need help with identification please

[VMAXMARK]

Hey guys- I just picked up an '86 and it has some unique features I havn't seen before (this is my 3rd Vmax 540).

First off it has a ski widening kit on it - I've never seen one before and was wondering if this appears to be a Bender kit? (it does have a Bender decal under the hood.

Secondly it has some kind of "tips" inserted in the slide rails- two on each side. I believe they are probably some sort of lubricant injector for the slides but they no longer have any hoses attached. Again- I have never seen anything like this.

Thirdly it has air brushed graphics on the hood- not decals.

This all leads me to believe this was some sort of race sled at one time or did someone just modify it??

The guy I bought it from told me he bought it with a couple other sleds and he didn't know anything about it. He also gave me a story about he just got it out of the shop and had everything gone over, carbs rebuilt and new gas lines. I can confirm the new gas lines but thats about all I see that was done because it runs like crap. It was barely running on two cylinders when I test drove it so I told the guy I didnt want it because I knew how expensive these motors can be. Then he dropped the price $200 so I hesitantly agreed and brought it home. It was 150 miles away and I hated coming home empty handed plus I'm hoping the widened front end makes it worth a little more.

Anyways any information you guys might have would be appreciated.

[Bob Vehring]

If you haven't allready ,post the Vin number to Chuck, he has a long list, maybe someone else has registered this sled allreddy.

I don't know if theres anyway to document weather the widening kids was from BENDER, it was easy enough to fab up without anything special. Lots of people did it.

Yes, looks like rail luber kit, again easy to do, drill a hole through the rai;s, pound in a cold rolled pin, hook up a tank hose and pump, some of my sleds have it.

Air brushed graphics, well, all my sleds have them, that was the day job for 30 years

[VMAXMARK]

Something else I noticed- it appears to have a primer knob below the temp gauge. Is this stock or something else that was added? What is the proper way to use the primer- a few pushes and then choke or no choke at all?
I've been sick with a nasty cold so I havn't felt like messing with it but am asking about obvious things I've noticed so far.
thanks again.

p.s. I did forward the VIN number to Chuck and no it wasnt in the current list

[Bob Vehring]

Looks like a primer to me. Many race sleds use those instead of a chock or enrichment valve set up.
How much will depend on the jets that are in the carb, (you better check because other things have been changed) and how cold it is

[tyler440]

in my opinion it isnt a bender race sled because even tho it is reliable they would have removed the oil injection to save weight... unless that oil tank is filled with lube for the slide rails.... i see where a 9 sticker was removed from the side panel and possibly a 1 also.... factory race sleds were 19 and 91 but anyone can put numbers on, and i did last week hahaha... looks nice and wide and for 200 you did good... ill but it for 300 easy as long as the motor isnt blown up (make sure you dont get excited and blow it up because the carbs are dirty)

[VMAXMARK]

I hadn't even thought about it actually being a Bender race sled - I just thought it might have a Bender widening kit. I thought the race sleds were red and white.

Here is the craigslist decription :"With in the last month I have had both carbs rebuilt, new fuel line, new choke cables, new windshield, new carbides. And a complete tune up." If this is true maybe it just has a fouled spark plug but I doubt I'll get that lucky. I emailed the owner this morning to ask if he checked compression and what his idea of a tune-up is.

By the way I didnt get it for $200 - he lowered the price by $200 because I told him I didnt want it. I actually paid $500 which is a lot but the last VMAX I "refurbished" sold on ebay for $1900 a couple weeks ago.

I was sick on the couch all weekend so never got a chance to check the sled out but will soon and I'm sure I'll have more questions.

[tyler440]

oh i thoguht you paid 200... $500 still isnt bad as long as you dont have to rebuilt the motor... check the compressionand if it is good then i would say you did good... if if it isnt you still have a pretty complete sled there some of the main areas of wear are not in the pictures but it looks pretty good

[VMAXMARK]

The sled is in pretty good shape overall- it's been banged up and most likley ridden hard. The windshield is broke, (bought a new one for $58) the hood has a 5" crack on the left side, the left side hood hinge is broken away and it has a flimsy replacement rear bumper. All cosmetic stuff that can be fixed so as long as the motor is good I'll be happy.

I noticed it has decals that read " Quik Shift Magnum 90 series clutch" I've never heard of this clutch and can't find much info on it.

[Vmax540]

Bender, Reichards and I am sure others made wide kits back in the day. Show us more pictures of the engine bay and especially, the clutches. Sled seems as though it was well set up ! Note the greese zerks on the TSS links and the allen head bolts on the pan ! Hope you get feeling better soon !

[VMAXMARK]

Whats the purpose of the allen head bolts on belly pan? (besides looking cool)

[eaver420]

Whats the purpose of the allen head bolts on belly pan? (besides looking cool)

way easier to remove than the stock flat and philips head screws so id guess its been raced

[tyler440]

what allen bolts are you talking about? im confused

[VMAXMARK]

These bolts:

[Vmax540]

Looks like a another version of Comets low cost Duster clutch only MFG. by Road Iron ? I'll bet this is where the poor running is comming from ?
http://www.barrheadmotorsport.com/produ ... d=10376947

[VMAXMARK]

I took the side cover off and it does not have a "Quik Shift" clutch - it actually appears to be an old plain Jane Yamaha clutch. Bummer- I was hoping to find a super duper race clutch.