First let me start by saying that you don't have to worry, I am still keeping my GS. I have always wanted an interceptor and now I think I've found a decent one that isn't too expensive. It has 12,000 miles and from the pictures appears to be in good condition, owner says it runs very well. Anybody have any experience with the bike or anything I should specifically look for in this model? Thanks
Low oil feed to cams, near impossible to work on, nightmare carbs, nighmare valves etc etc, and an ocassional slipping tranny. :thumb:
You've always wanted one, why were they all out of ford granada's when you were wanting this ... and no AMC gremlin either ... yeow must have been a bad .. or very good year.
Cool.
Buddha.
Hi there,
I used to work in a Honda shop when the Interceptors were first released.
Things to watch out for:
Cams and excessive wear and noise. The oiling of the cams wasn't great.
Be sure the bike has good service records, especially frequent oil and filter changes.
It's an older bike, so be sure to check for rust in the tank, etc.Good luck,
Trwhouse
Wasn't the cam issue only applicable to the 750 Interceptor? I don't recall reading anything about the 500 version.
They all were ... 500's are higher revving motors, so they tended to show up less. 750 and 1100's were terrible, no question there, exacerbated by low revs.
Cool.
Buddha.
If the bike wasn't warmed up before being used, that'll cause the cam issue to crop up. Bikes that were treated a little better tend to not have cam issues.
http://www.sabmag.org
Join the list, you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know about Honda V4s. : )
Oh they are still around ... in the late 90's I was on their list. That group is literally on par with us. They probably had more members then and possibly same now (slightly more than us) ... cos there are more GS'es made everyday, but not sab/mag's ... maybe the interceptor 800's. But GStwin is still growing ...
Cool.
Buddha.
The list is still pretty active, or at least it was when I dropped this spring. I haven't had my VF1100S for 4 years now, seemed silly to stick around when I wasn't posting.
The bike is relatively inexpensive, appears to be in good shape. Guy says it runs strong. It'll be a fun bike to work on it sounds like. I'll still have the trusty GS to supplement the VF
the vfr's do have torque not found in inline 4s but like buddah said there are mech problems to deal with personally i would love to have a newer vfr 800
91-98 VFR 750 for me, preferably in the pearl white color, to match my white 89 GS body.
Cool.
Buddha.
Worked briefly at a Honda / Suzuki shop (where I bought my GS in '92). VFR's have a bad rap for the cam problems -- really only the first production run was badly affected but you're prob'ly right that oiling isn't great. Moral: keep up to date with your routine maintenance. Give the bike a thorough check-over before you buy. If it looks like it's been cared for, you're probably OK.
(Secret admission: I've always wanted a 500 interceptor, too....)
I'm hoping that maybe it had the oil mod done to it but if it hasn't from what I hear the 500 was affected like the 750's were.
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii291/pjm204/JennsPics133.jpg)
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii291/pjm204/JennsPics138.jpg)
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii291/pjm204/JennsPics132.jpg)
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii291/pjm204/JennsPics134.jpg)
(http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii291/pjm204/JennsPics136.jpg)
Well the guy sent me some better pics of the bike, the left side where the hydraullic clutch is has some bad bubbling from a clutch bleed gone wrong. The tail has what looks like a crack or deep scratch, the exhaust is pretty rusty, tank has a rusty dent. I was really hoping it would have been better.
ooooohh think of all the schweeeeet F1/F2/F3 parts that will bolt on to that turd
Nooo ... think of the pleasure you will get from hacking it to pieces ...
Well, F2/F3 parts will bolt on to F2/F3 and those are way lighter, more reliable, easier to get parts for, better looking, better handling, easier to work on than this.
Cool.
Buddha.
Yea well I passed on it....I do want to get a classic sports bike though, maybe an FZR600, GPZ550.....possibly an old gsxr or cbr but I don't see them very often around here for sale.