86 VF500F Time for new/rebuild Petcock and New tires

Good day to all from down South Teas way,
I've had petcock issues from some time now but it's starting to get out of control. Now i'm faced with the inevitable; replace or rebuild. Have looked over most of the treads on this issue and have concluded that I have few choices. I'm gonna pay or i'm gonna pay. will continue to review the treads on issue, but any new advice will be greatly appreciated. Now to the tire issue just looking for any thoughts on tires. Currently running Bridgestone Battllax: Front....BT45f 100/90-16M/C 54H. Rear....BT45R 110/90-18M/C 61H. The rear wore pretty quick along the center. would like to put a slightly wider profile in rear. the roads here in South Texas run straight from sun up to sun down, but I do like to turn when ever I find a nice curve. Apprx milage on this set, about 7000.

 

Hi

As you have spotted there are quite a few threads on here about petcock problems on the VF500F. This sort of problem is almost inevitable with a bike well over 20 years old, especially as the ethanol content of modern unleaded fuel has a habit of slowly eating fuel system seals and rubber fuel pipes.

I am not sure if it helps but you will find fiches of most of the bikes parts on this website -

Honda Vf500f 500 Interceptor 1986 Usa Fuel Tank - schematic partsfiche

If nothing else this may at least help you to track down replacement parts. NB I think the petcock on the VF500F was also being used on some other honda models of the same vintage.

As for tire (tyre) choice this has been pretty done to death. The search function should provide hours of reading matter.

As for potential tire life this is directly linked to the rider and the riding conditions. Hours of continuous high speed riding on red hot tarmac will be hard on any tire. There are a few on here who would love to get 7,000 miles from a set. If you opt for a less sport (more touring) multi compound tire then well over 10,000 miles should be possible. There are now loads of modern multi layer tires which offer a good compromise with a long lasting central strip with much more sticky rubber available when the bike is tipped over.


SkiMad