need some help

First post, but I was lurking the past 5 days and found some great information here. Long story short, I managed to buy a 500 dollar vf 500 at mid-Ohio on Thursday of last week. It has been sitting since 92 in a shed, looked fantastic, just really dirty. Anyway I got home Sunday and tore in to it, working on the fuel system and carbs. Last night she came to life and after syncing the carbs shes running fantastic.

To my question, it has 32,000 miles on it, and I am going to change the oil, but the dropped valve issue has my scared. Wondering if I should put some miles on it and see if I like it, or check the valves asap. Nothing has me thinking there's an issue, but I would rather not get tossed off the bike during an engine failure. If it does have bad valves at least I can get out of it for the same money not exploded.

Any thoughts?

If I did check the valves do I need to replace the valve cover gaskets or are they o-ring type? Hate to take carbs out again, but it is what it is.

 

I can't help you mechanically, but welcome aboard.

 

:welcome: to the madness :wave:
Well if you already button everything up might as well ride her and see if there is any issue.
But if you not comfortable, then yes get in there and do it right so you don't have to worry for while.
Our Guru Squirellman should chimp in shortly for more productive advise :thumb:

 

If it's done 32000 miles then I wouldn't worry too much. They can last long miles so if it sounds OK then it probably is. Taking off the cam covers and inspecting the valve gear is highly recommended though, sooner rather than later.

 

When I bought it things didn't add up, that's why I think I have an issue. The guy I bought it from said it needed carbs cleaned, and it did,but these were never opened. Or he has the better screw driver on the planet, but he put new carb boots on it. So I am thinking why would you got to that trouble and not clean the carbs. I am wondering if he checked the valves and figured not worth the trouble. Those bolts look like someone was in there at some point. It could be a case of stupid people do stupid things, or I had too many beers to make the connection on Thursday night.

 

Can you manage a compression test ?? Good luck with the project.

 

yeah no problem, I am guessing that a bad valve or one the might be ready to go should show up correct?

 

I'd too would go ahead and pull the covers to take a look-see at the valves and their adjustment clearances. Really bad valves usually show up as having noticeably mushroomed stem ends. Otherwise, they'll let you know that they're on their way out by not keeping their clearances for very long (i.e. valve clatter in a few thousand miles or less from what I've heard).

As for riding it to "see if you like it"... all I can say is that you'll likely fall in love with it. I know I sure did when I test rode my friends brand new '85. Of the near countless bikes I've ridden; it seemed that I was born on that little VF after just a few miles. Can't really say that about any other bike I've ever ridden (with the possible exception of my 10 month old '76 Yam RD 400 and my 2 year old early '80s Honda CR 480 Xer).

Btw, trying to ride one of those little VFs in a mild mannered way is just about impossible imo...

Good luck and welcome to the forums!