Single Cylinder VF500?

I ran into this bike in a lot today. Unfortunately I only had time to snap the pictures and didn't get to look at it. I thought my bike had an interesting history? This one out-does mine.

This thing blew me away when I saw it. I kept wondering as I approached it if it was really a VF500. After being consumed with my project and spending so much time on the forum, it was really cool to see this. I wish the owner were there.

Looking at the pictures from home, the following questions come to mind:

What kind of motor is it?

1985 tank, but the frame looks like it says 1984? How many Interceptors went into this thing?

How did he work out the airbox and carbs? I assume the the head occupies the space where the airbox normally is and that the single carb and mini filter would be back towards where the coils are.

Did he add additional heat shielding under the tank?

Did he retain the fuel pump or go gravity feed?

How did he line up the drive train? Washers on the motor mounts I guess.

Did he fabricate the header or did the stock header from whatever it is happen to fit right to the mufflers? I assume some kind of custom Y was put in place.

 

That is interesting.

 

That sure looks like a Suzuki Savage 650 engine to me.

 

Why, I think you are right sir! Good work.

Haha, true. I am curious how it performs. It sure would be odd to drive such a familiar bike with a totally different motor.

 

The LS650 is one of the funniest motorcycles I have ever seen/heard/ridden... my dad has one, and I have a VF500F, this is like their bastard child.

 

I guess that you are in a good position to imagine what it would run like then. Split into the two VF500 mufflers I imagine that this one would be quieter that the LS, unless they are debaffled.

 

The LS is pretty quiet, although it backfires all the time, which is hilarious to ride behind ("Hey dad, why don't you go first down that big hill"... *BANG*)
It would probably be way less fun than a normal VF500... I still have no idea why somebody would make it, but hey, I guess if you have this body and that engine?

 

some people have too much time (and parts) on their hands.

 

Yea...I guess you're right. :tongue:

 

Not sure that is what I would do with my spare time. But the result is probably a very lightweight bike. Might be interesting to ride around on.

 

I bought the remains of a vf500 combined with a Yamaha XS 650 once. The dude wanted to keep all the Interceptor parts, but sold me the (titled) engine and all the 650 parts for cheap. He said the bike was extremely fast, but it was very poorly welded together (VF frame with XS lower frame welded to it) It looked pretty badass, though...