New to me 2001

[FromMaine]

Bought this at the end of July. I knew it had issues as it sat for 13 years.

Rusted tank

19 year old tires

Original R/R

Etc

But it only had 11.5K on the clock

So I spent a month cleaning the tank repeatedly, then treating it with Phosphoric Acid 3 times. This took awhile so in addition I built sliders/tip over protectors, went completely through the brakes, swapped my 8 spoke on to the rear and a new set of T32's, bobbins on the front axle just because I had them lying around, riding lights up front for Moose spotting, built some saddle bag frames and installed some longer heavier bar ends.

Its odd but the bar ends on the VFR are exactly the same as on my VF1000R's

After a couple of tests rides I took it on a 2800 trip down to VA,WV,PA upstate NY, VT NH then back to Maine

 

I did encounter some engine surging about 1200 miles into the trip, but I made it back north so I'll address that in a separate post.

 

Love the bike, a bit less sporty than my 3rd or 4th, but I bought it for touring, as my 4th has 114K and is showing it.

 

My only complaint, and its not really a complaint is the braking system looks like it was designed by a bunch of French plumbers on their croissant break.

 

First pic is off the trailer

Next, the tank.

Midway through the process.

Tank clean

My 3 red VFR's just because.

Slider/tip over protectors

Moose lights.

Bobbins.

Midway through building saddlebag frames.

Bike at the top of rt 250 near the VA/WV line.

 

[FromMaine]

Forgot a pic of the bar ends. Had to get creative to make them work.

Didnt mention it, but obviously painted the front rim white to match my 8 spoke.

[Captain 80s]

Nice addition.   Now figure out the surging and de-link ces stupides freins.

[Captain 80s]

What the hell is mounted on the upper cowl inner panel?   Nuclear launch button?

[FromMaine]

7 minutes ago, Captain 80s said:

What the hell is mounted on the upper cowl inner panel?   Nuclear launch button?

Correct, dont piss me off on the road. 😄

 

That is a temporary power point. It has 2 usb's and a cigarette style 12 v outlet. The usb's are for the gps as phone service is spotty or non existent in lots of northern Maine, The other to charge my phone when needed.

The 12 volt outlet is for my old fashioned air compressor as gas stations are spotty or non existent also. Since its is wired direct to the battery, I use one with a lighted switch so I know when its on. Its old and clunky, but the new unit I ordered never showed, out of stock.

 

[Rustty]

Very nice bikes you've got there, and the fastest colour as well 👍

Looks like you know what you're doing with the spanners and tools 👍

[mello dude]

20 hours ago, FromMaine said:

My only complaint, and its not really a complaint is the braking system looks like it was designed by a bunch of French plumbers on their croissant break.

 

Couldnt agree more!

[DrErgal]

22 hours ago, FromMaine said:

"the braking system looks like it was designed by a bunch of French plumbers on their croissant break."

You're my new hero!!! 😁

[rangemaster]

Nice collection. I have a 4th and a 5th Gen. What can you tell me about the lights you have on the front of your 5th that look like they are on/next to the forks. Nicely done.

 

rangemaster

[FromMaine]

3 hours ago, rangemaster said:

Nice collection. I have a 4th and a 5th Gen. What can you tell me about the lights you have on the front of your 5th that look like they are on/next to the forks. Nicely done.

 

rangemaster

The lights are just cheap chinese riding/fog lights. The lights themselves are surprisingly good and well made with a machined aluminum body. I bought them because they were small enough to tuck in under the front fairing, and not hit the fender when the front compressed. They are about 30mm dia, and 55mm length. The switch gear that come with them as junk though.

On your fifth, look at the turn signal, then look inside the fairing. There is a flat spot on the fairing with a screw head showing, this holds the turn signal in place, its a 5mm screw. Remove that screw, buy 12mm longer screw and a 12mm ferrule for mounting. The lights I used came with mounting brackets, I flipped them upside down, mounted the lights to the bracket, then held them up to the screw hole as I needed to drill a hole in the bracket to mount. Actually you have to drill holes either side of the bracket so a screw driver can pass through the bracket to tighten the fastening. Hopefully the pictures will help. 

I've added a pic of my 4th gen set up as you have one. Its a bit more complicated. But I have over 70K on it going through 4 sets of different lights.

1. Lights on

2.Mounting

3.Light.

4.Cheap lights that works well

5.4th Gen mounting

 

 

[rangemaster]

Thank you for your response, I appreciate it. 

 

rm

[Cogswell]

Nice collection.  The tank came our great.  It's too bad owners allow that to happen.   But that makes them cheaper to buy!