Honda VT500EF

moog · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Karma :

I'm interested in one (red, 1986, no mot or tax, needs new battery, been stood for a few weeks since mot and tax expired)but, as usual, know sod all about them, apart from they're obviously a v-twin and seem to have the same vented brake set up as the cbx550...so if anyone has owned one, ridden one or fixed one and has any information to impart to me, particularly about mpg, speed, comfort, reliability, weak points etc I'd be really grateful.

What I do know is that David Silver spares stocks a load of spare parts for them...which is an essential to look for before buying a 1980's bike!

Thanks in advance, Simon.
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"A process which led from the amoeba to man appeared to the philosophers to be obviously a progress...though whether the amoeba would agree with this opinion is not known."

"I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I'm convinced of the opposite."

NSR Mick · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

My dad used to have one and didnt have any trouble with it I dont think.

Where quite poular with couriers in the day if I remember right.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Brakes get arse clenchingly bad unless kept on top of (and they're not great to start with), electrics can be flakey. Feel like a sewing machine to ride. Not bad machines, engine always had a great reputation as being bullet proof. I'd be lary of standard rear shocks and fork internals by now, they'll be *very* worn as it's a fairly heavy bike iirc.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

virus · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Karma :

Always looked for one to replace my RS, the sensible v twin shaft drive 500 would be a CX, especially seen as the gearbox on a cx runs down the frame, so the shaft only needs a bevel box on the back wheel instead of one at each end, but anyway i digress.

Vt500s have bad brakes (onboard disks are never good really) and are very heavy, but apart from that, they are very cool, and sound great. Cool

If its in good condition at a decent price, then go for it, but dont expect too much parts availability.

Cheers
John
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own: 81 xs1100g...
owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

Fastkwak · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Karma :

I despatched one for thousands and thosands of miles and it was a million miles better to than my CX and felt much lighter and easier to throw about . Inboard disk is crap but if you strip the front wheel off every couple of months and clean it out they work fine .Its the engine that Honda put the 600 top end on for the NTV 600 Revere so that tells you that as a 500 it is understressed I loved mine and on a motorway run at despatching speeds it would turn in 55 mpg and 65 or more when used sedately but that was back in 90/91 so with relevant wear expect less .mileage isnt a problem mine did 81 thousand in 12 months and never missed a beat .A local company near me had 2 that did local work only for a type setters and both had been round the clock twice when they finally got rid and the first one to have a top end rebuild was at 146 thousand miles (regular servicing played its part in this though)
So all in if the price was right i would still have one as a second bike now and they look miles better than a maggot
Cheers
Dave Thumbs Up

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Kiss my ASS im gone. current ZX12R previous ZZR1100,Gpz1100 uni,GT750,VT500,CX500
GT550,various Superdream 250&400,RD350LC,RD400DX,Ts250ER,DT175MX
CB125T superdream

moog · Spanner Monkey Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Karma :

Nice one lads. Cheers for the replies Thumbs Up

I'm looking at buying it cheap and using it as a learning curve for a winter project.

I shall see how it goes and let you all know.
____________________
"A process which led from the amoeba to man appeared to the philosophers to be obviously a progress...though whether the amoeba would agree with this opinion is not known."

"I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I'm convinced of the opposite."