new to the vf700

Hey fellas, well i just baught a 85 vf700 yesterday. Shes is a very clean bike and runs very good. Anyhow i was going over the forums a bit and just see if any of you guys have a list of what i should keep an eye out for. Like i read about the oil top end delivery problem. is there anything else i should know. Thx guys

 

Welcome to the site, and congrats on the new bike! I can't offer any input, as I know nothing about the older VFR's. I do know that the oiling was not a problem on all of the V-4's, for what that is worth.

 

heres a picture of the bike, ill take more pics this weekend

 

I ride a 500 of the same year, some things I've discovered you might want to know:

-To check the oil, do not screw in the dip stick, just kinda push the dipstick into the rim and lift back out. Otherwise you'll be a 1/4th - 1/2 quart short, very no bueno for the cams.

-Keep the motor spooled up, these engines are not happy at all when lugged. Power hits really late on these bikes. This also helps avoid the cam oiling problem. My bike likes to cruise at 8 grand, your bike's probably around there somewhere too.

-If you have a problem shifting the bike out of gear when still, rock the bike forward an inch or so. My 500 is the only bike ever ridden besides the safety course ones, I don't know if this is common or not, it's just something I've found out.

I've had my bike for about 3 months, that's all I can think of for the unique factors of the bike compared to others.

Your bike looks awesome! I'm jealous. Enjoy!

 

thx for the info, its my first bike.

ill keep in mind about the rpm's and about checking the oil. I run a machine at work that you have to do that to too.


oh, anyhow, i think my rear shock is gone, any good shocks that will work on this bike or where i can pick one up?

 

User JamieDaughtery has a website with a solution (80's VFs had horrible rear suspensions, mine is still OK though).

http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/

Click the link that says "Rear Shock Solution."

When I can afford it I'm following his directions to replace my shock as a pre emptive measure.

 

sweet, thx dude
i went though about 15 pages on this forum and didnt see really anyhelp for the rear suspension, but i could have alwaysed missed something

 

Sweet bike!

I have an 87 700. Cruising at 55mph it was somewhere around 4000 rpm, and I think 65 was around 5200. I also have very effective power for getting around (not carving corners or anything like that) in the lower range of rpms... must be a difference between the 500 and 700. You don't feel the pull until about 6000 rpms. I've had a ton of fun on my bike, so I am sure you will too!

Congrats on the buy, it looks really nice! :biggrin:

 

thx shorty, shes a fun ride, i havent been able to ride her much yet, but the week end is comming soon, dad and i are goin on a ride

 

The 87 has a 45 tooth rear sprocket and much more HP - and the 700 has a 44 tooth rear sprocket and alot less HP. That's why there's the difference in cruising speed.

Idle speed on the 700 is about 1100 - 1200. While riding, keep the rpms above 3000. I use the 60% rule - ride in the middle 60% of the rev range.

Replace the 3 yellow-wire stator/regulator connection with soldered wires. The factory connection and factory repair kit use solderless terminals which don't provide enough surface contact for the amps running through the wires.

Replace the main fuse (fusible link) with an inline 30 Amp fuse holder. Can be found at Wal-Mart or any auto-parts store.

As with any new bike, replace ALL the fluids with new. Don't forget the fork oil.

Check the age of your tires. If over 5 years, I recommend replacing them.

Check the chain tension and lube the chain if you don't know when it was last done.

 

thx mason, ill get right on that about the wires and fuse.

All the fluids have been changed and what so not. Tires are in good shape and are about 2 years old.

 

I sold my VF700F about a year and a half ago.... I miss it immensly but then again I love my 6th gen a little bit more...

Jamie definitly can help you with the suspension... Depending on the miles I would not worry about the oiling problem... It tended to show up pretty early in the life of the bike... Mine had over 19,000 miles when I got it and I was told if had not occured by then it probably never would and thus as long as I changed the oild with regularity it would be fine...

Never ever ever wash the front forks with a presure washer.... I found out that lesson the hard way.... Premature death of fork seals occur....

Definitly do the conectors mentioned above with solder conections and replace with high amp barrell connectors...

Enjoy your ride!