Orwell's Interceptor

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Colddevil, Mar 7, 2021.

  1. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    Well well well... it appears my information about Bridgestone tires was outdated AND American Tire Moto has either not updated their website to show the new sizes or do not currently have them. Thank you for the correction--and yes, now the regret of mismatched parts is starting to settle in, hah. I'm glad to know they're going to still keep making them. And no, I don't really know my way around tire changes that well, haha. I've just been able to sweat through a few of them.

    That axle was tiiiight on the front wheel. Good call on trying it on the bike first, I hadn't considered that. I still think it might have spun with the amount of force I needed to use with a 3' pvc pipe over a wrench, but maybe not.

    100% I am going to buy some 90° stems to install on my bike the next time I do a tire change. They look so much more convenient! Hmmm.. 4 for $13 seems like a good deal too if they hold up well.
     
  2. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    So. Removing the stock shock is not nearly as easy on a VF500F as I thought it might be. No matter. I got it out.

    Bigger problem. There's no way the shock that I purchased is going to work. Not that I can tell, anyway. For one, it's not the shock I ordered. I ordered a MZ456-340TRL-19, they sent a MZ456-325TRL.

    Two--and maybe this is just because idk anything about rear shocks... but how am I supposed to connect the bottom of this thing to the linkage? Shit. Well, I think my VF is going to be sitting here for a while. Like, a long while.

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    Last edited: Jun 4, 2021
  3. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Even if it had the right mount, too short.

    Shit.

    Which vendor by the way?
     
  4. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    biketyresuk was the vendor. I'll get into contact with them and see what needs to happen either for an exchange or a return. It looks like it was just the wrong one that got sent out. I made sure it wasn't me that ordered incorrectly--because I've definitely done that before. I will say it shipped way quicker than I expected, hah. https://www.ebay.com/itm/123923666931

    It's not a big deal--I was able to get the stock shock back in pretty easily once I understood how to twist it about. When I get the correct one, it should go a lot quicker since I have an idea what I'm doing. I didn't take any of the linkage arms and whatnot off though to clean and re-grease since I just wanted to get it back to a state of rideability when I discovered the problem at like 11 last night. The manual said to use blocks of wood to lift the rear wheel, but... I just threw on the centerstand temporarily and used that. No idea why it wouldn't say to just do that instead. It looked like I would have been able to pull the linkage arm and bits off as well that way.

    Question--is the mount type either "Eyelet" or "Split End"? With eyelet being male and split end being female? I'm struggling with the terminology and whether or not you can tell what the shock connection types will be from the YSS product codes https://www.yssusa.com/product-code-explain.html

    eyelet.JPG

    eyelet2.JPG
     
  5. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    eyelet is the closed end with the heim joint
     
  6. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    Gotcha. Thank you. I just need to know which words to look up.

    Big damn day today! I brought the bike back home to it's owner. There's still 100 things that I think we can potentially do to make it better, but after putting about 150 miles on it the last two days.. I felt comfortable enough that it wasn't a death trap. It's up to Sawsi and his wife, but hopefully I'll be going back either tomorrow or later this week to get them some seat time on the bike and learn some of the quirks of a 38 year old machine. It's running pretty damn well though. Who knows, maybe this bike and my yellow disaster will make it out to MotoAmerica at Road America next Saturday. Tickets are already purchased--it's just transportation to and from the track that hasn't been decided yet.

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  7. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    Question to start--Braking. I've realized just how poor the braking is on my VF500F compared to the SV650 I've been also riding. I'm guessing a lot of it comes down to the cheap master cylinder I threw on just to get it working (since the original was trashed). Does anyone have a recommendation for an aftermarket master cylinder that would perform better that would work on the VF500F? And I'd also like to replace the pads, so any pad recommendations I'd also be grateful for. The bike has a 3-piece Galfer stainless set on it. Or is my best bet just to go with a good looking used OEM one on eBay? The replacement I used has a lever that is just so far out that it's impossible for me to try to brake and rev match a down shift because my hands aren't big enough, and the lever is non-adjustable. I didn't have that issue on OEM.

    Unfortunately Sawsi wasn't able to make it out to Road America for the MotoAmerica races, so we didn't get to Double-Interceptor the day. However, my dad gave me a ring in the morning and said he filled the VRod with gas, air in the tires, and 2.9 gallons of fuel in the tiny tank that gets like 30mpg and wanted to ride up with me. Which was awesome since he barely ever rides any more, so I'm trying to trick him into riding with me more often! He's a big fan of spending time at Road America though, so that's a pretty easy sell.

    Oh, and my bike sure feels a lot better with a chain without a broken link on it, hah.

    vRod.jpeg

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    We're still working on the gear. I've got him sold on wearing the helmet and the jacket. Gloves and boots are the next hill to climb. He sticks out like sore thumb as a Harley rider wearing a helmet and jacket in 85F heat in the heart of Harley country though, hah. Maybe I'll get him an AR-15 sticker or something to put on the helmet so he can blend in better.

    There was a very nicely done VF500F entered in the Vintage Show near Victory Lane. So if you're lurkin' around these boards... nice bike. I think the note on the entry ticket said something like "Restoration from complete derelict. All it took was a lot of time, eBay, and money."
    RA_Interceptor500.jpeg

    Having ridden Road America a few times now, it certainly makes you appreciate the on-track product of race day that much more. The balls on those guys and girls, jesus. I finally put my first ever scuff on a knee slider on Monday though! It turns out I'm only ~1 minute off of race pace in Twins Cup! I'll be seeing you on the podium soon!

    Time-stamped link to one of my stupid videos. A full lap starts at the 10 minute mark. It's pretty safe to say I have a lot of things to work on.
    *Edit - I don't think time-stamping works on embedded videos.. oops.

     
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  8. straycat

    straycat Member

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    Still LOVIN' your dad's Harley VROD, he can send it up here when he's had enough of it. :)
     
  9. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    I thought you might like that--pretty much the reason I bothered uploading the photos! :Smile:
     
  10. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Sounds like a nice day, sweet!

    The master cylinder isn't really the problem. Not if it was a Honda Item. Get yourself a used genuine item and ditch that cheap unit. You don't have to go VF500, just make sure you match the correct size. I sometimes move to mid 90s items for a slightly more modern look, but can find matching brake and clutch masters in the correct sizes. They are plentiful and cheap. The last two I bought I didn't even have to rebuild.

    I find the VF size master to provide a pretty good power / feel ratio for the caliper piston sizes. I suspect your biggest issue is pads if you already have braided lines. Get yourself some EBC HH, they are sintered. Don't worry about wear on your disks, the VF disks are thick and common to replace if they get worn too thin at some point down the road. Clean your disks real good when you replace the pads in case everything has been contaminated from something like leaking fork seals. I use SOS pads to clean up disks, they work great.

    After that, it's gonna be about as good as it can get. Which is pretty good for such a small, light bike. My race VF500 never faded or warped even getting them so hot I burned the paint on the rotors.

    Cheers!
     
  11. straycat

    straycat Member

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    Loved the Track day video too. im envious, love to try a track day.
     
  12. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    N
    Loved it..

    Now you understand why I hate linked brakes... !! lol

    Don't worry about the fubar with the trailer - We have ALL DONE IT !! Wait till you do it downhill - ha ha ha..

    Camera work..
    The new group pros image stabilisation looks great, I liked the mounting positions, but could you run facing one way then turn them 180 for the next session.. Also a camera mounted over the bars looks at the clocks & forward works well..

    On Bike
    You look 'remarkably static & don't set yourself up for the corners early.
    This video will help with that (viewed from your main camera position) - LOL



    Also love the games machine & your garage...
     
  13. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    Thanks Cap. I just ordered a set of the pads earlier today. My thinking was that the Tokiko 2-pots on my SV don't seem like they should be particularly more powerful than the calipers on the VF, so why is braking power so much less? I'm going to start with the pads and see how that affects things. I'll find a suitable replacement master and get the knockoff removed. Thanks for the tip about looking at more than just the 80s models. I'll find one.

    I'm not after supersport braking. I just think I'm not near where I'm supposed to be right now.

    I can't recommend it enough. If you get a chance... do it. On Saturday at MotoAmerica I met up with one of the guys I was in novice class with (he was on his first day), and we were talking about the likely dates that we're going to cross each others paths again.

    I am a menace with a trailer. To be fair, I have received zero training though! I've gotten two trips done with no damage to other vehicles and only some damage to my own truck, so... not a total failure, haha. :Rofl:

    The GoPro 8 was a snap decision the night before at like 6pm because I knew I needed one to show me how bad my body position was. I think I need to try to move the other one up from the frame slider to the dash for more useful video; however, I didn't have a clear windshield that worked yet. I purchased a cheap clear non-OEM one that isn't going to work until I modify it, and I didn't want to go OEM because I may end up going track plastics instead of street-worthy. Not a big deal--eventually.

    The camera sure exposes all your flaws... and your assessment is spot on about the stiffness and late corner setup. Especially comparing it to the video you just sent. Is that from a video game and fast forwarded at 150% speed?? (lol) Crazy how fast they go.

    The game machine is like a bunch of other things I end up with... Friend buys an arcade that doesn't work. I buy it from him for nothing and fix it. Now I'm stuck with a Bear and Moose shooting arcade machine from the early 2000s that I haven't turned on in 2 years. The first friend I know that buys a cabin in the northwoods... I'm sticking this thing in there and not even asking permission.
     
  14. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Make sure your calipers are floating properly, that can GREATLY affect VF brakes. I can't remember in your thread if you specifically checked / addressed that. You need high temp silicone grease.
     
  15. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    I have been using this purple Permatex ceramic Brake Parts Lubricant on the caliper pins. Checking out the TDS, it's "non-silicone" and "pure synthetic". I think the only purely silicone grease I have is red rubber grease.

    It looks like I may want to add some Permatex 80653 Silicone Extreme Brake Parts Lubricant to the arsenal. Everything about the purple stuff says it should be ideal for brakes and contact with rubber though, and I haven't had issues on it with anything else that I can tell.

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  16. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Refer to the HSM. I've tried substitutes early in my "career". I thought, " Nah, it doesn't have to be that. This will work perfectly." Um, nope.

    Anyway, if you dismount your calipers and the pin and bolt still float after getting them hot quite a few times on the road, then maybe your choice is fine.
     
  17. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    Here's a screenshot of page 14-17 of the VF500F service manual if anyone else is interested. I suspect the purple stuff probably works similarly in practice but has questions about its compatibility with rubber despite conforming to JIS K 2228 8.10 standard. I'll add some 100% silicone grease to my arsenal because at it'll probably last me over a decade and eliminates a variable.

    chap14.JPG
     
  18. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    I usually have this stuff on hand. They make a couple different versions (including one called Silicone Lubricating BRAKE Grease), but they all have worked great. I think the label was just changed.

    [​IMG]


    And, like I said, if your pins and calipers are still sliding after some good heat cycles, that is likely not contributing to poor brake performance / feel.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2021
  19. Paul Myers

    Paul Myers New Member

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    StrayCat, being a responsible individual I feel I need to point out the fine print on the track day entry form (generally found printed in white on the back of the white form).

    Warning

    Track days are highly addictive.
    Participation at trackdays or even attendance can lead to life long addiction.
    If you see the following symptonms get help or pit crew immediately:
    • purchase of a dedicated set of track wheels/tires for your bike
    • dedicated track bike appears in your garage
    Can lead to an enclosed trailer, tire warmers and even a second track bike in extreme cases.

    Just wanted to make sure that you didn't succumb to the addiction or just jump directly to the enclosed trailer and enjoy it faster. Of course you do have that truck :)

    Signed,
    An unreformed addict......
     
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  20. Colddevil

    Colddevil Member

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    Oh yea. Those EBC pads sure as hell made a difference. I installed those after cleaning up the rotors with a red scotchbrite pad and brake cleaner. I can lift the rear wheel up now if I go really hard--I have a heck of a lot more braking power.

    I'm going to keep my eye open for a different master cylinder because I still don't like the brake lever pull being so far out (I may just try bending the lever like a savage though). I think the F4i had the same size 5/8" master, and it looked like it would probably work.

    Moral of the story is that your advice on the pads has me a lot better off. Thanks Cap!
     
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