Deal or no deal...

I can pick up an 1984 500 with less than 10,000 miles. I have not seen the bike in person. Have to make a 2 hour trip to see it so I would like opinions before hitting the road.

Appearance wise it is a 9½ out of 10. No modifications. F1R exhaust. It has been sitting for a long time so the carbs need rebuilt. It will turn over and run, badly with the choke on. It has a fuel leak at the carbs. Needs a seal on the clutch rod at the block.

What is a good price to pick this up at and does either of the problems (fuel leak at the carbs or seal at clutch rod) say no go on this. I can turn a wrench well and can rebuild the carbs and probably replace the seal (don't know exactly what is entailed there).

Thanks,

Autoeng

 

You should show some pics or put up a link to the ad. If it is a 9.5 out of 10, jump on that sale. So many people will say how much the VF500F sucks, but one in good cosmetic condition is rare and even if the motor was junk, and you didn't feel like fixing/ replacing it, you could part it out and make plenty of money. By the way... F1r exhaust- there's one on ebay right now selling for$200. Those don't come up for sale that often. Where I live, a good running example will sell for about $1500 in about 6 or 7 / 10 condition. This one isn't running, however it does have some things going for it. 10000 miles is pretty low for a bike of this age. I would offer $900. (some people on this forum would say to walk away right now because the first gen interceptors are so bad, but don't listen to them.)

 

Here are the pics.

 

Depends what you want it for. Owning one of these is not for the faint of heart. The VF500 is a fantastic bike though. I paid UK £2000 for one in really good condtion which in retrospect was probably over the odds but I don't regret it at all.

It looks good in the pics. The clutch rod seal is a known problem and can be fixed easily or with great difficulty. Search on here for the solutions. I wouldn't let it put you off.

 

Well I would definately have to get it at a good price. Always loved the Interceptors and the older ones in particular. I'm thinking about it....

 

Wow I wish mine looked that nice. They rarely ever come up in that good condition

 

Freakin' gorgeous! Hell, just the body bits are worth a grand or more.

 

So, if you weren't interested in parting it out but to get it running again, knowing that the carbs would have to be pulled / cleaned / reinstalled and that you would have to cross your fingers that one of the cheap and easy fixes to the clutch rod seal works, what would you be willing to give? He's asking $1,500.

 

That is a really good looking example! I got my '85 for $1K, not running, but needing only a carb cleaning, valve adjustment, battery and cleaning up. I think if it checks out OK I would pay the $1500 willingly if I couldn't get it for less.

Edit: Did you by any chance see this on the Cincy CL?