I just bought an 86 vfr 700f. It needed a little work, and I finally fired it up tonight. Boy was I excited :biggrin: Everything seems fine except for two concerns: 1. The engine sounds a bit rickety. Some clanking around inside, it doesn't sound smooth. 2. The radiator started smoking as soon as the bike warmed up. I can smell antifreeze burning. Any ideas? (especially about the radiator) Thanks much for the help! I appreciate any ideas. --Bill G.
The radiator may be leaking, or may have some antifreeze spilled on it, and when it got hot is started to evaporate causing the steam you saw. The engine noises could be almost anything, cams, cam chains, or heaven forbid, a rod. A little cam/valve noise is not always deadly, but a rod is not good at all. You should be able to tell by where the noise is coming from. Top=not too bad, bottom=on death bed without major engine work.
