From: traurig@ncavax.decnet.lockheed.com (Scott Traurig)
Subject: Re: WANTED:INTERCEPTER 500
Followup-To: rec.motorcycles
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 92 21:34:19 GMT

In article <1992Oct7.000751.16366@netcom.com>, agent86@netcom.com (Michael
McBride) wrote:
> 
> In article <92280.154056AKS112@psuvm.psu.edu> ALEX STEFANOWICZ <AKS112@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
> >I am looking for a 1984-1986 Honda vf500 intercepter, low miles and with the
> >fairings in good shape, and for a price that will not put me in debt for life.
> >Preferably the model with the black seat and the top of the tank blue.
> >Any infomation on the sale of this bike or general infomation about the
> >intercepter (good or bad) is greatly appreciated.
> 
> 	I had a 1985 model of this motorcycle...though mine did not have
> 	factory paint.....anyway, here are some random comments about the
> 	bike:

    I just got a 1985 VF500F a couple of months ago for the unbelievable
sum of $300!  My first sport bike (hooray!).  Black seat and blue tank
even!  Of course it had been dropped a few times, hadn't been used in two
years (can you say carb cleaner? :-), and needs new tires.  It does have
F1R pipes and aftermarket jets.  Interestingly the F1's are not that loud
(seriously!)

> 	If you are tall like me (6'2") the bike is a bit too small.  The
> bike rides low and legs and arms are a bit too long.  If you are medium to
> short in height, this should be a good choice.

    I'm only 5'6".  After having the seat cut down 1" I still can't put my
feet flat on the ground, but overall it's a hell of a lot shorter than any
other sport bike I've ever tried. 
 
> 	If you keep good tires on the thing it will handle quite well!  The
> bike feels very light in the corners.
 
   True.  Any suggestions for good tires?
 
> 	The back wheel will lock up quite easily when braking...at least it
> did on mine.  I dont have this problem on my new VFR750F :)

   Haven't notice this.  I keep the front forks at zero psi, the rear at 7
psi (I only weigh 130 lbs), the anti-dive at max, and the rear damping at
"3".  Tires at max recommended pressure.
 
> 	Warning:  the engine is known for a common problem (a costly one too).
> The cam lobes have a tendency to pit at about 10-20K miles.  I strongly
> recommend you have the thing looked over thoroughly before buying.  (This
> cam problem happened to me....right before it dropped a valve! though I
> think the valve thing is due to the previous !$%#*! owner who cranked down
> the valves to quiet the ticking caused by the pitted cam. oh well)

    What are the symptoms of this phenomenon?
 
> 	Overall this is a good bike if it fits you and the engine isnt 
> 	screwed up.  Remember that way back when, the 500 Intercepter was
> 	the original handling machine....I believe the comment was
> 	"...it corners like a scalpel.." or something similar from a
> 	long forgotten motorcycle mag.  This is a nice lightweight bike
> 	and IMHO a good intro to sport class bikes.

    I agree.  With the F1's my bike probably doesn't weight over 420 wet. 
I can't wait for next spring - new tires, new fuel pump (the only part of
the fuel system that I haven't cleaned or replaced), and a little carb
sync'ing - yahoo!  For $300 (+200 parts and supplies so far) who cares
about cosmetics!  However, if anyone has any suggestions on lower fairings
and paint schemes send me some email.

Scott (traurig@ncavax.decnet.lockheed.com)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles