Vf500 Motor Problems. Afraid To Even Ask.

Ok before I start this let me just say this is not the first motor I have rebuilt. It is the first motorcycle one however.

I posted below about getting gaskets. I have even found what I need for the most part. I have two 84 vf500 Interceptors that I love dearly. To me the look between the 500 and the 750 and different in a huge way. I think the lines are so much better on the 500s. Both of my bikes have motor knocks and I very much want to get at least one of them running smoothly. That said.....

I cannot find bearings. Rod bearings are discontinued and the mains are color coded so that makes it complicated. I cant even find an undersize bearing if I get the crank turned. This is not touching the "no rod bearings anywhere" problem.

I live in Kansas City and there is no shortage of bike yards here but I can only find ONE place that even has a 500. That place is in Ottawa Ks. Not close but was willing to make that trip just to have my bike back. Called and they want $900 for a used engine. That seems way overpriced for an engine that may not even run for a year. Who knows.

I know you guys hate noob questions but I have a couple.

I can find a 750 engine but is it a nightmare to put it in the 500 frame? I am not one of those "more power engine swap" guys but I cannot get a vf500f to save my life.

If so (and I think it is a nightmare) am I going to have to start looking for a place to see if I can get the crank turned and have custom bearings made?

I am willing to spend some money on this bike as long as I know it will reliable in the end. There is not really another bike I even want but I am at the end of my rope and am worried that I am going to have to find something besides an 84-86 Int 500.

I thank you guys for your time and patience. Any help would be great.....I just want my bike running again.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Maybe you could find a Magna 500 or 750 as a donor?

worth a shot, eh?

Just a thought but have you tried posting in the classifieds at vf500f.com
Or you may be able to get some help with tracking down some parts and stuff with the forum.

900 seams really high for an old motor. I've seen a few vf500's for sale up here in ON, Canada 1200$ for complete running bikes.

Yes I have been looking for a magna as a donor as well. Actually I have been looking since the middle of winter and have found nothing.

I think I have a line on a couple of 750 motors but dont know how bad it would be to try and cram it into the 500 frame.

I will try vf500f.com now. And yeah I thought $900 was way too high. I would put that into the motor on rebuilding it but not on a used one that may or may not last.

This sucks. Makes me wish I was a gsxr fan. There are a ton of those things around here.

Hello,
I know nothing about rebuilding a motor (and you may wanna skip to the next message right away) but how about parting it out and getting another bike, the bike you really want? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) Just thought it was worth mentioning...

What I ment was the 84-86 vf500 is what I want. The only bike I want really. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

I was selling honda's back then and we sold tons of 500's. I still see plenty of really primo used ones.

you could try these guys
http://www.oldbikebarn.com/
http://www.independentcycle.com/

and i've had luck finding all kinds of old honda parts from these guys
http://www.cmsnl.com/

good luck.

Hello:

Welcome to VFRD.

With all due respect, you're not looking very hard.

Go into eBay. Type in "VF500F," and you will see a crank, cams, cylinder heads, a speedo, an owner's manual, and much, much more. Someone is obviously parting-out a VF500F. There is even some NOS (new, old stock) stuff there; pistons, for example - even a NOS fuel pump.

There is even a discussion group, which is SPECIFIC to that bike, and that bike, only:
http://www.chromasiam.com/vf500f/

I know nothing about that discussion group (this is the best one I've ever seen), but, again, that one is unusually specific and you may have some luck there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Edit/update:
Here is the parts-fiche for your bike. Someone else on this thread mentioned this outfit, CMS. They are in The Netherlands, and the Dollar is weak against the Euro ... so, brace yourself. However, there is one great feature on this web site, "Suited for Models." Once you have isolated a part number, click on the underlined part number, and the "Suited for Models" feature will show you ALL the bikes, which use that part. So, it answers the all-too-often-asked question, "Will this part fit my bike?" In addition, unlike many U.S. parts lists (that list discontinued parts), this will tell you if the part is still available and there is no guesswork.
http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-vf500f-500-inte...1110/partslist/

rctwentyfour

supra85, Apr 9 2008, 08:35 PMI can find a 750 engine but is it a nightmare to put it in the 500 frame?

The 750 is physically much larger than the 500 engine. It's just not gonna fit in there regardless of whatever other problems you would have mating things up. Keep looking. I had a 1986 500 and loved it. The more we can keep running, the better. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)

Believe me I am looking hard. I am the one who bought the crank off ebay. I got it because it still has the rods and bearings attached. I am hoping that the rod bearings are ok. The only other bearings on ebay are 4 half rod bearings. He wants $20 each and that would only be enough for two rods.....if they are the correct ones. Honda matched them at the factory to the ten thousands. As far as I can tell there are no STD or over/under bearings.

That is why I was hoping to find a running motor. I do thank you for your time and the parts diagram is great. I have been searching the part number to see what else I can find.

I think I am going to have to either try to get bearings made (bearings are my real problem here) or try my luck on the next vf500 that is close enough to me to drive out and get.

Thanks for the help. This is without a doubt the best board for VF people.

Hey I just came across a guy selling a 500 today, when i got my tires put on my F2 wheels. Bike is complete, no title, ~22,000mi. Cheap! I may just grab it and part it out, if I know that I can sell most of it quickly.

He's got a crate to put the motor in if you want a quote, or let me know if I should check out anything specific. I think he said it runs. Not sure on the year, it's blue w/ red stripe. If you want just the motor, maybe we'll go in on it, and I'll sell the rest?

PM'ing you now.