I found your channel when looking for resources to refurb a barn find 84 VF500F last winter. You've been a big help in the process of getting it roadworthy again. My 18-year-old is loving it as his first bike, and I'm finding myself riding the VF every once and a while too. That engine is just a smile-maker. Really happy to see you finish the project. Thanks for all the content.
Man, that's awesome to hear. Thanks for sharing. Getting a barn find one of these running well is no small feat, so congrats on all the work you've put into it for both you and your son to get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I love seeing more of them out in the wild!
I just got one of these for my first bike. I’ve basically only ridden my pop’s bikes for as long as I can remember. This one is the first I can call my own. It sat for 30 years in a garage, and the original owner basically wanted to through it away. So I took it home and was finally able to get it started the other day! I just turned 20, so I guess getting the bike started was kinda like a birthday present to me lol. Anyway, I love your videos and they have been very helpful to me in getting this thing going! It’s pretty hard to find people making vids of this bike, so I want to say thank you! Hope you’re having a great day 😄
I'd say that's a great birthday present to yourself! Congrats on the bike and congrats on getting it started. They're awesome machines. Just need to fight father time to keep them running sometimes!
Been watching the VF500 saga for a long while, mostly because I have the cruiser Magna variant with this power plant in it. This bike has turned out awesome so far and I - for one - appreciate the effort you've put into it!
Thanks Christopher! I'd love to get a crack at a Magna someday. I don't think I've ever even seen a 500 Magna before. We both share the exact same carburetor struggles though! Cheers man.
When I mentioned "I have a whole lot more respect for people that know how to do this well"--you were who I was thinking of. Thank you for posting all of them. There were several last minute audibles I made due to constantly going back and watching them.
@@matttriestodothings man that’s nice as hell to say that. I appreciate it. I m glad if it helps anyone. I know they aren’t the most exciting videos to watch.
@@mmotorcycles9497 I think it was in one of your recent videos (Kawasaki tank I believe) where you talked about having to lay a clear down between decals so the transition wasn't so abrupt. It never really clicked with me until I put down the white tank decals over the black/yellow transition. There's a clear seam across the decal. Oops. But now I'll know for next time? hah Oh I'd say they're plenty exciting to someone that's interested in learning how some bikes end up looking so pretty.
I have an 85 VF500F that was a box of parts when I bought it. i have it together and running. I will contact the people who did your graphics to help me recreate the red white and blue color scheme. nice video, Thanks!
Getting one of those things running from a box of parts is no small undertaking. Congratulations on having it running! I mention "AFE Graphics" in the video. On their site they also advertise "CB Decals" which must be a sister company. If you go to this page here, you'll see the different color schemes they have available for the 1984-1986 VF500Fs. cbdecals.afegraphics.com/index.php?adminshopping=&cat_id=35 This page actually helped me quite a bit in being able to differentiate between the different years. 84 and 85 are quite similar, but there are some differences. Namely in how the "500" is displayed.
Thanks man. I appreciate all the help you've given through your own videos and especially all the answers to my questions over at VFRW. This bike isn't anywhere near this point without your help.
Great looking bike man, I am restoring a Bandit 1200 right now. I can only imagine how many hours you have into that bike working on it. Good to see an update from you.
Thanks William. As I'm sure you already know... everything you do on a bike for the first time takes 5-10x longer than the next time. Just a lot of research and redoing things. Hopefully the Bandit 1200 restoration is going well. I'd really love to try riding a 1200 someday. They sound so much more fun than the 600 (which I thought was fun) just from the hilarious amount of displacement.
@@matttriestodothings Ain't that the truth with regards to time. Another thing that makes a project take longer is having to order parts because you broke something or you noticed something else leaking on top of what you already fixed. I haven't even got to ride the 1200 yet, I bought it as a non-runner. My 600 bandit feels like a toy after riding my ZRX1200R though. Not having to drop a gear to pass anyone on the highway is great. I'd kill to have AC in my garage, the weather here in Florida is hot as balls so I can only work early in the morning before my garage is 90+ degrees. I really am jealous of your basement/garage space ha, ha.
@@williamfoster4268 I can only imagine what twisting the throttle on the ZRX1200R is like. A friend I met at the track allowed me to ride his ZX6R (public roads) and I couldn't believe how fast that feels. That was the only time I ever rode something like that. Wild feeling. It's like teleporting. The basement and garage I quite like. I empathize with you on the heat--spent two weeks last month for work in Fort Worth, TX in a warehouse without AC. That's just... really hot. However, get back to me mid february when I've forgotten what the sun looks like hah. We're in the golden months here in WI now!
@matttriestodothings I am not a fan of black color myself, but I like how you had a vision in mind and got it to work even tho bit sacrilegious and end result is pretty good looking bike!
@@PersonManManManMan oh that's fair. When I bought the bike it was spraybombed some canary yellow in a parking lot probably 20 years ago. It wasn't going to take much to make it even slightly more esthetically pleasing. I've got a VFR700F I've started a restoration on. We'll see if I end up liking the bike once it's rideable. If so, I may try to do an actual restoration to stock looking. It's roughhhhh now tho.
Brought it up to redline a few times at Blackhawk Farms last weekend! Had to keep reminding myself I want to short shift since these things can float valves if you're really pushing them. Just got back from a ride around town and its just about the only bike I actually enjoy riding on public roads anymore.
It's a fun bike for sure! I'm old now and don't push the limits like I did in my 20's..taking a 20 mile an hour exit ramp at 80 with both tires sliding! Scary but fun! I ride like an old lady now. Plus I live in PA..lots of hills and the pavement sucks and you never know what's over the hill or corners. Glad you are enjoying your bike! It's a fun ride for sure!@@matttriestodothings
They're very special. It's tough for me to be unbiased, but I doubt I could have ended up with a better bike to start with. There may be another '84 waiting out there for you.
My 3rd bike. Probably still my favorite. Long sold - noisy camchains i think. I've never seen a black and yellow Vf500. Nice. How did you go for spare parts if needed ?? Muz from oz
The black and yellow is a bit sacrilegious on the Honda, but I don't care. I like how it looks. Spare parts I generally have to go through eBay and just get lucky. There are some items you can find on parts houses (in the US) like Partzilla--but it's usually eBay. Luckily I haven't needed too much recently.
Hi, I saw your previous eposide where you put in the LOCTITE for the wheel bearings. How is it holding up ? I have the same issues with the wheel bearing just like yours, but Loctite has so many offering absolutely no idea which one to use.
So far, so good. I really don't think they're moving. In fact, if I ever have to replace them again, I think I'm going to be in for a real workout. Green Loctite, compound 680, retaining compound. This is what was recommended to me to use by somebody that knows a lot more than me.
@matttriestodothings thanks for your reply. I did some research after your video and found loctite versions which now makes me wonder 620, 638, 648, 680, 660 ha! Blows my mind. I seemed to me more baffled after finding the solution than being clueless on the first place 🤣
@@TheQriousOne 680 was the blend recommended to me by coworkers that race formula boats. I figure those lunatics probably know more about engine and drive system building than most, so it's what I went with.
@@matttriestodothings I'm actively looking. I had a new 84' VF700F when I was in high school. Just listening to it warm up when the choke is on is intoxicating.
@@MotorcycleMayhem595 That's awesome. I'm currently (very slowly...) working on a VFR700 1986 project. Non-running and really beat up when I bought it. I've got it running, but aesthetically it's a disaster. It's probably going to take me a while before it's roadworthy. But damn it sounds nice.
"Why not an inboard disk?" I'm not sure what you're referring to. Maybe you're talking about the VTR250 that had a front rotor disk "in board" a front housing on the front wheel?
@@pankaram442 Oh I do love the original RWB interceptors. Just not for this one since it's been yellow for my whole life. I do love my SV as well. I've never ridden a GPZ600 though. Not sure if I've ever even seen one to be honest.
