Just bought an 85 VF500 as a beginner bike. The bike keeps shutting off after idling too long. Any ideas on the problem?

Nate

 

Could be carburator setting
could be rusted gasoline tank
could be bad spark plugs as well (which i doubt)

 

i am not sure if i understand you correctly, but bikes aren't meant to sit and idle. i think that bike is water cooled - is there a temp gauge? is it overheating? it might be overheating and not show it - its a 17 year old piece of machinery.

 

I've got one, and let me tell you, they run hot. Ride it and you'll be fine, but sit in traffic and the thing will overheat quickly. You may be getting it hot enough to vapor-lock the carbs, since they're between the V (V4 motor) and soak up LOTS of motor heat...

 

It dosen't over heat. If I turn it on and ride it up the street and put it in neutral the bike will turn off. Its relitavley easy to turn back on, and it will happen again until its fully warmed up. Then it will only happen maybe once.

 

Worn out pistons?

I remember when i messed up my pistons, when the motorcycle was cold it wouldnt idle at all. but when it warms up, it would be relatively ok.

 

How did you mess em up?

 

What's your idle speed set to?

 

Didn't even think it had an adjustment screw. Does anyone know where the screw may be located? I dont think that would be the case though. only because it does idle normally on occasion.

 

Idle adjustment screw is between the front 2 carbs, facing forward. You can reach it best from the right side of the bike...though it's annoying to adjust when the motor is hot. Normal idle once the bike is warm is 1500 rpm.

 

do those carbs leak at all? they could be gummed up or letting in air or something.

i hear those carbs have issues at this age - and they are a real pain to work on cause they are down in the V so i bet they've never been pulled and properly reworked.

 

It was a two-stroke motorcycle, and i ran out of 2-stroke oil. ive done that twice

dumb me

 

Thanks Meept. That was definatly the problem. Seems like the screw was loose to the touch. Doesn't 1500 RPM seem to high though?


[Modified by OnlyNod, 1:19 AM 5/31/2002]