Restoring an '84 VF500F Interceptor with a little of my own influence

Couldn't agree with you more.

 

I love the windscreeen and current paint scheme. I've gone through my own build with no experience and it turned out pretty well. I'm just finally getting the last details hammered out. If you can muster enough determination and spare parts you can get this done in a weekend, not a couple of years. That attitude makes for a bike that has been sitting outside for 9 of the last... etc. Get out there and get it done. We'll be here to help. Based on what you've told us about the storage conditions of this bike, throw out the carb. It cannot be saved and would cost a killing in rare parts to do so. I have one that was stored outside for 3 years and the only parts I've managed to salvage from it was a few springs. Buy another one on ebay, they pop up for $75 shipped if your lucky, $300 if your not. If the engine has compression, thank god. If not, look on ebay for another one. There is one up there now for $700ish (which is crazy) and some others can be found for $300 in the "I think it works but sold as is catagory". I myself have an extra (not that I'm trying to plug a sale). If it doesn't have compression dont waste your time on it. I just sold a full set of piston rings for the vf500 on ebay for $280, and I've never even seen a head gasket, it just isnt worth fixing. I wish you the best of luck in the project.

 

Thanks for all the advice... Part of my problem is I can't work on it at home, I'm working in my folk's garage. They have the space I need to lay everything out, and my apartment just isn't very convenient in that regard. I do get out there frequently, as it's only about 15-20 miles from here, so that helps.

As far as compression goes, I couldn't tell you whether it did or not... the engine was completely siezed, and the pistons were under about 1-2" of rusty mud. The inside of the block was miraculously pretty clean, and most of the parts appear to be in pretty good condition. I don't know if it's worth trying to rebuild, or maybe just sell the parts that are in good shape and use that to procure another engine and set of carbs...

You say you have a spare engine? What kind of shape is it in, and how much are you looking to get for it?

 

Well, another day, another few bucks in stuff I know I'll need, primer, some sandpaper, threadlock, epoxy, etc... not much done today. Thought I'd do something a little different and paint some things that weren't before, like the cover for the guages, and the bracket-dealies that hold the footpegs, the controls for the rear brake, the shifter, etc... you know what I mean. I am drawing a huge blank. Other than that, not much accomplished today.

 

I hate to say it. but you should be finding and engine for the thing...oif not you'll be pedaling the thing around like a bicycle.... what shape is the inside of the tank in? kudos to your dedication on the old girl...

 

Well, the inside of the tank sounds like a litterbox inside of a beer keg.... I assume this is not a good thing. I am coming to the realization that finding a working engine might be the better road, as having to take this one completely apart to determine why it wouldn't even turn has probably left me in a position where getting it back together without messing up the timing on everything would be tough. I would hate to get everything back together only to destroy the engine... I don't have that much experience with engines, esp. motorcycle engines. Sooo........

I do have some friends that are skilled welders and have some experience repairing tanks, but I don't know if this one's worth bothering.

 

personal note... I know it might cost way more than this bike is worth to get this thing going, but I want to do it just to say that I did... I thought these bikes were sweet when I was a kid, and I love to have a project. As far as getting my money's worth, I could care less, as I have no plans on selling the thing afterwards

I want to ride the hell out of it

 

fill up the tank with gas and see if it leaks.... if it doesn't you can find some commercial products to strip the inside of the tank and then coat it.....be careful...it will suck a ton of money out of your wallet and remember that the parts are getting hard to come by, so bargaining and bartering are a good skills to have.......

Good luck

 

Just off of 6 and 101 at the moment, so real close to Wayzata, but used to live off of Fernbrook in pretty much that same area... It's been overdeveloped in my opinion. I suspect the city is trying to be the next Maple Grove, which has become the definition of overdeveloped.

 

Well, okay.... in so doing should I remove the fuel pump from the base of the tank (I would assume that would be a good idea) you do realize there's no engine attatched to it, so would something other than gas be a better idea? gas is back to spendy atm, and moreso now that the boaters are out, and I'm seriously injured monetarily.... ideas?

 

fill it with water then.... sjust make sure to get it dry after you check it for leaks

 

Tis kinda what I was thinking, but was gonna cross that bridge after I either got this motor working or found one that does... what would you reccomend for drying the tank out if it does in fact, hold water? alcohol?

edit: Motor back together, not necessarily working. if it worked and the gas tank pissed rusty gobbage into it I'd be fricking heartbroken.

 

heat .....use a hot air gun and put it in the filler hole.....(gas cap) you could swish some alcohol in it just be sure not to smoke around it afterwards.... get the tank checked before you even proceed with the motor...cuz your right. it would suck to get it back together then have the tank dump rusty bits into it....

 

That would be frikkin' harsh... Thanks for the advice I appreciate it!

 

also of note, the bike came with the stock pipes as well as a set of "racing" mufflers.... will post the make of said pipes when I get back to my folk's next, which should be tomorrow.

and before anyone asks, no, it's not a Hindle.

 

Any recommendations for pic hosting? Picasa sucks... and I can't afford my domain upkeep atm... Help!?

 

Thanks man. This area is a little ridiculous anymore, and I'm pretty much buggered as to where most of the folks out here got their driver's licences.... I almost got massacred just trying to cross 101 to get some coffee by some chick that was going at least 70 through a 30 mph construction zone, blasting through a 4-way stop. I haven't crossed anything without a thorough look first since... wouldn't ever have had that problem on a bike, becase I ALWAYS look first... but it's insane nonetheless.

 

The engine has 6k and change on it and has the odometer/gauges to go with it, and the valve tappets were adjusted to perfection after I did it a million times on my other engine. I just bought some paint stripper and gloss engine black and was going to repaint it so it looks new and polish the aluminum valve covers. I had planned on putting it on ebay for 500 shipped, 400 picked up. I think we just live to far away to make a sale possible.