just got my 500 running. been sitting 13 years.

been hanging around for a while, and it's finally my turn to post. I've got my 500 running, getting the carbs in and out sucks, but new intake boots helped get them in. it took a really good cleaning and new diaphragms. seems so go ok, but I don't want to take it too far before I get new tires for it.
I found a Corbin seat in ok shape, it's pretty comfy. I have a few questions however. I'm not sure why the exhaust is smokey, it doesn't smell like oil or coolant, and it's wet? second, does it sound ok? I did a valve adjustment while I was in there, but I wanna be sure this is the "sewing machine" sound yall mention. third, I'm 6 foot 5, and I'm wondering if anyone has done lowering pegs. it would definitely help me fit the bike better.

 

It sounds alright to me from the brief clip. How warm was it when you were running it? I get quite a bit of moisture coming out in the exhaust until it's fully warmed up and hot if it's chilly outside. If you rode it for 20-30 minutes and it was still coming out with a bunch of moisture, I might be concerned. But I don't think you need to be right now.

 

it was a little cold, about 40 fahrenheit. this happens after it's fully warmed up, and after riding for a while. I'll be taking her out a bunch after it warms up here, so we will see for sure. thanks for your response!

 

also thanks for your YouTube, you've helped me alot

 

i have an update and a few more questions. I've put a good 300 miles or so on it, now that temps are 70+ the "smoking" is gone, so colddevil was right. i cut and lowered the foot pegs, its much more comfortable for me now. (i do have some other stock ones just in case) however, I seem to be lacking acceleration. i don't really have much to compare to, so it might be normal behavior. in 1-4th gear it seems ok, but maybe a little slow, maybe that's normal for a 40 year old bike. it accelerates up to 10000, I don't really want to push it much past that bc valve float, but it want to rev higher in 1-4th. i can not get it above 75 mph in 6th unless i really hammer it. it just won't accelerate past 7500 or so. i can drop it to 5th and i can get up to 80-85, but as soon as I put it in 6th it's slowly drops back down to 75. i have had it up to 100 mph one time, but I had a long stretch of road and a tail wind. it took about 30 seconds to get there too.

 

I know for certain that a VF500F is good for at least 125mph, at least my one was when it was new in 1985...so it does sound like your bike is down on power. I would check the compression ratio, make sure the air filter and exhausts are unrestricted, replace the plugs as a first step. When you cleaned the carbs did you check that the float height is stock and the main jets are correct? Also that the slides are free to move, diaphragms are intact and all of the air passages are clean? If not your carbs may be "restricted" and not able to fully open when required.

 

i will check compression, I've done plugs already. i have an air filter and a fuel filter on their way, i knew I'd probably need them. i did not check the floats, I'll do that too. i replaced the slides, but frankly I wouldn't be surprised if I did it wrong. I'm 99 percent sure all the passages are clean, I spent a couple hours per carb throughout the week I did them. i have no idea how to check the jets, do they have something written on them? i just cleaned them and put them back.