Coolant in Oil, feeling pretty sick right now

After fighting with this thing all day, i finally got the oil filter off, and guess what came out. Coolant. Unless somebody want to tell me that;'s normal looka like i just wasted my time and money here. I think my dream of vf500 riding is dead.

 

Most likely the head gasket. It was a very easy/cheap fix (I did it myself and it is EASY if you are patient and have a shop manual on hand, but very time consuming) on my '06 GSXR750.

 

What tinkerbell said.

 

Oh boy,,,not you too Tink.

Of course I understand that many VF500Fs are too far gone to restore but without knowing a bit more info - throwing in the towel is premature.

This could very well be a blown head gasket which can be repaired.

I will say that owning a 500 requires a decent level of mechanical skill and diving into the repair of this may prove to be a budget breaker.

Still, if the OP is up for removing the heads to inspect the gaskets I say go for it!

 

I really don't have the expertise or facility to do this properly. Shame really it's one of the 2-3 bikes i've ever sat on that just "felt right". will probably either try to part it out or sell off to junkyard. Been waiting/looking for the right bike for years. Not sure I'll try again.

 

Just a thought what about buying a good used motor.

 

Not a lot of vf500's magna or interceptor around the dfw area anymore. I'm looking into it though, a few weeks back i was waiting on a guy to come down on price on an 84 interceptor when he wrecked it, checking into that. Anybody got any thoughts on alternative engines that might be fun to squeeze in there. Maybe a xr650 thumper or a shadow vtwin. Although the amout of work to transplant a non native engine is probably about as much as replacing my own head gasket. Gotta think of something though, other than how much this sucks.

 

84 Honda VF500F Interceptor

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/2036617994.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/2034236240.html

 

another non-runner with engine in unknown condition. pickens are pretty slim.

 

Third gen is heavy, and feels wide to me. I'm 5'7, 150. I'll probably part it out or sell for scrap. live and learn. Will start saving up and find a decent deal on a sv650, ex500, or bmwf650.

 

too bad your half way across the country. of course that wouldn't matter if my friend still worked out there, would tell ya you could hook up with him and he could bring it to ga on his way home, fix it send it back but he's not out there any more.

shadow v motor or single is prob gona be too tall. I've done all kinds of stuff in the drive way. i'd say go for it if it's a dream bike of yours. pretty sure if any one else had bought mine it would have been a "lost cause" but even though some things have been a pia it's been well worth it.

btw if you do take it out and get really brave, a magna trans is FUN compared to stock, got one in mine and would buy another before I put the stock one back in.

 

I certainly understand selling this bike if you are not able to tackle the repairs yourself. The 500s are great bikes but they often have suffered from a lack of proper maintenance.

If you were talking about a VF750 - I could see making the jump to a VFR750 but as you note the larger 750s are not 500s.

My suggestion - if you would like to stay in the Honda family and are not set on a V4 engine - is to look into purchasing a well cared for CB-1 (the second gen 400/4 version from 1989-90) or a Hawk GT 650 (1988-91). Both are great choices.

Good luck with the sale/parting out of your 500 and let us know how you make out.

 

Pssssst..... IC one word parts bike!!!
Don't tell him to fix it. It's your future spares ....hint hint.....You'll be riding and modifying your bike for years to come. One street motor, one race motor one experimental motor....Get it?:der:

 

Try fitting a VTR motor in it.

 

It is likely the head gasket as everyone says. However, don't rule out the coolant impeller seal and any other sealing surface around the pump (can't remember what's there right now). It's worth looking at because it would be a cheaper fix.

What other symptoms do you have? If it is a head gasket you would also be able to see bubbles in the rad filler (cap removed) when you blip the throttle. You would also experience overheating problems because the coolant is getting combustion gasses and your coolant system pressure is reduced leading to more rapid heating, lower boiling point, etc.

 

+1

I agree, more information is needed before posts are put up saying sell/part this bike - even if this means I don't have the opportunity to pick up some additional spares for the parts bin ;-)

 

I would repair the gasket before thinking of taking on such a project, but here is one option:

http://http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/32234-single-cylinder-vf500.html