1985 Honda Interceptor

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Up for sale is a 1985 Honda VF700F Interceptor. This bike carries a manufacturing date of 07 1984: one of the first “tariff beaters” manufactured. The bike is a 3rd owner bike; I have had it since 2007. I purchased the bike with approx. 3k miles and the odometer now reads 14450. This bike is in great physical shape. No dents in the tank, paint is as good as it gets for a bike this age; simply in great shape. All tabs remain on the side covers, and none broken on the lower cowel. If I had to estimate, I’d place this bike at about 85-90 points. I have had this bike garaged for the entire time I have owned it. However, it has sat for the last 4-5 years without being ridden. I own two classic Goldwings, 84/86 and an 88. I spend my time on these two bikes. I work as an eng. consultant so my job takes me out of town for many months, years in fact. I take one of the Goldwings everywhere I go. I am a motorcyclist and do my own maintenance. True maintenance: replacement of motors, headgaskets, valves, seats, tires, brakes, electronics (stereos, amps, subs), carbs, etc., everything except the splitting of the cases. I have taught myself and have made errors along the way. I think what is of value relative to the sale of the Interceptor, it comes from a man who rides. I have spent winters in PA with nothing but my 1500. I have ridden in sub-zero weather, snow and ice. I may use a truck to carry a bike to a job, depending on the weather; but once here my PU sits. The bikes get used. I have traveled across the country, for work, in winter months: Dec and Jan. And yes, it is cold. In other words, this bike does not come from a “squid.” That being said, the bad first: Fork seals need to be replaced – left leg leaks pretty good While traveling to LA from west TX, the fuel pump went out, replaced with a Mr. Gasket purchased in Deming NM at an Autozone; Dec of 2012 I believe. It was the 4 – 7 (3-5) psi pump (which overpowered the float valves). I replaced this pump a month ago, with another Mr. Gasket, but the 2 -3. 5 psi pump (cat. 12S I believe). I replaced the float valves, carb gaskets, and filters with Outlaw replacement parts. Should not have done this. Should be replaced with K&L or with parts from the outfit in Canada (name escapes me at present – expensive but worth it). At present, the float valves appear to be leaking small drops. I have a cut off under the seat to stop pressure and vacuum in the system – keeping gas out of the jugs. Floats are good, but they are set a bit lower (8 - 9mm) in the bowl to facilitate a better float valve seal. Don’t use Outlaw parts. Also rebuilt one of the fuel tube assemblies several years ago. There is a site on Ebay that sells one of the assemblies – about 30. Well worth the money. Separating V4 carbs, taking them off the bike, is simply no fun. I’d pick up some new intake boots along with parts to rebuild the carbs. This needs to be re-done. The ignition switch went out years ago, start it with a simple on/off switch attached to the fuse cover; sorry, it now has a hole in it. New ignition assembly is approx. 100 or so. Old ignition is till on the bike, very clean by the way; just inoperable. Tank seal has leaked (I have a replacement seal – just not installed) I tested compression a few months ago, 155, 125, 135 and 150. Did not perform a leak down test. I did ride the bike for a couple of days (one trip about 60 miles) and it rode great. Linear power still there. These bikes as so fun to ride; wind em up and they just go; linear as heck. Top end not reached, but I did get it up over 90 with ease. That being said, I would rebuild the carbs as described above. I would also pull the heads and do a valve / guide / and seat job on it. The bike sat for years (sorry, with Sta-bil) but even so, gas leaked and more than likely, gummed up the heads/valves/and or seats. Never intended to let the bike sit so long without being ridden. I don't think rings or jugs need work, but I have no way of knowing for sure. Honda is known for their engineering and I've never had to get into the cylinders on any bike for simply sitting. Smokes a bit (white) at start up. And smells rich. I am heading out of state again, so I don’t have time to get this wonderful bike, tip top. Even if I did, I certainly would not ride it year round. I must sacrifice it. Truth be told, at mid-fifties, am a Goldwing and classic BMW guy. When one owns more than one classic bike, I have to tell you, they need to be ridden. Goldwings are incredibly forgiving. As are old air and air/oil head BMWs. The V4s have never been. They need to be ridden; and I simply cannot allow this bike to deteriorate for lack of being ridden - it is simply way to good of a bike. The good: New tires, chain and sprocket (some 4 – 5 years ago) less than 500 mi on them – easily less. Givi side bags / no name top bag Hondaline travel rack New battery Relatively new starter Relatively new petcock New air filter Spare parts (used parts saved – fuel pump, etc) Clean, current title, registration (TX) Seat still soft, no tears Many first, second owner parts and service rctps. I also have saved some CD service info This bike is in great physical shape – gets compliments everywhere it is seen To my knowledge, it has never been down, or dropped. I certainly have not laid it down, nor dropped it. Right lever is slightly bent however; barely noticeable – don’t remember how the second owner said it occurred. As mentioned, this bike is somewhat historical, and I hope goes to a rider that will appreciate its value. It is worth the reserve price. But not overpriced. If it were an 84, it would not be for sale. This bike should be worked on abit, and then ridden. Not stored, but ridden (in my view). I have done my best to describe the good and the bad. It does start, run and I have recently ridden it, to my pleasure. But, I must state again, the carbs should be redone and the heads pulled and serviced. This bike will be the envy of the classic crowd upon completion, it simply is in that great of condition. I will try to post of video of it at startup and running in the next couple of days. Happy bidding and good luck.Additional items:Your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this vehicle. Please do not bid if you're not seriously interested or financially able to purchase this vehicle. Please read eBay's User Agreement1. Cancel any and all bids at our discretion, or end the auction early if necessary. 2. You must be 18 years of age or older to Bid.1. Special eBay Bid Retraction Rules: Please read eBay's "Retracting a Bid"0. If you place a bid before the last 12-hour period of the auction:· You may retract that bid before that last 12-hour period but only for exceptional circumstances. You will not be allowed to retract that bid during the last 12-hour period of the auction.1. If you place a bid during the last 12-hour period of the auction: You You will be allowed to retract the bid for exceptional circumstances but only if you do so within one hour after placing the bid.: Thi Vehicle is being sold "as is". No representations or warranties are made by seller, nor are any representations or warranties relied upon by bidders in making bids.Out Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title service fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. All taxes and fees must be paid in full in order for vehicle to be titled and registered.All sAll shipping charges are buyer's responsibility. Shipping must be handled within a week of purchase, or otherwise scheduled with seller. The amount of time it takes for delivery is dependent on the carrier, but is generally 7-14 days from the date the vehicle is picked up from seller until it is delivered to your destination. Verify with the shipper for an Estimate Time of Arrival to be sure. On Dec-31-18 at 08:00:49 PST, seller added the following information: I have posted a start-up video on the Vimeo Website. It is video 100_1371 by John Doe entitled 1985 VF700F Startup. URL is: https://vimeo.com/308900534. You may need to sign up to view it. You will notice the headlight is off, I have an in-line on/off switch for both the headlight and the driving light. I keep the headlight off during start-up, just like the ignition switch kills the power to the headlight allowing more current to be used at start-up. I have additional pic for those interested, just send a message and I'll get them to ya. Thanks again. On Jan-07-19 at 16:32:40 PST, seller added the following information: As mentioned, paint is really nice, but as I was reviewing the ad, I neglected to mention two small circular paint chips on the tank (about the size of the top of a pencil eraser; if you were looking down at it). Both have been touched up. Remember, there are no dents. Please let me know if additional pics would be needed. I can take as many of the bike as anyone would like. Thanks again. Karl On Jan-08-19 at 09:16:50 PST, seller added the following information: Here is a list of parts new and used currently off the bike: New:2 HighflowFiltro HF202 oil filters1 gas cap gasket1 right side engine cover gasket1 clutch cover gasket4 Outlaw (unused misc carb refurbishing parts kits - screws, springs, washers, o rings)1 530 X link chain master link Used:starterfluid collection box (pulled to make room for Mr. Gasket fuel pump)petcockfront sprocketrear sprocketmisc carb parts (valves, filters, etc) With regards to the previous description of tires, chain, sprockets - all were replaced at the same time; I described them at relatively new (less than a 500 miles). Old sprockets are in replacement packaging indicating part numbers and brand - frankly, could be reused. I could not locate the old chain (I usually keep them for other reasons than to be reused if needed). There is one part I have not located and that is the fuel pump mounting bracket. As indicated above, the fuel pump was replaced on the road from TX to CA (Deming, NM). I kept all parts taken off to make room for the after market pump; but haven't yet located the bracket. I am a "used part keeper" and have bins upon bins of Goldwing and BMW parts. The bracket is probably in one of those bins. I will keep looking. There is currently a used pump and bracket for 35 on eBay to give an idea of what one might be asking used (pump is included price). ThanksKarl