Matt Tries – 1984 VF500F Overhaul

Alright, thank you. And point taken. I'll bring the radiator in and apologize for lying about the material to Mike of Mike's Radiator and Auto Repair.

 

I'm not 100% on the aluminum, I've just never heard of a brass radiator on a Honda motorcycle. Doesn't mean I'm not wrong, I learn shit all the time.

 

I have a rad for vf500. I am pretty sure they are aluminum. I used Mylers in the midwest back in the day. Ship it to them twisted, bent, cracked, and they will return it like new for relatively low cost. That stock radiator made it through 6 full seasons of racing after I had it repaired. Never had a problem. Your crack looks very minor and your local welding should only take about 15min to repair what to me looks like a pin hole. Even less time if you remove the paint for them.

https://www.motorcycleradiators.com/products/radiator-repair

 

Got it--thank you. I actually left him an email asking if I should try to remove the paint around the area that I think the leak is coming from, but I haven't heard back. I'll brush on some aircraft stripper in that area and see how much I can remove without getting too physical with it.

 

If you know anyone with a TIG welder then its worth a shout, there is nothing to be lost by removing the paint - at the very least you will make sure it leaks from that point.

 

in no way do i seek to undermine best practices, but i've used JBWeld on radiators with no failures so far.

 

Confused...I thought my 86 VF500F was bronze/brass. The radiator shop that fixed it said that the side tanks were soldiered on. Can you soldier aluminum?

Confused....

 

I don't know. And since I don't know, I'm more inclined to take it in just to find out from a professional.

I pulled off the paint in the area with some aircraft stripper and then a little soft dremmel bit. It looks like this might be the previous site of a repair. I think I can see the pinhole. I guess I'll see what the diagnosis is this week.

 

I wish I knew any that were close. I'm 250-1250 miles from anyone I know that can weld with any skill. I really should find a class and get learning myself.

 

Me too, keep promising myself a welding class

 

I just dropped the radiator off today, and they're going to see what they can do. It is a brass copper radiator--which he let me know was a good thing in the case of a potential repair in this situation. Since the leak may be from where the bracket is attached, they may need to remove that bracket and reconnect it. If it was aluminum the only answer to removing it would be with a saw, and they wouldn't be certain of a repair. Fingers crossed.

 

Still learnin' shit over here.

Good luck!

 

^^ same

 

I got a call from Mike of Mike's Radiator & Auto Repair that the radiator was repaired and done.

• They pressure tested it and determined the leak was below the mounting bracket.
• They removed the mounting bracket to patch up the problem area.
• They reattached the mounting bracket
• They pressure tested it for an hour and it showed no leaks

$84.

Hopefully it holds up, but I'm pretty happy with the experience so far. I figured he was missing a '1' in front of the 84 when he gave me the price. I'll hold off on painting it for a while to watch for leaks.

 

Hell yes. Noice.

 

Excellent!!

 

Outstanding!


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Just paint it.. You are only getting older - lol..

 

Paint it while it's off and dry and be done. It will be one of those things that seems to never get done if not.

 

You're just trying to get me to stop procrastinating on the fork emulators... aren't you? Because if I crack another 2K clear can, I need enough parts to justify it. I want to do the forks black as well.