looking for a good interceptor

1986 Honda interceptor

Let me know what you guys think and what I should look for.

thanks for the help

 

How much are you looking to spend, and how far are you willing to travel? There are alot of others on CL. Here's one:

1987 VFR

The one you posted didn't look bad, just didn't know what you're looking for (gen wise) or how much.

 

One thing to note: it's very important to follow the factory maintenance schedule for setting the valve lash, to the letter, or the valve train can suffer on the VF500F.

The valve lash needs to be adjusted at: 600, 8,000, 16,000, 24,000 miles and so on.

With 28k on the clock, I'd try and get a better read on the bike's service history, from the owner, before making any decisions.

VF500F's are great bikes - but - they need to be properly maintained...

 

If you're looking for something you don't want to have to work on or source hard to find parts don't buy a 500 (the '86 you posted). That's a pretty good deal on the '87 though.

-Jake

 

+1 to what Jakobi said, keep in mind the older the bike the harder it's going to be to find parts.

 

Boy, I like the looks of the 2nd Gens. in white!

 

The 87 would be better, the 86 is not the droid you are looking for.

 

Wow! That 87 looks like a MUCH better deal! I love my 500, but I would jump at that VFR if I could!

 

I am interested in the bike just for its looks. I like the red white and blue colors. However I am still want something that is reliable. So i guess I don't really know what I am looking for I just have always the 1st gen.

 

Then don't buy a 1st gen unless your prepared to deal with the consequences.

-Jake

 

Go with the gen 3 and on ......

 

Gen 2's are fine and can go to 100K easily if you take care of it.

 

VF500F's are great looking bikes and I personally prefer them to styling of the later VFR's. The caveat is that many of these bikes (esp. their engines) have suffered from unkind neglect.

Maintenance, proper warm-ups, keeping the rev's in check are all part of a check list to ensuring this bike's longevity.

With 28k on the clock and an unknown history you quite possibly could be in for quite a bit of mechanical work on a bike that has many NLA OEM parts - i.e. valves, valve springs, cams, rockers, head gaskets, etc.

If you like the bike and you have a decent set of mechanical skills you'll probably make out okay - or - it may be prudent to find a VF500F with less miles with a known history. Even with a higher asking price, you'll most likely come out ahead on the purchase.