Member Contributer Kel Posted October 6, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted October 6, 2012 Looks fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatwhite Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Subscribed for updates. Nicely done so far! I just came back from UK and lots of UK spec honda parts seemed to somehow fall into my luggage....... You guys always got the good bits..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 So today was a milestone day in the project so far - it lives!! Spent the morning refitting the exhaust, cooling system and the rear suspension (exhaust installation was far easier without the swingarm in), and some parts that the powder coating fairy delivered this week. Then hooked it up to the CX with some jump leads, and it fired up straight away! Result! Anyway, here's a short video of it running! It sounds much more tappety in the video than it did in person, and the exhaust had some more bass than the video suggests, there is some "chuffing" noise because I had the breather port on the rear head open. I was impressed that even with the straight through Micron can it wasn't too loud at all, but then it was only idling on the driveway. Will check the valve clearances again before it gets ridden, and must balance the carbs as well because they're quite obviously out by the way the idle hangs, but I was impressed that it started first try and ran well with no leaks or problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Quick question for you 1st Gen gurus, I've had to drain the cooling system to fix a small radiator leak around the lower hose pipe, which I've now done with some careful soldering. I managed to rig up a test system to pressure test the radiator to 20psi, which it has held for a couple of hours now. While dismantling, I noticed that the thermostat is actually slightly loose in the housing, and rattles. Now, this is the thermostat that came with the bike, and I've no idea if it's genuine Honda or not. Is that correct, or do I need a different 'stat? If so, does anyone know where I can get one cheaper than £36.50 + VAT from Honda? Does it also fit a Civic or similar, like the one in the CX? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer InvisibleCities Posted November 30, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted November 30, 2012 Will check the valve clearances again before it gets ridden, and must balance the carbs as well because they're quite obviously out by the way the idle hangs, but I was impressed that it started first try and ran well with no leaks or problems. Congrats! +1 on setting the valve lash & synchronizing the carbs. Should quiet things down quite a bit. Looking forward to reading the first test flight report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Congrats! +1 on setting the valve lash & synchronizing the carbs. Should quiet things down quite a bit. Looking forward to reading the first test flight report! Thanks! My Clymer manual says the valve clearances for the '86 were 0.001" wider than the other years, so I set them to the 0.006". Is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer InvisibleCities Posted December 1, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks! My Clymer manual says the valve clearances for the '86 were 0.001" wider than the other years, so I set them to the 0.006". Is that correct? Egads! A Clymer? ;-) I don't own an '86 FSM but believe both the intake and exhaust are .15mm. For reference these are .12 and .13 respectively on the '84/'85. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 For the '86, my FSM states 0.15mm (0.005") for both intake and exhaust, cold engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer InvisibleCities Posted December 1, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted December 1, 2012 For the '86, my FSM states 0.15mm (0.005") for both intake and exhaust, cold engine. Thanks, Creaky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Egads! A Clymer? ;-) I don't own an '86 FSM but believe both the intake and exhaust are .15mm. For reference these are .12 and .13 respectively on the '84/'85. Thanks! My Clymer manual says the valve clearances for the '86 were 0.001" wider than the other years, so I set them to the 0.006". Is that correct? For the '86, my FSM states 0.15mm (0.005") for both intake and exhaust, cold engine. Yes, very sorry for swearing on the forum, guys (C***er). Maybe Santa will bring me the official '86 FSM for Christmas! OK, looks like I need to go round and tighten the clearances slightly. Not a big problem while the bike is in this stage of build. At least I know it runs. Thanks to everyone for all the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Since I'm off work until the 7th January, I'm trying to make the most of the Christmas/New Year holidays. So I've been busy doing (and re-doing in some cases) the bodywork for the bike. It's been unusually mild here (9-10ºC) for January, which helps a lot! Finally got the tank done in the 3 colours of base coat:- And the fairing lowers and rear panel too:- There's no clear on them yet, hope to do that today and tomorrow, then I can finally tick the paintwork off my to-do list! My chain and sprockets arrived this week too, so am finally getting all the bits and pieces to put the bike together! Major parts left to acquire are brake lines and footpeg components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Very impressive paintwork! What will you be using for the clearcoat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks! I have no air fed mask or other breathing equipment so will stick to 1k clearcoat. I'm not risking it with 2k. Means I'll have to be a little careful with getting fuel on it but it'll do for now. I can see all the imperfections, it's by no means mint as I'm doing the paint work in my garage, but it will be fine for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedhills Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 its looking good. when I re painted my bike It took a long time but the outcome was definitely worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 Got the clear coat done today, its not perfect but hopefully it'll polish up once its cured! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Very nice Gaz! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspanglish Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Most excellent work.. I greatly admire your knowhow. Wicked deep rich colours, what!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted January 7, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted January 7, 2013 Looks really nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer InvisibleCities Posted January 9, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted January 9, 2013 Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mohawk Posted January 9, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted January 9, 2013 Just a quick note on valve clearance setting. I always used a flat blade screw driver to cantilever on the engine case with the flat tip under the center of the Y between the tappets. That way there is no rocking of the forked rocker arm so no flex wear on its bearing ! Great rebuild, I miss my old 500, I did the F2 wheels to & used a 130/90 rear tyre to compensate for the reduced ride height ! Can't wait to see it finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer InvisibleCities Posted January 24, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted January 24, 2013 ^ for reference, the 'two feeler gauge' method for setting the valve lash: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Thanks ICs! I have the OEM yellow-handled adjuster tool, and a suitable spanner for the locknuts. I think the adjuster tool is the cheapest Honda "special tool" you can buy - it was something like £1.98 direct from Honda when I got mine. So yes, I've re-done the valve clearances as per your post, but have not had the bike running since. Been busy the last few weekends, and need to get some more welding gas so I can finish the exhaust and put her back together. That head looks very clean - where's the rest of your bike! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer InvisibleCities Posted January 24, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted January 24, 2013 That head looks very clean - where's the rest of your bike! :-) Photos taken on a spare set of heads - a prerequisite for owning a VF500F ;-) Looking forward to seeing your bike come together - it's going to be the bee's knees! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Gas the gap on the valves is 6 thou on the interceptor 1986 from the fsm manual Ps where did you get the Honda stickers on the tank ? I couldnt find any in the uk Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazVF500 Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Gas the gap on the valves is 6 thou on the interceptor 1986 from the fsm manual Ps where did you get the Honda stickers on the tank ? I couldnt find any in the uk Cheers Chris Chris, A friend of mine who does that kind of thing for a living made me a full bike set of decals. PM me if you'd like me to find out if he can do more. I'm sure he can, as I stuffed up the first set of tank decals I had, and had to get replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.