Death of a VF500, I tried to make it quick & painless...

[Sebspeed]

Got a new-to-me bike today for cheap! Don't know exactly what year it is, as it does not have a title(or a tag on the frame, forgot how convenient those were!).

A member at VFRD was desperately looking for 500 motor parts, and I happened to stumble on this 16,000 mile example yesterday. It was at the garage where I get my tires changed!

$200 VF500F:


Being that it's now an "organ donor", and there is no title, it seems the logical thing to do is to tear the bike to pieces to help reincarnate others.

The weatherman was completely wrong today, they said rain all weekend, not a drop here. 70 and partly cloudy. So, let's tear a bike down! Took about 6 hrs, including picking the bike up 20 mins away and having a quick lunch. Like I said, I tried to make it painless. Why doesn't Honda build bikes like this anymore? I couldn't believe how much of the thing came apart with just a 10mm socket!

My "loading dock":


She's not in great shape, but it could be much, much worse:


What fork seal?








Carbs are in pretty good shape, I popped a couple of the float bowls off, and while not squeaky clean, they are not corroded and nasty or gunky.


Seat looks good:

'bout an hour in:

Getting closer:


Motor's out!

Time to pack up and get a ride in before the sun goes down!! All tucked in for the evening:

ps- those are my new Avons mounted on the F2 wheels for the 750!

Coupla' notes, the 500 motor is so much lighter than the 750 motor! I can actually pick this one up by myself and walk around with it! And the 750 motor will definitely NOT fit in this frame, if anyone wants measurement, I'll be happy to go take them for ya, but it ain't gonna go. The 750 also has an extra mounting point.

It was a great day for wrenching, even if it was the de-constructive kind, I love it, it's like therapy - almost as good as riding! Anybody else feel that way?

In closing, I bid the dearly departed a better life. I'm sure the buyer of the motor will get her heart pumping again soon, and hopefully the rest of her will get put to good use too!

ps - everything except the motor, tank, and side panels are for sale!!

[RVFR]

Damn you sure it's not a runner? Over here you can get a temp title too then be able to license it. Not to bad of a find.

[Sebspeed]

Little late now, heh. Here in NY it would be a real PITA to get a title for it. Besides, I only bought it so I could help someone else out with the motor. I have too many other projects going on to start a new one just yet!

[JamieDaugherty]

Titles are pretty easy to get, all it takes is about $150. There are many services available for this which work in all states, a simple Google search is all it takes. $220+$150+elbow grease and that is an $800-1000 bike. Hopefully parting it out will net you something close to that!

[Sebspeed]

I've looked into the title services for other bikes that have come through my garage, an 82 Magna and a CB1100F for example, but never took the dive on one.

At this point the buyer of the motor has covered the cost of the bike, so any parts I sell is money in my pocket(towards the 750 project, actually! LOL). I will pass the title service info on to whomever wants the frame, but it can't sit here forever, I need the space for more important stuff.

Steel prices are still going up, so at the very least, I'll get a few bucks for it. If someone wants to try to get a title, they can have the frame for $50.

[cromanyak]

I have a title question. Do you need the tag on the side of the frame? I bought two VF500F's recently and both were supposed to have good titles, but when I got home I noticed that the VIN tag on one matched the title I had, but it didn't match up with the VIN # that's stamped on the neck.

Chris

[hondabill]

hey seb how much would you want for the carbs,fuel pump and seat. i have an 86 with a torn seat. And I would like to retro fit it with a fuel pump thanx

[Fizz]

Awwwww, breaks my heart. If it was just garaged/lubricated and run once in a blue moon with fuel stabilizer it'd have been a prime bike.

But onto business.

How much you want for the whole Carb assy with intake plate? I really only need the jets, but I don't think you could sell the carbs sans jets, so I'd be happy to pay for the whole shebang.

Also, the bike should have the year and VIN on a metal tab on the right side of the frame. about 5 inches away from the fairing, I can see two rusted spots where it looks like it was removed. I guess we can only wonder.

May it rest in piece.

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by hondabill

hey seb how much would you want for the carbs,fuel pump and seat. i have an 86 with a torn seat. And I would like to retro fit it with a fuel pump thanx

Oh shoot. You called the carbs before me.

The jets on my VF500 were rejetted by the original owner. Since it's summer time now my bike is starting to overheat. My low's were reduced from 38s to 35s and highs from 105s to 90s.

If you get the carbs for something other than the jets, I'd be more than happy to buy them off you.

[Sebspeed]

Seat $20 Carbs $30 Fuel pump $10. Shipping extra, I prefer paypal, PM me if interested.

I have a "For Sale" thread in the classifieds also, with a partial listing of parts & prices.

Thanks for the interest!

[MrJoelieC]

Since that was one of my dream bikes in high school I'm man enough to admit I cried a litte tear in witnesing those photos...... Snif

[JamieDaugherty]

Originally Posted by cromanyak

I have a title question. Do you need the tag on the side of the frame? I bought two VF500F's recently and both were supposed to have good titles, but when I got home I noticed that the VIN tag on one matched the title I had, but it didn't match up with the VIN # that's stamped on the neck.

Chris

The number stamped on the neck is the "real" VIN number.

[Sebspeed]

Originally Posted by JamieDaugherty

The number stamped on the neck is the "real" VIN number.

Yup, your title needs to match the VIN on the neck. I hope you have at least one matching title??

[cromanyak]

Yeah one of them matches. Unfortunate it's the worse of the two, but oh well.

Chris

[rngdng]

It's sad, but some must die so others can live. Nice find for $200.00. The Staab agency could get it titled for you, if you were interested. You could still get it done, and then sell the frame with title.


Lane

[Sebspeed]

Staab agency?

[Sebspeed]

Originally Posted by cromanyak

Yeah one of them matches. Unfortunate it's the worse of the two, but oh well.

Chris

Swap all the good stuff over to the one withe the title. Proof above, it'll only take you 5hrs to take it apart... Dooo eet!

[cromanyak]

So far that's what I've done. I'm riding the good one now, but I'd like to make both roadworthy. I may still get it on the road and either go through a title agency or run it the way it is. If I ever get pulled over I'll just plead ignorance. Nobody I know of gets their bike inspected around here.

Chris

[rngdng]

Originally Posted by Sebspeed

Staab agency?

Yep, it costs about $150.00.


http://www.staabagency.com/

Lots of my friends have used them.



Lane