Good bye

I am parting ways with my VF500. I have just put a deposit on a Honda 919.

Although I have only had this VF for three months (on the road for a few weeks!) I have real mixed feelings about this decision because I put so much work into it:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/29875-interceptor-500-low-budget-project.html

I would keep it if I could justify having two bikes, without question. Problem is that I want to ride the bike a lot including daily commuting. The VF is a little too nerve racking, a ticking time-bomb of sorts, just as any 25 year old bike would be. I want to be stress free. I want to be able to ride hard when I want without worry. I want to be able to order any part I need. I want to avoid downtime due to breakdown.

When I came home from the dealer I looked over at my VF. It is just sitting there waiting for new head gaskets, unusable, but pretty and cool and then I nearly cried realizing that we will be parting ways. I did not realize how much of an attachment I have for this bike, more than any other bike I have ever had. I guess it is because I really did build this thing. There wasn't a part that I did not handle, clean, inspect, repair, paint, etc.

I go in to the dealer to do all the paperwork on Monday, unless I change my mind.

I have picked up a lot of knowledge of the VF500 and intend on hanging around here and helping others when I can.

Here is a picture of the 919 (this is an 02, mine is an 07. Looks similar, but mine has gloss paint):

 

A fellow rider on www.ohio-riders.com has a couple of those. He rides the crap out of the 02! I'd like to giveone of them a spin, but I really think I want a newer VFR if anything.

 

Sad to see you head on out but congrats on the purchase of the 919. These are nice looking bikes.

On a side note - many thanks for your help with the VF500F head gasket patterns. I really appreciated your taking the time to post on this topic.

Ride safe!

 

you will return.LOL.......... no worries at least you get to say goodbye to your VF..I didn't with mt first VFR they hauled her away before I was released from the hospital .you ride your new honda and be proud that you owned an interceptor.. but you'll be back....those in-line fours sound nothing like the V-4........good luck .and your still welcome around here

 

Congrats on the New(er) bike, that thing is pretty spiffy looking.

Any leftover bits from your various parts bikes? I'm close and might need a few things if you will be getting rid of anything.

 

Bets to jump ship if you want to ride and not wrench. 500 would make a great second bike/project.

 

My first choice if money wern't a factor would have been one of the beautiful new, white and black 09 VFR800's that we have up here in Canada. I had to settle for something less expensive. I have spent a lot of time trying to find a bike that I will like if I don't stay with the 500 and this 919 has the looks, performance and price that I am looking for. It only has 2500km on it, practically brand new.

Thanks and you are welcome. I still have work to do on the 500 before I sell it. I have to pull the motor and install new head gaskets and I am still going to swap out the 86 carbs for the proper 84 carbs. So I may still have a few questions!

When I am done and sell the bike I will see what I have left over. If the buyer makes the right offer he can take it all, otherwise just the bike and I will sell/dispose of everything. Are you looking for anything in particular?

It sure would be a great second bike project. I enjoy wrenching as much as riding, almost. When I used to race MX I used to spend way more time working on the bike in the garage than on the track. I'm a little concerned that there will be so little to do with the new bike that I wont be getting my wrenching fix. Maybe I'll just keep taking things apart to clean and detail, lol.

 

The 919 is a nice bike, should be a ton of fun and hooliganism. Congrats. No need to leave VFRW though, we're pretty tolerant of I4 riders.

 

MAN! you gotta let us know. Know... if that bike is as fun as it looks

 

I don't need much, my 500 is very clean/complete/runs perfect. Just need a clutch lever (end broke off), and I remember you had some aftermarket slipons from one of the parts bikes?

 

I will post up parts here before I ebay them. Give me a few days to sort what I have. I will check on the lever, but I would likely sell it with the master cylinder. I will be putting up 84/85 carbs with new boots, 86 rad and a lot of other stuff. The slip ons are in poor condition. I will photograph everything interesting and post them soon.

 

Nice choice for a new ride, I was considering a 919 as an upgrade/replacement to my 84 but then I sat on a 6th gen and fell in love. I still kinda want a 919 though! As many others have said don't quit hangin out, we need more pics, and an honest and thorough review of your new ride!!!!

 

A smart move you'll never regret.

Seems too many VF owners think they're married to their bike forever and for better or worse and don't think about divorce and moving on.......

Soon, you'll wonder why you put up with her faults for so long when there are so many better rides.

 

Well, she's sold and will be leaving my garage tomorrow. I took it for my last spin last night and although there are a few little things that I would have liked to work out I was proud of the work that I put into it. I kept doing little improvements right up to this week and it's running well. It is actually quite depressing looking at it. I had my hands on every little piece of the bike. A lot of heart and soul went into this thing, not to mention stress and anxiety and frustration and joy. it really was consuming. I wish I could keep two bike, but it isn't possible. I have had a lot of bikes, but this one may be the hardest to say bye to.

I hope the new owner has good luck and enjoys the bike. Here is a final picture of it for this site, unless the new owner finds VFRWorld! As stated earlier, I intend on hanging around here and helping out other VF500 owners when I can.




Here are some pics of my 919 (2007 CB900F). I am really enjoying the bike. It pulls literally from idle on up, particularly hard after 5,000 rpm. I can leave a stop without touching the throttle because the low end is that good. Super linear power that pull your arms hard if you let it rip. Great throttle response too. I have never had an inline 4 before, definitely a different animal and a little buzzy. It is also my first fuel injected bike. The 919 motor is a de-tuned 1999 CBR 900 and the race pedigree is apparent from the feel of the tranny to the pull of the motor..

It handles extremely well and feels really nimble. I thought that a 900cc+ bike would feel heavier. I remember pulling out of the dealer lot and thinking "this handles better than my 500!".

The bike only had 2500km on it, so essentially new. The previous owner hardly road it. It is spotless. Curious why he removed the Honda wing decals from the tank and the 919 decals. Either way, I am glad to get a near new bike for a good price.

I swapped out the stock, retro, chrome mirrors with Aprillia Shiver mirrors. The look much better and offer much improved rear vision. More mods will come over time. Next up will be lower bars (Renthal Ultra Low).

 

I don't blame you man. I was even considering a ducati as a 2nd bike but after reading the horror stories in the ducati forums I'm rethinking it. It's not fun when the bike spends more time in the garage than on the road.

The 919 is an awesome choice!

 

Well done Michael.

I very much enjoyed reading the posts on your VF500F project bike. I can tell that it was a bit of a tough decision to let this one go but you should feel good about all the work you have put into it.

Bringing one back is very good Karma!

Good luck with the 919. Ride safe and have fun!

 

This thread is REEEEEEEEEEALLY making me want one. Congrats on your new girl, ride the tires offa her!!!