Author Topic: my latest acquisition, hoping to not be a project thread (Read 12233 times)

seanbarney41 · « **on:** September 29, 2014, 07:05:34 PM »

Well, here it is 1986 VF500F...nice and light(compared to a cb750, anyway), about 60?hp, tolerable original paint(and I love this paint scheme!), odo shows 13,000...I had really been eyeing a lot of 80's/90's sportbikes lately, so when I stopped into my favorite local bike shop and the owner's son offered this up for small money, I jumped on it. I am hoping this will be a cheap way of going a little faster without modding some poor cb into an unuseable death machine...and that this will be perfect for twisty back road bargeing.

DSCN0232 by seanbarney41, on Flickr

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2014, 07:12:44 PM »

riding position is slightly relaxed, about the same as a cb550 with suberbike bars and 400f rearsets...

DSCN0227 by seanbarney41, on Flickr

DSCN0228 by seanbarney41, on Flickr

DSCN0229 by seanbarney41, on Flickr
this bike is really complete, but this pic shows that I do need to find a correct turn signal stalk

DSCN0230 by seanbarney41, on Flickr
I have got it to start, but it won't take any throttle, and it's only running on 3...time to dive into some carbs that make the cb550 airbox look like a piece of cake. This has 2 sidedraft, and 2 downdraft carbs alternating on the same rack! Watercooling and a monoshock is also gonna present a bit of a learning curve for this guy, who's newest bike ever is cb750f3.

Stev-o · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2014, 07:39:46 PM »

Looks good, Sean. Bet that will be a fun bike in the twisties...

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2014, 03:08:21 AM »

Yep, they are very rare bikes, because most of them blew up very early in life. That's why Honda stopped making them, they couldn't fix all the problems without a total re-design, and by then they had such a bad reputation that they wouldn't have sold them anyway. It's a pity, they were a nice looking bike. The mileage will be genuine, if it's still running it's a low mileage bike. Cheers, Terry.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2014, 03:22:37 AM »

Lots of conflicting reports and info on that subject, Terry. Guys seem to have had 'em self destruct early on and they are mechanical evil incarnate, or others claim they are long term dependable... $:-\$ . Seems like all the VF's got an especially bad rep from the early chain driven cam 1000's. Guess I am about to find out the truth. Fortunately, I got this bike for under $1000, so when it blows up, I won't be out a bundle.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2014, 03:31:21 AM »

Yeah, I only know what I know from experience here in Oz Sean, over here bikes were ridden long and hard and those 500's had a terrible reputation for self-cannibalising, but in the US where bikes don't do the same sort of mileage, there are probably some survivors like yours.

The whole VF range were suspect, not just the 1100's, the early 750's were shockers too, as were the 250's. (although to be fair they were VT's, not VF's) I'm not dissing your ride mate, if you got a good one count yourself lucky and enjoy, they might have been two wheeled hand grenades, but they were pretty. Cheers, Terry.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2014, 04:27:35 AM »

Sweet bike! From what I've read the 500 is the jewel of the early interceptors. Much better balance of size and power compared to the 750's and 1000's.

My cousin had one that I was hoping to take off his hands for cheap one day but then the engine grenaded when he was going down the highway a few years ago

Wasn't a big surprise though, the bike was pretty ratty.

70CB750 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2014, 04:46:48 AM »

I like it!

So many toys and never enough money to get them.

ekpent · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2014, 05:33:43 AM »

Must have come from that little burg just east of town. Don't let the carbs scare you that much Sean, I did the V65 Sabre and it was not as bad as all the horror stories I was hearing. One tip is to check the rubber manifolds for cracks, lot of heat in there. I just replaced all four of mine with parts from M$M for less than $8.00 each as two were cracked and refit was easier also.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2014, 08:07:49 AM »

Love these bikes. I rode a VF750F back in 1988 that belonged to a fraternity brother of mine. Easily hit 130 on a rural 2-lane. It was a sweet bike. I think a 500 or 750 would make a terrific commuter bike. Smooth, quick, and liquid cooled for stop and go traffic.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2014, 01:12:14 PM »

Quote from: ekpent on September 30, 2014, 05:33:43 AM

Must have come from that little burg just east of town. Don't let the carbs scare you that much Sean, I did the V65 Sabre and it was not as bad as all the horror stories I was hearing. One tip is to check the rubber manifolds for cracks, lot of heat in there. I just replaced all four of mine with parts from M$M for less than $8.00 each as two were cracked and refit was easier also.

Yup, Galesburg...thanks for the tip on the manifolds. How does that Sabre run after the carb rebuild?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2014, 01:22:07 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on September 30, 2014, 03:31:21 AM

Yeah, I only know what I know from experience here in Oz Sean, over here bikes were ridden long and hard and those 500's had a terrible reputation for self-cannibalising, but in the US where bikes don't do the same sort of mileage, there are probably some survivors like yours.

The whole VF range were suspect, not just the 1100's, the early 750's were shockers too, as were the 250's. (although to be fair they were VT's, not VF's) I'm not dissing your ride mate, if you got a good one count yourself lucky and enjoy, they might have been two wheeled hand grenades, but they were pretty. Cheers, Terry.

Terry , you can diss my bikes anytime. Afterall, it seems you mostly ride Wangs these days anyway! And honestly I had heard all the VF horror stories already. Probably should have held out for a Suzi, Kaw, or Yam of the same era, but really there seems to be very few sportbikes left from the '80's and early 90's of any make. Seems almost all got ridden in anger and were crashed to death or the motors went south and they were just too expensive and complex to rebuild.

garyS-NJ · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2014, 05:55:40 AM »

I've worked on other japanese bikes and find that Hondas are engineered tough and reliable. So on that vf I would just do more research to identify the issues that are left in your bike design. Then address them if possible (and ride the #$%* out of it).

grcamna2 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2014, 06:11:05 AM »

I've owned a good number of VF,VFR's and can tell you Sean that the 86' VF500F is NOT a "grenade",it's the strongest one of All of them ! They put a rev limiter in that one where the 84-85's didn't and they would rev sky high.I took my 85' mufflers and installed them on my 86' along w/ a jetting kit and I Loved that little comfortable 'jet bike' ;I'm looking for another one so if you ever want to sell it after you've tried to 'blow it up' please let me know

I have a next door neighbor in my Apt. building who has a nice set of fiberglass(painted w/ the oem style colors) lower fairings he has downstairs in his storage 'cage' next to mine,it was his first bike. Do you want me to ask him if he wants to sell them ?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2014, 01:10:26 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on October 01, 2014, 06:11:05 AM

I've owned a good number of VF,VFR's and can tell you Sean that the 86' VF500F is NOT a "grenade",it's the strongest one of All of them ! They put a rev limiter in that one where the 84-85's didn't and they would rev sky high.I took my 85' mufflers and installed them on my 86' along w/ a jetting kit and I Loved that little comfortable 'jet bike' ;I'm looking for another one so if you ever want to sell it after you've tried to 'blow it up' please let me know
I have a next door neighbor in my Apt. building who has a nice set of fiberglass(painted w/ the oem style colors) lower fairings he has downstairs in his storage 'cage' next to mine,it was his first bike. Do you want me to ask him if he wants to sell them ?

yes please!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2014, 01:53:58 PM »

Hello Sean,
This is Bill's neighbor Seth. These are pictures with the fairings on, they have been sitting in storage for few years. I also have a Clymer shop repair manual ill throw in for 20$. If your interested what would you offer?

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2014, 04:09:34 PM »

You don't see those optional lowers very often.

Personally I prefer the F bikes without, with them on they look too much like the current fuly faired sport bikes.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2014, 05:11:17 PM »

Me like some fairings...but I know what you mean, especially since this bikes motor actually kinda looks like a motor

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2014, 05:52:08 PM »

Looks good with those lower fairings.

ekpent · « **Reply #19 on:** October 02, 2014, 06:32:27 AM »

Might want to make sure its a good solid runner and keeper first

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 02, 2014, 07:37:05 PM »

Yes Dad

...got the carbs off tonight. They are already a green corroded mess inside, after being cleaned only a little over a year ago. I smell Ethanol. Zipped the float bowl off for the cylinder that would not run and of course the idle jet is plugged solid. This bike is amazingly compact and precisely put together...fabulous marvel of engineering whether it ever runs again or not...has been surprisingly easy to work on so far. I will get some pics.
Eric, is your v4 running or what?

Stev-o · « **Reply #21 on:** October 02, 2014, 07:48:02 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on October 02, 2014, 07:37:05 PM

Yes Dad

Fatherly love...ha!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 02, 2014, 07:54:35 PM »

Sean,
it'll help to remove the 4) intake rubber manifolds(keep'em in order)and soak them in some 50/50 Wintergreen oil and water heated to a slow simmer and then soak'em for 15 mins. When you install the carbs.(they're a 'Bear' sometimes),keep all the clamps as loose as can be and then install the 2) rear carbs first(it helps to use a small bit of oil on all 4) carbs & rubbers) first and then push back Hard on the front of the attatched aluminum air box lower piece enough to flex the 2) rear rubber manifolds so that the 2) front ones finally slide in;the rear ones first. I usually take some fine emery/scothbrite and smooth off the leading edge casting irregularities on the 4) carb. inlet flanges/lips so they slide into the rubber manifolds easier and w/o too much friction. Seth has that clymer manual,do you want it ?
I like that little bike and I'd like to own it if you ever get tired of it.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 02, 2014, 08:05:57 PM »

Camna, yep the boots are pretty hard, but I intend to replace them. I don't want to take any risks with leaning out from a vacuum leak. I have been doing some research and it seems many of these bikes have died from dropping an overheated exhaust valve. The pics of the damage are pretty catastrophic.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 02, 2014, 08:12:26 PM »

Sean, if you can still get the intake rubbers great ! I know the 84-85's would wind up WAY too much and w/o a rev limiter...
I always like keeping the stock exhaust collector box because it does equalize/balance the back pressure.
Did the research you got include any 86' yr. models w/ a dropped exh. valve ?

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Author Topic: my latest acquisition, hoping to not be a project thread (Read 12233 times)