1984 Interceptor in Vermont

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by ferrarone, Mar 18, 2010.

  1. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    I just bought my first bike, a 1984 VFR500 for $200. The bike is in pieces, has been painted silver, and has "a valve issue". It's a mess. We'll see if this bike can be saved or not. Pictures to come when it's bright enough tomorrow.

    I'm a senior at Champlain College in Burlington, VT, captain of the Rugby team, and hopefully as mechanically inclined as I think I am.
     
  2. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    >>>>>>>>>>>>:behindsofa::behindsofa::behindsofa:<<<<<<<<<<<

    You want a motorcycle or a long, expensive, frustrating project ??

    Valve issues usually kill those motors, and chances are very high that motor is finished forever.

    <<<<<<<>>>>:>>:>

    "This is from the website of Kevin Ash, a British journalist:

    http://ashonbikes.com/content/honda-...f#comment-127

    ..................
    The 1986 VFR750 reversed the dreadful reputation for unreliability of Honda’s first big V-fours, the VF700 and 750 cruisers and VF750F of 1982, the VF500 as well, all notorious for their rapid-wearing camshafts, sagging camchains, breaking camchain tensioners and other issues. The VFR750 was designed to put that right, and even did away with camchains altogether by using a costly gear train to drive the camshafts. It was dependable, durable, lasted forever, and gained a huge fanbase for its combination of quality and all-round ability: this was the bike that the term sports-tourer was coined for. "
    ............


    Good Luck anyway, and start looking for something you can test ride b4 purchase.

    Others here will give you lots of encouragement, but that won't get you riding.

    {You can find the "ignore" function on the control panel i think.......and you should probably ignore me cuz i recently learned that i share 98% of my DNA genes with a stinkin' chimp !!!}

    :welcome:
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2010
  3. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    Thanks I think?

    The parts for this bike are dirt cheap, just a little hard to come by. The valve seat did not fall into the engine, but broke above the head preventing compression. Engine should be fine. I bought it because I like the style of the 1st gen, and got it for a song. I highly doubt that this is going to be frustrating or expensive experience, but I suppose only time will tell.

    My biggest concern is putting the carb back together.
     
  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Why fret about carbs until you have a good motor to put them on ??
     
  5. VT Viffer

    VT Viffer New Member

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    Hey there - another Vermonter here...

    I saw that 500 on craigslist, too - I hope it's not as much of a headache as I thought it was!
     
  6. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    You can see the valve thats broken on the lower left.
     
  7. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    The interesting thing will be if the valve face hit the piston dome. In most engines (can't speak for the 500) when the valve drops, the piston smacks it, the valve stem gets bent and jams in the guide while the piston dome gets a hole punched in it or a crack at the very least. What do you suspect is preventing that valve from continuing to drop into the combustion chamber right now??

    Keep the pictures coming and watch how many $$ you sink in to it. As long as you got it cheap enough, you can either part it out and double your money or hold out for another parts bike and build a runner.

    Good luck!
     
  8. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    Thanks Tinkerin,

    I'm in the process of taking the head off right now. I think the valve stem is landing on the piston, but I don't think its bent or punched a hole through it. I'm guessing theres going to be a few chatter marks on the top of the piston, but nothing thats going to harm compression. More to follow in a few hours.
     
  9. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    I was wrong.
     
  10. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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  11. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    Pics to come, going to Lowes to get a cheap lamp. The valve stem did break off, marking up the top of the piston and wedging itself into the head. Cylinder walls look okay though. I'm looking for the pieces on ebay and its going to 100 for the head, 4 pistons/rods, and a new block. Trying to haggle it down as I only need the head and 1 piston/rod.

    Should I move this thread to another section, or just keep it going here?
     
  12. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Not sure if you can move it. Maybe a MOD can move it to the 1st gen forum as it can benefit others there. Little harder to find under the Introduction topic.

    $100 sounds pretty reasonable for all those parts if you can swing it. Better for you if you can talk him down.

    Anxiously awaiting pics!

    I'll sell ya my running and riding 500 for $1200 but you'd have to come ride it around Colorado to pick it up. :biggrin:
     
  13. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    The Head:
    [​IMG]

    Damage done to the head:
    [​IMG]

    Damage done to the piston, still good?
    [​IMG]

    The valve stem:
    [​IMG]
     
  14. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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  15. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    Do I need to buy a new timing chain? Is that even possible? Bike has 32k on it.
     
  16. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    This is interesting. Hang in there! And keep the pics coming.
     
  17. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    WHAT ???

    Fix one valve and wait for the next shoe/valve to drop ?????

    I'd be worried about a bent con rod upper end with a hit like that, and the piston is ruined.

    Limit your losses, and back out of the project now, just another young man whose dreams of riding cheap were foiled by a poorly maintained infamous VF 500 !
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2010
  18. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Last edited: Mar 21, 2010
  19. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    C'mon, squirrel, tell him what you REALLY think!
     
  20. ferrarone

    ferrarone New Member

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    Your kind of a dick aren't you? We'll I'm not here to make fake, online friends. I'm here to get information to aid me in fixing my bike. Piston's no good? Thanks asshole from Buffalo, I'll work on getting a replacement. I'll take your suggested sn under advisement, but seeing as Ferrarone is my last name, I don't think junk is going to take it.
     
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