Advice for my VF500

[slowbird]

Hey,

I just bought a 86 VF500 and I have a few questions:

What does the manual recommend for Octane? I have been putting in 94 Octane for my first tankfull just to help make up for the remains of the old gas in the tank.
Would running 94 hurt anything but my wallet?

Is swapping the sealed Beam headlight out for another brighter sealed beam possible? Is there a Sealed Beam number that I can just get from a parts store?

Also...what should I set the tire pressure too? What's the factory reccommended PSI?

Thanks in advance.

[dizzy]

Hi Slowbird...can't say for sure about OE recommendations, but here's from practical experience.

My 85 ran fine on 87 octane oxygenated fuel we have here in MN. It's OK to experiment with the various offerings at gas stations. I'd avoid the more exotic blends and additives. If you notice "pinging" at moderate to lower RPM, heavy load situations, you need to up the octane.

I think you'll find a bulb...not a sealed beam. You may want to try to adjust your headlight. I've known people to get away with higher wattage bulbs, but I've also seen heat damage on harnesses from the really high wattage ones.

Tire pressure...you want to go with whats recommended on the tire over the factory specs. It's always on there somewhere. You'll find two figures, one is the max air pressure to seat bead (for mounting only) and a maximum operating pressure/ maximum load rating figure. Practical rule of thumb is between 33 and 42 psi. Higher pressures for better tire wear, lower pressures for a softer ride. I'd start around 38 psi.

[slowbird]

Thanks!

I plan on running the Highest octane at the Pumps here (Which is 94) just until I'm sure all the stale fuel is out of the system. But having the higher octane won't harm anything will it? (i.e. Fuel economy? Performance? Anything mechanical?) I know that a car can handle it fine...not sure about bikes.

Are you sure about the Headlight bulb thing? It looks like a sealed beam to me?

...and I'll take a look at my tires for the PSI rating...thanks.

[dizzy]

No...you won't hurt it by running the higher octane.

I'm not positive about the bulbs...I'll check my shop manual today

[slowbird]

Originally Posted by dizzy

No...you won't hurt it by running the higher octane.

I'm not positive about the bulbs...I'll check my shop manual today

Thanks Dizzy!

[mls03jbody]

the bulb is a H4 bulb I just had to get one for my 85 at walmart it was $10

[mls03jbody]

Its a special motorcycle bulb but its in the automotive bulb section

[masonv45]

If you run higher octane for some time, you will have problems with carbon buildup from unburnt gases. Plus, you are loosing power.

The bike was designed to run on 87 octane. 94 octane won't do anything for stale gas - in fact it will hurt it by adding to the unburnt gases.

Quick explanation:
94 Octane: used in high compression engines where the combustion pressure causes pre-combustion (pinging) before the spark plug fires. It has additives which raise the flash point of the gas preventing pre-combustion. More power is realized due to the higher compression of gases - not the higher octane gas.

87 Octane: used in low compression engines (like ours) and does not have additives to prevent pre-combustion.

[slowbird]

Originally Posted by mls03jbody

the bulb is a H4 bulb I just had to get one for my 85 at walmart it was $10

An H4 bulb eh? Okay. Any How to links on how to change it?

Is it really simple?

[slowbird]

Originally Posted by masonv45

87 Octane: used in low compression engines (like ours) and does not have additives to prevent pre-combustion.

But our engines are 11:1 Compression. That isn't low.

I understand that the Bike should have nothing less than 87 Octane used but to say that the gas will be unspent because our engines are lower compression...meeeeeeh. I don't think that's entirely accurate.

Maybe for other reasons but not for the CR.

[mls03jbody]

bulb was easy to change you may have to take the upper fairing off and then take the plug off then the rubber boot then unclip it and it comes right out. I didn't have to take my upper off cuz I'm missing the trim around my gauges, so I was able to do all this without taking off anything.

[slowbird]

Originally Posted by mls03jbody

bulb was easy to change you may have to take the upper fairing off and then take the plug off then the rubber boot then unclip it and it comes right out. I didn't have to take my upper off cuz I'm missing the trim around my gauges, so I was able to do all this without taking off anything.

I think my VF is missing the trim around the gauges also...cause I can see the headlight plug easily...aswell as the horn and such.

I'll give it a try tonight and see what happens! Thanks!

[Fizz]

Purchase the Clymer manual when you get the chance, you'll need it.

Tire pressure varies with your weight, how much load you're carrying and how you're going to be riding (commuting or twisties).

[slowbird]

Originally Posted by Viff

Purchase the Clymer manual when you get the chance, you'll need it.

Tire pressure varies with your weight, how much load you're carrying and how you're going to be riding (commuting or twisties).

Thanks Viff.

I ordered the Clymers manual on Friday online. Just waiting for it to arrive via post.