Topic: Honda Interceptor Carb Question??

[LoopsAndLogic]

Well, after a long wait for my VF500 to be reassembled, I roll it outside and prepare to start her up.

She needs just a little help from the starter fluid, but she really wants to start.
 
 And then I look down and find gas on the rear 2 cylinders. I pop off the air box assembly and investigate...

 ....to find this!

As soon as I push the starter button and/or blimp the throttle, the gas drips rapidly from this piece of tubing.

 Can it be removed without taking the carbs out? Please tell me yes, cause these are a pain to get in, even when there all
 oiled up....

Do I have to split the carbs just to get this piece of tubing out??

I couldn't find the proper name for this piece, but I'm hopping whatever is wrong with it, it will just need a new gas resistant o-ring.

 Thanks for the help

LL

[okie]

I don't believe you can ever get it out without splitting the carbs.

[mattcb350f]

Beat by Okie...  oh well, here's my thoughts:

It looks to me like that is the tube that feeds the fuel from one carb to the other. If it's hard plastic than yes, you need to separate the carbs to replace the O-rings. If it's softer rubber (doubt it  ), than you might be able to pry it out.

It could also be cracked, check for that too.

 Matt.

EDIT: by the way, I've always liked the look of the VF500; open yet enough fairing to look crotchrockety. I saw one for sale locally for $800.. only wish I had the dough 

[LoopsAndLogic]

At this moment I can use a very small flat head screw driver and almost get one side off, but that's about it.

 Does anybody know why there connected together by another o-ring? Why didn't they just make it one piece?

It's actually metal!!!

And will I have to buy oem o-rings, or do you think autozone might carry something like this??

 I've never tried them for something like this....

Thanks for replying,

LL

[mattcb350f]

I bought an O-Ring kit from a place like autozone (Carquest... not sure if they're in the states). The kit had from 2mm to 27mm o-rings from 2mm to 3mm cross sections and the box said they were ok with gasoline.

You might get lucky and they'll have some individual rings for sale, I just bought the kit since I'll need more some day 

Are there any motorcycle shops or dealers around... they might have something

 Matt.

[scondon]

 Honda Service Manual says to separate carbs horizontally to prevent damage to the joint pipes (four shown including the one in your pic). That's all it says in regards to them.

[nickjtc]

FWIW I had a similar (but not so copious) issue with my VFR800. Yes, it was fuel injected, but the fi gubbins was all in the same place as the carbs on the older models. Long story short, I had to remove the fairing, tank, airbox, all the vacuum fittings, and finally the injectors, just to get at a short piece of tubing. The 'fix' took 30 seconds; getting there took several hours, plus a lot of new curse words. And the regret that, unlike the Japanese technician who put it together in the first place, I don't have quadruple jointed 6" long fingers.

Be Zen. Prepare your space. Have soothing music. And a cooler of chilled beverage du jour to reward yourself once the job is done.

[okie]

I believe my VF500 is the pickiest about carbs of any bike I have ever owned(including the CBX).  The o-rings for that joint set are sold only with the 'T' joint, and it is over $30 at the Honda dealer.  Don't ruin it just to avoid removing the carbs. 

[crazypj]

Run away,  drop it in the ocean.
They are the second most horrible little bikes ever made. (the chocolate camshaft rubber band cam tensioner VF750 is the worst ever) doing anything on the carbs needs a couple of pixies and a lot of luck.
They were designed to make it out of warranty and be scrapped. I really cant think of a single good thing to say about them? Reliable rectifier maybe?
They suck big time, I hate them and if you ask I'll tell you how I really feel 
PJ

[nickjtc]

Run away,  drop it in the ocean.
They are the second most horrible little bikes ever made. (the chocolate camshaft rubber band cam tensioner VF750 is the worst ever) doing anything on the carbs needs a couple of pixies and a lot of luck.
They were designed to make it out of warranty and be scrapped. I really cant think of a single good thing to say about them? Reliable rectifier maybe?
They suck big time, I hate them and if you ask I'll tell you how I really feel 
PJ

No, really, give us your honest opinion.

[okie]

I believe that the overwhelming majority of VF500F's were owned be inexperienced 16 year olds who flogged them mercilessly and totally ignored required maintenance.  Probably 90% of the bikes are no longer in service.  But,,,,,,,What an experience to ride!  12000 redline. Excellent handling and brakes(for the time).   Enough performance to humiliate a lot of larger bikes.  How close is this description to the 1961 CB92 Honda Benly?  Yeah, you know; the one that is now selling for over $10,000(if you can find one for sale).

My VF500 has under 8000 miles on the clock and is practically perfect in every way.  I guess I'll  keep it a while longer.

LoopsAndLogic, don't give up.  Help is in your mailbox.

[crazypj]

Run away,  drop it in the ocean.
They are the second most horrible little bikes ever made. (the chocolate camshaft rubber band cam tensioner VF750 is the worst ever) doing anything on the carbs needs a couple of pixies and a lot of luck.
They were designed to make it out of warranty and be scrapped. I really cant think of a single good thing to say about them? Reliable rectifier maybe?
They suck big time, I hate them and if you ask I'll tell you how I really feel 
PJ

No, really, give us your honest opinion.

 It doesn't matter who owned them, well maintained or beat to hell.
 I spent way too much time (in a Suzuki/Yamaha dealer) working on the POS.
 The local Honda dealer (just across the street) was always 'too busy' (even when laying people off through lack of work)
 I guess that should tell you something?
 Now you got me going, what about the inboard disc's on CBX550's, VF400, etc. another piece of #$%*e technology from Honda.
Honda make inline fours pretty well (except the designers of cam chain tensioners should be strung up by the B***
 and beaten about the head with one)
The SOHC 500/550/650/750 can be made to work well and are uber reliable, even when modified and beaten hard, I never tried killing mine but it almost always go me home (one real failure in 106,000 miles, cam chain tensioner stuck and allowed chain to jump sprocket) it had ignition fail on 2/3 cyls, switches fell apart, seized #3 cylinder but kept going.
Got bored to 591cc after seizure, did 13,500rpm occasionally then came back for more.
 I'll rant some more later 
PJ

[mattcb350f]

Do we really have to tear up the man's ride in front of him.... on his thread 

If you really want frustration crazypj try working on snowmobiles  they have to be the most infuriating contraptions ever. I'm still scrubing off the grease from this winters fixing. A mixture of two-stroke exhaust fume residue, gear oil and rubber belt dust stays on for months..... of course, now I'm ranting 

Hope you get er' sorted out LL, and post some pics for my wall paper when your done.

 Matt.

[jtb]

PJ,  I feel your pain.  I've got to pull the carbs on my vfr750f, and keep putting it off.  

[LoopsAndLogic]

Well, I went to Napa and bought gas resistant o-rings...installed them and reconnected the fuel.

She's all nice and tight. And my VF has 7k on the clock. Just hopping I fixed the water leak it had.

If it's the water pump, I'm screwed

Just one question before I install the gas tank...Where does the vacuum lines go???

It's the 84' model. Are they suppose to have vacuum operated petcocks??

Thanks for the help and insults!!! 

LL

[bwaller]

Hey you VF500F cats, I've got one I've been stealing goodies from that's taking up space in my shop, if you need anything, tank, seat, CARBS let me know this one is in very nice shape.  Engine is perfect without the cams!

[Ecosse]

Actually, a buddy of mine has an 1985 but he's got parts he's trying to unload. But if you have a pair of mirrors (he needs them) I might be interested.

Have pix?

[bwaller]

The mirrors on this one are off a Kawasaki and bolt up to the fairing with a bracket inside. If you're still interested let me know.

[Ecosse]

I don't think so. My friend's bolt to the control I believe. Thanks anyway.

[LoopsAndLogic]

PM has been sent bwaller. Let me know if you received it.....

Well, problem number 2 but I think I'll restart another thread.

Thanks for the help guys,

LL

[bwaller]

Back at ya.

[DarkRider]

If you can get some pics of those mirrors and send them to me bwaller i might be interested in snagging them for my 750.