PICS Wife's Project 1986 VT500C

[TxShadow49]

So, the wife decided she would like her own bike. Found an 86 VT500 that I talked the guy down on. Was running when he parked it outside 4 years ago. That was the story, but I knew even if everything he said was true, it would still take a lot so I didn't budge. He agreed we made a deal at 400 bucks. So I trailered it home and you can see the pics of it on the lift after removing the seat, tank, rear fender and sissy bar. Friday I got a new battery and soaked the pistons with Marvel oil. Saturday I put the battery on it. After turning it by hand I tried bumping it over with the starter button. Sounded like brand new. Blinkers worked, Headlights and Taillights worked. Key does feel kind of gummy though. Any tips for that? Today I took off the carbs have them soaking, took off the rear fender peg brackets, they looked like the sissy bar when I took them off. I cleaned them with scotchbrite green pad and pinesol and then polished them. Already ordered her some new mirrors, turn signals, kuryakyn knock-off ISO grips. Going to paint it in a Shadow ACE style with the base color as Charcoal and the other color Metallic Pink. We'll see how everything turns out. I had never messed with carbs before, but with the help of several threads on this site I decided to remove them. I haven't decided if I am going to take them apart yet or not. I might just have a mechanic I know handle that. We'll see. Here's some pics.

On the lift







Dented tank

Ugly Sissy Bar

PegBrackets After cleaning
Peg Brackets after Polishing

[dernp]

I'm sure the bike will look awesome when you are done. Good luck with your project.

[still_bluenoser]

Your wife has a great bike!

[Brandan86]

Im following this, I too have a 500 and live in San Antonio. I plan on tearing my bike down sometime next month.

[Coop]

Good luck! Make momma happy and proud!
Coop

[7s1amma7]

Do yourself a favor, if your mechanically inclined at all learn how to work these carbs. They are simple as long as you dont split them appart. Do one side at a time and if you get confused you have the other side as a reference. biggest thing is just be careful not to strip the jets or screws. use the correct screw/new screwdriver.

Good luck with the build, amazing how durable this stuff is mine was in about the same shape and everything on it functioned like brand new.

[-AJ]

cool project.

have you tried squirtin' some wd40 in the key switch. after ya do that ya just gotta keep workin' with it should loosen up. my key switch was kinda gummy feelin' on my mini trail and it cleared it right up.

[ernie12b]

Looks like a winner. Do you have the side covers? I assume you are getting new tires front and back. Keep us posted please

[TxShadow49]

Originally Posted by 7s1amma7

Do yourself a favor, if your mechanically inclined at all learn how to work these carbs. They are simple as long as you dont split them appart. Do one side at a time and if you get confused you have the other side as a reference. biggest thing is just be careful not to strip the jets or screws. use the correct screw/new screwdriver.

Good luck with the build, amazing how durable this stuff is mine was in about the same shape and everything on it functioned like brand new.

I went to Harbor freight got their 6.5 gallon parts cleaner/soaker basin. I love this thing. fits on my work bench has a lid is lightweight and everything. Kind of weak pump but that's ok, it works for what I'm doing. Anyway I removed them and soaked them in pine-sol for 2.5 days. Melted the gunk away. I am not going to tear them all the way down right now, but if this didn't do the trick, I am going to take them back off and tear them down myself.
Before

After

Originally Posted by -AJ

cool project.

have you tried squirtin' some wd40 in the key switch. after ya do that ya just gotta keep workin' with it should loosen up. my key switch was kinda gummy feelin' on my mini trail and it cleared it right up.

I always worry about putting WD in key cylinders, because of gumming up stuff. But given the condition, I might as well try it.

Originally Posted by ernie12b

Looks like a winner. Do you have the side covers? I assume you are getting new tires front and back. Keep us posted please

I have the side covers. It has a new back tire, and a new front for that matter. But the guy had it sitting flat for I don't know how long. I am trying to get it to seat, but its so bent and creased that I may not be able to. I was hoping to air up the front and use it around the garage until I was done and then load it on the trailer take it to the stealer and have them install a new front. They are having a deal right now 1/2 price tire if you bring it to them to install. That is why I was trying to remove the axle I was talking about in one of the other threads I had. I will probably try tp take off the axle and tire tomorrow and try to air it up off the back.

Other new work last night and tonight

Removed the rear peg brackets and cleaned and polished them
After cleaning, Before polishing

After

Biggest aesthetic change so far-The Backrest

Before

[TxShadow49]

After