Jim's $400.00 1986 VF500F

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Jim McCulloch, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Make sure the gaskets don't restrict the coolant flow. Those channels need to flow as much as possible.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2020
  2. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thank you for that advice, it never even occurred to me to do that. I will get my Dremel tool out and address that.
     
  3. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Good call on that one @jeremyr62, the water holes on the head gasket were a long ways off....Spent over an hour with a dremel getting them close.

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  4. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Engine is DONE. Ready to install.

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    Now the hard part. As may times as I have done this it still sucks to install the engine. I have no idea how they did it at the factory without scratching the paint somewhere. Probably had a $50,000 fixture or something.

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  5. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    What do you mean? Take that inflatable chair off the hood of that car, deflate it, lay it under the engine in the frame, and start pumping!

    Looking good! Anxious to hear about how this goes because I know it's in my future.
     
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  6. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Trolley jack & couple of pieces of wood do the job very easily. Now to protect the frame then cut up old plastic milk containers & masking tape them to it. Works surprisingly well.
     
  7. straycat

    straycat Member

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    I believe at the factory, the frame was installed around the engine. the engine is the foundation and starting point, everything gets built around it. When I did my VF1000R restoration, it was hell getting the 200lb Lump out via a trolly jack and 2 people, so I knew installing in the reverse manner would be nigh on impossible, so I did it how the factory did it. However the 500 mill is much lighter and I have installed them easily with the trolly jack as suggested.
     
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  8. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    I totally agree that mounting the frame to the engine was the way to go. But since I am in Texas we do everything our own way so this is what I came up. Did it all by myself with a floor jack AND an engine crane. Went in with no issues.

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    Engine installed!!!!

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  9. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    After that I think an Ale and swim are in order!
     
  10. straycat

    straycat Member

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    Right On !!, congrats
     
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  11. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Nice!!!! Great job
     
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  12. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Way to go! Getting close to the finish line, way to finish strong. Excellent.
     
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  13. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Well, it took all day and a few naps but I got it running! Cautiously optimistic that things will work out. It had horrible compression (60 PSIG all cylinders) when I checked it before the initial start but I fired it anyway. It started right up and after a few minutes settled out OK. After it warmed up It started smoking again but F it, I am moving forward to rag on it until the rings seat. I know it needed new pistons and a bore but no parts can be found. The ring gap was in spec but on the high side.

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    I put the fairing on to keep me motivated that this is actually a real bike an not some figment of my vivid imagination. So much work left to do but hopefully the worst is over.

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  14. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Give it a chance! Excellent that you've made it this far.
     
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  15. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thanks!

    I was pretty stressed after I did a dry compression check.

    I still have to sort out the fuel tank issues, as this is an 86 and I was given an 85 tank with the bike. Not exactly compatible petcocks.. Plus the tank was severely rusted. I did the Red Kote deal but it is still leaking ever so slightly. Going to do another coat tomorrow. Bad as it is, this bike is still helping me keep my sanity!
     
  16. straycat

    straycat Member

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    Nice work !! Congrats on getting running, that was a complete tear down and rebuild. Impressive!
     
  17. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    How big was your smile after it fired? I imagine even bigger than mine after reading that! That frame looks really nice too. Congrats on getting it running, that's a hell of an achievement--especially when you go back and read through this thread to see how much work you put in to get to this point.
     
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  18. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thank you! Not quite ready to quit my day job to be a mechanic......YET
     
  19. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thank you sir! There was a little bit of a smile in between the anxiety attacks!
     
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  20. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    So while waiting on the fuel tank RED KOTE to cure I noticed that the tail section has dropped by about 10mm. No idea how it happened but the rear tail section did not line up right with the side panels. A judicious use of the old "Cheater Pipe" or as Management makes me call it "mechanical advantage device" brought the tail section back in line. While I had it apart I painted the rear fender. It was really tired and faded. I gave up trying to restore faded black '80's plastic and just paint it now.

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