What we have here is an ’85 Honda VF500 V30 Magna-based, 500 Interceptor-powered Street Scrambler build. This example – which was built as a 1973 Honda CR250 Elsinore tribute – very much looks the part of your typical scrambler while boasting performance closer to that of a mid-’80’s sport bike. The V4-powered sled has received a lot of work and has had quite a few parts swapped-out as well. The Honda cruiser was transformed by a father for his son, and as the project progressed the build became increasingly ambitious, or in the father’s words: “I got a little carried away”.
The front-end was replaced with conventional forks – equipped with Race Tech anti-dive internals – and dual-disks off of a 1988 CBR while the Magna’s rear-suspension has been replaced by a pair of adjustable nitrogen RFY shocks. A rear disk was also added in back. A pair of rear-sets and three-arm rims (with new bearings) off the CBR have also been fitted.
A set of handlebars, fenders, and side-plates were all taken off of a ’73 CR250. The brakes on this example have been rebuilt and given new pads and steel-braided lines. The bike also has LED signals up front and an LED taillight with integrated signals built into the tail-section. This Interceptor-powered build has also received a full custom, Elsinore-themed, green and silver paint job with a petroleum-resistant clear-coat, as well as NOS vintage tank emblems and Elsinore badges. A new custom leather seat was also dropped into place on the one-off build. Interestingly, the Honda retains its stock headlight though I’m not sure it looks great.
Powering this example is the VF500 Interceptor’s liquid-cooled, 498cc, four-stroke, DOHC, V4 married to a six-speed chain-drive transmission. The Japanese power-plant made a claimed 68 hp at 11,500 rpm and 30.4 ft-lbs of torque at 10,500 rpm. This particular example’s engine has recently received service, including the syncing and tuning of its carbs, and having all valve-clearances set to factory specs. A new battery and ignition have also been installed, as have a set of upswept dual silencers. According to the seller, this example is “mechanically perfect”.
Scramblers have made a major comeback in recent years with a resurgence in popularity of the genre. While many appreciate the machines’ versatility, I’d argue that their appearance plays a bigger role in their popularity. Like the “Street Tracker” – which is built to look like the dirt-going competition machines despite only being used for street-riding – the “Street Scrambler” has become its own class of motorcycle. Bikes like Ducati’s “Urban Enduro” Scrambler prove there’s definitely a market for enduro-themed road-goers. This isn’t the most professionally assembled build, but it’s pretty cool and unique.
In addition to the photos, the seller has also recorded and posted a quick walk-around/fire-up video of the build to YouTube. This custom is reportedly 100-percent street-legal and currently has a clean title. You can find this one-off 1985 VF500 V30 Magna-based, VF500 Interceptor-powered, ’73 CR250 Elsinore tribute, Street Scrambler build for sale here on Craigslist in Reno, Nevada with a price of $5,000.