Getting a new 500 Interceptor

It looks like I will be getting a motorcycle after having been off the of them for 5 years. This will be the third 500 I will have known. The first 2 were stolen over 2 years ago. The craigslist ad says its an '86 but it has '84 fairings, so we'll see. She ran and then was put into storage for over 10 years. I have a buddy with a garage and tools. He has experience with old bikes and I know the 500s fairly well. So getting it running shouldn't be too bad. I am crossing my fingers that the tank isn't rusted, and that cams aren't worn out. Now if I can just get all of those parts back home in Maine down to TN, and a hotline to Jamie.

 

I picked this up tonight. It says 1986 on the frame but has '84 fairings, front wheel, and black forks. Anyone know how to confirm the motor is an '86? Been in a good storage shed for 10 years, and was running when it was put away. It really is in good shape overall. The brake rotors are in great shape, and it even has that little glove box back underneath the rear fairing. While there are minor scrapes on the right side fork and engine cover, the mufflers are clean. Fairings are in real good shape as well. The front brake felt really good rolling it off the trailer and down my buddy's steep driveway. I let the clutch out and heard that familiar V4 thumping. So I suspect the clutch is good as well. We did figure out really quick that the throttle cables were rusted in place. The tank didn't seem too bad. But we're not sure.

Here's the list of things my buddy and think it will need:

Tires
Oil and filter
fuel filter ('86?)
Antifreeze (flush and fill?)
Air filter(s?)
throttle cables
handlebar grips
Clutch lever
Battery
Brake and clutch fluid flush
brake pads?
Fork seals?
Fork oil?
Drain old gas
Clean carbs
adjust valves
check cams for wear
check brake lines

Did I miss anything?

Any new products that the 500 owners as a whole recommend?

 

Oh, and as you can see, it also has an '86 seat, in good condition.

 

Hmmm, if I remember correctly isn't the oil plug in the '86's in different spot than the '84/'85?

 

The 86 engine has line bored cam bearings so the head should have the half moon seals where the boring tool was used the machine the head.

 

Jeremy don't suppose you can add a picture I have 3 engines and note sure whether 83, 84 or 86

 

No half moon 84 and 85


With half moon (line bored) 86

 

Well I never noticed that before cheers chris

 

Thank you!

 

Not trying to be and idiot but can you point out exactly where this half moon seal ?
I have been looking at the photo for half an hour but don't see it.

 

I have circled the seals.

 

Ah ha !!!!!!!!!!!

Mucho Gusto

 

It's camouflaged.

 

Just an update. Went over to my buddy's garage where it's being kept Saturday night. Mainly cleaned the dust off and removed all of the fairings and the tank. All the hoses look to be in really good condition with little to no rust at all. So brake, coolant, and fuel lines don't look like the need to be replaced. That's good news.

The tank looks to be in pretty good condition, but not perfect. What is the best way to clean this thing out, and drain it? There is a mess of crud in there, I can hear it. And, that vacuum petcock is a PITA.

I got down to the carbs, but couldn't remember how to get them off. Next time I get over there I'll be sure to find a prybar. The sliders int he carbs were not moving, but the bike does need all new cables. Will attempt a carb cleaning with the help of my buddy who's done it many time. If they aren't right I can always take them to someone who knows what they are doing.

That's all for now.

 

If it's been sitting for several months, you should pull the carbs for a clean/rebuild. They come out through the top of the frame.(all at once) Removing the throttle cables from the carb rack is done last after you get the carbs free. It's a PITA. If you have a "heat" gun you can heat up the carb boots and this will help "release" them. Some of the coolant hoses (I don't know about all) are different sized than of previous years. I know for sure the themostat housings are different.

 

Just a note. I went through an 86 VF500F that had been sitting like yours. When I first started it it stated to leak coolant out of every joint and junction. The head was the worst. Don't panic. A Honda mechanic told me to start it, get it warm and repeat. I did this a couple of times and after warming it up three times all the leaks went away as the seals got soft again.

 

the slides shouldn't move, they are vacuum actuated (constant velocity carbs). they have butteryflies like car carbs on the other side of the slides that move with the throttle.

 

Sorry commrad but yes they should. Even at idle. The more throttle you give the more the slides should "lift up".
At idle they should (I like to say) "flutter". If they do not move then most likely a diaphram has a hole or tear in it. Or they did not correctly seal when the "chrome cap" was put back on.

 

yes, but they are not connected to the cable and don't move with the throttle like the slide on older bikes. If you'll look at the point in the thread where he said they were not moving you'll notice the bike isn't running, he's taking it apart. I was just letting him know why.

On a side note, you can use your finger to lift one of the slides, twist the throttle and see the butterfly open and close (with the engine off )

 

Yeah, I wasn't talking about moving the throttle, I tried to gently move them with my finger, once I got the tank and airbox off. Needs a cleaning for sure.

Anyone know the best way to flush the gas tank out? I can hear "stuff" in there.

Thank you all.