1985 VF500 Interceptor

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Scott S, Apr 10, 2017.

  1. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    Thanks all! It's nice to hear some encouragement.

    I don't know why, but I've just always loved the style of this bike. I remember staring at it in the parking lot at work when the boss would ride it in. I'm not even that big a fan of the '80's stuff, though I DO think they're the next wave of collectibles. And my ex-GF had an '85 FJ600 for a while. I thought that bike was sexy too and BOY could it run! I like the semi-fiared, mostly naked look.
    I'm also a fan of middleweight bikes. I've been a CB500/550 guy for a long time. Currently working on one of those as well. IMO, all you need is a bike around 400 lbs., 500cc and that's just right for size, weight, handling, speed, highway capability, etc.
     
  2. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    Carbs are in! Now to just get the cooling system back on and filled and install the new battery. You might also notice that I cleaned up the Kerker mufflers a little bit, too.


    [​IMG]
     
  3. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    I'd rather you contact him for a quote, since nearly every rebuild could be different. Depending on how bad they are, what needs to be replaced, O-rings, etc. I will say that I feel he's very fair. Sometimes, his turn around time isn't quite as fast as I'd like, but the work is always top notch. Great value for the money, IMO.

    https://www.facebook.com/Oldskoolcarbs-485002854895718/
     
  4. Hellapet

    Hellapet New Member

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    Really nice looking bike, makes me wish mine was blue not red. Regarding love/hate I dont think anyone hates these, but we all acknowledge valve float problems. Keep it below 10k rpms and you should be fine, as I'm sure you've read by now.
     
  5. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    You know, today I'm pretty bummed about this bike/project. I truly thought I was coolant away from firing it up and getting the bodywork back on.
    I'm not getting 12V to the headlight and tail light and can't figure out why. Then I noticed that the plunger in the aftermarket master cylinder (I know...should have listened) isn't retracting fast enough and the brake switch stays on.
    In an attempt to check the start switch to see if it's the cause of the no-headlight, I now have a dragging throttle, which wasn't like that until I opened up the RH control again. I see no real way to fix that or access the start switch without taking off a bunch of stuff and getting back down to the carbs. The carbs that I just had rebuilt and installed two days ago.
    So....instead of going for a ride in a day or so, I know have several things on the punch list that I don't know how I'm going to fix. Maybe I'll go work on my CB550 project. I can do those in my sleep.
     
  6. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Scott have you considered getting a kit and rebuilding the master cylinder(s)?
     
  7. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    I did, but mine are in pretty bad shape. The windows are cracked and glazed.
    I think I ended up with a 14mm brake master. I'm thinking about trying a 16mm, like it should be.
     
  8. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    *The good new is, SHE LIVES!!!! And once it was running, all those weird electrical things started working. The headlight is still a little hinky. It's got something to do with the little switch inside that turns off the headlight when starting. The little spring/pin doesn't spring back as it should. I sprayed a little WD40 in there and I can make the headlight work. Hopefully, it'll get better in time.*
    *The engine sounds smooth as silk with zero valve train noise. No smoke or leaks. I'll keep tweaking the carbs 'til I get them just right.*
    *I had to bypass the fuel pump to make it run. I'm seriously considering leaving it bypassed and just unplugging it, unless someone can tell me why I shouldn't.
    *It feels good to have a few things go right!
     
  9. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    The fuel pump doesn't seem to work. I'm OK with bypassing it, but I'd like to know the proper procedure for doing it. What to unplug, etc. Or....if it's really beneficial to run it, what replacement are you using?
    OR..... now that I've primed the carbs and made it run, should I try hooking it back up? I don't hear it doing anything. Didn't even see fuel in the filter until I bypassed it.

    Also, I've only got ~1700cc of coolant in it so far, including the overflow. I've ran it, burped it, squeezed the hoses, etc. It's full to the rim of the neck when not running and drops down some when it is. Should I continue trying to get the last ~300cc in there?
     
  10. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    I rode it today! Stayed in the neighborhood and kept it under 5K RPM, but so far so good!
    The replacement front master cylinder works great but the switch is crap. Brake light stays on most of the time. And still no neutral light (and neutral is a tiny bit hard to find when coming to a rolling stop).
    No complaints, though. I think I'll like it!

    Even though I tested the fan during the rebuild and know it works, I never heard it come on. The temp was slow to climb and never reached halfway across the gauge. I did make several short trips and it's overcast and cool here today.

    And I noticed that even though the '85 calls for 2 turns out on the mixture screws, it seems to like 2.5 better. I'll go through the procedure in the manual for setting them later on. At two turn out, there's a fine line between a 1,000 RPM idle (or barely above) and a 2,000 RPM idle. No air leaks...I checked. At 2.5 turns it sounds better and I can get an ~1,100 RPM idle or a tick more. I'll keep adjusting them until I can get 1,300 RPM or so, per the manual.

    [​IMG]
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  11. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Dude nice job! Enjoy!
     
  12. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    Looks sharp!

    Keep plugging away.
     
  13. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Scott have you synchronized the carburetors?
     
  14. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    I bench synced them and tweaked the mixture screws a bit. I have not vacuum sync'ed them. It runs pretty well and sounds good so far.

    I'm a CB550 guy, and those things sound like they're about to throw a rod when the carbs are out of sync!
     
  15. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    I put about 135 miles on it over the last couple of days. One full tank of gas and then some. I found out where reserve is 8) .I also found out that I can lock up the rear wheel if needed.
    In mixed riding, with some idling and carb fiddling, some around town and some interstate (70-75 MPH for 70 miles or so), I got 45 MPG. I don't think that's too bad.

    The clutch sometimes has an ON/OFF switch feel from a dead stop, but period magazine articles report the same thing. The repro brake master works and the front brakes are good, but the return spring in the bore is weak or something. The plunger is slow to return and the brake light stays on too long. I just unplugged the wires for now. I've been talking to a guy that can restore and rebuild the stock ones. Not just kits, but media blasting, powder coating, new sight glasses, rebuild kits, etc. It's not cheap, at around $150/ea., but I'm seriously leaning that way. As I get older, I really appreciate genuine parts and stock stuff.
     
  16. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    Yeah...I'd say the packing was blow out. Replaced it with FMF 4-stroke packing and it's MUCH better now. Still has a nice, deep rumble but is much more mellow.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Scott S

    Scott S New Member

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    So this happened yesterday. I had ridden to a local shop to pick up something and noticed a tapping noise on the way over. I recognized it from past experience and, sure enough, the chain was tapping the center stand. I had adjusted it not long before, but chains can stretch, etc.
    I adjusted it in the parking lot and only made it a couple of miles down the road before I heard something again. Luckily, I was rolling to an intersection that angles across traffic. Not much more than a couple miles an hour. Went to pull out, there was a click/thud....and nothing. For a second, I though I had lost the transmission. "F%@#, this bike's junk now..."
    Coasted across the street to the sidewalk and the chain is sitting just as neat as you please on top of the chain guard. Zero damage to me or the bike. Not even a nick or scratch.

    [​IMG]

    I remember when I had the chain off for the rear tire replacement, and I thought then that something looked odd at the master clip. Almost like there were places for two of them, but I only removed one. The master clip was still in the chain. I can only surmise that maybe it had two at one point and one was lost over time?
    I got very, very lucky. Installed a new riveted chain today and back on the road!
     
  18. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Now buy a lottery ticket......
     
  19. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    DUDE-- very well done-- isn't luck a pleasure once in a while
    Great job


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  20. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    "I'd rather be lucky than good."

    Quoting a friend of mine that passed a few years back prematurely and fast. Highly successful, long time Alaska Airlines Captain.
    Always think of that, and this made me think of him.

    Cool bike man. Enjoy.
     
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