Phlebmasters 1985 VF500f Interceptor Evolution- Full of pics and win..

This first couple of posts will be long...but it is intended to catch you up on my 85 VF500f Interceptor project so please bear with me and this long post.... Thanks

Well, daddy brought home his new project tonight. I traded my KZ400 Cafe[/URL] for this wonderful machine.

The bike is not perfect by any means, but it is a project and a daily rider in addition to having much more poop than the KZ400 had. I was grinning from ear to ear all the way home.
Oh...and the white paint is going to go bye bye.

Anywhoo.... Please enjoy my new project thread, and the many developments that will come my way as I get to know my second bike.

Obligatory Pics....












First Thing......I bought this bike knowing it was going to be a project. So anything I mention about this said project is not a bad reflection on any previous owner....except MeRock, We can blame him for everything if you like... LOL Just Kidding

Things I learned...

I rode her about 100 miles and learned where the reserve is, the gear ratios and where she likes the RPM range. How she handles in the corners a bit...me likey!
Also, how she reacts to grooves in the road and paint lines. And how she gives the smackdown to the occasional jerk who thinks he wants to merge in front of me when there is plenty of room behind. I have to say I am very impressed...quiet, and smooth until you flick the wrist and then changes happen.

You knew this would not take me long......The throttle felt "spongy" so I fixed it. The cable was about to fall off the linkage! Glad it got me home.....







Those are a Pain In The Ass to get off.....So ya know.

 

Here is a video of the exhaust after pulling out the glass packing....I like this much better because I can be heard.
85 Honda VF500f Interceptor with Kerker Exhaust - YouTube


I already have an FSM, Microfische, Clymer, Wire diagram, etc... did my homework. Resources are good to have.

Did some cosmetic work on the bike today to get some ideas for paint and such..... I plan on going with bright red, but also with stock decals and some stripe work that will accentuate the Interceptor as it was intended to look.

I got tired of looking through a grungy windscreen so I fixt it....not done yet, I have to get some red candy coat to add a red hugh...you will see.













It makes it easier to see the dials anyway...oh, and she now has a digital clock too. lol



Played with some ideas with the engine....red anodized fins with black looks good!!

 

This 84 parts bike I got is complete, but according to the previous owner has no compression (He was wrong).... so I will use the parts that are intact such as the full plastics with stock Vf500f Interceptor paint, and other essential goodies to keep my bike on the road.

Here are some pictures.....





I am planning on going as much to stock as possible. I love this bike!! Now I have all the pieces to keep mine running and looking good.

The tank is trashed but the parts bike came with three seats....so I will have some options.






I got tired of ignoring an oil leak on my bike so I decided to fix it tonight.

This bike is super easy to work on!



Here is where the oil would pool, then embarrass the heck out of me when it decided to pour all over the crossover exhaust thingy and smoke at a stop light of when I park her.....ugh



Here was the culprit....the front part of the gasket had gotten mis-aligned at some point. The cams look great! The chain seems in good shape and the valves looked they had been adjusted at some point.







I rinsed her off...and no more leak!

Oh, and I wanted to show my rear tire...that thing is HUGE!! Makes my bike look like a drag bike...lol She corners like a dream now!!

 

Parts bike came!! Woohoo! So let's start with the pics of my loot....

Don't they look so cute sitting together?







I have two stock seats and a custom one...





The engine was definately rebuilt......just have to figure out what they did wrong. The engine felt like it had good compression when I tried to push start it. Check out all the receipts!! I know what parts were put into the bike.





Old parts....



Disappointing....the tank is no good. But it does have a good petcock and cap!



I put the parts bike back together just enough to look like it runs so I don't get told to move it. lol



Now...which seat should I use??? Check out the chin scoop!!
Red and black?



Or stock??

 

UPDATES!! As if you are surprised..... lol
I put the speedo cluster from the parts bike onto mine. It was is better shape and cleaner. I also lowered the front end because the bike felt a bit wiggly around corners....now it feels much more like it should, I can "push" into the corner better. You know what I am talking about....

The front wheel is better "tucked" into the front of the bike and feels much better to ride.
Here is the new speedo thingy..


Look at the profile or stance difference ....
Before lowering the front


After.....



This is a video of the parts bike I got from a guy who rebuilt the engine, but could not get it running. So he gave it to me. I got her running in two days of working on it!! It had been sitting for about two years, so I was happy to see fuel flowing into the carbs.

Needs some TLC but I have a good known running engine for my 85 VF500. Oh, and I was playing with some new video production software and wanted a reason to try it out. lol

1984Honda VF500f Interceptor parts bike- Got her running! - YouTube

Well, here is what I did.
Disassembled the outer garments of the bike.
I installed the coils.
Plugged the wires onto the spark plugs.
Wired the tach assy.
Pulled the broken starter switch out.
Drained the carbs.
Used gravity to pull fresh fuel into the carbs, then drained again.
Put my tank and fuel pump on, wired the fuel pump and put hoses where they go.
Checked all fluids, oil, coolant.
Put my battery into the bike.
Poured some gas into the carbs.
The Starter switch was defunked so I jumped the relay......and Vroom!!!


That's about it. Don't know why the guy could not get it to start......confusing. But there is no smoke or even a hint of engine issues. Sounds solid!

 

More updates....
I have decided to swap that other motor into my bike soon since it is in good working order. So there will be a swap picture fest to follow. :mfclap:
I also put on these.... Telefix 111A They are a German made fully adjustable handlebar set-up. Very nice!!





Note the difference from the stockies...



I like this even better because I feel more into the bike during turns....and more stable all around so I raised the forks back up a bit to give me more suspension AND since my fat butt is leaning more forward I don't want to bottom out my forks.

 

There...all caught up.

 

:hss: You sure have a lot of free time...........................Great job she look a lot better :thumbsup:

 

LOL...You would think so. I just don't like waiting to get things done.

Thanks!

 

Great work you're doin there with them ol girls :thumbsup: That donor tank sure has been thrashed pretty good, too bad!

 

You forgot to say what you had for lunch.

 

Thumbs up for projects! What are your plans? a full restoration?

 

Thanks! Yes, I was hoping the tank was in better shape....oh well, I will have to paint mine.

My bad...tuna lick sammich. I think I have a bite left...ya want it?? LOL

I want to bring her to life, some tasteful upgrades but nothing wild. Close to stock is my target. And...Thanks!!

 

UPDATES!
Started pulling the parts bike...well, apart tonight. lol

I am hoping to do the engine swap this weekend. Tomorrow I check the compression on the rebuilt motor to verify things are in order.

Keeping my old motor on stand bye just in case. However I don't see any issues with this rebuilt one yet.



Pulled the exhaust and carbs. The guy put new boots on the carbs so I am set! The valve guides are new, the intakes look great.







The heads and cams look perfect! All bolts on the top end are torqued correctly and the cam chains are new. It also has a new front sprocket (15 tooth).





Hey...look what snuck back into my shed. Dang R1 exhaust cans....LOL

 

Compression check done!
150, 150, 160, 145

I will wait for another week before doing the engine swap. I want time to gather some paint and other items since I will have the bike apart. The front and rear shocks are also going to be replaced since the ones on the parts bike are better.
Totally dismantled the parts bike today....I figured out a way to drop that engine by myself!! Check it out...

Pulled all wires, and accessories away from the frame.





Here is what I came up with to get this done by myself safely! Two tie down straps...



Jack with a wide block....



Pulled all bolts and removed side frame piece...



My daughter just held the frame to make sure it was stable...



Loosen up the straps a little at a time while dropping the jack....easy as pie!!



There aint much to a bike is there??







I also figured out how to fit that entire bike in my tiny shed....lol

 

:hss: Wow man, good use of space there!!

 

Hahaha....yes indeed. It is my own personal parts store. No pun intended.... ;-)

 

Rebuilt engine and carbs installed today! I got the engine started...but will put up a video later. My neigbors were pretty upset at me for reving the engine at 9:25 pm tonight....nut oh well.

I had a little helper...my nephew.



Dissassembly...



Doing this al a cart.....check out how I did it...both removal and install!







naked!!



Changed the rear shock....





Ready to put the new motor in......







Got the carbs on easy!!

.









Got her to start tonight, but still need to put the exhaust on correctly....overall it was an easy job once I got started

 

Here is the promised video....
[video=youtube;dFRjQ3VnsDM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFRjQ3VnsDM[/video]

 

Time to bring you up to speed again...lots done to her. relax and enjoy..... :redface:

Decided to bring her back to her stock colors and previous glory.... Tried several designs but settled on this.



Yes...spray pain is what I used. Not as easy as you think...trust me!

$32.00 later..... Not bad for a paint job. We will have to see how it turns out. I am painting the wheels white too. I have a second set so I am not worried if it doesn't turn out.
Wait till you see what I doo with that silver metallic paint and the blue XMetals paint.




Here are some better pictures, my cell takes crappy ones. You can see I got my lines to match up and let me tell you.....that was not easy. Also, check out the blue where you can see the iridescence if the metallic paint and blue candy overcoat. I will clear over everything as soon as I fix the few screwups I made. Then I will paint the wheel, and put a iridescence blue stripe on the outer portion of the rim. I have seen this on these bikes and it looks pretty cool!!

Check out the gas valve....





You can see where I have an accident on the tank....I was almost done, then a breeze came and blew the newspaper right on top of the wet tank....I was not a happy camper!!



I put some of the white paint to seal it and I will re-sand it later and put the red back on when I color sand the rest of the tank. It will come out fine...



The tail section looks good too, but I need to smooth out the inner corners a bit.





I also painted the visor with the blue candy coat...not too bad! Adds contrast...



Better look at the blue...





Decided to paint the wheels white with a little flair.... see the blue ring?


Rear wheel done...











Tank fixed too.... busy night. lol



Here is the rear wheel on the bike... Still need to do the front.




Got the paint done..... Looks like Capt'n America. I might still do somthing with the scoop... not sure yet.





I have some better pics in the daylight...also fixed the Kerkers. They looked funny all droopy, now they follor the lines better.


...took no time at all! Just a little creative thinking,







Now I am finished with er....I am on to my next project. A 1987 VFR750 that I am trading straight accross for my VF500f. The VFR needs some work...but I have no problem with that! I hope you enjoyed my project thread...stay tuned for my next one. Thanks! Aaron


Something wicked this way comes.......Stay tuned