Newb question...

Just picked up an 85 VF500 with a locked engine. (posted my intro but it seems to have been buried pretty quick) Pulled the plugs and looked inside and found one piston badly damaged and it's corresponding spark plug mashed in at the tip, so the search is on for a replacement engine.

I'm in the process of learning this bike and what's what; I'm not all too familiar with the particulars of this one yet, but I'm sure it will come. It's got several little things that need attention, and some serious maintenance as well it looks like.

Right now I have a truck load of questions, but am trying to search them out here, and I'll keep this post to just 2 for now, because I can't find the answers.

So if somebody could post a link with the answers I'd really appreciate it. I know the info has got to be here, I just can't seem to find it. My two questions are:

what's the difference between the VF and VFR bikes? (Early models)

and is it feasible to put a 700/750 engine, into a 500 model bike? Or are the frame and electronics just too different?

I grabbed a nice looking bike, but she needs some help to come back, and an engine swap itself doesn't look to be to big of a deal...

Anyway, thanks for any direction you can point me regarding my questions.

 

No, that engine won't work. (Thanks Jamie).

 

EVEN if you got the bike free, you paid too much.

So instead of a bike to ride you bought yourself a load of problems ? WHY?

Considering the neglect, abuse and wear put on the old VF models, and with so many newer, lower mileage bikes on the used market.....aren't you just asking for aggravation?

Replacement engines are in very short supply for bikes that old, and many you could buy are not in the best of condition and have their own problems.

THE real info you needed was here: if you already have a VF model, love it and maintain it ; but going and buying any VF---especially one with a bad engine--in 2009 makes little sense if you want to ride rather than constantly wrench and search for parts.

Of course if you have a good set of quality tools, lots of mechanical skills, the Honda service manual, a heated workshop with a large bench, and live somewhere the winters are long.....you might be riding by NEXT spring, with lots of luck.

 

engine

mailto:sale-vyfyu-1163166453@craigslist.org?subject=Great%20Buy%2084%20Honda%20Interceptor%20500%20-%20$350%20(Lodi/Stockton) If you can work a deal and need help with shipping those of us in Sacramento would be glad to assist in any way we can.:thumbsup:Good luck.

 

LOL!

And thanks for the link TC.

 

among friends

When your done you can sell it to me........PLEASE!:thumbsup:

 

listen to old toe there trying to get him another bike....:crazy:


you have to figure out if its worth it to you? if you can or want to spend the money on it but i would tell you to do a full motor rebuild but that much more costly than just finding a motor

 

I'm going to pull and open the engine this weekend just to see whats what exactly. I know I need a piston, probably a head, probably at least one valve, etc...

One way or the other, I'm saving the thing; a labor of love type of deal. I've seen guys bring back worse, older bikes. (and cars). The only things I haven't done to a bike yet are pull an engine, and rebuild one complete.

I found another 500 with a low mileage, running engine, that has wiped out plastics, and mine has good everything, (other than engine and one fork slider) so two might become one.

We'll see...

I'll post pics of the engine after it's apart. I doubt I'll rebuild it, but I'm really curios about what happened in there.