1984 Interceptor in Vermont

LET us know after your first ride.........

 

Can I mix and match 1986 VF500F engine components with 1984 VF500F components?

 

Yes and no...what I mean by this is that the carburetors should go with the head. There are subtle differences between the '84 and '85 and much larger differences between the '84/'85 and the '86 model years.

This said, I would have reservations about grafting an '84 set of carburetors onto an '86 head. I think you will be opening yourself up to a good deal of re-jetting to get things dialed in.

 

There are no major issues with running 84-85 carbs on an 86 engine...
I ran this set up on my race bike with no issues:
86 tank, gravity feed
into 85 carbs
through 86 airbox (lower volume, but allowed better flow for the radiator that didn't have a fan)
into an 86 engine
Ran f-ing great.

Of course there may be some re-jetting depending on your exhaust, elevation, blah, blah, blah.
Very doable, actually very nice.

Cheers,
Mike.

 

Thank you for the post.

My take is that while the engine parts (as is my understanding) are interchangeable there are no free rides - swapping the heads will work but this set up will require re-jetting (i.e. heading over to Factory Pro's web site to order their jet kit).

This said, perhaps there is a bonus to using the redesigned '86 head with a set of larger 32mm ('84/'85) carburetors. I have read that switching to the larger 32mm bore is the simplest way to gain a couple HP.

In his case ferrarone is one step ahead as he has the larger bore (along with larger main jets) on his '84. If the '86 head that he purchased still has some life in it then this seems like a good swap.

On a side note, are there any other modifications required to mount the '84 carburetors to the '86 head?

 

Update on the repairs:

Almost have the engine out of the bike, but snapped the head off of the last bolt holding it on. Portions of the exhaust are still connected, but I plan on removing it when I have the engine out, as it will be easier to get at those bolts. Waiting on a friend to get out of work so i can borrow his drill and get that last bolt out.

Bike right now:

Closer look at the engine with the breakaway fram off:

The bolt that broke is the lower left on hear the engine. Theres just not enough play to slide it out without the head.

Closer look at the bolt in question:


The mess that used to be the carbs that I'm not looking forward to dealing with. At all:


My Clymer manual got here today, though I don't think I'll be using it until I get the engine out. I have been talking with dskelton and will hopefully be picking up a parts bike from him this weekend, that should help me out with some needed odds and ends. More to come.

 

Send the Clymer manual back and head over to eBay to purchase a used Factory Service Manual. There is no comparison between the two.

 

I say good on ya! I remember dragging home some pretty rashed bikes with the hopes of rescuing them. Some I did, some I didn't BUT...it was the mere act of working on them, beat or not, that taught me about motor functions, timing, carburetion , loosening stuck bolts, easy outs, wiring, and countless other things. I eventually learned which bikes were good candidates and which were not but I would never trade those early days of wrenching and the excitement of the possibilities that each "wreck" had. I'm too old to dive into something that bad as a hobby now but if my R threw a valve, I would think nothing of digging in to bring it back. Personally I would have passed on this one but am excited that you had the desire to try. If it's a money pit and can't be saved, then so be it, but what you learn from the process is invaluable and some day you can come on here and help others with what you've learned.

You are absolutely right, when you come on to a forum like this, it's to get answers to your questions and not to have insinuations that you are some f'n idiot for wanting a 500 Interceptor. There are some people who help and some people who yell at the kids for letting the ball go in their yard. Not hard to figure out which is which in this world.

 

Wow.....crazy amount of work.

Keep us updated and try to get a clearer picture of the damaged piston please.

 

How much money do you plan on sinking into this pit?

I'm not trying to be a butthead, seriously, how much money are you willing to spend to get this bike roadworthy?

You are a college student, and unless you are a trust fund baby this thing is going to take a serious ding out of your wallet.

 

The Clymer manual is at its worst on timing. I gave up and asked the Honda dealership mechanic to bail me out.

 

Snapped the bolt out off into the well I made in the bolt, and now theres no way I'm going to get it out. I think I'm going to get an angle grinder and hack off what I need to. It's part of the frame, but basically just a spacer. If I measure the distance it extends before I cut it to ribbons I'm going to just replace it with a stack of washers. Thoughts?

Well said, all of it. Thanks for the encouragement.


Well I'm on my way to walmart to pick up a cheap angle grinder, that I will hopefully be able to return later today.

 

well I am in a bit of the same boat. I just bought a 83 vfr 750.. It needs work. My wife thinks I wasted my money on it. I hate to say after two days of ownership she maybe a bit right but it is something I want to do. Keep it up and keep chugging a long.
I am glad I have a fully functional BMW to ride while I fight with my VFR.

 

to say the least you will have less money in it if you buy a used motor off of somone, the 500's are great bikes despite what squirrel-man says man theres alot of great info here to help you with this and people to help you as well.. now i gotta ask whats the bike for daily rider, mountain machine..etc?

 

I have some spare parts that will work for you. Whatcha need?

 

I just got back from a little road trip to Fitzwilliam, NH and back. dskelton was kind enough to hook me up with his 1984 vf500f project bike for free. It has a ton of usable parts, and save for a gas tank I believe I have everything I need to get my bike done. He was even kind enough to give me a new back tire- which is great because thats the one tire I need!




Thanks Dean, I couldn't have completed this project without your help- enjoy the brownies and beer!

 

My plans for this bike right now is to get it running, then get it inspect able, and then get my license with it. It's my first bike so it's bound to get beat up a little bit. I'll likely keep this around after I upgrade to another bike and eventually make it shine like it really should. Making repairs on a porch in the city is not the right way to fully restore a bike, but it's all I've got while in school. I can make it reasonably nice and enjoyable with what I've got though.