Jim's $400.00 1986 VF500F

Thanks! Any advice is helpful. Don't want to screw this up.

 

Obligatory AFTER picture. Can't really see it but it is like a glass coating. I am glad I did research, one kit was barely enough to do this one tank.

I made a complete freaking mess. This stuff is really sticky. Fingers crossed that it sealed the leaks in the bottom corners of the tank.

 

CLUTCH IS DRAGGING.
Now that the gas tank debacle is in the rear view mirror, I need to tackle a lingering problem. The bike is really hard to shift and I think it is because the clutch is dragging pretty badly. I rebuilt the clutch master and slave cylinder and that did not help. I read on Thumper Talk that the clutch plates can drag on the worn fingers of the clutch basket and cause the drag. I looked at the spare basket I have and it is pretty worn.

Since replacement with new is not an option, I read in TT that you can file the wear areas and this will cure much of the drag.

Comments? Picture below of what mu spare basket looks like

 

Oh man, that's toasted. It's where the top couple of plates were riding on the fingers that would make filing a questionable course of action. I have a guy that can CNC machine a new basket for you out of 7075, have it hard anodized, and reattach the gear. Not sure what you have the stomach for, price wise.

 

Norcal...that is the spare basket I pulled out of the attic. I figured it was a waste case. Confirmed.

I guess I will have to pull the clutch cover today on the bike and see what is actually in there. I appreciate the heads up on a source for a new one.

 

Let us know how the one in the bike looks. They can be filed slightly, but the problem is you open up the space and the excessive lash can make it happen again faster.

I am sure I have one that is decent if eBay thinks they are aluminized gold.

 

The one on the bike was slightly better and I ended up filing it. There was a really good write up on this from Mikey30006 back in 2015. I am sure he is long gone by now but it was a good write up. If there was any kind of hard face on that basket I have now filed it off.

They are pretty cheap on EBAY, but I have no idea what I am getting and I doubt they will take any pictures to show me.

If you happen to run across a good one in your boneyard I would be interested in it. I am not sure how long my 'fix' will work.

 

I can't get a break. Finally after MONTHS of work and waiting I an ready to ride and then it rains for like the 1st time in a month! Oh well...

 

you know they work quite well in the wet too.... lol

 

well... shit

 

2020 - Yay.

 

I've got a clutch basket on this exploded 86 engine I could pull apart and send to you if it looks alright. I need to finish painting the bathroom today, but I'll try to get to it after and send you some pictures. Please ignore all the sawdust, lol.

 

Man, that would be awesome, hopefully it is in good shape. The other engine I had for parts (VF500C) was in terrible shape.

 

Alright, so I couldn't tell you what a good clutch looks like or what a worn clutch looks like... but this one looks good to my eye. I think the piston melted well before the clutch got to see too many miles. I could be totally wrong though. I'll ship it out to you tomorrow, and let you decide if it's worth a go.

Let me know if you need any of the other exposed bits from the engine while I've got it up on the table.

 

Oh, man I really appreciate the effort! I have concerns though. That basket looks like it has the same indentations from the disks that my current one has. I hate to bother you further, but if you can run your finger along the edge of the basket where the clutch disk tangs ride, it should be totally smooth. Yours do not look that way. It is the ridges that wear into the aluminum that causes the disks to "Hang" and not move easily/smoothly. When they can't move they have contact with the metal plates and start to drag. Like the picture I took below...

 

I'm here, if you need me.

 

The MOD I did to the clutch basket actually worked. Very little clutch drag and the bike shifts verrry nice. Not sure how long this will last. I managed to ride for about 30 minutes today before it got cold and I bailed. (cold in Houston is referenced as sub 60F LOL).

 

Colddevil's doesn't look that bad actually, but some better hi-res close ups would help. I can dig around soon too. I'm currently in the middle of posting my childhood slot cars for the motorcycle slush fund and the shop is a DISASTER.

 

This pic is what I'm talking about. That edge looks pretty straight.

 

All good Cap'n, I appreciate you looking out for us poor souls with VF500's!