Need help with my 86 vf500 interceptor

I just recently bought my 86 vf500 interceptor and I got it running, but it can only run with the choke wide open. When in neutral it revs at about 5-7k and once I kick it into gear then it revs at about 2k unless the clutch is pulled in and then it revs back up to 5k. Does anyone know why it does this?
My second problem is that my left muffler, if you're looking at the bike head on, has a cold exhaust but the other muffler is hot. Does this mean there something wrong with the carbs?

So my problems are with the revving high when in neutral and not being able to take the choke off, and with the muffler giving off cold exhaust.

 

WHY did you buy an old bike that wasn't running right?? Cuz you got it cheap??

There are good reasons why people want to sell these bikes, few reasons to buy one.

That said, read your service manual carefully and remove and clean your carbs.

Symptoms you describe point to clogged jets, very common on old bikes coming out of storage .



Cold muffler means one or 2 cylinders are not firing= dirty carbs.

Good luck.

 

+1 pull and clean the carbs, lots of carb cleaner and some air. plenty of posts about that problem. after that can you feel the 2 left cyl. on the bike to see if they are firing. plenty of posts about this problem also.:redface:

 

Agreed on the carbs. Sounds like they need a good going through.
And, kind of off topic, but I just found the ignore list function!

 

I was told that it might be the valve guides because it sat for like 8 months before I bought it.

 

If you believe that (it's dead wrong).........just change your valve guide oil seals and ride!

If your bike doesn't smoke, especially on startup, that's NOT your problem.

 

read some of the posts , do a search. it's not the valve guides. had the same problem, now my bike will every time (start) without touching the choke at all. just tring to help you so you can RIDE.

 

I could go on and on about my problems with idling high, not idling, some cylinders not firing, and such, but I think it would be easier to say to take the carbs off and clean them. I ound some info that says to keep them attached to the plate, and agree with that. The linkages that connect them all together are a pain in the rear to get it all back right! I had them on and back off the bike something like 3 times before getting it all right! Now I just have to adjust and sync them.

You might try a search, as others have said. I found some helpful info on here that way.

 

If you do take the linkages off, separate and soak them, you only have to do it once.

 

i agree to with that comment squirrel but would also like to add check your tank if you see rust then all that must be cleaned out as well or it will cause you problems later down the road