newbie... lots of questions/needs help!

Ok... I just bought an 84 vf500 interceptor. It's got just over 10,000 miles on it, but the shape it's in you'd think it had a million miles. Atleast I go I for cheap... lol. The attachment is what the bike looks like right now... lol. The gas tank leaks from under the petcock, and pretty much all the fairings had some kind of damage or were gone. I been looking for the real tail light ad turn signal assembly as well as fairings and gas tank. I been trolling ebay, craigslist, forums etc. It's really hard to find the parts in good shape and accessable. It also doesn't help that pretty much all of the bolts and nuts holding the fairings on were not even close to matching or factory. I also need the fuse cover and handle bar grip. So my question is... Are any other bikes close enough to the 500 interceptor to be fit to the bike? I don't mind a bit of fitting but I don't want to do a lot of cutting or welding. Any other gas tanks that will fit? Tail fairings/turn signals? Anyone that has any part bikes that are pretty complete... hit me up and I can throw out a list of ALL the parts I need... I'm willing to fork over some cash to get this bike on the road. I'm in cville va if anyone else is in the area.

 

You can find these bikes complete and running for 600-1000 dollars all day long all over the country, that's what you should be looking for and use THIS one for a parts bike.

 

Welcome!

With only 10k on the clock, this is a great find and an excellent candidate for restoration.

Parts, NOS or used in good condition, are not the easiest to find. Patience is key here.

Plenty of knowledge on this site so feel free to ask questions. If planning on diving into the details, a copy of the FSM is a must have.

Good luck and please keep us posted on the progress.

 

A fool and his money...:whistle:

 

Respectfully, I totally disagree with this comment.

It's all a matter of perspective. This said, I certainly understand finding a good core to work from. With only 10k on this engine, it is a keeper in my opinion.

Also, from the photo the OP has, what looks to be, a very nice space to work in.

What could be better than a vintage project bike, with lots of potential, paired with a comfortable space for turning some wrenches?

 

I just hope this isn't your only bike and you want it running soon.
Don't want you getting your hopes up to be let down.

 

Well put......

 

Try to verify that the engine runs OK b4 spending on replacement tanks, etc.

 

+1 on the post above.

I have a hunch that you have a keeper here but it is best to carefully inspect the engine before ordering up on the other parts that you are in need of.

Please keep us posted on the progress.

 

definitely foolish to start restoring without verifying that the engine is in good shape. I recall these and most other V4 engines of the era had top end oiling issues. check the cams and valve clearances before even beginning to waste any time on body. a pretty bike that doesnt run is kinda like wipin before you drop a deuce.

 

Riding said vintage project bike???? :whistle: Wrenching is fun when there is that white fluffy stuff on the ground and you can't ride. Wrenching on your only bike while your buddies ride their new 600ss all day long sucks....

 

Solution............ride all day, wrench all night.

 

Now we're talking!

 

if you have a 26yr old bike with no matter how many miles on it..and you expect to be out riding with your buddies every weekend..it had better have some comfy pedals on it and you better be in good shape to pull them hills..cause lets face it..smart is having a newer reliable rider and a sweet classic to breakout on occasion to make them say "hell yes"..

so get the newer bike first..then add as many classics to the stable as you like..cause it is a lot of fun tinkering with an old bike but man its a bitch if you're slappin it together to get on down the road..save yourself the headache

 

Yeah the bike running is not the issue, the enginge seems strong... the bike runs beautifully... it fired right up on the test ride I just knew it would need some parts to freshen it up. It is my only bike but it's ok... I'm pretty patient. I wish I had the money for a newer 600 but I'm just a poor kid. it doesn't have to be show quality and I can do ALL of the work myself and I'm a fast worker. The bike will run solid once I get the carbs back on and a gas tank hooked up. I pretty much just need the parts and some nuts and bolts to put it back together. It's all cosmetic and things I want to do. But I also will need to get parts because stuff will break

 

Exactly man... im right there with you!

Cool... can i borrow say... 3... 4 grand? Thats no problem right??? :tongue2:

 

famous last words of a fool...

its called a savings account...

 

Its called college, whats a savings account? lol Thats why I have an $600 bike.

 

college..."hey mom, dad...i need a new laptop...you know the one that costs 3 or 4 grand"...creative financing lol

Good luck with your projects..remember to keep plenty of beer on hand it dampens the frustration..."keep plenty of beer on hand" like i have to tell you...you're in college!

 

That would be sweet. That would be freaking amazing actually. But I pay for my own stuff though. BUUTTT, there was a good news phone call this afternoon. I applied to get this used ninja 650r at a dealer around here. I got a phone call saying I was denied for the Ninja 650, but the dealer remembered me talking about this amazingly pristine F3 that someone just traded in. He called the bank and they sent the ok. They will take my broken vf500 and $500 as the down payment. And the payments are nice and cheap for my college budget. I go in tomorrow to talk over the deal. Fingers crossed...

/threadjack lol