Me bike search

My bike search

I am selling my CRB and I am now really looking to replace it with the bike I really want. So I am bringing this thread back.

I decided to make a thread for this rather than sever ones for each bike I find.

First let me say what I am looking for:
I want something that is sporty but will be slightly more comfortable than my 96 CBR 600.
I am looking for any early interceptor in red white and blue paint, or just blue and white would be ok. I am looking for a bike that is 95% original especially the paint. I would not be against a vf500 just I am worried that it would be too small for me (I am 6' 1"+). Ideally I want something in good visual shape, but if the price was right I don't mind riding something that is a little beat up as long as it has original paint. I am also looking to spend around $2000.

I don't know too much about these bikes. So I need some help telling if the bike is worth the price, what questions to ask, (and what I would be getting in to), or if seller is trying to pull a fist one on the unknowing buyer (me). This is where you guys come in.

Things have changed a little since I started this the first time. Ideally I would like a second get interceptor (86-87) or vf1000 f or R, but R might be a little expensive for me. New bikes I am looking at will start at post #28.

Thanks for the help.

 

new posts start at post #28

 

The first one has a lot wrong with the cosmetics, and I would want to see if it would start with some fresh fluids and a charged battery before making a deal.

The second bike might be the best looking non-RWB paint scheme I have seen. Has low miles, upgraded exhaust...and what looks to me a very rare Hondaline luggage rack...but those pictures are to fuzzy to tell any more. I would make sure it turns over, has a rust free tank, no obvious oil leaks, etc.

The rack and exhaust alone are probably worth $250-400...where are these bikes located by the way?

Mobtown's $0.02

 

Anyone else see a missing petcock on the 2nd bike?

 

yeah and the fairings are wiretied on ....at least the left one is....I would check the condition of the second bike hear it run and it will take a little TLC ....but the missing petcock on bike one and the missing petcock on bike two make me suspect there is more to the "bike doesn't run because it's been sitting for a year" thing...

My .02

 

Bike one is in West Virginia bike 2 is in NJ

 

MCOman... where (geographically) are you looking and what is your budget? (if you add a pin to the member map, I'd be able to see that in your profile ... hint, hint) There is a white '93 in excellent shape that has been on Craigslist for the past two months. Dude was asking $2500. ...just looked and don't see it. If you are not set on a VFR, this looked nice.

Classic Muscle Bike V-65 Sabre

If you are not mechanically inclined nor have a garage with tools, you'd want to ensure the bike runs regardless of your budget since it will be of no use to you until you pay someone to fix it for you.

- Noz

 

I found the ad in my old notes... These are not for sale by me, I just through them into my oneNote folder since I was looking for bikes for my sons.

"New tires, new shocks(front), new brakes, new battery, regular maintanance, pictures speak for themselves, $2500 FIRM questions? call Danny 240-418-1506 or Charlotte 240-498-2476 "

and this one...
1985 Honda VF500F - $1500 (Vienna, VA)

Date: 2010-02-18, 9:39PM EST
Reply to: sale-trapn-1607473267@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]


I have a 1985 honda vf500f in excelent condition for sale. I just put new tires on it as well as oil filter and change, air filter, and other routine maintenance. This bike is in great shape and rides great. Perfect for a beginner rider or for anyone who appreciates a classic honda. Because it is an 85' it takes antique plates which means NO INSPECTION necessary ever. I have a helmet that I will consider throwing in with the bike.No low ballers. Send me an email if youre interested.

 

My budget is about $1500 for a start. I have lots of tools and a garage and I am mechanically inclined so working on a bike is not a problem. I am from MA so I am looking for something a little closer than VA or MD but If the price where right and it was what I was looking for than I would go a little further than that.

 

Most of the reason I want a 1st or 2nd gen is the styling. I don't care much for anything newer other than the 25th anniversary.

 

With $1500 and any patience at all you should be able to find a RWB gen one (83-86) 500/700/750 that doesn't have anything at all wrong with it, just don't expect to find one next door next week. Use this site Search Tempest - The EASY way to search Craigslist! to search all of craigslist/ebay/etc nationwide, check out message board classifieds. I found my 85 VF500 after a few weeks not too far from me, and for 1300 I got a perfect running low mileage bike that's as clean as it was 20 years ago.

There are hundreds of wrecked ones, non running ones, half finished projects, neglected orphan ones out there for much cheaper, but they are cheap for a reason....

 

I have been looking for 2 months. I just want to use this thread to make sure what I find is the real deal and not some mismatched project.

 

ok I found bike #3. I am still waiting on some more pictures, but I figured I would post what I have so far.

For sale listing:
"1984 Honda interceptor low miles. White w red and blue striping.Been in dry storage for a couple years. Ran last year. Could use valave job. Yoshimura exhaust. If you want to race maybe suggest a new clutch in near future but shifts fine for everyday riding. Very soon to be if not already collector bike. 4 cylinder engine. Have owned bike now for almost 20 years now and put less than 50 miles a year." - $1000





My conversation with the seller.
Seller:
"Plastic has some bad spots, but it is over 20 years old. Has not run since last year."
Me:
"Can you send me some pictures of the "bad spots" on the plastics? What does it need to run? Does it turn over? Has it just not run because you have not tried to start it?"
Seller
"The bike does not run because I have not had time to charge battery. It absolutely turns over and might fire right up. I have owned this bike since 1991 and do not need to sell, but if someone wants a future collectible then here it is for a good price. If it does not sell I will put a couple bucks into it and up my price accordingly. Meaning I would get a valve job, new battery, oil change and tune up (plug, wires). Plastic damage off top of my head is a clean crack on fairing and some repaired plastic on the lower fairing. I bought the bike originally as a cheap ride, reliable ride and that is what it has always been. Bike has Yoshimura exhaust which gives it the muscle car exhaust note."

I am waiting on the pictures of the plastics. To me it sounds odd that he would try and ell the bike and if it doesn't sell than he would fix it and sell it for more why not just fix it?
Let me know what you think
Thanks

 

Looks nice...sounds like he is pushing the collector angle though. How much is he asking?

 

Sorry I for got to pst that. he is asking $1000

 

Not a bad deal...if it runs

 

wonder why PO thinks it needs a valve job, esp. if it has not run for awhile. Looks like a find for $1K... plus you'd be on your way to collectin' all the VFR generations. You could even trade them with your friends ;-)

 

at this point, all 3 of these bikes look like theyre gonna end up being project bikes. the first one is an immediate thumbs down. that bike has been down, abused, and just not taken care of in general, and i think that unless the buyer is a seasoned mechanic, theyre getting in over their heads with that one. the second one is decent, but missing a petcock, wireties, and needing carb work all point to a state of disrepair that typically indicates that theres more wrong than what you can see on the surface. the third one needs valve work, body work, a new battery, and a clutch, AND we know its hardly been ridden and bikes just dont do well sitting around a garage for years on end. i have to express skepticism with all 3 of these, also knowing that the VF motors have always been prone to that top end oiling issue that has a habit of eating cams and valvetrains... if youre looking for something that you can reliably ride as a daily bike, id look to an 86+ VFR700 or 750 that hasnt had the crap beaten out of it, unless your heart is just set on an older VF.

 

Hey Mike! You may have already seen this, but there's an '85 on Maine CraigsList that just popped up the other day: 1985 700 VFR Interceptor

Looks like a clean bike in the pictures, might be a good one to grab!!

-Paul

edit: There's this one too: http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/1626458516.html Been listed off and on for quite a while. Looks good, but hard telling what you'd be getting into with the carb work it needs...