1984 VF500F with 86 engine complete rebuild

Greetings fellow members. I just joined the group and I'm hoping to find some guidance. I picked up this vf500f pretty cheap and want to restore it. I used to race an 86 back many years ago loved it. I'm well into my 70's now so I mostly tinker with bikes and love to restore them. I restored a 1990 NT650 and most recently restored a 83 VT500 ascot.
After tearing into the VF500F I found that the front cylinder swallowed a valve pretty much ruining everything. I know that the 86 had a lot of improvements so I bought a 86 head off of eBay thinking I would use it on my 84. Searching this forum I found out this might not be a good idea so I pivoted to just using the cams and parts. Again to eBay for another 84 front head. So this is where I'm at now. Everything is completely torn down. I've been cleaning and checking components for wear tolerances picking the best of the bunch. Also rebuilt the carbs. Mine has some weird exhaust pipes and cans looking like race gear. I know jetting will be tough.
I will update this thread as soon as I get my cylinders back.
Any advice is most welcome

 

The cams are different and the valves are different sizes 84/85 to 86.

You need 84/85 everything.

 

I might trade you an 86 head for an 84/85.

I have an 86 engine from my race bike that sucked a valve id like to prep as a back up street engine.

 

Pics of the exhaust!

 

Welcome to the forum, rc. Look forward to hearing more updates and pics, if you can furnish those. We LOVE pics!

FWIW, I see VF500's show up on classifieds all the time.

Craigslist, FB MP, and eBay. I see them in all kinds of condition. Might be helpful in sourcing certain parts and with your restoration project.

Happy Thursday!

 

I might be interested in a trade but I would need to know the cylinder condition or at least know sources for oversize pistons and rings.

 

This is what I started with

 

I'm talking about a head. You're talking about the cases (cylinders).

I thought you were getting your cylinders back soon

 

I already have an 86 rear head but depending on how my conversion goes I can give you my 84 stuff.

 

This is very confusing.

You have an 84 engine, right? The 86 heads are not necessarily a bolt on, as you stated in the first post. You then talk about using the parts from the 86 head. They are completely different than 84/85. The cams and valves DO NOT work with an 84 head.

The valves are smaller on the 86. I wouldn't mix-n-match the different heads on the same block.

That's why I floated the idea of a trade.

 

Looks like your idea sank Cap....

 

I honestly don't know what is going on anymore.

 

Let me fraise this differently. I have a complete 86 engine. I definitely mis spoke in my other posts. I forgot that I my original 84 got water in it and destroyed the bottom end. I threw away the cases. It was the 86 engine that swallowed a valve. I completely forgot about the 84 cases. I'm so sorry for creating this confusion. My age is showing. My apologies Sir !

 

So yes I'm VERY interested in a trade. I have good 84 heads front and rear.

 

OK! Now this makes more sense.

 

Well... As I stated, my engine that I want to get sorted is an 86. I've got PLENTY of 84/85 shit.

 

I finished rebuilding the front and rear 86 heads. Lapped in the valves and cleaned everything up. The Crank cases and crankshaft are ready to be re-assembled but I'm waiting on a piston and a complete set of rings to accomplish that.

 

Where did you find pistons & rings?