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The header issue just pushed me into getting the VFRD header, which I really wanted, anyway, so I could polish it out to match my Staintune. The pics speak for themselves.

Ducnut that pic is nuts, I'd be steaming if I paid full boat for a professional coating and it failed in that amount of time. Yikes, that is too bad. Also - I second the rec. for Evaporust! I have a few gallons of it kicking around and it is good stuff. I haven't used it on anything as large as a header, but I've had great success with it on smaller parts / hand-me-down old tools / etc... The fact that it is less caustic and non-toxic makes it much nicer to use also.

Sorry it took so long to reply, but I wanted to update the thread. I'm back home and my VFR seems fine. The seal turned out to be ok, but the shaft was the problem. It had become scored where it contacts the seal, and the pressure behind it was high enough to cause the leak. I'm going to order a new shaft, and when I change it out, I'll reflip the old one to see if I can recreate the leak. At least it's all sorted out for now, and I'm sure glad we didn't have to perform any major surgery. All in all, very strange, and unexpected for a vfr.

This was my issue, not rust. The coating simply failed. I can't chalk it up to a bad product or an obvious flaw in my process, so I am left wondering. It does seem that others have had a similar negative experience with the products I used. It happens, live and learn. I'll re-do it in over the winter and give BBQ paint a try, or even stove black - that stuff seems to stick like crazy. I sanded, acid etched, cleaned, and painted an old wood stove with some run of the mill 'stove black' and the result has been both beautiful and lasting.

The cost of the Akrapovic exhaust for the V4 is over $5K USD and ~8hrs of labor to install it. They’re solely banking on the Ducatista ignorance. I’ll stay in my cheap seat.

Good point about Ducati dealers. Mine is only 25 minutes south of me in San Rafael, but I believe that the next dealer north is in Portland! And wow, they do charge a premium! There is just this assumption that if you buy a Ducati you are filthy rich or willing to spend the rent on bike, service and accessories. Quoted me 50% more for a set of tires out the door compared to my independent guy down the street, for example. I'm sure you will be very happy with the boxer BMW. Five years ago I spent two weeks riding an R1200RT, one of the first liquid cooled boxers, and was very impressed, just a little too much on the touring side of sport touring. I looked at the BMW RS, KTM SD GT (great bike but ugly!) before getting the Ducati. Always have to post a photo of course...

I used to have have a specialist VFR motorcycle business in the UK back in the mid to late 1990s, so did alot of these. However was a while ago now and am a little rusty but will see what I can remember. I think everything has been mentioned that you need to check to be honest. The charging system on the RC24s are prone to failure as the regulator/rectifier is not really good enough, so keep an eye on that side of things. And also the emulsion tubes in the carbs should be changed too, they may look ok but they can be an issue. And as mentioned, strip and clean the carbs, especially make sure the jets are clean and diaphragms not damaged or squeezed. Soak overnight in brake fluid and they'll soften up and come right. If they are hard or not fitting properly could explain the poor running when you try and open the throttle. And always balance the carbs when the engine is warm. From memory the front left is fixed, the others you adjust to match that one. Cooling pipe running at the bottom of the V is an issue, so make sure you cover it to save burnt hands! Oh yes and of course, get rid of that mickey mouse mod to the airbox!!!!! Good luck with it. I have a 1988 VFR750 I bought new and still have, just covered 220,000 miles and stripping it down to check it over. Needs rings, maybe! What a great bike and very underrated in this era of speed and technology. If they are looked after, they'll do the miles no problem.

You won't be disappointed. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Joe @v4dreams.com has a photo study in dealing with the carbs, I rebuilt my RC24 carbs recently and that was a major part of my toolkit

I recently found a great carb kit company outta texas in the US for all the carb parts for the V-4s. Great service, complete kit and good communication. I"ll try to find the name and get back to you. If you decide to rebuild the carbs (and i'd recommend it if you are keeping the bike). the top tier kit is pricey at $150 bucks or so but worth it in the end. Wish i could remember the name. https://billysoutback.com/carburetor-rebuilds.html?mode=list

I for one don't mind waiting and appreciate the update and continued efforts. 👍

I think the only real difference is the exit where the link pipe fits on a 6th Gen is about 5/8" shorter for easier fitment, but they're otherwise identical.

Give in to the Dark Side! It is your Honda VFR Destiny 😉

I’m partial to W.i.L.D. Headers ( for Wade, Lance, and Darryl)

Size matters... check ID & OD dimensions. OEM sized exhaust gaskets do squish and stick out into the exhaust gas stream with these headers. That’s why Lance and Darryl sourced the larger diameter Delkevic gaskets to help optimize the performance of these headers.

I'm definitely more of an over man, myself. Oops, wrong forum...

I've always tended to place the split against the head as I've seen thin headers open the gasket up and then they burn. My 2 cents worth Phil

I've ridden one a few times. I was really close to buying one this year because they're like a VFR but lighter and with better suspension. I didn't pull the trigger because I couldn't stomach the maintenance costs at this time. 😞

And that’s the crux of it. I think it’s more of old slippers than leather shoes though. After so many kilometers on my 5G, I just know what it will do. I no longer have to think about it, it just comes natural. In my last Phillip Island trip I badly lost my front end, as it locked up and went full lock to the right on a very fast right hander, I was too eager with braking into the corner. I never panicked, just went off the brake and accelerated, the bike just recovered and it kept going around the corner. Nothing like feeling as one with your machine. But im also a realist, bikes are just so much better now. Theres a reason why Multistradas have taken out Pikes Peak so many times.

2013 Triumph 675 Street Triple R What a hoot of a bike. 107HP, 51ft-lb of torque and 189kg/416lb wet. The steering is super precise, I still don't know how this bike turns, you just look at the corner exit and the bike is already heading there. The suspension is first class, even with my 5G updated suspension it can't come close to how good this bike is. Nothing upsets it, heavy throttle, ripples mid corner, braking, off camber, the bike just holds a line like it's on rails and does so without being harsh. Braking is also spectacular, stoppies are a breeze (not that I intentionally tried). That motor is full of character, the offbeat sound of that triple and the induction noise when you open the throttle with purpose is seriously addictive. It really gives the 5G sound a run for its money. It has great torque from 3500rpm onwards, and will easily out accelerate the 5G (and I'm running 2 extra teeth on the rear), specially on overtakes with not much room. Hit 7000rpm and the bike becomes a different beast, it just howls but starts to run out of puff as it nears the 13,000rpm red line. It is also super smooth with a very slick gearbox. The whole package is very tight and the quality of parts and finish is up there with Honda. The sitting position is much more upright, the seat to peg placement is like the VFR, but because you sit up it feels a lot less cramped. As expected, it has no wind protection, so long trips get a bit tiring. But the upside is a much quieter helmet as it has no turbulance. I normally only wear a tee shirt under my leathers here all year round without a problem, but on this day on the STR I felt the cold (it's mid winter here and it was 19°C) The strange thing was that I got a sore left arm on a 200km ride, not sure why but I would need to change or adjust the very wide bars if I was to own one. The bar end mirrors are only there to pass inspection as they were absolutely useless. It was running Rosso III's and you could not make a tyre that suits this bike better (I also use them on my 5G so I know very well how they behave). It was a great day and I had some serious fun, I'm seriously considering the new 765R as an option to replace my 5G, but I've never owned a bike without a fairing which holds me back.