86 VF500F Fuel tank

I just bought an 86 VF500F for a winter project bike. It didn't run, but a cleaning of the carbs and a new battery and she starts right up now. My question is does anyone know if an earlier (84-85) fuel tank will fit on the 86??. I know the petcock is different, but mine is in good shape, I just may not be able to salvage the tank.

 

im going through the same problem, I want to put an 86 tank on my 84 vf500 but doesnt run properly. the 86 is gravity fed and the 84 & 85 have fuel pumps. let me know how you deal.

 

you should pm each other. you both have the tank the other needs to know if it fits. try to measure from the top mounting hole to the bottom mounting hole what's the distance . should be about 22 or 23 inches if I remember.

 

The solution is simple. Drop the fuel pump. The 86 doesn't need it, neither do the previous years.

 

Haven't got back to this thread in awhile, but I was able to save my tank. Electrolysis, a sandblaster, and two part epoxy (gasoline resistant) lots of time and patience and its clean as a whistle inside now. Jonnywishbone, I'm going to be doing the final assembly of the bike this weekend, I'll measure the tank up and get you the specs on it.

 

84-86 vf500 tank mounts all fit the same,the difference is that the 86 tank placed the petcock valve more forward so you'll have to switch the plastic shield from under the coil to for the tank to fit . My 84 tank works great but looks nasty. i have all 86 plastics and tank but all I need t is a 86 gas cap. i have an 84 cap on a 86 tank, and I suspect the 86 cap breathes differently from the 84 and 85 since the 86 is gravity fed fuel line. I think thats why my bike keeps stalling and idling funny with the 86 tank. correct me if im wrong but It shouldn't matter if you go to the tee from 1/2 to 3/8 fuel line, and I dont think it makes any difference if youre still going through the 84-85 fuel pump either.