New member - 1984 VF500F

Hello - I recently purchased a not running 1984 VF500F. Bike had been sitting for many, many years. I don't know how many, the previous owner had bought it a year before and knew no history at all. It has a 1986 Virginia inspection sticker on it. It is 100% stock. It shows 6100 miles on the odometer. Clutch MC and slave cylinder were off the bike, other parts in boxes. Anyway, I cleaned the carbs (worst I have ever seen), changed the oil, found the fuel pump not working, bypassed it - thanks to this forum, and the bike started up and seems to run very well. Running it off a temporary plastic fuel bottle as the tank has a hole in it at the bottom. I see this is very common on these bikes. I know the tanks are very difficult to find, I checked ebay and I have attempted to post to the wanted classifieds (I screwed it up - the words did not all make it into the ad). Does anybody have leads on a good VF500F tank? I am looking at repair options for mine, but it also has a dent in the top. Thanks

 

Seriously...........where is the f'n picture!

 

:welcome:

You brought it back !! Chances of that were about 1 in about 50, according to previous posts here, and good luck with it. In your case low miles is a big bonus.

Fuel tank?? No problem finding VF 500 parts since most are in junkyards or parted out by frustrated, over- optimistic would-be riders.

 

Welcome!

It is always great to see another VF500F finding a good home.

As noted, the lower rear seams on the 500's tank can start to rust, developing pin holes over time. This is caused by condensation finding its way there due to the tank not being properly set up for long term storage (fuel drained, interior coated with motor oil).

You can restore these tanks with some effort but the caveat is finding the correct decal set (I have yet to find a correct set for the '84 tank).

On a side note, SM’s post '1 in 50' looks through the lens darkly, IMO.

500s are great bikes but have often suffered from mechanical neglect. The key to this bike is proper maintenance. With such low mileage you should be in high cotton.

Great find!