Just bought my first bike, VF500F, exhaust help please!

Hi all,

I just bought my 86 VF500F and it appears to be in excellent shape, especially for the $1100 I paid. From what I've read, exhausts on these things die and then you have to cobble something together. That appears to be what was done on my bike. One of the outlets on the collector has been capped and a custom up-tube and a Kawasaki can were stuck on it.

Is this an ok setup to run or should I really look at getting some of the pipes to come off the collector and having custom up-tubes bent to go into something else aftermarket? (I like rumble!)

Here are some pics of the bike and the state of the exhaust:

The Bike





The exhaust

It's a Kawi!


Looks like a good connection from the collector


The sealed off side


Thoughts?

 

Welcome!

I'd recommend taking this back to Factory issue. You should be able to find a used collector box (if you need one) and mufflers for a reasonable price. Collector boxes are going for $75 in good shape and recently a pair of mint stock mufflers went for $200.

The good news is that all three years, of the VF500F, share the same muffler part number so they are much easier to source.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Other than the exhaust, a nice bike though, right?

 

Looks to be a nice '86. How many miles on the engine?

I guess I didn't explain why Factory is the best way to go (unless investing some serious time designing a tuned exhaust system) as Tink has poetically pointed out.

The takeaway is that your current system hurts the engine's performance. Also, IMHO, your current set-up isn't aesthetically complementary to the 500's design.

More info can be found here:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/30249-vf500f-aftermarket-exhaust-systems-back-day.html

 

If I can get a set of Kerker's that were made for the bike, should I do it?

 

Also, an excellent primer by Lazy in AZ:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/31994-aftermarket-exhaust-what-other-mods-will-i-have-make.html

 

Sure.

I haven't seen a 4-2 Kerker in awhile (actually I am looking for one myself) but they do come up on eBay now and again.

I would tend to shy away from slip-ons. These decrease performance as well.

 

Thanks IC, 30k on the bike. When I bought the bike I did not realize how much of an issue the exhaust can be on them...lesson learned. I don't particularly care for an 18" can on the back of my bike either, it's huge! I guess I can just pick up a set of used factory ones for now. I'll want them nice since there are no other dents on the bike.

 

These are just the cans. They are on eBay now if you are interested.

 

Ok, I'll ask a question that has probably been asked a thousand times before. Can the cans from a VF500C be used on a VF500F or are they too restrictive? I would assume that they would still be better than what I have now.

 

With 30k on the clock I would recommend carefully inspecting the valve train.

More info on this topic can be found using the search engine on this site.

Also, a used copy of the FSM (Factory Service Manual) is a must have for the shop reference shelf.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

According to some receipts that I got with the bike, at about 23k

• the carbs were pulled, soaked and had floats changed
• valves were all checked and adjusted

I'll still go over them tho. Thanks.

 

thats a pretty neat bike, but that exhaust is, to be polite, GHETTO. at least its easily undone and some ebay stockers are easy replacements for it.

 

Good intel to have.

With +7k on the clock you are due for another valve lash check.

You'll find good info here on this topic. Two feeler gauges is key.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

thanks for the good advice and tips. back to an earlier question I had, will vf500c exhausts from 85 mount up to the collector on my bike?

 

That's the greatest thing about owning a VF500.....so many donor parts available !!~

:behindsofa:

 

thanks for the good advice and tips. back to an earlier question I had, will vf500c exhausts from 85 mount up to the collector on my bike?

 

Nice bike and the price is fair for the condition. To get you back to being somewhat normal with the exhaust, I'd go with anything you can find for the 500F. I am a believer that stock is best. I am not sure if the 500C exhaust will work. They look different and I am not sure of the mouting locations. Hopefully somebody here will know the answer. Also, for a living, I CodeInC#. Welcome to the forum.