----- Original Message -----

From: forsaleinfl@...

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 5:33 PM

Subject: [VF500F] choke isues

 

Got the 500 up & running last week, but now I've noticed it won't idle faster with the choke open. In fact, opening the choke lever usually won't let it start at all...usually I have to give it gas manually until it warms up. I can mess with the idle screw and have it idle faster, but then once it warms up I have to turn the screw back down in order to have it idle/run @ 1300 or so. That screw is supposed to be a set it & forget it kinda thing...I shouldn't have to touch it every morning when I go to start it up in order to get the idle revs up when the choke is open.

I checked the idle lever on the carbs, and the wire is threaded thru fine and the cable is held by the small screw as far back as the cable will allow and still hold it.

Once it's warm it runs/idles fine @ 1300, or wherever I set it.

Thought maybe you guys might have an idea where to start looking/thinking...could a true carb synch (instead of the bench synch it now has) fix this?

-greg in CA...85° here today!

--- In VF500F@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <sscheffing@...> wrote:
>
> Well, out comes the engine to replace the head gaskets.  I have a repair
manual that I will be following but any DIY tips or experiences would be
helpful.  No longer see the head gaskets available on Bike Bandit--any advice
other than local Honda dealer?  Enjoy your turkeys!
>


The head gaskets are NLA from Honda and unfortunately are a bit tough to find. 
There are several companies that make aftermarket options though.

I've noted a few in our Database.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VF500F/database?method=reportRows&tbl=5

Hope this is of help!

Well, out comes the engine to replace the head gaskets.  I have a repair manual
that I will be following but any DIY tips or experiences would be helpful.  No
longer see the head gaskets available on Bike Bandit--any advice other than
local Honda dealer?  Enjoy your turkeys!

----- Original Message -----

From: Noël Auger

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:41 PM

Subject: Re: [VF500F] Re: water and oil---uhhh...together

 

So the - supposedly - remaining faulty part would be the water pump ...

 

The pump has a built-in "bypass" system in case the seal fails (*), so water is allowed to come OUTSIDE the engine from a hole under the pump.

This hole can't be seen with the pump in its normal place (IMHO ... ).

 

I don't know much about this, bye perhaps re-doing the cooling system pressure test could bring some more info ?

Check for some coolant coming out from under the pump.

And BTW, I sould perform the test wirh a warm/hot engone (i.e. pressurized coolant circuit).

 

Good luck !

Noël

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Scott

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:10 AM

Subject: [VF500F] Re: water and oil---uhhh...together

 

Further review(and a cooling system test) indicates that the cooling system does maintain 15lbs of pressure for almost fifteen seconds, (engine cold). My manual indicates holding pressure for six seconds is a "pass."

So, bike runs very good, plugs look very good, passes cooling pressure test. But I still have water in oil.

I guess my next step will be to pressurize each cylinder and see if I can get bubbles into radiator. Has anyone devised a test for the water pump? Do not see any signs of external water leakage at pump housing.
Thanks.

--- In VF500F@yahoogroups.com, Noël Auger <noel.auger@...> wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> Since the engine overheated, it could be one of the head gaskets, rather than the water pump.
> A cooling system pressure test should bring you some more data.
> Please tell us what comes next.
> Noël
> P.S. Could be a stuck thermostat (primary cause) ...
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott
> To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:14 AM
> Subject: [VF500F] water and oil---uhhh...together
>
>
>
> Just brought home a new (to me) VF. Owner did tell me that on his last oil change, shop indicated there was water in the oil. After starting and riding around, temp went up--way up. Switch for cooling fan was not operating, so it seems clear that he cooked it.
>
> When I had it running it was smoking so there is some water seemingly getting in the cylinders, but it really does run crisp. Spark plugs all look very nice--no clear clue here.
>
> Have not done a cylindeer leak down test yet, or a cooling system test yet. Have heard from a pal that the water pump can fail and introduce water into the engine. Could too high a coolant temp./pressure challenge the seals of an old water pump?
>
> Looks like the head gaskets are N/A from Honda, nor are available on Bike Bandit.
>
> Any clues, comments or help would be appreciated. thanks, scott
>

----- Original Message -----

From: forsaleinfl@...

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:44 PM

Subject: [VF500F] Just barely half full

 

Guys-
It's alive!

Put the just-soaked carbs back on the 85 model just now, and all seems right with the VF500 world for once. Runs. Idles. Moves in a forward direction under it's own power. No longer slow on the uptake with the gas, and no longer slow to fall back to normal RPMs. It's been bench-synched, so I'd still like to fine synch it on the sticks later this week after I put some miles on it. These will be my first miles on it at all after working on it for 3+ weeks.

Alas, all is not perfect. I had some oil leaking, which I thought was the head cover gaskets. Fixed them, and then thought it was from the clutch pushrod seal per Pat. Tried the heat shrink method, and apparently it's still leaking from there (oil only on the collector part of the header on the left side right near the kickstand.)

I bought the Honda replacement seal for the pushrod, but all the tech could advise me to do was split the cases to install it, same as Jamie. Excellent advice, but I'm not up for jumping in on that with only 13K on the clock for such a small repair if I can help it yet.

Here's my question: If you've done the "grind & install seal from the outside" trick could you give me some tips? Specifically the grinding and how you keep the seal in it's place after the lip is gone. Oh...and if it fixed the leak after all was said & done? Maybe there's another way to seal/tighten the old seal without doing the R&R?

Love to hear your genius.

-greginLA

----- Original Message -----

From: Scott

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:10 AM

Subject: [VF500F] Re: water and oil---uhhh...together

 

Further review(and a cooling system test) indicates that the cooling system does maintain 15lbs of pressure for almost fifteen seconds, (engine cold). My manual indicates holding pressure for six seconds is a "pass."

So, bike runs very good, plugs look very good, passes cooling pressure test. But I still have water in oil.

I guess my next step will be to pressurize each cylinder and see if I can get bubbles into radiator. Has anyone devised a test for the water pump? Do not see any signs of external water leakage at pump housing.
Thanks.

--- In VF500F@yahoogroups.com, Noël Auger <noel.auger@...> wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> Since the engine overheated, it could be one of the head gaskets, rather than the water pump.
> A cooling system pressure test should bring you some more data.
> Please tell us what comes next.
> Noël
> P.S. Could be a stuck thermostat (primary cause) ...
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott
> To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:14 AM
> Subject: [VF500F] water and oil---uhhh...together
>
>
>
> Just brought home a new (to me) VF. Owner did tell me that on his last oil change, shop indicated there was water in the oil. After starting and riding around, temp went up--way up. Switch for cooling fan was not operating, so it seems clear that he cooked it.
>
> When I had it running it was smoking so there is some water seemingly getting in the cylinders, but it really does run crisp. Spark plugs all look very nice--no clear clue here.
>
> Have not done a cylindeer leak down test yet, or a cooling system test yet. Have heard from a pal that the water pump can fail and introduce water into the engine. Could too high a coolant temp./pressure challenge the seals of an old water pump?
>
> Looks like the head gaskets are N/A from Honda, nor are available on Bike Bandit.
>
> Any clues, comments or help would be appreciated. thanks, scott
>

Further review(and a cooling system test) indicates that the cooling system does
maintain 15lbs of pressure for almost fifteen seconds, (engine cold).  My manual
indicates holding pressure for six seconds is a "pass."

So, bike runs very good, plugs look very good, passes cooling pressure test. But
I still have water in oil.

I guess my next step will be to pressurize each cylinder and see if I can get
bubbles into radiator.  Has anyone devised a test for the water pump? Do not see
any signs of external water leakage at pump housing.
Thanks.

--- In VF500F@yahoogroups.com, Noël Auger <noel.auger@...> wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> Since the engine overheated, it could be one of the head gaskets, rather than
the water pump.
> A cooling system pressure test should bring you some more data.
> Please tell us what comes next.
> Noël
> P.S. Could be a stuck thermostat (primary cause) ...
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Scott
>   To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:14 AM
>   Subject: [VF500F] water and oil---uhhh...together
>
>
>
>   Just brought home a new (to me) VF. Owner did tell me that on his last oil
change, shop indicated there was water in the oil. After starting and riding
around, temp went up--way up. Switch for cooling fan was not operating, so it
seems clear that he cooked it.
>
>   When I had it running it was smoking so there is some water seemingly
getting in the cylinders, but it really does run crisp. Spark plugs all look
very nice--no clear clue here.
>
>   Have not done a cylindeer leak down test yet, or a cooling system test yet.
Have heard from a pal that the water pump can fail and introduce water into the
engine. Could too high a coolant temp./pressure challenge the seals of an old
water pump?
>
>   Looks like the head gaskets are N/A from Honda, nor are available on Bike
Bandit.
>
>   Any clues, comments or help would be appreciated. thanks, scott
>

----- Original Message -----

From: Scott

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:14 AM

Subject: [VF500F] water and oil---uhhh...together

 

Just brought home a new (to me) VF. Owner did tell me that on his last oil change, shop indicated there was water in the oil. After starting and riding around, temp went up--way up. Switch for cooling fan was not operating, so it seems clear that he cooked it.

When I had it running it was smoking so there is some water seemingly getting in the cylinders, but it really does run crisp. Spark plugs all look very nice--no clear clue here.

Have not done a cylindeer leak down test yet, or a cooling system test yet. Have heard from a pal that the water pump can fail and introduce water into the engine. Could too high a coolant temp./pressure challenge the seals of an old water pump?

Looks like the head gaskets are N/A from Honda, nor are available on Bike Bandit.

Any clues, comments or help would be appreciated. thanks, scott

From: araskander

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:15 PM

Subject: [VF500F] Re: Servicing Carbs

 

--- In VF500F@yahoogroups.com, "giulakian" <giulakian@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have an 86 model and want to do a carb service on my own by removing the carbs and soaking them in a solution overnight. The quote I got from the bike shop was around $500. How long does it take to get the carbs off the bike? How difficult is it? I just have my Craftsman automotive tools and a car ramp to work with. Thanks!
>

Pat: thanks.

Noel: the bike sat in storage for six months and, after leaving storage, has been used daily for the past three months. The symptoms are not as bad as they were just after the bike left storage, but are still kind of there: hard to start sometimes, engine dies sometimes at stoplights, and the bike seems underpowered overall. I'm thinking it might be a timing problem instead.

Just brought home a new (to me) VF. Owner did tell me that on his last oil
change, shop indicated there was water in the oil.  After starting and riding
around, temp went up--way up.  Switch for cooling fan was not operating, so it
seems clear that he cooked it.

When I had it running it was smoking so there is some water seemingly getting in
the cylinders, but it really does run crisp.  Spark plugs all look very nice--no
clear clue here.

Have not done a cylindeer leak down test yet, or a cooling system test yet. 
Have heard from a pal that the water pump can fail and introduce water into the
engine.  Could too high a coolant temp./pressure challenge the seals of an old
water pump?

Looks like the head gaskets are N/A from Honda, nor are available on Bike
Bandit.

Any clues, comments or help would be appreciated.  thanks, scott

--- In VF500F@yahoogroups.com, "giulakian" <giulakian@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have an 86 model and want to do a carb service on
my own by removing the carbs and soaking them in a solution overnight. The quote
I got from the bike shop was around $500. How long does it take to get the carbs
off the bike? How difficult is it? I just have my Craftsman automotive tools and
a car ramp to work with. Thanks!
>

Pat: thanks.

Noel: the bike sat in storage for six months and, after leaving storage, has
been used daily for the past three months. The symptoms are not as bad as they
were just after the bike left storage, but are still kind of there: hard to
start sometimes, engine dies sometimes at stoplights, and the bike seems
underpowered overall. I'm thinking it might be a timing problem instead.

----- Original Message -----

From: Patrick O'Bryant

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:06 PM

Subject: Re: [VF500F] Servicing Carbs

 

I would suggest that you get a Honda service manual, if possible, or at least a Clymer manual to start with. To remove the carbs: Remove upper faring, seat, side panels, fuel tank, air box cover, air filter and then air box. Drink beer. Loosen all 8 carb boot clamps.  Using a screwdriver or the likes, attempt to work the carb assy off of the engine.  Apply liberal amounts of cursing as necessary.  Drink another beer. Put band-aid on busted knuckle.  Pry some more.  Drink another beer. Throw away cheap screwdriver that is now bent to hell.  Find big-honkin pry bar and pry some more.  Put band-aid on 2nd busted knuckle.  Send wife out for more beer. Put compress on fore head that is bleeding from being hit by pry bar when carb assy "popped" off.  Remove throttle cables and choke cable.  Drink another beer and take some tylenol. Hopefully it will go easier than this!! Unless absolutely necessary, LEAVE THE CARB BODIES MOUNTED ON THE PLATE!  You can remove the bowls, floats, jets, slides, etc all while the bodies are on the plate.  There are several small springs and stuff in the linkage and a few o-rings on the fuel pipes that are easily lost/damaged if the bodies are removed. Cleaning the carbs is as with any other carb.  Attention to detail is necessary. Inspect the carb boots (isolators?) and note that there is a top and bottom and proper "clocking" position for the boots. When re-installing the carbs, I've found that by placing the boots in some hot water just prior to installation will help soften the rubber.  You also may want to use some type of lube (silicone spray) to make installation easier. IIRC I put 2 of the carb boots on the rear carbs, the other 2 on the front cylinders then work like above until the carbs have been returned to their rightful homes. DON'T FORGET TO REATTACH THE CABLES *BEFORE* PUTTING THE CARBS BACK ON (DAMHIK!!) Hope this helps! Pat O'Bryant --- On Sun, 11/15/09, giulakian <giulakian@yahoo.com> wrote: From: giulakian <giulakian@yahoo.com> Subject: [VF500F] Servicing Carbs To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 7:34 PM   Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have an 86 model and want to do a carb service on my own by removing the carbs and soaking them in a solution overnight. The quote I got from the bike shop was around $500. How long does it take to get the carbs off the bike? How difficult is it? I just have my Craftsman automotive tools and a car ramp to work with. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have an 86 model and want to do a carb service on
my own by removing the carbs and soaking them in a solution overnight. The quote
I got from the bike shop was around $500. How long does it take to get the carbs
off the bike? How difficult is it? I just have my Craftsman automotive tools and
a car ramp to work with. Thanks!

Hi All,

Anyone out there have a spare rear wheel hub (a.k.a. final driven flange
42610-KE7-000) for a VF500F that is taking up too much room on the workbench or
in the parts bin - that you would be willing to part with?

Many thanks!

Hi All,

Would anyone out there have a spare stock cush drive and sprocket along
with a metric caliper on the workbench?  I'd really appreciate a
dimension double check and a few dim's - please see the link below for a
reference drawing.

Many thanks!


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VF500F/photos/album/1144889310/pic/1767127\
62/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

i have a 84 vf500 for sale it was running carbs are off need to be rebuilt. make
me an offer. located in GA if you are interested email me z28s10@...

----- Original Message -----

From: jon h

To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 2:09 AM

Subject: Re: [VF500F] dimension check

 

thanks noel!  if i could ask, do you come up with 27mm to the sprocket mounting face? 

---

From: Noël Auger <noel.auger@orange.fr>
To: VF500F@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, November 7, 2009 11:44:14 AM
Subject: Re: [VF500F] dimension check

 

Hi,

For the swingarm to the sprocket, I found 19 mm.

Fot the other side, hard to measure, since I could not find a reference surface.

 

Sorry it this not helps ...    ;o((

 

Noël

 

----- Original Message -----

From: handleyje

To: VF500F@yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 8:03 PM

Subject: [VF500F] dimension check

 

hi all,

anyone out there have a metric caliper handy?

i'm looking for a double check on two dimensions:

machined surface of the swingarm to the sprocket
machined surface of the swingarm to the rotor

i have a reference drawing located here:

http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/VF500F/ photos/album/ 1144889310/ pic/2114670\
806/view?picmode= &mode=tn& order=ordinal& start=1&count= 20&dir=asc

many thx!