VF500F: In for a Penny

Hi Everybody -

I've been a regular 9 months a year motorcycle commuter for several years, with occasional MC riding back to my far-distant youth. My daily ride is an 84 Nighthawk 700s, and it's been exactly what I've wanted for this use: reliable and low maintenance, but still plenty of fun. I'm also a sports car hobbyist (Fiats) from way back and after getting back into MCs I decided I wanted something more challenging to work on that I wouldn't have to worry about having running every Monday AM. After a bit of reading I settled on an Interceptor, with focus on handling rather than speed: the 500. Here's the raw material for this adventure:

Bike 1 (pictured): 1985, complete, with 53K miles. Bought "running when parked 5 years ago" with no attempt to start. The bike seemed to have been well taken care of most of its earlier life, and not ridden particularly hard. The tires on it were well worn in the middle. I figured the engine was playing on house money at this point so I picked up a standby - supposedly 20K, supposedly runnable. Who knows.

Bike 2: 1985, complete. Looks exactly like the other one, maybe a bit cleaner. Way lower mileage (11K) but has led a different life. Safety wires in the brake bolts. A bit of rash on the forks and fairing. It runs very well, but since the title had been improperly transferred (read: no sales tax payment) a couple of times the WI DMV won't register it without much hoop-jumping. I bought it as a parts machine, though I'm hesitant to actually tear into it since it's in such good shape.

All this was acquired over this past fall and winter, and now I'm taking a closer look at what I have. I think the near term plan will be to get #1 on the road, hopefully without dismantling #2, to keep options for it open. After going through the tank/petcock/filter/pump I've got it running, though not well. Carb cleaning I presume is the next logical step, along with oil, coolant and all the other "been sitting for years" stuff.

It looks like this is just the place to learn what I need for such a project. There seem to be several others here on similar paths. Maybe when I get to know my way around the machines a bit better I'll be able to give a little back, too.

Alan

 

Welcome, look like you have a handfull there. There are many members here with a lot experience on 500. I am sure they will chimp in sooon. Great job by posting picture

 

Welcome. You will find your answers here. Just wait until you meet squirrelman he'll straighten you out. :laugh:

 

Welcome, take Squirrel with a grain of salt........his heart is in the right place.

 

Welcome

I wish my 500 looked as damn good as yours does. Looks like a good platform to go off of. I just got mine running "right" for the first time in 2 years. They are an absolute blast to ride.

Everbody will tell you to check your valve lash if you havent done so yet. The carbs might need a good cleaning, or two, or three. If its been sitting for years, a fresh oil change and watch consumption for the first couple hundred miles. Of course the basics, plugs, coolant, brake pads.

If you are out for handeling then check out Daugherty Motorsports. They mod CBR shocks to replace the saggy ass stocker. They can also do kits for new springs, gold valves, and race techs for the forks. Your best tire options are Pirelli Sport Demons, Avon Roadriders, or Bridgestone BT-45's....

Jamie's site >>>> Daugherty Motorsports - Motorcycle Suspension Performance and Modification

 

VF500s have one of the world of motorcycling's sweetest-running engines ever, when they run. So smooth and balanced, they feel like an electric sewing machine motor. Problems are mostly due to lack of maintenance, inept maintenance, design faults, and first-bike syndrome. With your choice of spares, getting one going shouldn't be too hard.