VFR500

I was informed this weekend that my uncle has finally decided to let go of his most prized possession in the next year or so and that he would much prefer that I end up with it so it stays in the family. It's a 1986 Honda VFR500 that he bought new off the showroom floor. It's not mint but darn nice condition with only 13280 on the clock. 500cc V4. Not exactly my style as I really enjoy my maxim but will be nice to keep around and put a few miles on. Picture is a bit grainy/blurry as he took it with his dumb phone but here she is

 

It's a VF500F actually. The VFR designation was introduced later.
Should be a fun little bike.

 

Fair enough. Learn something new every day

 

Actually vf500fg , g being the 86 letter.
Yes the vfr bikes had gear drive cams. 86 vfr750fg, vfr1000ff and fg.
Best Honda designation was
1999 GL1500SEX

 

If you're living right you do

 

But what if I already know it all?

 

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1986-honda-vf500f-interceptor/6280285464.html

 

Nice! That one looks identical to my uncle's with only a few thousand less miles. Maybe I'll have to put it in the 4th of July parade next year

 

Well, the 500's and some variants had gear drive cams. The larger engines in the Sabres and the Interceptors, at least in the same production timeframe, are chain drive.

I have an '85 Sabre (tariff bike) in the back yard now that I just started on. The plan is to go through and run it as-is (after cosmetic fix-up) for a season. In the winter the motor will get a the innards to make it a 1000.

Did you end up with the 500?

 

Not as of yet. Uncle has some health issues he is sorting out and I'm trying to finish up a home remodel so I have a place to live and keep all my toys. Once that is all set I can bring her home

 

I had an 85 I think. I rescued from a barn. It turned out to be very nice bike. Be warned they had upper cylinder oiling problems. They need to keep the revs up for better oiling on the cams. I think they fixed it later on. Just don't let it idle a lot and you should be ok.

 

I have played with many of the Honda V4's and they have their ups and downs. The oiling issue was one of them, but think it might have been only with the bigger bikes V65's. I will warn you that if you think pulling the carbs off the old XJ is fun wait until you have to get your hands, tools, straps and what ever else you have to do to get those carbs in and our of that V4. I stopped buying those types of bikes because of that. The bigger bikes have such strong engines and sound so nice it is really hard to say away.

It is a family owned bike and I really hope that you do get it. She will be fun to work on and run around on. Really different riding style from the XJ's though. Best of luck with remodeling and getting everything in order.

 

You hit the nail on the head...family bike. The only reason I don't want to see it go to just anyone. I am well aware that those carbs will be far and away worse than any xj but hopefully I can get them done right and do everything I can to make sure they stay that way for a long time so I don't have to mess with them