Getting a new 500 Interceptor

Whoops!! Sorry. I understand your point now.

 

I used a product called blue lightning rust remover, it's non acidic, rinse, rinse and rinse some more with a water hose. When dry I put a gallon of diesel with about 2 ounces of 2 cycle oil in and shook it to coat the tank to prevent more rust. Drain as much diesel as you can, it won't hurt if there is some left.

Sorry, I misunderstood, the slides are stuck? I've used Hoppes #9 gun cleaning solvent to break stuff like that loose before. This is another area diesel fuel comes in handy, it is a fuel oil and can actually be used as a cleaning solvent for fuel varnish that is prob what has them stuck. Not to mention, other than a little smoke if you don't get it all out it doesn't hurt anything.

just be VERY careful with the diaphragms for the slides, they are as available as hens teeth.

 

Sorry, it's been forever since I've posted an update, but it's been forever since I have worked on it. I got the carbs off no problem thanks to everyone's help. I have new throttle and choke cables for it, as well as new boots for the carbs and new brake and clutch levers. The levers are the only thing I got installed, and my buddy was going to see what he could do with my carbs. Other wise than that I haven't had any money to get parts. However I just put in a big order with Maxima oils and I have engine oil, coolant, fork oil, brake/clutch fluid, chain lube, and fuel stabilizer coming. I am sure I paid a premium, but considering I don't have a car and the motorcycle shops are a ways from downtown, getting these things shipped straight to my house and coming from a reputable company is a lot of hassle saved. I also just put in an order for a set of Pirelli Sport Demons in the stock sizes. I am really looking forward to those coming in. So I have a fair bit of work I can be doing over the next few Saturdays. I'll try to keep everyone posted. I just hope my Hindle exhaust is still back in Maine somewhere, with my spare set of cylinder heads and those 30mm Honda carbs and airbox I had hoarded away. ray:

 

Man it's been a while. I have been slowly plugging away on things. I got my carbs shipped to a good friend of mine who was a darn good motorcycle mechanic before he joined the Army, and seems mot to have missed a beat since. He is cleaning the carbs for me, and boy were they bad. He's also doing a heck of a job from what I can tell. I have the Pirellis mounted and wheels on the bike. The bike has been moved. When we moved it we flushed the brake and clutch lines with the help of a professional truck mechanic who tinkers on Japanese bikes and cars. We drained the oil and it had a tone of gas in it. I filled it up with cheap oil and the first oil filter for when we start it. We drained the coolant and the truck mechanic said the hoses were way too soft and I needed new hoses and a thermostat. Bummer. I didn't put the new plugs in as they want to pour treatment into the pistons to try to flush the gas out all at once hoping to minimize any damage it could cause stirring it up too soon. And avoid taking the spark plugs in and out more times than necessary. We even lubed the chain for no good reason.

But the coolant isn't done, new plugs aren't in, carbs aren't done so they're not in yet, which means no airfilter or new cables installed. And now I have to add coolant hoses and a thermostat to my shopping list [sigh]. And I still have the tank to take care of, and a chin faring to save up for.

I do have two question. Does anyone want to swap an '86 seat and/or rear wheel for '85s? Best place for carb seal kits. I have asked Jamie, but I noticed the Honda Carb seal kit is hard to find. However, it looks like you can maybe put one together on ebay.

Thanks,
Rich

 

Soft is a relative term. I don't know how hard a Freightliner's hoses are but my R's are pretty flexible. If they aren't dry rotted or cracked, I'd use them.

 

+1........

 

hope you didn't put car oil in it unless you want to replace the clutch too.

 

Hello, Clarksville!! 101st was my last duty station before retiring.

Get a disposable inline fuel filter at an auto parts store or a lawn mower shop.
It's a lifesaver when dealing with old resurrected bikes, and helps to be able to verify fuel flow at a glace when it's not running right.

 

Crap. Bike hasn't been fired up yet though. Was just going to fire the engine up and let it run for a while until it gets hot once it's ready, and then drain the oil, change the filter and put the nice Maxima oil I have in. I'll cross my fingers. But there's no telling if the clutch is any good anyway. Thanks.

 

Already been bought when I ordered abunch of missing bolts and things. But thank you.

 

If you had a lot of gas in the crankcase, it is likely one or more of the carb needle/seats were stuck or not sealing well so I would pay a lot of attention to that. personally, for my own well being, I would try and put a new needle and seat kit in the carbs while it was apart.

 

Not sure those parts are even out there to be bought.

 

OK, a quick update. Overwhelming feedback from everyone VF500 and motorcycle related is that my hoses are fine. Yay not having to wait to have the money to buy more parts. Still wondering about the thermostat, but I think it can wait as I have to still get it titled, registered. And get a new driver's licence, helmet and gloves. Not to mention all the new stuff I haven't put on yet. It can wait.

I am currently debating what parts to send my buddy to put in the carbs. I am consulting experts, but I thought I'd throw it out here too. He originally asked for, "Float valves, float bowl gaskets, intake plate gaskets, and a couple of springs." But now that the carbs are done or really close to being done and I showed him the parts fiche he said #1 and #2. Well number one is the seal kit and you can't get those anymore. #2 are float valve kits, and they are $35-$45 depending on the site. I really only have $200 to spend but can eek out $225 if necessary. I have noticed a lot of aftermarket parts and universal kits out there. Are these things worth anything, or just junk and a waste of money? Which ones are the most helpful? Which ones exactly should I get? I could save money a fair bit of money going that route. Otherwise I think I am just going to get the OEM Valve float kits and Jamie D's seal kit.

Thank you all for the help.

 

As I mentioned above, DEFINITELY get the float valve kit and save yourself some frustration, hehe. In fact, get whatever you can.....

 

Ahh, same thing different names. I get it now. Aftermarket or OEM? There's a huge price difference.

 

I've had good luck with aftermarket carb pieces, so if you can save your money there...

 

OK, ordered a ordered a carb seal kit from Jamie D. 4 cards for $25. Although he never did tell me the exact contents, and I did ask. I also ordered 4 valve float kits for $9/carb here. And a really nice microfiche site here. Now I just have to sit back and wait.

 

My mechanic got Jamie's carb seal kit in the mail today (shipped Saturday). Not knowing Jamie at all he had this to say, "Good deal, these don't seem to be factory but someone took the time to match them perfectly with OEM specs. A lot of work for $25 but they are keeping your machine on the road and are of excellent quality."

 

Seems kinda risky to invest time and money into a bike you haven't compression-tested first, especially a VF500 !

 

Won't go into the whole story, but it's worth the risk. People want way too much for a bike that runs out here. And everything I've done is stuff I would have needed to do to a running 500. All consumables. I haven't done a compression test per se, but I know it has descent compression. With the condition many things were in, I feel it is an acceptable risk.
If I get it running having done just this stuff, I will have saved $1000 over one that ran and still needed all that stuff.