85 vf500f tapping???

I got her all back together and took it down the road and the sound is still there but on a scale of 1 - 10 with ten being what it was before its about a 3 or 4

 

Yeah, it sure sounds like you've found the problem. Time to order some parts I'd say!

 

Ya I bet this will be fun

 

which all parts should I need? All still in stock

 

#3 and #6.

 

72 plus shipping each she might be sitting a bit right now

 

the chains should be fine though, they don't stretch? if I had to do those that would be a PITA.

 

when I change the tensioners will I have to pull the motor out? Also should I have to get new chains as well or should they be ok?

 

Nope, you can do this with the engine in place. The chains are ultra-heavy duty on the 500's (excessively so), I wouldn't worry about them. Replacing the chains also requires splitting the cases.

 

Thats exactly what I didn't want to do (split the case, and/or remove the engine) Good news for me!!!! I hope to get the parts ordered within the next couple weeks. Until then I'm stuck riding my kaw kz750.

 

Yuck, no wonder you want to get the VF going so soon!

 

Is it normal for the tensioners to need replacing at this mileage?

Is there any way to help make it last longer?

 

I called the local honda dealer and they qouted me 45 for the pair of tensioners over the phone, they said they would have to order them (DUH) but this sound to good to be true doesn't it??? anyways when I get started on this I am going to have to take the cams out right? any write ups on this process?? I am semi experianced with it now but reference material is still my best friend!!!

 

From every were I have read the tensioners are a 20k apprx but I may be wrong my bike is right at 21k

 

I don't know about "normal", but this is a common failure for the VF series. Most 500's drop a valve before the tensioners fail so it's not something that is often associated with that size engine. Honda made several design improvements for the replacement parts over the years. These are referred to as 'updated' parts. If you get them from your local dealer they will be the latest and greatest. NOS sources like David Silver Spares might have some of the older versions. The version of the part is indicated in the last three digits of the Honda part number (i.e. a -020 is a newer version than a -010, etc).

It sounds like they have quoted you the guides and not the tensioning mechanism itself. Make sure to tell them that you DO NOT want the long bow shaped part and you'll probably get a "Uuuuhhh, ok.... then what is a tensioner??" comment. Most dealerships are like this, you have to hold them by the hand unless you have a CBR-RR latest model. Try not to get frustrated, it's just part of the game.

 

Drop a Valve. I don't want that to happen.

Is there any way to prevent THAT from happening? Is there some kind of updated valve retainer or something?

 

that is exactly the case, I went in there today to confirm the correct price and they did qoute the bow I showed them that I needed the other and they said 110 each. I found them for 72 each at cheapcycleparts.com I don't know if thats the updated part that you were talking about though.

 

are there any write-ups on this process and the adjusting the valves process as well??