Looking for some tips on buying a used 2002 interceptor

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by REVTMOLO, Oct 12, 2018.

  1. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    Dammit... Looking again now and It's gotta be a respray. Well I expected a few surprises. This wasn't one of them but I can't say I didn't expect to find some winners at this price point.

    I'm fine with a color change... What makes me nervous here is that most people don't repaint a bike unless there was damage done like in a wreck or something.

    I didn't see anything that looked liked accident damage on the engine cases bars, grips farings etc... The title is clean as well... No salvage marks or anything.

    Too late now. Going to have to wait until I start pulling it apart to get the full story.

    Ugh..
     
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  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    They also do not look like the correct Honda logos... although they did make a Yellow - i think the colour is correct.
     
  3. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    Just went out and reinspected the bike again. If someone's resprayed this they did a hell of a meticulous job on it. The decals are all perfectly straight, no signs of over spray or out of sight off colored areas (i.e. red Panels painted yellow) I do see a little scuffing on the right side of the bike, but it's not enough to make me think it was wrecked. This looks more like someone stored it in a bad spot in a too tight garage and it got checked up...
     
  4. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Just pull a panel off - any will do & look for a Honda marking on the backside - its fairly obvious once you spot it.

    The colour was standard in Europe & you may have got them across the pond.

    The fairing stickers are NOT in the normal location & don't think the colours are correct.
    The Honda wing on the tank also doesn't look correct.
    However,
    The bike looks fine...
     
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  5. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    Hard to tell. I keep finding pics of 02's and the decal layouts are different.Some have the interceptor logo on the back, some don't the Tank decal looks correct, but the VFR is in the wrong place. Looks like it is too low on the faring.

    Just so I can be clear, I'm not put off by any of this. As long as the bike rides good, the frame is in good shape and it is mechanically sound, I bought it to ride it so if the history is a bit checkered that is OK.

    Just out of curiosity, does anyone have a link to decode the VIN? Maybe that can help identify the original paint color?
     
  6. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    I have to get it off the back of the truck before I can pull it apart. I don't have ramps, so I'm going to get it over to a local cycle shop for unloading on their ramp.

    One good thing... the cold weather just layed down so I'll have plenty of time to work on it over the Winter! :D
     
  7. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    And again... Found it. https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/honda-parts/honda-model-prefix

    1. Locate the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) printed on the frame of your Honda motorcycle.This is often stamped onto the right side of the steering head, where the front fork is mounted on the frame.The VIN is also imprinted on a metal tag located on the left side of the frame above the motor.
    2. Locate the first character. This letter or numeral represents the country of manufacture. In this case, a "J" for Japan should be present.
    3. Locate the second character, "H." This represents the name of the manufacturer, Honda.
    4. Locate the third character. This letter or digit represents the vehicle type. Most Honda motorcycles use a "2," which refers to a motorcycle, although "A" or "1" may also be used.
    5. Locate the fourth through the eighth characters. These letters and digits are used by each individual manufacturer to identify the model or engine type of the motorcycle.
    Didn't help with the paint code though. OK, I'm going to stop worrying about this. I'll know more when I get the panels off.

    Thank you everyone for your responses here. This seems to be a great community and I am looking forward to participating in it!
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2018
  8. GreginDenver

    GreginDenver New Member

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    The 8th digit of the VIN can give a little information, on the U.S. shipped bikes Honda used "1" for the California "0" for the remaining 49-state bikes. If the 8th digit is something other than "1" or "0" it might have a longer/stranger story to tell, like maybe it was purchased in Europe by a military guy and brought back to the U.S. as part of his household goods and vehicle allowance.
     
  9. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    It's a 1.
     
  10. GreginDenver

    GreginDenver New Member

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    Then it's a California bike. Are you in Cali or are you somewhere else in the U.S.?

    There might (if the prior owner didn't remove it) be a sticker applied to the top of the airbox, directly under the fuel tank, that describes/diagrams the Evaporative Emission Control System. Also, I think the EVAP Canister (a large, round, black plastic item) is located at the bottom-front of the engine, right next to the oil filter location. Although, if the prior owner was a Power Commander + open exhaust type of guy it's kinda likely he was also a Removes-and/or-caps-off-the-EVAP-system guy.

    The main engine difference between the Cali-bike and the 49-state-bike is the Cali bike has a very slight reduction in Cam Lobe Height and a slight change in the phasing (degree) of the lobes on the camshaft which results in the Cali camshaft having less "overlap" of the intake valves and exhaust valves. This is all described in the VFR800 Service Manual, Chapter 1.

    Also, on the topic of color, VFRs (and Hondas in general, I think) always have a sticker under the seat that shows the Vehicle Paint Color Code so you can color-match any items you might need to touch up or repaint entirely. Maybe that sticker is still present on your bike. Again, the exact location of this sticker on your '02 will be shown in the VFR800 Service Manual, Chapter 1.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2018
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I didn't re-badge mine when it was painted for obvious reasons. But the few days I had it all white before the graphics were put on, I got to thinking, I kind of liked it without the badging too. Now that it is ready for a third skin, I may just leave it all white the next time.

    The only gen where yellow was available was the fourth or was it fifth I think? But you neve know. Different colour schemes were available some countries and not others. For example. For 2009, the white and black accent was available in Canada and many other countries , but not in the USA, Anyhoooo…...
     
  12. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    Yeah I'm not going to get too knotted up about it. I just unloaded it and rode it about a mile across town. I realized two things:

    1. Holy smokes this thing is quick.

    2. My legs are too short to flat foot it at a stop.

    Any height adjustments I can make?
     
  13. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Grow !
    Heels !
    Don't worry to much about flat footing it.
     
  14. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    So here is my preliminary laundry list:

    1. Check all fluids & replace as needed
      • Oil
      • Brake (Front and back)
      • Clutch
      • Coolant
    2. inspect reservoirs for worn seals and parts
    3. Check wheel and swing arm bearings
    4. replace Chain and sprockets (I'm going to go With a JT set)
    5. replace air filter
    6. replace spark plugs (NGK's)
    7. replace open exhaust system with stock
    8. remove Power commander
    9. Inspect wiring harnesses or heat damage/signs of wear
      • inspect big blue connector on left side
      • Inspect harness on the right side
    10. Adjust clutch lever (Mine grabs too far out. It grabs fine when it does, I just like it to grab quicker than this one does.)
    11. Clean and lube turn signal switch (It's a little sticky)
    that seems like a pretty good start... Anything else I should check while I'm in there?
     
  15. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I’m selling a friends set of JT sprockets (Stock tooth size) and I have a K&N air filter if you’re interested...send me a PM if you are.
     
  16. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    12. Install a voltmeter

    These bikes have a rap for bad staters / rectifiers.

    The volt meter is to allow you to spot it happening & stop early.
     
  17. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    Thanks OOTV. I'll hit you up shortly. JT makes good stuff. I want to get everything from the intake to the exhaust back to stock so I can't use the K&N. Maybe down the line though if I decide to start tuning.
     
  18. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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    Yeahhhh, Magna's too. I'm so hoping to open this thing up and discover a nice mosfet R/R under there, but I'm not holding my breath.

    Anyone's have a suggestion for a cell phone mount?
     
  19. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    RAM mount off the stem on the triple tree
     
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  20. REVTMOLO

    REVTMOLO New Member

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