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An introduction - VF500

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VF-Scott
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Joined: 07 Dec 2014
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PostPosted: 18:06 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: An introduction - VF500 Reply with quote

Hello all,

Thought I'd introduced myself as I've just joined. Lurked for a while in the background and decided to join once and for all!

I'm Scott and I'm from Glasgow. I used to have an '84 Yamaha FJ1100 that I spent last winter doing up. I MOT'd it and fitted two new tyres. I went out on it to grain the tyres in one Saturday. The sky was relatively clear although it was a bit chilly the roads were dry. 5 miles in and the heavens opened in a sudden downpour that came from nowhere. Tried to gingerly get home but I dropped it going round a roundabout. Knackered the fairing, indicator, broke the engine casing and the rear brake pedal bought it. I was gutted. I spent so much time and effort on it I couldn't face it all over again, so with her indoors not best pleased (she came to my rescue and followed me home, she didn't like seeing me battered and bruised) I decided to get shot…

Went to Florida in October, hired a Harley (aways do when I go) and had a great time. Came back to the hotel after dropping it off and she took one look and me and said, "You're buying a bike when we get home, aren't you?" I couldn't lie!

I made her a deal, something small and light, under 600cc that wasn't a Supersport.

Short while later I found this little gem on Gumtree…
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/shughume/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1277.jpg

She an '86 VF500, with long MOT and 46000 on the clock. She's been resprayed red, it's not a bad job but I'll be sorting that out. The frame, brakes etc. have all been lovingly tidied/restored by the previous owner. She's great fun, goes well (although the clutch slips a little when cold, suspect the springs need replaced) and she's just what I need. Not bad for £500!

https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/shughume/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1281.jpg
https://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/shughume/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_1279.jpg

Anyway, I'll be updating progress as I go, obviously the weather is rotten just now, but that gives me plenty of time to get her all sorted for next year!

Cheers for now,

Scott.
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Itchy
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Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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PostPosted: 18:11 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wait wasn't the VF series a bike that used Cadbury or was it Nestle as their main suppliers of gear cams?
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RhynoCZ
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PostPosted: 18:32 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like the looks, but don't like the rumors. Thumbs Down
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 18:36 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Itchy wrote:
Wait wasn't the VF series a bike that used Cadbury or was it Nestle as their main suppliers of gear cams?


With the 750 yes. The 500 was a very different bike with a very good reputation for handling. They did lunch their cranks quite often though

All the best

Keith
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 18:51 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Itchy wrote:
Wait wasn't the VF series a bike that used Cadbury or was it Nestle as their main suppliers of gear cams?


Shocked

Kickstart wrote:
With the 750 yes. The 500 was a very different bike with a very good reputation for handling. They did lunch their cranks quite often though


Phew! That 's ok then.... Laughing

I think they're great looking bikes and hope you don't have such problems. Definitely the paintwork could do with improvement though. What scheme are you thinking?

And welcome to BCF Smile
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 19:13 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:

Phew! That 's ok then.... Laughing


Nowhere near as bad as the 750, and if it has survived this long and with that many miles it will probably be fine. Some seem to say it was only one batch of them that had dodgy cranks. Many years ago I seriously considered buying one but decided against it. That particular bike did eat its crank shortly afterwards.

All the best

Keith
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VF-Scott
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 07 Dec 2014
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PostPosted: 20:40 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Itchy wrote:
Wait wasn't the VF series a bike that used Cadbury or was it Nestle as their main suppliers of gear cams?


Shocked

Kickstart wrote:
With the 750 yes. The 500 was a very different bike with a very good reputation for handling. They did lunch their cranks quite often though


Phew! That 's ok then.... Laughing

I think they're great looking bikes and hope you don't have such problems. Definitely the paintwork could do with improvement though. What scheme are you thinking?

And welcome to BCF Smile


I read up on the thing a good bit before I bought it. The very early 500's had bad camshaft problems. The post 85 ones are regarded generally as pretty robust little machines. Basically, if it gets past 10000 miles unscathed then it should be fine.

As for the paint job, I'm thinking old english white with a matt black stripe up the middle. Something a bit different. I had thought about the cafe racer or bobber route, but's actually really clean and chopping it would be a shame. I might remove the lower front fairings that cover the engine, it looks quite nice that way.

They're known as Interceptors in the States and they were a popular bike there (much more so than here) so there's a good deal of info and knowledge on the forums.

But for 500 quid who gives a sh!t really?! It was worth a punt, I thought. It's hard to find nice bikes for three figure money these days. Besides, it's a good distraction until I save up and purchase a nice NC23/9 or RC30!
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VF-Scott
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PostPosted: 20:41 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

And thanks for the warm welcome!
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stevo as b4
World Chat Champion



Joined: 17 Jul 2003
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PostPosted: 20:45 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shame that people automatically think that any Honda with the name VF is automatically an engine eater, and therefore a total lemon.

There's quite a few VF750's still out there that are running fine with cams that havnt ground to dust. And VF400's, 500's and 1000's were never effected by the cam issue like the early VF750's sometimes were.

VFR brilliance/perfection vs VF a horrible useless/worthless nail isn't quite the true story!
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 21:12 - 07 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

VF-Scott wrote:

But for 500 quid who gives a sh!t really?! It was worth a punt, I thought. It's hard to find nice bikes for three figure money these days.


Yep, I think I would have been sorely tempted at that price, seems in very good nick Thumbs Up
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Iain.
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PostPosted: 09:26 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Given £500 buys you a multi coloured early 90s GS500E down here, I'd sooner have that over one anyday Thumbs Up
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 11:33 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

TBF, I haven't ridden a VF500, but I have ridden a GS500 and I don't care to ever own one.
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 15:35 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks nice Thumbs Up

Is that a predacesor to the vfr's?
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 16:09 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

sidewinder wrote:
Is that a predacesor to the vfr's?


VF500 came out in 84. VF750 I think preceded this by 1 year. First VFR750 was 86 I believe.
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CG Sam
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PostPosted: 16:57 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kickstart wrote:
chickenstrip wrote:

Phew! That 's ok then.... Laughing


Nowhere near as bad as the 750, and if it has survived this long and with that many miles it will probably be fine. Some seem to say it was only one batch of them that had dodgy cranks. Many years ago I seriously considered buying one but decided against it. That particular bike did eat its crank shortly afterwards.

All the best

Keith


First model of it had the dodgy crank IIRC, apparently replaced under warranty and later models built with better ones. So really there shouldn't be any with crap cranks left.
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Iain.
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PostPosted: 17:36 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
TBF, I haven't ridden a VF500, but I have ridden a GS500 and I don't care to ever own one.


Laughing Laughing Laughing
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FlightRisk
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PostPosted: 18:20 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are you sure it's been resprayed and it's not just faded over the years?
Some heavy polishing might bring that up red and shiny.
Honda 500s should be red anyway. Smile
Looks good, nice one! Thumbs Up
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Kickstart
The Oracle



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PostPosted: 19:44 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

CG Sam wrote:

First model of it had the dodgy crank IIRC, apparently replaced under warranty and later models built with better ones. So really there shouldn't be any with crap cranks left.


Quite possibly in theory. In practice the one I was very tempted with blew its crank in 1989 and it would have been well out of warranty by then.

All the best

Keith
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Pete.
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PostPosted: 20:58 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bit of a rocketship of it's day, for a half-litre anyway. I hope you enjoy it mate Thumbs Up
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 23:09 - 08 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

70bhp at 11000rpm, 130mph and a lot more lively than the best std 350YPVS's Job done!
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CG Sam
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PostPosted: 10:00 - 09 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like it. If you ever want to sell Wink
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bypass2
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PostPosted: 18:36 - 09 Dec 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice bike mate. Looks a bargain. VF 500. 73 bhp. 135 mph. 45 mpg. 186 kg.
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