'84 Interceptor Advice

Hi All,

I am in need of some advice. I am looking to buy my first bike, and I've found an '84 Interceptor that I could probably pick up for $800. It has a dent in the tank, a chunk of the rear fender is missing, the blinkers on the left side have fallen off, and half of the front brake lever has snapped off. It also has been on the track with one of the previous owners, but it doesn't have any aftermarket parts, so I think it might not have been raced too hard. Oh yeah, it needs a new back tire too.

All this would suggest it might not be worth buying, BUT it does start right up no problem, and it seems to run strong. I like the way it sounds too. The owner says he rode it for his daily transportation for quite some time, which makes me think it might be at least somewhat reliable. It's got 19,000 miles on it.

Basically, I really like the looks of this bike as well as the sound of it compared to anything else I could get for $1000 or less. Would it be advisable to buy this for a beginner bike, something to cruise around on and practice in the turns with? I'd probably put less than 1000 miles on it before selling it. The alternative would be to get a 2004 kawasake ninja 250 for about the same price ($800).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

1st Gens are not good starter bikes, let alone one that has seen track time.
Look for a 2nd gen or newer if you want a VFR.

 

I have both. My Interceptor is a 1985 500, and I have a 2004 Ninja 250. I really like both bikes. For reliabilty, the Ninja 250 is a tried and true design, and it will take a beating. When I'm going to be hitting the twisty roads, I ride it because the Interceptor's suspension is pretty well done. When I'm just cruising, I ride the Interceptor.

 

If you are mechanically inclined , and the second gear is OK , runs, buy it to fix, don;t ride it till you have become better on one . Small Honda for learning and a bike school should make you competent . then after your sweat on the VF Then go for a ride but be warned the trees and other obstacle like to jump out at you. Have fun and post pictures of the restoration if you go that way..:VFR1200F::canada:

 

RUN away as fast as you can. Buying a bike that old is just asking for trouble unless you are very mechanically inclined and have deep pockets. Parts are very hard to find for these bike and unless the bike was properly maintained throughout its life (which it sound like it wasn't) you will spend more time broken down in your garage than on the road. My advice would be to save up some more money and get something a little newer and more reliable. Seeing that this will be your first bike you shouldn't be super concerned about how you look on it, your primary objective should be to buy something that is safe and reliable and easy to learn on. It's hard enough as it is avoiding getting run over by careless cagers and the last thing I would want to worry about as a newb is having my bike suddenly die in heavy traffic for no reason. Wait a few more months and there should be lots more used bikes becoming available as the riding season starts to wind down.

Rollin

 

Hey, some of us are trying to sell our 500's! If this negativity keeps up no one will buy them and the first gen forum will die!!! A lot of the fun of owning an older bike is the troubleshooting and wrenching for those inclined, so don't automatically list this as a negative.

Seriously though, these are valid points and the fact that this bike has seen track days is a bit concerning. There are 500's that have been well maintained or restored that would be worth while, but without a thorough mechanical inspection I would be cautious about this one. If the owner would allow a compression test and a once-over by someone who knows what they are looking at with the 1st gens, it comes out ok and you don't mind working on bikes than I would say go for it. Otherwise the ninja would be a better choice.

 

I think it's just going to be a tough choice. I would enjoy working on the bike, but I really don't have the time or money to spend if more serious problems were to pop up. Buying it would be a risk. Also, I definitely don't want a problem to occur while riding that could compromise safety. It sounds like a 250 Ninja might be a safer option for a starter bike, even if it isn't as cool. It's probably more manageable to ride and would definitely be more reliable. Basically, logic and reason say, "Get a Ninja," but some part of me is still attracted to the Honda and wanting to take the risk with it. At this point though, I'd say logic and reason are probably on top. Thanks for all the great advice. I'm still open to thoughts and suggestions if anyone has any.

 

Best to look for a second gen . They pop up for that kind of money from time to time and you will be better off in the long run.

 

I'm a big fan of the VF500F - and I own an '84 model. I can say that they are great bikes - very fun to ride and very nice to look at. Honda had some serious designers back in the golden age.

With this in mind - I do think the advice you have received so far is on the mark.

Owning a VF500F is not for the faint of heart.

You really need to have a decent set of mechanical skills to work on them - or a friend who is a Honda tech who is interested in helping you. You also need to be very patient sourcing NLA parts and also be willing to squirrel away hard to find parts in a dedicated spare parts bin.

You mentioned that the bike was on the track (high rev's) and has 19k on the clock.

The VF500F's valve train requires dedicated maintenance and without knowing this bike's service history you could be looking at the need to replace parts that are very hard to come by.

I would recommend - if you really like the styling/size of the VF500F that you look around a bit more. Paying $1,500 for one in good mechanical shape will put you far ahead of and $800 bike with a questionable history.

Hope this is of help and please let us know how you make out.

 

That bike has well know mechanical issues, too heavy for a beginner and very poor resale value.

Smart of you to ask here b4 spending !

 

Too heavy psychologically? I find mine very therapeutic.

;-)

 

I would not buy that as a first bike. Find a newer, smaller bike. Like a Ninja 250, or Suzuki GS500 would be better as well.

 

I think getting a VF500 for my first bike was a very good choice.

I have repaired so many things on it that I have taught myself how to do a lot of mechanical work on bikes.

Though the advice you have gotten so far is very good.

This bike you are looking at is a bad choice......especially since it has been tracked.

 

A rule of Hondas: If it's old, it will need work. Plain and simple, unless freshly restored, things will fail and you'll need to spend money on it. Sometimes you get lucky (I once bought a CB 750 for a Subway Footlong, and got it running and riding in 12 hrs, then sold it for $800 the next day), but 95% of the time, cheap bikes are cheap for a reason. My 2 cents.

 

I still love to beat up on my Ninja 250! I took it for a short ride this evening, and I kinda felt like I missed it since I've been riding the vf500.

 

Let's be real, logic and reason don't often win the bike choice debate!!! It's about having fun and listening to your heart. Go for the Interceptor if that's what's calling you.

Warning - the above post is irresponsible and the writer will accept no responsibility if this advice is taken and things don't turn out well...

 

But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees,
And leave them honeyless.

+1, Michael E.

Too often posts in this Forum reflect a negative opinion of the VF500F without crediting its many qualities.

 

Thanks everyone for sharing your wisdom. Based on the helpful input I've received here, I think I'll let this bike pass for now. I'll focus more on looking for a Ninja 250R or a GS500 for a beginner bike, though I'll keep my eyes open for a 2nd gen or newer VFR. Thanks again for the help!

 

Agreed...
I think a VF500F is a good bike to start on. It's lots of fun and, as long as you start out with one in good shape, a great place to start working on bikes. Definitely spend a little more money and get one in good shape with low miles though, they do pop up sometimes, and if you keep it in nice condition the value will only go up over time as these things become more scarce!
The other reason why I would take a nice VF500F over pretty much any 600cc sportbike is the handlebars... I think they're way easier to learn on than a bike with clip ons is, although that's just me.
Good luck with your first bike moto7!