Jim's $400.00 1986 VF500F

Been a while since I have done anything on the 500. I have a job I have been NOT looking forward to. Replacing the valve adjustment set screws.

This is one of the worst engines to adjust the valves on. Even with the proper tools it is tedious at best.

 

please show us photos of the worn and new screw bottoms for comparison, ok ? and mention how many miles on the engine.

 

Data may be flawed on this. I had to reuse a bunch of the tappets when I rebuilt the engine because I had no replacements. The mileage may not matter. I had a used engine that a robbed the best of the tappets from, and many of them had flat spots already on them. I will get plenty of pictures to document this job.

I have this persistent tapping that is driving me crazy and I hope this cures it.

 

I did not realize how hard there were to get out. Glad I have really small hands.

Not a damaged as I would have thought but definitely not uniform in shape anymore.

Trying to get better close ups but this what I got for now. 100F in the garage right now

 

Got it done, and the difference was pretty noticeable. While not "quiet" it still sounds like a sewing machine but NO TAPPING!

I think I am going to order another set of screws and do the rear bank of cylinders now.

 

Very nice, JM!

 

Nice Job Jim, wish it was 100 degrees here. Im desperately waiting for hot and dry days to get some Hay off, all we get is rain.

good luck with the rear cylinder head

 

Thank you sir, just trying to keep the fire lit. Nothing else to work on right now.

 

Stray, I will trade you weather conditions!

We are in a drought right now which is really strange for us. At least the temperatures have mostly been below 100F this summer.

I have no idea how you get the energy to run a farm!

 

This was an impressive read. I may need this info someday. I thought my 750 was gnarly.

 

You could always Red Kote another gas tank if you get bored.

I still have my engine out of the bike right now. I didn't even consider that I could replace the tappets... Wondering if I should just order some and do it now since it'll probably never be easier. Did the new tappets make doing the adjustment any easier? Or just good peace of mind knowing they're fresh?

 

LOL, I was just thinking of dumping the rest of my Red Kote into my Hawk GT tank. It is leaking in a million places and I don't feel like spending $600 to fix it properly.

Regarding the tappets, It did seem to make adjustment easier. If you decide to replace them, do it now. It was scary installing them with the motor in the frame. One slip and that tappet is gone for good into the engine. I used a magnet on the tool to hold the tappet while I screwed it in. It was tough to get a few of them to start as they thread into the valve fork at a weird angle.

 

worn screw ends make adjustments less accurate, and they don't hold the setting as long. less noise with new ones too. it's worth inspecting them at least.

 

After I had (2) lead acid batteries die in 3 years I am done. I think the last one made it less than a year and it is dead as a hammer.

I took some advice and bought one of these.......Hopefully this will last!

 

I have had pretty good luck with the Motobatt AGM's, hopefully this one will last.

do you use a tender when not in use Jim ? they will extend the life of your battery by a significant multitude. my VFR800 is still on its original 2014 Battery, all due to the tender. I keep all mine on a tender since batteries are so expensive the tenders pay for themselves in no time

 

Jim, I'm guessing the Texas heat is killing them..... I know folks who don't get 3 years out of them. Not sure if a lithium will be better, but certainly more $$$.

 

I still like my Shorai batteries, but not sure you can go too wrong with an AGM.

 

My high quality AGMs have been serving me pretty well and I can still find sales that make it attractive. At some point, I'll have to figure out where my break even point is, as the prices appear to have come down a bit on the Li-ion (well, maybe not lately). I have A LOT of bikes. I could give a shit about the weight (well.... not enough to spend more than double) and I'm not trying to mount them in extreme places. It is simply about life/value/compatibility.

 

I think AGM's seem to be the way to go for cost/benefit ratio for me.

This one was $77, and I think I paid about $60 for the lead acid battery last summer.

 

Yes sir, the heat sure does not help. I have had similar issues with car batteries but not this bad. I usually get 3 years out of a standard car battery.

As Stray said, a battery tender would help a lot.