VF500 SoCal Guy Needs Help

Working on a 1984 VF500 that I got as a project bike. Its in good shape just won't run. Its been sitting in a garage for 10 years. Anyone know any good repair shops in Long Beach/ Orange County, CA that are handy with the old VF's????Also need the front forks rebuilt. The bike also came with a progressive spring kit I need to install in the front forks. Are those any good or are Racetech springs the way to go?

THANKS!!

 

I would not run the Progressive springs. They compound the shortcomings of the damping rod forks - they are the worst of both worlds. I've found straight rate springs to be the best setup. RaceTech springs are straight rate BTW.

I'd also suggest the Gold Valves. I have always loved those on the old VF's. I install a lot of those during fork rebuilds for others and everyone speaks very highly of them, so don't just take my word for it!

 

Jamie...THANKS MAN! It seems the racetechs are the way to go and they are local about an hr away from me. I was hoping I could use the progressive springs it came with and save myself $100. I've been all over your site the last three days checking out your rear shock conversion. Do you have that as a kit yet? Is the bottom machined part the only part you need besides the shock? You also mentioned you need a stiffer spring if you use a cbr600f2 shock for example. Who makes those and what spring rate would I need?(Eibach) I'm in the 200 lbs. club so something stiffer than usual??Any Recs. will help me out. I'm a car guy and a newbie to bikes. This is my learner/project bike. Thanks again Jamie.

 

Sure, I've been modifying a lot of shocks. I've got them backed up like crazy right now and have spent the last week trying to dig myself out. I've still got six more to finish up then I might have a chance to work on one of my own bikes!

I use Hypercoil springs on the shocks that I build. Just this evening I finished an F3 shock that will be going on a 500. This particular shock is for a guy who is lighter than you so he opted for a 900lb/in spring. Normally I would have pushed him toward a 950 but he preferred a little softer ride. For you I would suggest either a 950 or 1000lb/in spring. For reference, stock is around 800lb/in.

 

Thanks for the input. When I get this beast running I'll think about the shock upgrade! Any idea who makes this lower fairing kit on the vf500???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Interceptor-VF500-1984-Honda-Interceptor-500-VF500F-VF-500-Low-Reserve_W0QQitemZ170101234479QQihZ007QQcategoryZ50003QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

I noticed on the rear of the bike it says Gear Driven Cams. Whats up with that. I thought the 500 was chain. I'm also a car guy and this is my first fixxer upper bike so I'm still learning. But I could have sworn I read that they are chain not gear.

 

Body Kits here: http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/hondaz/VF5001983-86.htm

 

Thanks! I saw those in my search but they aren't the same. They don't cover as much of the engine. I was looking for something more like a race bike because I wanted to give the bike a retro nNR500 paintjob. If I can't find the fairings I will prob leave the bike stock.