Project 31, a 1986 VFR700 F2, came back to life yesterday. This California-spec bike was treated to the usual carb cleaning and tweaking plus removal of all the emissions hardware, including removing the PAIR lines.
Before I even think about trying to sync a set of carbs on a project, I confirm that the valves are set and the compression readings indicate a healthy engine. But, when I removed the valve covers on this engine things got a little "sticky."
Before I even think about trying to sync a set of carbs on a project, I confirm that the valves are set and the compression readings indicate a healthy engine. But, when I removed the valve covers on this engine things got a little "sticky."
These photos show the result of applying RTV sealant to gasket surfaces — the next guy gets to clean it all up, but the real risk is the excess RTV getting squeezed into the inside of the engine and, if dislodged, can circulate with the oil, clogging passages and potentially damaging the engine.
Here we see a ring of RTV from the valve cover hold-down bolts which had fallen onto a cam cap when the cover was lifted free. Fortunately, I was able to retrieve all eight of these rings before they found their way down into the gear drive cavity.
Here we see a ring of RTV from the valve cover hold-down bolts which had fallen onto a cam cap when the cover was lifted free. Fortunately, I was able to retrieve all eight of these rings before they found their way down into the gear drive cavity.
Next, I had to pick out all the tiny bits of random sealant pieces in and around the valve covers — here's some of the debris from the front cylinder head and the tweezers I used to retrieve it.
Beyond the potential for engine damage, this was a time-consuming task and completely unnecessary — the rubber valve cover gaskets don't require any sealant, much less this stuff.
Beyond the potential for engine damage, this was a time-consuming task and completely unnecessary — the rubber valve cover gaskets don't require any sealant, much less this stuff.
Eventually everything was cleaned up, the carbs refitted, and the magic button brought it to life. After warming, the carbs sync-ed nicely and we have another great-running VFR:
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