restoring & adding a modern touch to a 86 vf500

I just found me an 85 VF500 and want to upgrade the suspension. I'm most likely gonna go with a F3 or F4 rear shock and modify it like Daugherty Mosorsports, but I'm wondering about the front forks. I'm also on a budget. Can I use a F2 or F3 fork and still keep my original wheel? Any help would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance. Also, is there a "how to" complete the oil mod that I can locate? Daugherty has a pdf file, but I'm a visual guy and kinda want some pics on the process.

 

well as much as i can tell you go with the F4I rear shock thats what im running and i love it!!, for the front the f2,f3 front forks will not work to short!!, jamies the man you need to talk to he can tell you better then i can but i would say your starting in the wrong place! way dont you put the f2 front and rear wheel on it and some good ruber, but alot of it has to do with you skill level as well. what are you going to be doing with this bike?

 

Post up some pictures so we can take a look! Maybe someone out there has used a similar cowl before and can shed some light on it.

 

No, those forks won't work on your bike. It's more involved than just the wheel, the VF's use really long forks and anything newer/better is going to be too short.

As for the oiling mod, here is the old page from my site. Sorry about the crummy pictures, it's been a long time since I've installed a kit on one of my own bikes!

The VF1000F Project Page - Top End Oiling System Modification

 

:thumbsup:

 

Doesn't the cowl go all the way back to where it starts to go from the flat part of the tail??? from flat to raised. that would cover the gap. right???

 

ive tried that too and nothing those two holes do not up to nothin im clueless

 

I guess you do have to have a solo seat. the 2 holes look like where a rod might go , so you could lift it up to put something under it. my guess???

 

yea that makes sense so i would need to put the grab bar back on too...hhhmmm now we are getting some where

 

You know Matt.... it sure looks like that's a solo cowl for a VF700F and not a 500. It would use the standard seat lock on the 700/750. Bummer.

 

awwww :'( time for custom solo seat????

 

yea that seems right, well i guess i got to add a few other thing to the fix list after today, yup you guessed it i crashed today tell me how much of a bummer is that! :frown:

 

I was thinking that cowl did look like a 700 but didn't want to sound dumb. How did you crash?

 

i went into a right corner i was going fast! but i was sticking the corner and it just felt like the front gave way, like it had traction then it had no traction the front end came out from under me and down we went but the damage isnt bad i need a, new front cowl, new tail cowl, new peg, new brake lever and foot brake lever, new pipe, and get rid of that damn piece of junk front tire!

 

Sucks. :frown: I don't try too much lean on public streets because I'm afraid of the uneven surface and debris.

Look on the bright side now you can get that solo seat you wanted! :biggrin:

 

matt hope your ok. if you need the solo seat cover try the place in my sig line the holes you have and the tabs on his cowl look like ther are a match. the cowls in good shape , a little dirty from sitting in a shop/garage for a few years but its in good shape..

 

Matt,

Sorry to hear about your little mishap. Did you contact the guy from Craigslist with the Interceptor for sale that I told you about? Maybe you could get some of the parts you need from him along with an extra engine :thumbsup:

Regards,
Rollin

 

nah i have'nt yet but im going to find the pieces i need off ebay or something like that she doesnt need much just some fairings and this is a good time to get her repainted anyway it just suck's that it had to go down, im just bummed out about it, but i cant change the past so im going to get really crackin on the front end now, that front suspension sucks ball sack!!

 

I'm sorry about that crash, it sucks but at least your bike is still rideable and your coke bottle is intact. (inside joke)

Were you able to get the visor working again? If not, I got an used helmet you could have.

 

yup i finally got the damn visor workin, oh well im going to turn this into a positive now she will get the cbr front wheel much quicker and also get painted so life's still good!! next time you see her she will be lookin brand new :thumbsup: