Seeking Direction

I am a new member and have read similar comments from others. Here's my asking for advice:

I recently obtained a 1985 VF 500. I was looking for a project bike. (I ride an ST1300.. this bike is more for playing with.) The bike was a "barn find," but I have title. The OD reads 32,000.

The Good: Bones on the bike look reasonably good- the engine is not locked up, carbs look clean. All the wiring appears OK, if not wonderful. The seat is in GREAT condition. (If all else fails I can sit on it and make varoom varoom noises). Given power, the headlights come on, oil light works, etc. I can hear pumps. I haven't tried turning it over with the starter.

The Bad: Spark plug wire and most hoses have oil on them and are deteriorated. Minor rust on frame- but nothing serious. Brakes are locked up, clutch doesn't work. (Assume rebuild needed on all).

The UGLY: The bike has been down several times. The tupperware has been spray painted blue and patched so many time it looks like plaster of paris. The tank is also dented. Turn signals missing on one side, the headlight sits at an angle.

The UNKNOWN: I haven't pulled the valve covers yet to check out possible cam issues.

QUESTION: Are there parts available to rebuild this bike? Where should I start? What threads already address these common newbeen questions? Is it true that eating raw codfish will help with my lean angle?

 

Body panels you can find on ebay.....be vigilant and look often.

The clutch is Hydrolic so maybe the system needs to be flushed or the master needs to be rebuilt.....maybe the Clutch "Push-rod" is jammed.

You say parts have oil on them....is it fogging oil or does it look like oil from the engine has somehow sprayed everywhere?


Welcome to the board....and post pics of the bike if you can.

 

There isn't a lot of oil.. and I suspect a valve cover leak. One of the spark plug wires has been sitting in it log enough to deteriorate though.

I assume there are sources for the rebuild kits for brakes and clutch?

I'll post some photos- but it will be a bit. In the meantime, imagine a dirty bike in pieces on a garage floor. I was going to pull the plugs and pour oil in the cyliners next and then see if I coudl get the bike to turn over with the starter.

 

You can find rebuild kits for the brake Masters on Ebay....but I've read many times on here that you should try a flush before rebuilding the master.

What exactly is the problem with the brakes? Are the Calipers seized or is it something in the Master Cylinder?

 

just like slowbird said e-bay or you could try a local motorcycle junk yard if there are any around you. there are a few on the net but they are asking a high price for the parts that they have. good luck and welcome!!!

 

Thanks

I just go back in town to read your posts. Thanks for the input.

I haven't pulled things apart to know exactly what's up. The rear brake pedal is completely frozen- won't move. The front brake is has no resistance to pulling, but the wheel turns.

Knowing that the bike has been setting- and knowing how important brakes are (duh) I had just planned on pulling them down all the way and knew I'd need gaskets and new rubber to put them back.

I'll start watching ebay more regularly.

 

Check for "cus-cus"

There was an interesting thread that dealt with opening the master cylinders to find them filled with a powder that had a granular look that was described by the thread writter as "cus-cus". I have the same sort of problem on one of my long in storage bikes. I solved it with a $5 master cylinder that I found at a Motorcycle swap meet this weekend past. There is another thing to look for when shopping for a front clutch or brake master cylinder. The sight glass is made of plastic and it clouds over and disintegrates with age. You want to try for a replacement cylinder that has a clear sight glass. As for the 'cus-cus' in your rear master, you will have to take it apart. If any of the cus-cus is in the master or the caliper cylinders you will have to take them apart and clean the dust out. I found that my front clutch master was filled with cus-cus and that the walls of the clutch master were pitted/eroded to the point that I did not want to tear up a new seal attempting to repair mine. Scored a great deal at the Swap meet.

 

DKC,not to be a prick but are you trying to say "couscous"? Ive seen your other posts on the subject and thought that must be what you meant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couscous

 

Polish

Thanks DKC. The sight glasses are certainly fogged. In my imagination, I had hoped I could use some plastic polish to clean them up. I didn't realize they might be brittle.

The presence of of powdered vegetable matter in the system could certainly explain the think being locked up. I've seen similar stuff in auto applications. Live and learn. (Well, that's why I started this thing anyway... to learn stuff.)

 

I did not coin the term "cus-cus". I just recognized it for an aptly turned phonetic rendering of the defining term for what 'jazclrint' was describing in his thread titled "Is it worth rebuilding 500 M/C and S/C's?". I let his spelling stand. More power to him that he made it a recognizable balderdash rendering of "couscous" and yet a remarkable means of defining the mess in his (and my) M/C. He is the one who made it up and I think it sticks there pretty good. You had to make a "prick" of yourself coming after me about it. Why don’t you go to the source? :biggrin:

And popjack, try taking the allen head plug out of the caliper that is jamming up your brakes. You will probably find that it has fine whitish/tan powder jamming up the pistons of the caliper(s) so they can't release and allow the rotor to move. Try sticking a pin or pick up into the powder and pulling it out of the clean out channel. It might release if you can get enough of it out of the cylinder.

 

These posts belong in the tiger tiger.

 

Dont be silly, no one is coming after you bud......I read the other threads and thought since couscous pretty much describes how that corrosive junk I've seen in some old hydraulic systems looks that's what was meant. Sorry it bothered you.

I should have known better......no good deed goes unpunished. Ask anyone here, I can do a much better job of making a prick out of myself when called upon to do so.