86 VF500F Lives Again in Baraboo Wisconsin

Im excited the beast breathes! Picked up an 86 with 21K miles. Original owner put her away several years ago, and fortunately parked her dry. Had on oil leak from the alternator area, no clutch working and leaked fuel. Thanks to all the posts on this forum, found and welded the small cracks inside the alternator area and replaced the gasket. Oil leak solved. Bled the clutch with the MityVac and poof....clutch works. The last was the fuel leak. Was leaking between the carbs, so had to dismantle and replace a cracked o-ring between the left two. Putting back together was a real treat. Actually managed to find all the springs too! Replaced the carb insulators while at it since I was there.

Took her out for the first 10 mile ride. It was like hanging out with the old girlfriend. Vintage but what a damn nice ride. The bike I always wanted but could never afford. She's a beauty and I love her already.

Couldn't have done it without reading all the other posts and pictures from here. Sorry I didn't photo each step, but I'm a heck of a lot more comfortable with working on it now. Next time I'll document.

Any way to change the shifter though? I had a broken big toe on my left foot years ago that never healed right so short of reaching around with my heel, it's a little tough to upshift.

 

Good deal! Nice to hear of another VF500F back on the road.

Keep up the good work!

 

Here's a photo...the bike, not the old girlfriend.

 

Nice! Of all the bikes I've owned over 40 years, the 86 VF500 is the one I miss the most.

 

Very cool. I want one!