Need advice about an 85 interceptor

Hey folks,
I went to look at an 85' interceptor 500 and I had a couple questions. The bike has about 17,000 miles and has been sitting in a garage for 10 years. The guy says he tested the compression 2 years ago and said it was running factory compression.
He said he didn't have time to charge the battery before I got there, but it still came on and cranked. This seemed really suspicious to me.
Another concern I have is the fuel tank. It is filled to the top with gunk, and doesn't seem like it can be saved.
Gas tanks for these have become pretty rare.
What do you guys think? Would this be a bad investment?

 

Lack of information. Pictures. Price.

Fuel tanks can be saved. The bike will need to be gone thru THOROUGHLY ($$$$$$$$). If this is a SECOND bike that you want to work on. If this is a bike you always wanted and know that it will be a pain in the ass. Then it is still a maybe. The 500 is a great little package, and I love them, but they have their potential issues.

Every time this situation is a bad investment. But that doesn't stop me.

 

The bike is $900. The pictures I have are of very poor quality but I'll add them anyway.

I was looking for my first project bike and I'm starting to think this may be the wrong one.

 

Shit, you can get a nice RUNNING 500 for 1500 - 2500. No fucking way.

And that is a potentially a mix of bikes. That is 86 bodywork. If I could see the engine I could tell you if it is a 86 engine, or 84-85. The rear grab handle is 86. Wheels are 86 (or painted).

I actually think that it is 86, but the forks have been painted or replaced. And the seat recovered or replaced.

 

Thanks for being such a huge help man. I know my post was as basic as it gets so I appreciate the response.
I think I'll steer clear of this bike, the guy was sketching me out a little bit.

 

Where are you located in case any forum members need a parts bike with a potentially good motor.

 

You already got the advice you need, but I just want to echo the sentiment that I would not walk into this project unless I was willing to spend an additional $900 in parts and tools and lots and lots of hours (for me, that'd be measured in hundreds) for a bike that might run when it's all said and done.

I wouldn't rule out looking for a VF500F as a second bike. They're so damn cool.

 

The bike is in York, SC.

 

do some research here on the various potential problems of VF500 engines (especially the valves) and difficulty of finding replacement parts.

 

RUN RUN AWAY!!!! Its worth $300 tops! I wish it was in TX I would probably get it for parts.