85 vf700f problems, need help please

I just recently purchased an 85 vf700f off a guy on Craigslist for only $400. It ran great on the test drive and on my way home ( if u live in Chicago I drove down Harlem from dempster to south 107th st.) And I had no problems. But now when I take the bike out I best a minor grind type of noise and the rear end wobbles when I go over 40 mph. I lured the chain but it still doesn't seem to be fully straight and I know I need new tires because these are a little dry rotted. Could it be just a bad chain and new tires? And if so where can i find a great deal on parts in the south Chicago suburbs? Thank you very much for the help

 

Probably the chain and/or sprockets - based on your description. That certainly isn't a bad place to start and see where it takes you. Good luck!

 

If this is anything but a loose chain.......you have a very dangerous condition there, and i would not ride the bike until the rear wheel has been removed and wheel and hub bearings checked out. A chain problem will not cause a wheel to wobble.

If you can move the wheel by hand by pulling on the front while pushing on the back, your bearings are shot and need immediate replacement or the rear axle is way too loose.

Get this checked out before the wheel locks up solid while you're riding, causing a crash !

 

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna go take apart the bike now. If the wheel is bad what size wheel would i have to get that would fit the bike. I don't have a crazy amount of money to spare so il have to go wuth a wheel off craigslist.

 

It ain't the ruddy wheel, Junior, it's (maybe) the wheel bearings.

 

Where would I be able to find a new wheel and chain for a good price in the chocago area? I'm still new to motorcycles and am still learning. And also. Is there a was to fix the rear shock? Or would I have to buy one? Ooorrrrr would I be better off just taking it to a mechanic and having them do a full rehab on her?

 

Turns out my chain ceased up in a few spots, my rear swing arm is bent (or is the right part supposed to be a little bit lower?), and I need a rear shock, anyone know where I can find these parts for cheap?

 

I also piciked up an 84 vf and the bike was a pogo stick front and rear. I had the fork oil changed and new seals put in. The rear shock I got off Ebay for 50 bucks with postage included. There are lots of VF parts on ebay. If you find a shock look closely at the pictures and make sure the original road grime is on it and its not cleaned up. And if it's not cleaned make sure it's not oily. Te swingarm is a little involed for a person new to bikes. The bearings have to be cleaned and checked along with the likages. And when put back together the bolts and nuts have to be torqed to factory specs. I don't want to rain on your parade but fixing older bikes can be as expensive and involed as newer models.

 

The swingarm is not symmetric about the centerline of bike - the right side sticks out further than the left. I kind of doubt it's bent, that would be one heck of a hit to do that. I'd start with a new chain and sprockets.

Pretty much all of the early VF's need a new shock! See my site for more details on that.

 

Thank you very much for the help. I was hoping it wasn't as hard to fix. Is there a easy way to take off the chain. I didn't see a key link that i can take it off. Is there a DIY anywhere?

 

any one know where I can find a free service manual for the 85 vf700f? I know there's has to be one somewhere. I just cant seem to find it. I tried Google, Bing, wiki, and other search engines, I work on cars for fun so when it comes to mechanics I'm pretty good. But i don't know how bikes r put together. I picked up a 79 yamaha xs1100s pecial and had no problems fixing the parts that where there. I got rid of her cuz i wanted not only a honda but more of a sport bike. And also who would skip out on a honda sport bike for only $400, esp a running one.

 

Someone on this forum should know where to at least get the blow up pages you need. As far as the chain, Just cut it off with an air or electric tool..I use a die grinder with a cutting wheel.

 

But ido cut it off. How hard would it be to run a new one through?

 

okay, you can grind the pins on one link flush on the old chain then punch the pins out with a punch. the chian will then be apart. do not pull it off yet. then connect the new chain to the old one with the masterlink from the new chain. you don't have to put the clip on the masterlink. then pull it thru the countershaft sprocket. count the links on the old chain and match the old to the new.

 

Awesome, thank you all so much for the help, I can't wait till I can take this bike out for a long ride, anyone here live around shouth Chicago?

 

I'm not from there but kinda weird my vf is....?!?!

 

I have an 83-85 VF750/700F factory manual on my pc. I found it on the web someplace a few years ago. I could down load it somewhere for you. I don't know any sites to do this. So you would have to guide me. It's 39mb in size.

update: I did a search here and came up with this. I think this is where I got it.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/31510-1st-2nd-gen-service-manual-download-links.html

 

Great! I will do a little research and see what we can do.

 

Holy crap u rock dude, and I replaced my again and holy crap did it make a diffrence, its like a new bike, but the rear wheels seems to be off angle. As in the left arm of the rear swing arm is higher then the right.

 

Set the bike up on It's centerstand on a level suface and measure the distance to the ground from the dead center of both ends of the rear axleshaft. The measurments should be the same. If not there is a good chance your swingarm somehow got twised or bent. But as Jamie had stated that would take some serious force. Who knows anything is possible...maybe the back end was run over or something. Good Luck