Difference between 1986 Honda VF500F and VF500

Hi all,

This is a really novice question but I want to find out for sure. I am buying a gas tank for my 1986 Interceptor VF500F online but the person advertises it as 1986 Interceptor VF500. I sent him an email inquiring about whether or not it would fit but he didn't seem to know.

Could someone help me out and tell me if there is any difference between VF500F and VF500? So far, I get the idea that all of Honda's VF500 (Interceptor and Magna) are referred to as VF500s...

Thanks!

 

On the 500, only two versions, F (interceptor) and S(magna), usually when nothing is mentionned it means F, but better ask if it looks like a custom or road bike

 

Thanks for the quick reply and reassurance! I've never really bought stuff online so I'm pretty wary of buying something that may become useless or isn't what I wanted.

From the pictures of the restored tank that he posted, it looks the same as my current rusted gas tank. He mentions the Interceptor name so I'm pretty sure it is not a custom/road bike. He is also selling a few other 'Interceptor VF500' parts.

 

Good luck.

I managed to snag a decent tank off Ebay. It was still a tad rusty inside but not as bad as my original tank.

 

Yeah, if I don't manage to get this one on eBay, I'll have to patch up my current one. It's in pretty poor condition. If I have to patch it up, I'll post pics and ask for some advice! =D

Speaking of which, (off-topic) how much do you guys think a restored 86 Interceptor gas tank is valued at? It has been sealed with zinc chromate and has been primed so it's ready to paint.

 

If it has a rust/perforation guarantee on it then worth quite a bit.

The problem with these tanks is all the little nooks and crannies in it are hard to coat and de-rust. I got a tank professionally coated, and it cost quite a bit....it rusted and leaked the the lower corners anyways.

 

Yeah, he didn't guarantee anything but someone asked if it had rust on the inside and he said there isn't any and that he prepped and primed it.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay to get your tank professionally coated?

 

As far in as he could see. The tank I got off ebay was pretty much rust free until I stuck an LED light in there and a Dentist mirror. Looked like a cave :-(

I don't recall.....I think around $150.

A guy in Hamilton coats tanks but he does it by splitting them open, and blasting them and then hand-coating everything. The welds it back together.

If I ever get a bike worth keeping I'll take it to that guy.

 

Yeah, gas tank repair is expensive. I just found and called a place near Vancouver and they charge $190 if you don't care for the paint.

But I've got a better idea on how much I should spend on this old gas tank on eBay now.

 

Also on your original question about the differences, I've found that a lot of people on eBay list Interceptor parts as a VF500. So if you search for VF500F you get fewer results, but if you search for VF500 you get a lot more. The Downside is that you get the Magna parts as well.

 

Yea. To search on Ebay I try all the following:

VF500
VF500F
500 Interceptor
VFR500

 

Yeah, that was me that asked about rust and dents. My only issue is that I don't know how well he filled the dents, and with what. My worry is that he did a poor prep job or it's too thick and will crack or shrink after painting. I'm going to pass on it, so feel free and have at it.