'85 VF500 Interceptor""project" New owner new to bikes.

I ended having a bike fall into my lap. I am used to working on cars and trucks but bikes are an animal I have virtually no experience with. The previous owner stated it was sitting for 20 years with head issues. The bike is nearly complete. Missing ignition coils, plugs and wires and probably a few other necessary parts. It came with a Clymer Manual and several crates of used old parts. 21 carbs, a frame of questionable origin, a spare set of wheels/rubber, 2 aftermarket front shocks, a good looking cam and crank and a rusted box of transmission parts/clutch packs, starter, turn signals and what looks like a full set of plastics etc..... Almost no parts for the head or engine.

It is a 1985 VF500F interceptor and the pink slip was last registered in 1987. Odometer reads 33k miles. I have the time to throw at it but not sure if this is a headache that I want to deal with. I was glad to find such a strong forum for this type of thing. Thoughts?

 

Unless you are a wealthy eccentric looking for something to do with your time and money you're better off selling it for parts. By the time you have it complete/running/reliable you'll have exponentially more $$$ into it than it's worth.

These things aren't Hemi Cudas or SS Chevelles that you fix up and sell for piles of money, these are plentiful old bikes that you can buy running all day long for around 1000 bucks.

p.s. I'm not like squirrel saying NOT to buy a first gen VF, I HAVE one, but mine was like new and running for 1300 bucks....

 

A bit of intense research on our excellent site will help you decide, starting with a search of "VF 500 valve issues."

Question is: do you want a bike you can ride now ......or do you want a worn out piece of crap that, after lots of work, delay searching for parts, and spending too much money, you might someday possibly be able to ride briefly before a recurrance of valve problems, the fatal flaw of old, poorly maintained 500s ??

And check the fuel tank interior for signs of rust, common on 500s and a constant source of trouble.

 

Thanks Guys,

I got the engine to turn over and will do a compression test in a bit. I will mull it over and poke around the bike a bit more.

 

That sounds like a neat project! More than likely the head issues are from a dropped valve, which is pretty common. Do not be afraid (and by all means do not listen to S-man), the VF500F is a great bike and I'm sure you'll really enjoy.

 

OH, yeah, the VF 500 has the potential to be a good bike, but probably not one that comes in boxes......that you got free !

 

I also have a 1st G that I bought running and I agree with mtl_VF500. If the bike fell into your lap, part it out on eBay and make some money - if your wife doesn't mind the junkyard aspect.

 

Batman since you are new here I'll introduce you to the folks who have replied to your thread:

JD: First Gen guru and go-to guy for just about anything maintenance or upgrade related on our bikes. Knows these things inside and out, could take your boxes of parts and turn out a running bike over the weekend (mostly because he has forty more boxes of parts just like them). Has the expertise, talent and tooling to create parts that will make your 1st gen perform as well as a bike ten years newer (okay so we're still 15 years behind state-of-the-art, but we're getting closer...). Will support you 100% while you try to resurrect a bike that a sane person would walk away from.

S-Man: Realist who also possesses the talent to restore/resurrect lost causes, but who knows when to throw in the towel. Agrees that good examples of 1st gens are indeed fine machines, but knows they are few and far between. Doesn't want to see people throw good money after bad. Knows that a free bike is NEVER free.

Me: vf500 owner who lucked into getting a good deal on a well maintained, lightly used bike, and also haven't owned it long enough to have any real problems yet. Bought it because it's the first bike I ever wanted (since a friend had one 25 years ago).

My bike is smooth, quiet, complete, and runs like an expensive sewing machine. The NEXT thing that goes wrong with it will be the FIRST since I've owned it. When it does happen the two guys above will be the first two I go to for help. JD will enthusiastically offer advice, while S-Man will do it, but begrudgingly.

I don't know either of them personally, only from extensive reading here on VFRW. At the very least, you know you came to the right place

 

Mark it on your calenders......I gotta side with Squirrel this time......Tink is spot on about a money pit. Sounds like way to far to go, even for me , and I have been looking for a VF500 project.

 

Nah, even if you go over $500 of it's value what do you have? Less than the depreciation of a new bike the moment you ride it off the lot. Come on guys, why are you trying to keep someone from giving it a go? So what, it's their money right? Life is too short, I think it's better to get a little enjoyment out of something like this rather than worrying about a few pennies here and there.

And mtl_vf500: you can add to your list that I am not the guy who will call someone else's bike a "worn out piece of crap". That would just be wrong.

 

A new bike is not the alternative, rather something off CL that can be test-ridden b4 purchase.

Deals are out there, it's a buyer's market !!

Gotta agree: Life's too short, so get something you can ride 2day !!

 

Thanks for the input and the introductions. I am going to go ahead and try and rebuild the engine, if not the whole bike. I guess it will be a good place to cut my teeth on motorcycles. Started the engine removal last night. Took the carbs off and demolished a couple of the rubber boots. Drained the oil and it was half coolant. Came out a really pretty green and brown mixture but not the sludge from water oil emulsion. My girlfriend will get over the garage full of parts. I will hit you guys up as I go with questions.