86 vf500f high idle

I just got this bike a couple weeks ago and i cleaned the carbs and put a new battery in it and it started right up but it idles really high. on the tach it ranges from about 3-5k rpms. Any suggestions?

 

Possible vacuum leak? Is the carb rack seated all the way into the boots and are the clamps tight? If you turn the handlebars does the idle go down? (possible cable routing)

Just a couple of thoughts

 

I think the carb rack is seated all the way. I got them in as far as possible. I do know the clamps are tight. And no the idle doesnt change when I turn the handle bars. i did spray some starter fluid on the boots while it was running and it jumped up around 7k. So I think I might just have hard boots that are not sealing properly. Is there another way of testing if they are bad? Will boots from a 84/85 vf500f fit my 86?

 

You answered your question, the fact the revs jump up means the boots are leaking

 

Do you know if the boots off a 84/85 will fit the 86 interceptor?

 

According to Partzilla, those insulator boots (PN 16211-ML7-000) are only common with the '86-'87 VFR, not the 500 Interceptor or any other Honda. If they look similar in size I'd try it out anyway. The VF500F does use really small carbs, but they might be close enough to fit.

The VFR uses insulators that are slightly different than the earlier types, with cut-outs for the carb and cylinder heads. They're directional too...even have 'carb' printed on the upstream side.

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/honda/HP-16211-ML7-000.html

I've also been tempted to repair those boots temporarily with a smear of black RTV or shoe goo, although it'd be a bad day if that stuff somehow got sucked into the intake valves. RTV is pretty vulnerable to warm gasoline, especially if it's blended with alcohol.

 

" Will boots from a 84/85 vf500f fit my 86? "
Don't think so. Carbs are a different size. the 86 carbs are smaller than the 84/85.