VF500F Valves

I am aware, as many others around here are, of the valve problems these bikes have. So, today I was going to replace the timing chain tensioner, and I decided to take a look at the tips of the valves. Here's what I found:



I have a complete parts engine, and I was thinking about taking both sets of heads to the machinist and ahving them put the best parts together for me.

I was wondering if there were and better solutions out there yet. I was thinking I had read about something in the works on here, but couldn't find it.

 

I also relize that the damage is most likely from the springs, and that was the intent of this thread, I just got sidetracked with getting the image linked properly!

The springs are what I really need to track down a solution for!

 

If I could ask, how many miles are on this engine?

Honda issued a service bulletin, back in the day, regarding this issue: VF500#7, 84-86 VF500F Valve Maintenance, dated 04-87.

 

I have no idea how many miles are on it! The bike has 36k (I think) but the engine was swapped before I bought the bike. I have the originalt, and that is my source for the other 2 heads.

I'll look into that sevice bulletin.

 

Sorry, l but the design and materials are flawed from step #1....it wasn't right from the Factory, and there's not much you can do except sell it and look for a clean gen 2.......

PLEASE send hate mail to my PM file, thank you.

 

'...the most unkindest cut of all'

 

No hatin' from me squirrelly! I'd like to get a newer VFR, but this is what I have, and I can fix it cheaper than replacing it, so far. Since I bought it, I don't think I've spent more then $150 on it, even with changing the crankshaft out of the parts motor that came with it.

 

SEE, i'm thinkin in the long run your VF will cost you more and provide less gratification than spending a bit more to get a gen 2 that doesn't have the built-in problems.

 

Oh, I totally understand what you're thinking, and I am paying attention! I'm just far from the bike being a money pit right now! Once I get to the point that it starts getting expensive, it's gone! I also know that I need to start saving my pennies for the day that it DOES need replacing!

I'm sort of in the same boat with my car. I have Chrysler's notorious 2.7. Want to talk about oiling problems, google that one! Mine has 190k+ on it and counting! I HAVE had 2 rod bearings fail, but not to the point of damaging the crank, or anything else, and they've been 100k miles apart! I can't just dump it, as I wouldn't get enough out of it to replace it, and I can do all the work on it to keep it running for far less than a car payment!

 

Yeah, the valve springs are the root cause of that problem. What sucks now is that you can't get new springs from Honda anymore. That used to be a decent option, even though they were the same as orginal (e.g. not any better) at least you start back at square one.

I've been looking into options for an improved valve spring design. I've got some good leads but right now cost is the biggest factor. Not surprising really, that seems to be the case with just about every VF project I start.

As a side note: I put Squirrelman on my Ignore List a few months ago and the threads have looked a lot better ever since. I encourage all 1st Gen owners to do the same!

 

You can't put the truth on an ignore list Jamie. Gen #1s are mostly problematical; that's why gen #2 was evolved.
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just look at the multitudinous VF 500 engine problems mentioned here on this site.

Putting anyone on ignore is sticking your head in the sand and is petty, immature, and foolish. You're bigger and smarter than that, i know.

 

I'll fix that.

 

I have to agree with you, even if some (most?) of your posts are abrasively honest, I read them, and consider what you have said.

I DO see what you're saying about the first gen stuff being problematic. I have decided that I'm up to the task at keeping it running for now. When I run out of parts, and the availability gets worse and more expensive, I'll likely move on to something else (that's likely to be problematic as well, with my luck) ad contribute to the parts supply by selling off mine.

The thing that really sucks for me is that I love how that thing runs and rides, and I know that Jamie has goodies to make it ride even better (once I come across the funds, I would like to do some suspension upgrades.)

 

Well, I got it all apart. The head gasket had been coated with grey sealer, leading me to believe it had been apart before. Not a big deal though.

Pulling the head was uneventful, as I had expected. I already had the cams out, since I was doing the timing chain tensioner. I pulled the carbs, unbolted the exhaust, oil line, and unhooked the coolant tube, 4 bolts and it was all over.

So, next I pulled the head off the parts motor. It was pretty much a matter of just pulling the 4 outer bolts. I DID notice that engine had suffered from the top-end oiling issues! I'll have to look at the cams later, but 3 of the 4 rockers for the fron thead of the donor engine were worn BADLY!

The most interesting thing was that the valve in the SAME POSITION was mushroomed just like the one on the good engine. I'm wondering if it's coincidence, or another design flaw.

 

The stock head gaskets are made of a grey matieral, so that is probably what you are seeing. Something else to be aware of: the head gaskets are NLA.

So many people do not believe, but it's a fact - the 500's have the same top end oiling issues as all of the other VF's made before 1987.

Coincidence only. I've seen valves drop in various locations. All valves are identical too.

Keep up the good work!

 

Nah, I'm pretty sure it's Hondabond, or something similar. I'm an auto technician by trade,so I know a little something about this stuff!

I found a place in Europe that has kits. I'm gonna try it out, I think.

A friend down the road has a bike shop (Harley stuff, doesn't own a metric wrench) and said he has all the stuff to grind the valves and seats. I have done the stuff in the past, but it's been a while, as we don't have the equipment, and as cheap as the machine shop is on the work, we just sub it out.

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

Has anyone used the gasket set that you can get from partsnmore.net ?

They say they have the most complete set available, it's a 34 piece top and bottom end set. Comes from a european supplier. $76 for the VF500's. I might have to give it a try, although I pretty much just need the head gaskets.

 

Vesrah makes a set for the '85 model year. The set is manufactured in Japan. The part number is VG-1070.

I wrote to them awhile back and they said that this gasket kit is specific to the '85 model year only - though I am not sure why it would not also work for the '84.

http://catalog.vesrah.co.jp/index_m.html