Mystery fork caps

[RhodeMoto]

Just acquired a 96 4th gen. Possible replacement for a 91 3rd gen that I have been working on. Have some issues with the new one. Picked it up for a "bargain" as it is leaking gas on start up. Hoping to be simple o-ring or float? If this works out, will have VFR with fewer miles and plastics in excelent condition.

Just getting a good first assessment before tearing into carbs.

Tonight's question:

What are these forks capped off with?

Flush black plastic? No visible means to remove?

My 3rd gen has hex nut caps, and is my understanding that 4th gen should have adjustable pre-load caps.   

[COS_VFR]

There are spacers under the handle bars to raise them up a bit. There are tubes added to hide the fact that the handlebars have been raised and the caps cover the tubes. You should be able to get a  utility knife under the lip and pry them out.

[RhodeMoto]

Thanks,

Ahhhh,...I had seen what looked like a spacer. Was going to measure and compare to other bike. So what has been done, raised bar height but ride height/rake is standard? 

These spacers must thread into tubes where caps should be. What caps and retains spring now? I assume they must now have fixed pre-load spacers.

I am pretty comfortable with previous bike and standard bars. Will most likely convert back. Will after market adjustable caps work, or need OEM?

Anyone have a pair?

There are some mods that have been done by original owner. That knowledge has been lost as he passed away. I purchased from 2nd owner (6 yrs) who used as is. 

More mysteries to find.

 

[MBrane]

My 94 had those same risers on it when I bought it. Those caps are strictly cosmetic. The original fork caps are underneath. Simply remove the black caps, and you will see.

[JZH]

It's a bit dodgy to use those caps, as you're basically decreasing the clip-on clamping area by half.  That would make me uncomfortable, but I'm sure most people experience no problems.  However, many VFR riders raise the forks in the triples by 5-10mm for more nimble handling, so if you do that, too, you can ditch the cosmetic caps and get back to full clamping on the clip-ons.

 

Ciao,

 

JZH

[RhodeMoto]

Thanks to all.

Limited time for investigations since picking this up. 

Duh,....popped a cap off and all is clear!

Think i will remove risers and set to normal to start. Then experiment with dropping front for quicker geometry.

I am transitioning from an old but fast and fun Yamaha FZ600. Handling on that was effortless.

Again - thanks to all. I will attempt to do due diligence in future before crying help!

Now,...about that gas leak. Any ideas?