 (or equivalent) motor oil and keeping the rev's in check.

 

I also wouldn't switch over to a full synthetic at this point. I think you would be asking for problems. Just do regular oil changes with GN4 (or equivalent).
But this is just an opinion... mine.
Mike.

Also, I have seen a couple 1st gens do 100K. I worked at a Honda dealer for 12 years.

 

Who has this? A VF500 kit would be a VTR250 kit x2 so what's stopping them? Cost? I find that hard to believe since they already have the 250 kit. Like I said, two 250 kits = one 500 kit. If someone is willing pay what you're saying then let them. Me, I plan on getting rid of mine for a 2nd gen before it gets to that.

-Jake

 

After a bit of research - and with the light bulb moment realizing that the VTR250 shares the same OEM part numbers as the VF500F - I contacted R/D Valve Springs as they offer a VTR250 valve spring kit. The owner asked if I could send them a VF500F head for comparison - which makes sense to me as they are not familiar with this engine.