vf 500F2 . to buy or not to buy?

Factory issued a service advisory stating that valve springs should be replaced by 40,000 miles, but nowhere to get them now.

 

Nonsense. THere was nothing from Honda saying valve springs should ever be replaced.

 

There was a service bulletin released in Aprl 1987 which was about putting hardened steel caps on top of the valves to prevent them mushrooming. Honda claimed this was caused by "high engine RPM, engine overreving and high mileage accumulation with excessive vlave clearance". Pretty sure it's posted on this site somewhere.

 

I have had my 500 for years, put over 10k miles on it. I absolutely love it BUT there is NO WAY I would use it for a daily rider. They are impossible to find critical parts for. I think I got the last set of carb boots anywhere. They are difficult to work on= very expensive if you can't do it yourself. They are kinda like an OLD Porsche, kinda cool, not fast, not reliable if neglected, they can live a long life but you better have deep pockets.

If you really want longevity, comfort and parts availability buy a CBR1100XX Super Black Bird (I have over 100k miles on mine), a VFR or an ST.

BTW, 2200 is way too much for a 500. I think the book value is only like 1500 if I remember correctly.

 

If you are not mechanically inclined I would suggest get a newer bike period. Time alone will have taken a toll on certain items and will need attention.
Put your 2k toward something newer, no fun fixing all the time if you do not enjoy it. Also many of the parts are NLA from Honda so you have to play detective tracking things down.

 

I really wanted this bike. Ok, I'll go get my deposit back tommorrow. Think I might get a used Ninja 250r and ride that a few months.

Well, I enjoyed my brief stay as a potential v4 poster.

 

Don't go away. Buy a Ninja, save some money while you ride, sell the Ninja for what you paid for it and get a nice 4th or 5th gen. Simple!

 

I feel like I'm talking to my kids here - and since I don't hate them, consider that a good thing:

You don't have to run away. Stick around and learn a bit and bust some balls. Especially on the Canadians.

Obviously you were excited to go and buy this bike, but you came on a forum specific to these bikes, and asked for advise while outlining your intentions. You got some solid answers. No one tried to undermine you by saying its a shit deal and then buying it from underneath you. You asked a question, you got opinions. Even if you did get another 20,000 miles out of it, the general consensus was that these bikes require some work, and undoubtedly, parts are getting harder to come by. And that same advise came from a member or three who own these bikes and said they wouldn't use them for everyday use.

You'll find another ride that suits your needs better.

 

That's solid. 250r's don't seem to depreciate below a certain point.

 

I have to agree, the 250 is a a good bike and hold their value well.

Like others have said, don't leave, you've ridden a V4. I doubt any other bike you touch is going to fill the void the V4 created. I have not ridden anything other than Honda V4s since 1991 until last year when I got the Black Bird for $500, fixed and decided to keep it. It took a one time "worlds fastest production motorcycle" to ride anything other than a V4. That mid range torque is addictive and so easy to ride but unlike a V twin it just keeps getting stronger.

I'd be willing to bet you'll be back. The little 500 is just a tiny nibble of the V4 engine offering and it still amazes me at how effortlessly it accelerates with no downshifting under 80mph. I just wish parts were still available, I would ride it a LOT more, way too much fun in the twisties.

 

The dealer was super douchey when I came for my deposit. Douche.

And tried to charge me extra for pulling the head off, $247. $200 was already ridiculous enough.

 

They didn't pull the head (at least not in the picture you posted.) They pulled the valve cover. Very different.

 

I know but come on, probably took 20 minutes.

 

Yep, you got it. It is a little involved but not bad. Those guys are pissed that they were fixing to sell a $1500 for $2200 and they lost. You are ahead of the game.

 

...and another "reputable" dealer bites the dust..

 

they charged you $200 to pull the valve cover and take a picture? WTF? that is an hours worth of work TOPS!!. Tell them to go "F" themselves and find a new stealership, it's not your fault their shop guys are too stupid to work on a VF!!!

 

Whaddya guys think about a 2005 sv 650 with 20,000 miles? Private seller, local, says always garaged, $2200.

 

Sounds like a good deal on a great bike which you should get years of trouble free riding. Just regular service and care and will last you a very long time.