Here is my bike..hopefully

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by Cornishman, Apr 24, 2013.

  1. Cornishman

    Cornishman New Member

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    Hi guys, just got a VF400 Honda..an old un..1985 and whilst looking for some answers to my questions I stumbled across this site..so thought I would register and say hi. DSCN1507.jpg
     
  2. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Welcome to The World! Kudos for posting a pic on your introduction. We might not have believed you, being that it is a VF400 and all (not too many of those in these parts). Looks very clean for such and old machine.

    Cheers!
     
  3. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Welcome to the MadHouse!


    By "hopefully" I take it you are still negotiating a deal.

    Its great to see a picture. For an 85, that bike really looks like it has been well cared for. When a bike looks like its been someones pride and joy it is usually a good sign. If its been serviced properly then go for it - they are great little bikes, and should provide hours of fun on those narrow cornish lanes down to Pendeen.

    Take care
     
  4. Cornishman

    Cornishman New Member

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    Ah.no Skimad..."hopefully" I will get the pictures to post..lol...I bought the bike last week for silly cheap...unfortunately once I got the old girl to go...she smokes like a Kenworth when she's hot...the motor runs fine, and it goes like hell...but once upto temp it fills the road with smoke...if I can find another motor I will drop it in..
     
  5. rainman6

    rainman6 New Member

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    She look like a beauty...at least she is tidy enough to be worth putting the effort and expense in getting her healthy!
     
  6. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    Is it the motor or is the over flow tank full and sucking in oil crap?
     
  7. Cornishman

    Cornishman New Member

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    The new engine oil smell quite strong of petrol..I am guessing the bores are worn...and Grey, what did you mean by over flow tank?
     
  8. Justsomebloke

    Justsomebloke New Member

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    That looks lovely, I love seeing old bikes in good condition.

    Welcome to the forum as well, noob her myself. :cool:
     
  9. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    I'm assuming the bike has a catch container (over flow) where the engine breather tube (vent) goes into. It will fill with any oil blow by instead of just venting on the road. There's a drain tube at the bottom of the tank which has a plug in the end. If the tanks starts to collect oily stuff and fill you just pull the plug and drain. Now on top of the tank there is also a hose that is connected to the carb air box or plenum. It's so the carbs will suck any fumes from the tank and burn under normal running. IF the over flow fills or close the carbs MAY be able to suck oil in. That would make the motor smoke. This is for US emissions. Assuming you guys have about the same.?

    Have you done a compression test? If it's been setting a long time it's possible a few rings are stuck. There are some additive to help unstick. What's the mileage on the bike.
     
  10. Cornishman

    Cornishman New Member

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    Thanks for that Grey..I did notice a blocked pipe a type of screw end hanging beside the main stand...when i got the bike last week the diaphram in the fuel tap was split and that was putting fuel into the manifold! I replaced the diaphram and changed the oil and filter...yesterday i put a stop smoke additive in the oil and ran it up last night...started fine..no smoke..got warm smoked like hell...and then stopped smoking..then started again..lol..
     
  11. Cornishman

    Cornishman New Member

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    Update on the smoking front..I undid the bung Grey and a mixture of oil and water came out...I ran the bike upto temp and the smoke came..I kept her running and the collector box on the exhaust started to smoke like it was on fire..the white smoke was swirling and filling the car park!! ..i left it run some more...by now she was well hot...and then the smoke stopped?? I rode her home with very little or no smoke? I have now checked the oil and coolant and all is well...could the collector box on the exhaust been full of oily crap? is there some wadding in the exhaust that needed to get hot to dry it out?..who knows..
     
  12. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    It could have sucked enough oil mist in to the pipes and set for a while making a collection of fuel/oil mix that created the smoke. Then like you experienced it finally burnt off. No wading that I know of, then again I've only opened used exhaust and it may have been gone. Good deal on that, these motors are real solid in the cylinder area parts. It's just the valve train you have to be careful with.

    Enjoy the ride.
     
  13. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Result - Cornishman stops smoking!

    It sounds like you may have scored the bargain of the century.

    I suspect the seller was only willing let it go for "silly cheap money" because they were aware it was belching smoke. If simply clearing the catch container was all it needed to stop its chain smokin ways then you have done well !!!!!

    SkiMad
     
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