New guy, first bike

New guy, first bike, Now a Project - Tank Paint!

YESSSSSS

I bought an '85 VF500 from a friend at church last week. I LOVE IT. No license/permit/insurance yet, I've just been riding it around on a closed loop, but I am totally in love with this motorcycle. I finally truly understand the allure of bikes. I would put this on par with when I first experienced driving a Quattro in the winter.

It's far from perfect. Cosmetically it has more than a few issues, and there are a couple mechanical problems. I think all the shocks are pretty much blown and the brakes could use a refresh, but otherwise it seems to be in great condition for 30k. Runs great, wheels are balanced and the chain is tight. All the lights and gauges work. All in all, for 500 bucks I think I got away pretty good.

Plans at this point are pretty simple. I want to pull all the fairings and salvage what I can, maybe replace a few and then paint them all white this winter. Probably going to service the brakes and maybe shocks, but I'm not sure how much money I want to spend on it yet.

Anyway, just saying hello to everyone. I'm sure I'll be coming around fairly often with maintenance questions and looking for advice.

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new bike! I'm sorry but I had to laugh just a bit. Suspension is blown, needs new brakes, more than a few cosmetic issues, plastics need work...but you're in love! I think it's awesome. Not making fun of you at all. Just made me think that my girlfriend probably says similar things to her girlfriends about me - he's a little thick around the middle, his hair is thinning, he's not very tall...but I love him!

And $500 sounds like a steal. It's a good sign that it's running. There's a lot of good people here with a lot of knowledge who can definitely help you get it where it needs to be to run well. Enjoy your new ride. I'll let others here advise you on appropriate training, gear, etc..

 

Ha. You're totally right, that does sound a little ridiculous. I can't help it though! I'm discovering motorcycles suddenly and this works perfectly for me. I didn't want to spend a couple grand on a bike I'm probably going to put down at some point. This one has been down (more than once I think) so even though I won't be happy about it, at least it's not the first time. I'm just excited to be getting into it and to discover this new toy. If only it weren't the end of the riding season in MN.

 

Welcome to the zoo lad. It is easy to fall for motorcycling in general - been riding more than 45 years myself. If you haven't already, you should take the time to attend an MSF riding course. It could easily save your life one day. Learn the skills, practice them whenever you get the chance, always wear your gear, and make the time to bond with that little Interceptor. It's the only one of the fantastic V-4 line I haven't owned, and the one I lust after (in private, of course).

Once again, welcome. There's lots of wisdom around here to help you fix whatever needs fixing.

 

Nice sentiment Foothill, and welcome Belgarion, please take the time to do the course. I grew up without the facilities and had to learn the hard way. I'm still here with a few minor scrapes, but some of the guys I grew up with aren't.
Be safe.

 

Several of the dudes here have 500s. They can likely find a free dowload of the service manual for you. Your bike could probably stand plugs and an oil change and maybe even rubber.

 

Welcome aboard. I love your enthusiasm. Take your time. Take the Course. Wear your gear. Have a good time lavishing time on your new machine.

 

+1! Welcome.

 

Welcome!

+1 on attending a motorcycle safety course. Well worth the time.

VF500Fs are great bikes but they do require very carefull maintenance to insure engine longevity.

If I could suggest two books for the library shelf: the Factory Service Manual and Mike Nixon's Cleaning the Honda V4 Carburetor.

Also, inspecting the valve train and setting the valve lash should be at the top of the clipboard. Lots of info can be found here regarding these topics.

As you note, bleeding the hydraulic lines (brake and clutch) is a good idea.

For the rear suspension, the stock mono-shock wasn't that great when new. Another member here has a DMr F2 shock upgrade for sale. This would be a smart investment, IMO:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/36075-parting-out-85-vf500f.html#post328108

Hope this is of some help and good luck with your project!

 

Welcome. Always good to hear from a new 500 owner. The 500 is a really fun bike, both to ride and tinker with. I've had mine for a little over a year now, wish I had discovered it a long time ago. Have fun with it.

 

as IC said i do still have the shock upgrade, and various other parts as well so if you need anything feel free to PM
but congrats on the find, hope you enjoy yours as much i as enjoyed mine!

 

That is a great first bike, welcome.

 

+1 on that :biggrin:

 

A David Eddings fan I take it from your screen name.

Welcome from another new VFR owner.

 

Yes indeed. I read those books in the summer of 1999, back when the internets was first really starting to become widely available. I needed a screen name and I was all about those books at the time. Thanks for the welcome.

--update--

Today I made it to a DMV that actually gives the test and got my permit. Tomorrow insurance goes on the bike.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

 

welcome, be safe, and enjoy the bike.

 

Here I am, still alive. I'm signed up for the next available class.

Here's a reminder of what it looked like before.


But that's not the interesting part. The interesting part is HOW AWESOME THIS IS.


I bought all the gear (except boots, still working on that) and painted all the fairings. A little paint has dropped decades off the bike. Obviously I'm going with the white/black theme (and totally loving it). I am SO excited about this. I love owning a motorcycle. I'm still planning to re-paint the tank since that's rather worse for wear (gloss black). I'd also like to paint the frame flat black, and the wheels white, but we'll see. For now I'm just excited to be riding.

You know Mordeth13's video on biker waves? And how new riders have special wave all their own? That's totally me.

 

Everyone should watch Mordeth13's videos, follow his advice then sell thier bikes and thier sisters to some dudes in Dubai.

This is also good for why it's not good to ride when amped on meth.

 

I just realized I look like a total douche in that photo.

 

Any first time rider who wears full gear is a total NON-douche in my book. Smart boy.