Hello All!'86 VF500F

So, im new to VFR World, but I got a 1986 VF500F while i was in Ohio for about 900 bucks. I have recently moved to Florida and I plan to begin on a restoration. Now, body wise, i can do this restoration on my own, but i know very little about motorcycle engines. The body is a bit rough and will require some work, but like i said, i can do that. I do know that when i get on the throttle it tends to overheat, as well as when i sit in traffic. It also dripped a fluid when i first bought it (i think that it was coolant) I have also noticed that the fan seems to kick on a bit late (which may be contributing to the occasional overheating.) but now for some reason it does not leak anymore. It does run strong and as long as i don't run it too hard or sit in traffic for too long, it doesnt get hot. Although im not sure how hot a bike normally gets in these situations since this is my first motorcycle. Also, here are some pics:





What do you guys think i should do with it?

I was thinking about all black, but leave it very close to stock otherwise.

I may also consider a wheel upgrade.

 

If you paint that bike all black we will all stop talking to you.

When you say the bike overheats....does the needle go all the way to hot....or just close to it?

Those bikes tend to run hot and the Fan doesn't kick in until the upper range of the temp gauge.

If you don't know much about Motorcycle mechanics then you will either be learning alot, or you'll be spending alot to get others to fix it.
It's an older bike, and the VF500 in particular requires careful valvetrain maintenance and will power of the throttle hand to keep them from going boom.

Keep it under 9K rpm and try and get a Honda Repair manual.

 

Agreed, original paint colors is really the only way to go. Pretty much anything else would look ugly.

Try running a lower temp thermostat. You can get one from the local auto parts store, just ask for Stant 35366 (or cross reference to whatever brand they sell). That will be a 160° part and should help. Don't be surprised if you find an empty thermostat housing - removing the 'stat is an old trick that almost always leads to overheating.

Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress!

 

Jamie - I was surprised a few months ago to find that mine was removed! I did not know why the person did this and guessed that perhaps they thought it would make it run cooler? I did not realize that this was an old trick. Can you explain what the thought was behind this?

 

it mostly just gets really close. It has gotten all the way before, but only after a lengthy ride. And as far as the paint job.. are you talking all original paint scheme? or the same colors? I am just worried about screwing up the multi-color thing. Thats what i would like most, but i am just concerned with screwing it up. And as far as the stat.. what does one of those tend to run? and where is the stat located on the motor? I have some experience working on honda engines in a car, but not the bike.

 

This was something from way back when.... maybe the 60's? It was when cars had huge radiators but were inefficient. Removing the thermostat gave more flow through the radiator and achieved more cooling. Since then cooling systems improved dramatically and rely more on system pressure. A good thermostat and radiator cap will actually make your cooling system work at it's best.

 

very sweet bike!

 

thanks man! just found a guy that i can go to for maintenance that does like 20/hr in labor. he does a lot of work with older bikes. Things to look out for on this bike? as far as specific maintenance i should focus on?

 

RWB is the only way to go. Keep an eye on the valve clearance. I've owned 4 of these bikes and all have treated me well. Congratulations.

 

Valve clearance is a important one clean the carbs and tank other than that ride it I would recommended that you upgrade the suspension and wheels.

 

okay. I wish i caould do some of it on my won, but i just dont wanna mess anything up.

 

Make sure the guy who is doing the work on your bike knows that your year (1986) asks for different valve clearances and other specs/parts than the other years of VF500.

 

How is overheating because of a non existing thermostat possible???

 

See post #6 above.

 

When I was trouble shooting my hot-running 500 a few months ago I found that my T-stat had been removed. Putting one in definitely improved the overheating problem. I would probably make a fool of myself trying to theorize why, so I won't....

 

Welcome aboard

 

With the thermostat removed, the coolant passes through the radiator too quickly to become cooled by the airflow passing through the radiator.

 

i removed my thermostate and now my bike runs hotter than it did either put a low state & a good radiator cap.

 

I would also recommend not painting it black. My first vf500 was black and ugly as sh*t. CBR F2 wheels with the RWB paint look sweet and a suspension upgrade is a must espically for the rear shock. If you have any mechanical exp at all you can work on this bike but $20 an hour isnt bad for outsourced labor. You dont want to spend just a whole lot of money on it because it WILL break.. eventually.

How many miles are on it?

 

Here is what she looks like all stock with a black paint job:


I like the stock paint but yours looks like the clear is coming off in some spots, I think it's time for paint. Good luck with you vf500f journey!

Also, thanks for informing me my black 500 looks like shit, asshats.