coupla' quickies about my 85 VF700F - Oil and Fuel Filter

I just bought by my new beauty (check those pics) and I have a couple of questions (I'm definitely a newb):

1. What type of oil to use (I know this is a tired issue for some posters, but I couldn't find a thread on the older bikes).

2. I have some small amount of rust near the gas cap, don't want to take the tank off yet, and want to install an inline fuel filter to see if there are problems (I know there is a fuel filter already, what is the difference?). What should I get? Anybody done one of these and can give me some advice?

I appreciate it, guys/gals.

 

Co'mon, don't be afraid of pullin the tank! A couple of bolts, a fuel line and guage wires and it's off! It's easy, and you'll want to check the air filter after buying a new bike. You might find a mouse nest or heaven forbid, no filter at all. The tank pops right off, and only takes a minute. While in there, check the throttle cables for fraying near the carbs. An inline filter should help keep the crap in the botton of the tank from cloging a jet in one of the carbs. While you have the tank off, dump it out and wash it out with a little fresh gas. A little rust around the top of the tank is not a huge deal, just put a little Marvel Mystery Oil in with the gas and keep it pretty full and that pesky rust shouldn't be too much of a problem.
As far as oil goes, I just use Bel-Ray semi-synthetic 10w-40 in my '83.
By the way, great looking bike, looks a lot like my '83

 

I would suggest Mobil 1 10w-40 motorcycle oil or rotella t 15w-40 oil. Do not use car or energy conserving oils they can cause clutch slippage. OEM or K&N filter only NOT fram. I also would advise against a second filter as it can cause incorrect pressure readings and make the fuel pump shut off prematurely. I would get a couple regular filters and change the original and inspect the contents inside it then run a second for a few months and do the same. They are only about 5 bucks on ebay. Search here and check out www.v4hondabbs.com lots of good info for old ceptors. And as said above YES these are good looking bikes.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the hyper-fast reply. I don't have a garage, so the tank removal might have to wait just a little bit (I WILL do this). What kind of in-line filter should I get? Will a regular auto parts store have the Bel-ray and the Marvel Mystery? Should I do a total oil change before I put in synthetic?

One last Q - where did you get the luggage for that bitchin' '83? I want 'em.

 

The Bel-Ray is only at Bike Shops. It is for bikes and will not cause clutch problems. NEVER use car oil. I can't remember exactly where the factory fuel filter is, but simply replacing it should be fine. The Marvel is found at auto parts stores, and you'll only need to add a cap full or so to a tank of gas. The Marvel will help the rust problem and help keep the top end running smoothly. I wouldn't add the Bel-Ray to whatever is in it. I'd go ahead and change it and the filter.
Those bags are el-cheepo bags that I've had for about 10 years. They say "Tour Rider". They have been great bags even though they were the cheapest ones I could find at the time.

 

The fuel filter should be under the fuel pump. It's harder to change than it should be. I have to remove the coolant bottle, rectifier, and black plastic bracket that the fuel pump mounts to - to get to the fuel filter.

I recommend just replacing the fuel filter with fuel line and putting one just after the fuel tank right under the seat. Easy to see and replace if it becomes necessary. In a pinch, you can remove it if it becomes clogged and strands you.

I respectfully disagree concerning not using car oil. As long as the circular seal does not say "Energy Conserving", it is fine to use on bikes with wet clutches.

 

As I understand it, Car oil can cause clutch problems with a wet clutch. But the major shortcoming with car oil is that it can't withstand the shearing and crushing action which takes place in the transmission. Bike oils contain compounds found in hypoid oils which are for gear boxes. Car oil is for use in engines, motorcycle oil must protect the engine, transmission and not cause havoc with the wet clutch, all at the same time.
I don't want to turn this into another oil thread, but with a 1st Gen bike, I wouldn't take the slightest change of smoking the cams. A set of smoked cams could easialy cost 2Gs, totaling the bike. My first gen gets the best of everything to try to prevent the top end problems which can cripple these bikes.

 

True.

To each his own.

In my experience, I used only car oil on my '83 V45 Magna (8 years, 35K miles) and the cams looked the same throughout the life of the bike.

Of course, regular oil changes/valve adjustments and not lugging the engine below 3K helped I'm sure.

 

Another piece of advice for your beautiful bike ( I had an 84 back in the day) after looking at your gallery, park it with the rear wheel against the curb. Pulling in front first has the bike facing "down hill" and it could roll off the side stand. Parking the other way will have gravity pulling against the stand keeping it locked in place should the bike roll or some ass-hat get on it.

Speaking of the latter, get a cover too and USE it.