Hi all, just joined this forum but I have been around the block a few times. I have owned a collection of machines over the years and I keep comming back to the big H. The list looks like this... ? Ct-70, 1981 CM400A (yup automatic), 1988 Kawi Ex500, 1989 Ninja 600, 1964 XLCH, 1988 XLH, 1998 Superhawk, 1996 FZR600R. This week I picked up a 1984 VF500F Interceptor AND a 1999 VFR800. On the 500, I had to rebuild the carbs and make keys for it. I am working with a dealer to get me a fuel cap to match the ignition as one of them was changed at some point. It runs but needs a little love yet. The VFR has been sitting at least two years. PO tipped it over in his driveway after careless parking. It has a HAWK (?) carbon fiber exhaust on it. I pulled the tank today and trashed the 4 gals of fuel that was rotting in it. I just put a gallon of CLR in it to clean it and with give it a final washout later this week. Once that is done I will decide if the tank needs to be sealed and reinstall the sender and fuel pump. I am looking to clean these up and then if the price is right I will move them along. I wanted the 500 for the simple reason that back in the day... I had actually placed a deposit on one. I couldnt get a loan on my own at the time and asked my Dad to co-sign for it. He FREAKED!!! He went to the dealer demanding they refund my deposit. They tried to convince him that he should co-sign but he countered with "He's only 17 and doesn't even have a driver's license yet!" Pop won the arguement.....now a whole lot of years later I just have to have one!
Congratulations on your new purchase. Dad is always right so no argument Good luck getting the 500 back to life.
They arent really picture worthy just yet. In fact I spent most of the night last night taking them both apart. The 800 had 4 gals of bad fuel in the tank for the last two or three years. I have to decide if I should spend the time cleaning and sealing it or just get a replacement. The fuel sender isnt reading and the fuel pump is rusty so I may just replace the unit. I have to admit that I have been looking at the Chinese replacement body work too... would be cool to dress it as an anniversary edition in red/white/blue. Then again I have a friend that does great body and pain that could match the same thing and I dont risk a Pay-pal rip off.
Hell. I didn't have my license when I bought mine. Matter of fact, the salesman had to ride the thing to my house after I bought it. Mind you, my dad has been dead now for 19 years and I was 51 at the time! Welcome to the site ol bugga. Post up pix as is and you can then do a comparison for us when you are all done.
Randy, I didnt get a license to drive a car until after I was 18. Had something to do with my habbit of trying to outrun the PD when they tried to stop me on the scooter. Or the fact that I had been issued tickets for doing wheelies on a bicycle up the yellow lines of Mian street as the movie theater let out. Or the fact that I had been drag racing my friend's cars since I was 14..... the Ol' Man did the right thing by making me wait. I have both bikes apart right now but could put the tank and plastics on after this storm blows through. I have 41 driveways to do when it snows but Sat and Sun look to be in the 40's this weekend.
I sent the VFR's tank to be cleaned and red-coated yesterday. It will be about 10 days to get it back. The 500's tank went to the locksmith for a new key. Now I have to drain that tank and see if it needs to be coated too. The carbs are going to come off this week and a buddy is going to go through them for me. The bike runs now but I want it to be right. We got 6" of snow yesterday but the temps are supposed to be higher this week. I can't wait to get out and ride again, it's been too long.
I finally got a couple pics of the bikes. The 500 is coming along fine. The seat has been reskined with a Sadleman cover I found on E-bay for $10 shipped. A local put it on for $40. He was impressed with the quality of the cover and couldn't believe the foam was as good as it was after being neglected for so long. The tank is clean inside and it runs but not too well yet. I am looking at options for the carbs now...rebuild kits, replacement used, replacement rebuilt. Having my carb guy go after them is the smartest option as he has never let me down and I have brought him so off the wall stuff. The VFR is still waiting for it's tank. It was really bad inside. I had to get a replacement pump and sender as they were FUBAR from all the bad fuel. The tank has been cleaned and is being coated now. I should have it back this week. I cant wait to straddle that one!
Picked up a complete set of carbs for the 500 off e-bay for $25!!!!! They are clean and the slides move free. I can drop them on and have the original set cleaned and rebuilt as spares. Still waiting on the VFR tank. Weather has been trendign warmer and I am itching to ride!
