new member, old(ish) bike, no spark. please help! thank you.

i just bought an '86 vf500f interceptor, it doesn't get spark. the (main) killswitch is good, the fuses are good, the battery is good, starter is good, it has a bad diaode that is just under the seat. is that the issue? i believe it has two ignition coils, and two ignition boxes. and i doubt they (in either case) both went out at the same time. really i'm clueless and hopeless. maybe you guys can help me. also, i could really use a schimatics/diagram for the bike. anything will help, as i have nothing. and haven't found anything. any advice guys? thank you very much. /bow

 

Just wondering.......

OK.....why does someone buy an old bike that does not run???

That bike's not old enough to be a real antique and not good enough or rare enough to be a classic.

If/when it runs, how much more will it cost, and will there be awful engine noises, and is the transmission good??

Someone will post the wiring diagram you need, meanwhile you're not riding.

(You may be able to eliminate the diode from the circuit by using a jumper wire across it.)

 

lol, to tell the truth, i bought it cause it's my first road bike, and i'm worried i'll lay it down in a dumb mistake. thanks for the advice though.

 

Mr. Pessimistic strikes again! :frown: Quit raining on everyone's parade already.

Cheers to not buying a brand new bike. I'm all for fixing up older rides for starter bikes as long as you're mechanically inclined and know the history of the bike somewhat. Mistakes happen sooner or later...it's not IF you'll go down...but WHEN.

As for your problem, I am sorry I can't help you as the oldest bikes I've ever even worked on/looked at close are a pair of 88/89 CBR 600F Hurricane motors(the bike and spare motor my buddy and I used to learn on)


P.S. Welcome to the forum! There is a ton of info on here that's buried in the search engine as well so check that out as much as you can. Might come across some old posts with similar problems or find users with great knowledge of your machine. Good luck!

 

[QUOTE Mistakes happen sooner or later...it's not IF you'll go down...but WHEN.

[/QUOTE]

I used to think this was crap, then I dropped my bike from a stop and realized....going down doesn't have to mean a real accident...it can be a simple parking lot drop. So yea, you will drop your bike.

 

I'M all for riders working on their own bikes and not getting a shop involved and for learning about their bike in depth......so, first thing you need is the Honda service manual. Also, you need an electrical multimeter to measure volts/ohms and decent tools.

Two of out resident experts on the VF 500 are Jamie Daughtery and matt.