I just got a vf500 ;)

Its a 1986 vf500f interceptor. First bike ive owned and I pretty much learned how to ride when I handed the guy 1500$ and I asked for basic instructions lol.

Is there anything mechanically I should look?

I checked oil, replaced the battery it was bad, checked the brake fluid bubbles they are full but the reserve is empty should I filll it... The chain has quite a bit of oil of some kind on it. The tires are in pretty good condition but the suspention isnt very tight and I find myself bobing around quite a bit.
O yeah and it seems to die like its not geting enough gas. I run the starter for about 10 seconds and it fires up again.

Other then that great bike i love it so far ive had it for about 3 days. Its probley the best part about going to work is riding the bike. I took it today in perfect weather and it ended uo snowing pretty bad here in utah, First experience riding in snow, It really hurts my eyes since I dont have a helmet yet... O well no more of that.

I just thought everyone should know. I am sure I will be on this forum often.

 

Basically, the rule of thumb is to replace all fluids and check the important parts - brakes and tires.

Fluids: Brake, Clutch, Coolant, Oil, Fork Oil.

If the tires are over 5 years old, replace them.
The production code on all tires are not equal but you will see a special code in an ellipse shape on at least 80% of all tires on the market, and that will help you find tire date of manufacture. The "last 4 digits" on the ellipse tells us tire manufacture date. The first 2 digits is "PRODUCTION WEEK" and the last 2 digits is the "YEAR".

Get a Manual - it will show you how to do the basic stuff.

When does it die? Need more info.

I won't talk about protective gear - that's a whole 'nother ball of wax.

 

Welcome to the site. First things first I would go out and buy a clymler or other brand repair manual. Then I would start by checking after it dies if it is getting spark and fuel. search the site for info on the rectifier also called R/R. as it is a common problem with these bikes. Your forks probably need new seals thats why your suspension feels funny. The chain should have some oil on it, you want to keep it lubed and make sure that there isn't to much slack in the chain. but you don't want to over tighten it. I would search the 1st and 2nd generation forum and you should find alot of info that relates to your bike. any other questions just ask most of the folks on here are pretty knowledgible and willing to lend a hand.

 

awesome thanks. Thinking about it now I kinda wish i had not got such an old bike. parts are pretty rare and I alrdy own an 86 honda accord hehe.

gas tank seems to be new or at least completely free of rust. I have not had another problem with it choaking and dying. I suppose it could have just been to my inexperience.

I am just curious how long do these motorcycles last... its at 25k miles now. mostly I would like it to last the rest of the summer or maybe even a month more and I will get something faster. I dont want to sound like a douche or anything I would just like to have the power there when i need it to keep up with my friends r6. The vf500 is accutally in amazing condition from what I can look at. No rust on any moving part or the motor, slight rust on where it was droped.

If I should decide to sell it what should I ask for? 1500$ might have been a bit high to buy it for. I guess this all depends on if I fall in love with the bike or not... I fall in love with dependibility and simplicity.

I am glad I found this forum, experienced advice is great to have.:dizzy:

 

The main reason you proably can't keep up with the R6 is inexperience. I can keep up with newer bike with mine during normal riding. The only thing they have over me is top speed I've had mine to 125 or so and it had a little left. I would stick with the 500 you don't know what you have there. when that bike came out it had the best power to weight ratio out of any bike out at the time and 0-60 in 3.8 is pretty quick. I would get a few thousand miles under your belt before you look for something faster.
mine has 29k on it and runs like a champ. I have heard of them lasting into the 70K's and more. But if you ride it hard and don't spend the time to do upkeep nothing will last very long. If you treat it right it will last you forever.

 

Alright. You have some nice looking stuff on your bike jamyz. I am really just worried about it breaking in a critical place and not being able to fix it or find parts. The vf500 is quite nice looking For bring as old as it is they had the right idea for what a sportbike should look like.

I am not sure what a good RPM range for general riding is I keep it at about 6000 for cruising because it feels about right. Should I not be taking it past 10000 rpms? I dont ever ride it like im racing. If I got 5000 miles out of it I would be more then happy.

Any tips period would be helpful... Your right I am inexperienced. I know a lot of the things that normally get people killed but thats it.

 

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=1105611&rurl=nid,218,ad,1105611,lpid,,cat,144


thats a picture of it as it is right now

Oh and jaymz have you had to fix anything on it yet?

 

Nice looking bike I'm not sure about the red seat but I love the black. It looks like its in better shape than mine. I also like the mirrors you have mine is (I only have one) mounted to the upper fairing and I can't stand it, at higher speeds it folds down and you cant see anything. I'm on the lookout for some bar mounted ones similar to yours.

as long as the engine sounds good no loud tapping or knocking you can use the whole RPM range. I've accidently reved mine passed redline while side by side with a mid 90's zx7 ( I think thats what it was anyway) One of the big things with the interceptors is making sure the valves are to spec. you don't want them loose and you don't want them overtight. A little valve noise is normal but if it gets loud you may need to adjust your valves, if in doubt ask someone that is familier with these bikes to listen to it.

So far all I have done is change the oil and other than that just the body work and materials that go with painting it. I also purchased a mostly disasembled parts bike that I couldn't pass up ($75) with most of the parts in boxes ready for inventory. I do believe that I have to replace my rectifier and I'm going to replace the battery before I ride this year.
The weather is just starting to warm up here so I'm going to get it road ready soon. If I have time I will do a write up on the rectifier replacement and anything else that I do.

Where are you from you may have a member next door and not know it.

 

Wow man that's a pretty slick paint job! Like Jaymz said, if you do the proper maintnance stuff it will last a long time. I've heard of 500's with over 200,000 miles and still going!

 

Yeah when your done with it I wouldn't mind picking another one up wallet and wife permitting.

 

I am in utah. Yeah that ticking does not really bother me yet its pretty quiet.I can barely hear it over the motor. I will have to learn on how to adjust valves. I think I am going to have to find a black seat or just a cover I suppose.

I think reassurance is all I needed. I would hate to have the motor eat itself and me be out a bike and money. It was that or a $4300 yfz600r 2003 with 4000 miles. The insurance costs on this bike are just so cheap 170$ a year compared to 1700$ a year.

Of course I will take care of it and if I do decide to sell it I will post it here first.

lol my 86 accord is still running its just wont pass a safety. Honda is a pretty good company 1980+...

 

I'd pick up gloves, helmet, jacket, etc. and then take the MSF Basic Rider Course as soon as you can. If you can't take the course soon, pick up a copy of Hough's Proficient Motorcycling.

There's tons of great information in both, the BRC is primarily designed to get you through your first year on a bike without going down. Focusing on basic control of the bike, and then what to do in emergency situations.

It's not expensive, not a lot of time, and well worth it.

 

I just got a 84 vf500 I'm in the same boat. What oil brand and weight synthetic do you guys suggest? And can you use automotive coolant?

 

You want to use a silica free coolant and use distilled water in the cooling system... Not all automotive coolants are good for motorcycles.. The question on the oils will vary with every owner...I use mobil 1 gold cap 15/50 in my VFR800..

 

May not matter, but I do know that lots of public water has all kinds of minerals in it. I just use the Honda stuff in the blue bottle in my 84 and 03. When I changed coolant I just got a few gallons of distilled h2o to flush the old coolant. Also good to have distilled water for the battery when it needs water.

 

Thanks guys! Yeah it seems like the oil question is sort of open ended. Low moly content seems to be the deciding factor. It looks like Amsoil, Shell Rotella-t Diesel, Motul 300v and Mobil One Gold Cap are all good choices. Money wise, it seems that Rotella-T is the best choice(Walmart 5 quarts for about $15). We'll see. I've got bigger problems to fix. Rebuild the carbs, front Master cyl, Clutch Cyl, Fork rebuild, Rebuild front brake caliper AND get it running. I was impatient at first but now I'm realizing that I should just have fun and take the rebuild slow. Mostly because I got quoted $2,000 to fix this puppy up by the local MC shop. So I thought I'd take a $300 MC repair course and learn to do this stuff myself. The bike is in good shape, its just been sitting in a family friends garage for 10 years unrun.

 

Certain coolants contain a silica which is hard on the seals on the water pump and collects in the radiator..