Bazza's latest Interceptor......
 

For starters.....I really had no intention of buying another one. I really didn't.

But this one is different.

It's the legendary VF500F......a model I did not have but thought I would love to have one day....if the planets all aligned. And boy did they ever!

It's an '86, considered to be the best of the 3 years they were produced ('84, '85, & '86). It was located close enough to drive and pick her up. And....it needed nothing. In almost perfect condition....including brand new tires!

Now how could anyone pass that up? :p

This bike handles like a freaking DREAM! Took her out last night for a 15 mile romp and I was in heaven!

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Hi, my name is Baz and I am an addict...

My '86 is not super fast but is still fun to take out on spirited rides.

My 18 year old son just bought one of those as his first street bike. 36k miles in good but far from perfect condition for $1200. It's not exactly fast, but it should be a really good starter bike.

Whatever you do, Baz, don't try a BMW boxer twin.

Does that bring the count to 11?

Thye first street bike I ever purchased was a 1984 Interceptor 500 bought it brand new from a local dealer. I think I paid around $3000 all in. I loved that bike I had a license plate frame that said You've Just Been Intercepted.

Something going on......lol.....


Interesting - mine hauls butt - but maybe it's all relative? I need to get it out on US 1 north of the city limits and open her up.....last night only got her up to 50......



Awesome - congrats to your son and hope he enjoys it!



Like this one? ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717527745.JPG



I think so, Milt.....4 first Gens, 1 third Gen, and 6 second Gens.

(for those keeping score) :)

Great story, Mike....especially the license plate frame.....that's very cool! SmileWavy

Well mine is "relatively" quick and handles ok but nothing like more modern 600cc + sport bikes.

I have had mine over 100 mph many times but it just does not pull as hard as modern bikes. It is plenty fast for passing cars and playing on curvy roads. It has plenty of power to ride two up with my wife on board even in the mountains. In the 80's it was probably about as good as it got for a sporty 500 from the 4 Japanese companies. I like mine but only get the urge to ride a bike on occasion. I could never justify buying a new bike as I don't ride enough anyway. That said.... it has been fun taking it on the back of the motorhome and then riding it around in vacation spots..... I often get asked questions from random people we meet who remember these bikes from when they younger. The '86 500's are neat in that they had this different color scheme.

Those are great bikes. Quick is definitely relative. I took my 86 GSXR-750 with a 1200 bandit engine and my BMW HP4 to the track a few years ago. They had a portable dyno there so I strapped them both up. The GSXR put out 112HP at the wheel which isn't bad. The HP4 put out 180HP at the wheel completely stock. At the time, that was the highest HP he had seen with a completely stock bike. These days there are several bikes that can make over 200HP.....heck I remember when the magic number was 100HP, that was insane. Now my KTM adventure bike puts out more then that in off road mode...

Wow, great condition. Looks like a new bike to me.

Suggestion Baz: just get one thread going and then each week - as you buy another (and another, and another, and .... ) - you can simply add it. :D :D Easier for those of us in the cheap seats to follow along. I don't even ride, but I know I've always liked the look of the Interceptors!

You should have said something 10 bikes ago!

Baz- how many of these have the gear-driven cams?

You are a sick, sick man...but in a good way.

Hey, take it easy on my friend. He is having a "late life crisis ". He turns 70 next week. :D
Hey wait! So do I!

Best
Les

OK thanks Tim....makes sense! SmileWavy

Yep.....and I'm only going by seat-of-the-pants feeling.....so heck by that unit of measure they are ALL fast! :)

Thanks, Bill...I agree......and is why I pursued this one as I did. I like 'em when everything works and everything looks good...lol......

I know it's hard to keep up, Steve.

The gear driven cam engines started with the second generation bikes in '86 and ended around 2001 with the sixth generation bikes, IIRC.....

I really love my airhead.....in many ways I enjoy riding it more than any of the others......

So true, Eric......:p

Haha......not a bad idea! Thanks, Curt! SmileWavy

That's right....you tell 'em, Les!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717604686.jpg

Age is just a number...right? :)

Damn!… That just brought back a ton of nostalgia from my riding days in the 80s!

Any pics of the whole fleet?

Baz, not that I'm suggesting anything illegal - heavens forbid :eek:

But to avoid a whole lot of licencing/vehicle registration fees, could you just register one and put the plate on whichever bike you are riding that day.

At least in California, (and probably everywhere else), that is a very bad idea. I once heard that using a year sticker on the wrong vehicle is a felony(?) Maybe one of our LEO members can chime in.

It would be better to ride one unregistered here. Still illegal but much less serious.

Yes indeed, relax, we'll take your word for it.

I’m probably more relaxed than you, lol. It’s my middle name. I just would not want anyone to actually take your bone headed advice. :)

Yea, yeah, whatever...

I had an '83 750 and '85 700 while my roommate had an '85 500 and another friend had a 1000 and I got to ride them all. For pure riding fun, I enjoyed the 500 the most.

What if someone stole the airhead, parked it in front of someone else's house and the homeowner came out and wheeled it into his garage, never calling the police to find out if it was stolen? When his friends asked him why not, he says, "it's living its best life right here." :)

But that would be unethical.

A guy on the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride had a 1930's era BMW and said it was so smooth it was like riding a couch.

Hey Baz, what do you think of this one price wise?

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/d/huntington-beach-1998-honda-vfr800/7755415221.html

Price looks pretty good, Scott. SmileWavy

Hey Bill.....not sure about just one tag for all of them, but I have so many that look the same, I wouldn't hesitate to use a tag from a similar year or color bike, push come to shove.

Of course every one of my 11 Interceptors are all legally registered with Florida titles in my name because it's not that big a deal to do so.

The last one I registered and re-titled I did borrow a tag from another bike just for the ride over to the tag office, which made it easier to get VIN verified. Saved a little extra effort!

As it should be. I actually have two airheads with the blue one being the one in the better condition......

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1717978336.jpg

Interesting. Maybe it's the weight to HP ratio but I absolutely love this 500 and so far like it the most as well.

I've never ridden a 1000 but hope to one day.......;)