I am looking at maybe picking up a 1985 Honda VF500F Interceptor. It doesn't make much more power than my Ninja 300 I have but it sounds meaner. I love the sound of the V4 motors. I did some research on them and not too much info out there about them. All I have found was the VF500F is different than the VF750F, which had a huge amount of engine problems. But by the sounds of my research the VF500F is much more reliable as long as maintenance is kept up. I am just looking for a bike that I can pick up relatively cheap and make it into a Streetfighter and the VF500F has the motor that sounds mean. The one I found looks like it has been well taken care of.
Has anyone owned a VF500F before?
IP: Logged
05:13 PM
PFF
System Bot
Aug 5th, 2013
craigsfiero2007 Member
Posts: 3979 From: Livermore, ME Registered: Aug 2007
Willigoat posted in my thread about having a V45 Sabre once upon a time.... that's probably as close as you'll get seeing as the 500s are not the most common bikes they've made. I'd assume a lot of the bike is pretty standard across the range considering Honda has used a dozen iterations of that engine over the last 30 years. I wouldn't take it as fact, though.
They do sound nice.
IP: Logged
07:26 PM
craigsfiero2007 Member
Posts: 3979 From: Livermore, ME Registered: Aug 2007
Willigoat posted in my thread about having a V45 Sabre once upon a time.... that's probably as close as you'll get seeing as the 500s are not the most common bikes they've made. I'd assume a lot of the bike is pretty standard across the range considering Honda has used a dozen iterations of that engine over the last 30 years. I wouldn't take it as fact, though.
They do sound nice.
The only bike that shares parts with the VF500F is the VF500C which is a V30 Magna, it only shares engine parts though. I did find a running V30 Magna as well, pretty cheap too.
The only bike that shares parts with the VF500F is the VF500C which is a V30 Magna, it only shares engine parts though. I did find a running V30 Magna as well, pretty cheap too.
Huh... I would've thought they'd have more in common across the mid-size range. I'm sure the experience would be fairly similar, at least. It is all 80's tech but that doesn't mean it won't be stupid fun anyway. I guess you'll just have to prod the Interceptor crowd a bit.
If it's a deal and seems solid, it could be a fun project.
Owned a VF500F back early 90s. DONT WHEELIE IT!!!! not until you buy the oil bypass tubes. the bad part of the V4 is when you stand them up the pickup isnt in oil anymore and does a real nasty number on your heads!!! The inlines dont have this problem. I had mine when you could get alot of aftermarket stuff for it. spec2.com has awsome lowers to bolt to your upper. I had the solo seat with cowl cover but forgot who i bought that from. my rearsets were from spec2 changed wheels to the CBRF2 wheels (more meat) I know they guy that has my old bike maybe he will Part with some of the aftermarket stuff. the V4 is toast but its got a finger of god in it now CR500R 2 stroke motor built to the hilt! dont think he rides it anymore as by the layer of dust on it. if i can find a pic of it ill post it. BTW if you think it sounds good now put a set of cobra F1 cans on it If memory serves me right the only differences in V30 and the interceptor are the engine covers (magna having some circle with bars in it) and the Jets in the 4 carbs (500f) being slightly larger. But yes you can pound on that V4 hard just address the oiling issue before keeping her up for long periods of time.
[This message has been edited by dematrix86gt (edited 08-05-2013).]
IP: Logged
08:40 PM
craigsfiero2007 Member
Posts: 3979 From: Livermore, ME Registered: Aug 2007
Owned a VF500F back early 90s. DONT WHEELIE IT!!!! not until you buy the oil bypass tubes. the bad part of the V4 is when you stand them up the pickup isnt in oil anymore and does a real nasty number on your heads!!! The inlines dont have this problem. I had mine when you could get alot of aftermarket stuff for it. spec2.com has awsome lowers to bolt to your upper. I had the solo seat with cowl cover but forgot who i bought that from. my rearsets were from spec2 changed wheels to the CBRF2 wheels (more meat) I know they guy that has my old bike maybe he will Part with some of the aftermarket stuff. the V4 is toast but its got a finger of god in it now CR500R 2 stroke motor built to the hilt! dont think he rides it anymore as by the layer of dust on it. if i can find a pic of it ill post it. BTW if you think it sounds good now put a set of cobra F1 cans on it If memory serves me right the only differences in V30 and the interceptor are the engine covers (magna having some circle with bars in it) and the Jets in the 4 carbs (500f) being slightly larger. But yes you can pound on that V4 hard just address the oiling issue before keeping her up for long periods of time.
I will keep that in mind. I don't plan on wheelie it. I wanna keep it on two wheels. How long did you have yours?
IP: Logged
09:06 PM
jaredmurray88 Member
Posts: 1153 From: wellersburg pa Registered: Mar 2011
I have a 1976 XS500 I picked up in high school. Let me tell you that those little 500s can be fun as my dads 1300 HD Springer! Very little after market though on them seems the mid size bike fell off the planet. being a honda though I imagine you can get parts easy enough, I can't even get an oil filter for mine anymore. European guys live the 500s, I would like to go cafe racer on mine but I love the fugly look lol.
IP: Logged
09:07 PM
jaredmurray88 Member
Posts: 1153 From: wellersburg pa Registered: Mar 2011
1984 500 Shadow....thats the bike that tried to kill me. When the motor siezes, bike stops right where it is. Guy on top of it doesnt.
YUP, road burn hurts. Ya still remember it 25 years later.
That is the downside I have heard about shaft driven bikes. The VF500C isn't a shaft driven bike though, its the only Magna that isn't shaft driven I believe. Neither is the VF500F.
