Jim's $400.00 1986 VF500F

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Jim McCulloch, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thanks for the reply, I have read so many horror stories about the VF500 valves. I just got the other head off and the valve heads look about the same. i will run with it.
     
  2. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Yeah, I believe you about the crap shoot. I adjusted them several times and was never happy with the result. I was still hearing the ticking noise. When I get the motor back together I will try your advice and see how it tuns out. Thanks for your help!
     
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  3. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    I think it's called the Dodge Method, but that's all I know. I have never used it so YMMV.

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
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  4. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Ok, some may laugh at my efforts but the engine is now torn down. I miked everything and the cylinders and pistons are within the service limits. Piston rings looked pretty nice also. Not sure why the compression was low other than the cylinders were so glazed the rings could no longer seat. Going to hone the cylinder and put new rings in it. So far so good! Main bearings and conrod bearings look *OK* but the less I know the better. No way I am going to replace them (if I could even buy them? Probably not.).

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  5. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    Good effort. At least you know what's what. If you haven't already, maybe take the valves out and have a good look at the valve seats. I would replace the valve stem seals too if you do this to rule out leaking down the valve stems. You can buy these on Ebay, some claim they are made from Viton which might be a more robust material.
     
  6. jeremyr62

    jeremyr62 New Member

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    You seem to have plenty of sediment in the cooling channels too. I would definitely try to get rid of that. Engine runs mad hot at the best of times so you want rid if you can.
     
  7. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Thanks, that is a good call, I need to find a valve spring compressor tool, I used to have one somewhere. I will see about the eBaY seals. Viton is definitely the way to go.
     
  8. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Uh, yeah about that.....In a weak moment I poured in some "stop leak" in the radiator as a last ditch effort to get the compression back. One of the head gaskets was blown. This crap is now everywhere in the cooling system. It's on me, my fault. I will figure out a way to get it out.
     
  9. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Been a while since posting but still chugging along....Waiting parts from Japan and got shorted (2) sets of rings. So another 2-3 week wait!

    Have done alot of cleaning and polishing in the meantime. Did the fork seals (still had the original seals I am pretty sure). The oil was in horrible shape. Got it back together and everything is working great.

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    Crap! Missing (2) set of rings!!! Can anyone translate that that says? Google could not do it. Japan Post?

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    Fork seals were really hard to get out due to all the corrosion. Got it done finally. Helms manual said to use ATF for the oil so I went with that.

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    Started working on the heads. Valve seats are not leaking. All my efforts to try and make it run resulted in a ton of clean up I have to do now!
     
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  10. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Good luck with the rings - Did any of the compression end up in the water system? Flushing is the only way but obviously the thermostat & water pump are a catch point as I'm sure you are aware.. - It will take more than 1 flush as I'm sure you are aware - ask me how I know - lol.
     
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  11. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    That says Black Cat, which is a yakuza run (allegedly) shipping company that dominates the Japanese shipping market.
     
  12. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Wow, there is some intrigue going there! Very interesting.
     
  13. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Need some advice on this. I leak tested the valves by pouring Simple Green in the intake runners on the head. After about 30 sec it starts to slowly leak. I did the same on the exhaust valves an no leak in 24 hours. I though it was usually the Ex valves that leaked? I have a spring compressor on order but am hesitant to screw with something that is not broken. Could the intake side have a bunch of burned oil and marvel mystery oil and any other crap I put in the cylinders making them leak? I tried to "pop" the intakes open to flush fluid through but they still are leaking. Should I go ahead and try and lap the intakes or leave alone?

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  14. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Lap them - you are 90% there already - it won't fix itself
     
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  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Disassmeble, clean, inspect and lap when your tool arrives. No brainer.
     
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  16. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    if the spring compressor works on YOUR bike, you're lucky. after sitting, valve seats can rust and pit. test by putting fuel in combustion chamber and blowing compressed air into ports and looking for bubbles.
     
  17. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    The Lapping worked , in spite of what the internets told me! Wow there are so many opinions about this. Well I did the old trick with a drill and lapping compound and none of the valves leak now. Put new valve seals also.

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    That valve spring compressor cost me $17.00 Shipped! Not shop quality but with careful use should last several heads.
     
  18. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    Spinning the valves with a drill and vacuum hose. Worked like a charm. Rinsed the heck out of everything when done to get the lapping compound out. No leaks in about an hour. I think it is good to go. Strange that only the intake valves leaked. All of them. None of the exhausts leaked. I left them alone. I feel it best to leave that sleeping dog alone.
     
  19. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    nice work. dija use bluing or anything to check width and position of seating area ?

    i'm doing the same job here on an '86 700.

    may #2 2018 013.JPG
     
  20. Jim McCulloch

    Jim McCulloch New Member

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    No, I did not have any bluing, I wish I did.

    That 700 valve train is radically different than the previous gen. WOW. Honda really decided to go a different direction. And it worked.
     
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