Great site! Be surfing around, but haven't found the info I was looking for. Did find out a lot of good advice. Problem - Purchased 86 VF500 for a low price because of blown front head gasket. Tore it down to cylinder head. Question - Can I pull the head off without removing the cams, and covers, check for warping, insert new gasket(if I can find one-I've read alot about this), then bolt back up. I probably will take the engine out to paint and clean up. Really don't want to split cases. Just like to know it runs, then clean, paint, restore. Odd- I thought the 86 models had gears, mine has a chain. Probably a different engine #PC12E-2105... Frame says 86, PC120X-GM202... I thought I read somewhere that honda recalled some bikes and re-numbered with an X Thanks!
No, you cannot pull the head without removing the cams. The cam chain goes down the center of the head and is continuous so there is no way to disconnect it without removing the cams. Sorry! No, the only gear driven VF model was the VF1000R, never the 500's. Yes, some early 84 VF500F's were recalled but the engines were completely replaced. You can tell if it wasn't because those were 5-speed gearboxes.
Thanks for the info Thanks - Just downloaded the clymer manual. Explains removing cam sprockets, chain, etc.. I am going to pull the engine all the way out. Remove heads, probably have it milled, check block for warping(hopefully, it isn't), lap the valves, and clean paint and fire up. Seen some good ideas about fixing cracks in plastics(legos?). I have done some clearcoat painting, usually one color. Great site for ideas. I had a quote from a local shop - mill head, grind valves, etc.. $100-125 + parts. This was for one head. Fair?
That doesn't sound too bad. You could get a 350 Chevy done cheaper, but considering that they do not a fixture made to make things quick that price doesn't seem that bad.
