Newbie...Midlife crisis...found 1986 VF500F! Need help.

I have purchased a 1986 VF500F 14,000 miles. Great shape for its age. Never been crashed from what I can see. I purchased one new in 86. Got totaled when someone pulled out infront of me. 26 stitches, separated ribs and torn ligaments in my thumbs later...at 45 I buy another one!
The one I bought is very,very,very hard to start when cold.
I removed the diaphragm in the petcock and sealed the vacuum lines.
Replaced plugs, airfilter, fuel.
Still very hard to start. I will throw in another caveat...once it starts seems the back left cylinder is cold,or colder than the rest....I have spark in all plugs...
Any Ideas would be appreciated....
Thanks,
Bill

 

Welcome!

It may be time for a carb rebuild. Also, if I could recommend, remove the cam covers, inspect the valve train and set the valve lash. It is best to do this now to insure good times in the future.

 

Once its started and warms up it runs fine...so you think its valve related?
I will pull the valve covers today and take a look. I know its a real B_tch to get those carbs off. Not looking forward to that!
Thanks,
Bill

 

Hi Bill...welcome to the forum. I went through this with my VF500F that I purchased last fall. I went through valve adjustment and the carb removal/cleaning/overhaul and although I am far from an expert on these bikes, I will be happy to share my experience with you. I live close by in Lawrenceburg, IN.

 

I wouldn't get that complicated yet. It sounds like a simple carb sync is what you should start with. My guess is that will help things a bunch!

Let us know what you find out.

 

Thanks Fellas...
I called the guy I bought the bike from, he said he never had the starting issues./ he said he would take it to the shop and make it right...I buttoned up the bike and it will be at the dealership on Monday!
I will keep you all posted!
Bill

 

Wow! The PO is a stand up guy. Good luck with the bike.

 

Man, I always cringe when I hear about a dealership working on an older bike. Good luck with that! Personally I would have suggested sorting it out yourself. In almost all cases you'd be able to get the job done better and cheaper.

Let us know what they tell you.

 

Good thought. My alleged memory fails me sometimes. Last time I had a dealership work on a bike was '86, it didn't turn out well.

 

Sounds like the previous owner is a stand up guy. I hope this works out okay. With most things vintage it really depends on finding the right person for the job. It could very well be that the dealer has a tech who has logged in time working on the VF series. This said owner education is a plus. If you are planning on keeping the bike I would recommend purchasing a copy of the Factory Service Manual. This is really a must have for the library reference shelf. Also, if you decide to take on a carb rebuild Mike Nixon's manual on V4 carburetors is a great read. Both of these are excellent resources which will help you to have a clearer understanding of the service required whether you are taking your bike to a pro or turning the wrench yourself. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

Well fellas...I picked up the bike today. The short version is I am not buying his story. He put a new battery in and said its a "hard starting" bike when it is cold...He said the battery was bad and replaced it. I had a 1986 VF500F brand new years ago and I dont remember taking 15 mins of cranking to get it started. I will try to find a shop manual. But looks like the carbs need to come off, be cleaned and synched. Any tips would be appreciated.
Billy D

 

Awesome! Keep us up to date on your progress!

 

Locating a copy of the FSM is a great place to start. In addition to the FSM I would recommend purchasing a copy of Mike Nixon's guide to rebuilding Honda V4 carburetors: The Motorcycle Project Book Nook

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.

 

Update

Well the PO and his mechanic are not stand up guys but basically retards. Am I allowed to say retard on this forum? I sure hope so:smile:

Short version. PO said it needed new battery.
No fix
I had not ridden a VF500f in 20 years kinda thought it was under-powered when I test rode it, or the 40lbs I had gained over the years!

Pulled the carbs, the main jet completely plugged in one cylinder and couple of the slow jets clogged. Big chunk of crap pulled from the float valve hole. I took the first two carbs and soaked jets in separate glass bottles full of carb cleaner and later straight methanol. They cleaned up fine. Then did the other two. Pulled the vacuum pistons and diaphrams were good except for the goo??
Sprayed cleaner in the bodies and blew out with air. Put everything back together. I did not touch pilot screws. The bike still had trouble starting but one I got it running it runs strong! All cylinders warm...But then disaster strikes! oil starts running out of the motor! Tracked it down. The rear valve cover gasket on the left rear cylinder is where it it leaking. That was the cylinder that was cold before...
Why would it leak now? I cant think why it would let loose when the cylinder started firing again? Any Thoughts? I guess I will order a set of gaskets. While the covers are pulled I will adjust valves.
The bike still has trouble starting...fuel starved? Anything to do with the pilot screws? the caps are off. Someone has messed with them...

 

Unless you chased crap out of the enrichener circuit pickup tubes (the long, non-removable brass ones) with a stiff wire, you're likely to have starting trouble cuz you have clogs in there, and choke isn't effective.

Compressed air usually won't help here, and you need to probe to a depth of about 55-60mm before the tube is totally clear.

 

Yup your right. I did not do that...Should I remove all the jets, floats,valves and clean that enrichner pick up and blow all out again? Should i take out the pilot screws also?
Thanks Bill

 

Not necessary, just poke the drek outa the tube using a stiff steel wire ( .010") then follow up with carb spray and compressed air.

You might wanna put a copper wire through the slow jets just to make sure that, even though they look clean, they ARE clean.

 

If I could add, be careful using carburetor cleaner as this can damage rubber and plastic parts.

 

Ok will do! Any Idea why the valve cover gasket would all of a sudden leak ?

 

I may have missed this post. Did you have the valve cover off?

I would recommend installing new gaskets for the front and rear covers.