Cam lobe flattening '85 VF500

That's the dreaded top end issue. Keep in mind that the cam lobe is actually the second thing to go - the rocker is the first. If you pull the cam you'll find a large divot in the rocker face, that's what has caused the damage to the lobe. It's also why the clearance is bad.

Many people think the VF500 is immune to this problem. It's not, as you can attest to! I've also personally seen VF500's with bad rockers so it's very real.

 

You'll need to pull the cam(s). Bear in mind that I'm not sure if the rockers are available anymore from Honda. Parts availability is a problem. Megacycle used to hardweld the rockers for the V4's but I'm not sure if they still do.

 

compression should be checked on a warm motor man given that it went to 150 someodd cold i think you are probly making a good seal. Wich means your rings etc are good and the valves themselves are sealing. This has nothing to do with your cam showing irregular wear as only a wrong indexing of the cam would cause sealing issues without damage to the valve seals themselves.

 

You should think of it as a rocker arm and oiling system issue. The cam lobe is a secondary effect/failure.

Let us know what you find out!

 

Shows rockers still available here: http://www.shspowersports.com/fiche...ry=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1985&fveh=3905

 

Where is squirrelman at a time like this!!????!!!!!!

 

I believe he has grown battle weary from the collective trouncing him for his unpopular truthfullness.

 

yeah i got lucky and replaced all of mine with nos parts when i saw i had wiggle room. I figured it was just sop though given how small that shit was.

 

Just because an online source shows them as available does not mean they are. You really need to go to your local dealer and have them check the warehouse inventory level. Since you are already there, order the parts from them - they can beat an online place every time.

 

There's not really a thread dedicated to this topic specifically for the 500's. That's because dropped valves dwarfs the top end oiling situation on the 500's. Once again, you can attest to the fact that it exists on the 500. Do some general searches for "V4 Honda top end oiling" and you'll find more info than you can shake a stick at. HOWEVER - keep in mind that much of what you will find is either misleading or just plain wrong. The problem is two fold:

1) The rocker arms were not case hardened deep enough
2) The oiling to the top end is insufficient

All Honda VF's made prior to 1987 had this problem without exception. Some false information you'll find is people making claims that their particular model is not affected. What makes me chuckle the most is the line-bored cams claim. It doesn't address one of the above two sources of the problem, so it's not a solution. A good example is the VF1000R which has line-bored cams but have rockers go bad quite often.

Your course of action is, obviously, to replace all of the damaged components. You can choose to ride it like that and hope for the best or do something about it. The "do something about it" option pretty much is one thing, and that is modification of the oiling system to the top end.

Here is a link to some old content from my site showing an example of what that looks like:

The VF1000F Project Page - Top End Oiling System Modification

 

This is a Honda Dealer in Grand Rapids, MI. They use the Honda warehouse. Also they use other Honda part locations that don't show up on line. If you order on-line and the parts are not available they will cancel your order with in 24hrs and credit your card. Or if you really need it now you can call ROBERT KERN, INTERNET SALES MANAGER, SHSPOWERSPORTS.COM at 1-866-829-6884. He will gladly work with you checking first. Plus you usually get the parts with in five days! Sure beats driving around and having to deal with a parts guy that may not care much about older bikes.

Two of my local Honda shops one 8 miles another 23 miles away don't want to beat on-line places. They tell me they don't make money that way. Go figure. Good luck no matter how you do it.

But remember all that ground down metal had to go someplace. Guess where? I wonder what your bearings look like? Embedded with little metal particles I bet. You need to pull your motor all apart to just clean all that out and have a good look at a few bearings. Might be cheaper to find another good running one.

 

You don't want to hear this either. I got thinking later that, those metal particles would really like to stick to the stator. Then I got thinking about the transmission's bushings and ball bearings and clutch.:faint:

Sorry:frown: