Leaderboard

Today is the last day I am riding in 2020. Starting Mileage Jan 1 was 43131. Looks like the total for the year is 29028 Miles.

Counting down 2020

Here's my vote for you to restore/keep the airbox flapper mechanism in its original configuration... Why? Because there are two types of people in this world: There are those who understand that air acts like a fluid, and there are those who do not understand. Can you guess which group does "the flapper mod" on their 5th Gen VFR800s? On the 5th Gen engine (being a non-VTEC engine) the dual-track intake system has a definite function, and even better than being functional it (the dual-track intake system) makes great sounding noise. You (the rider) can hear the bike's airbox/intake horns/throttle body hit a hard resonance as the RPMs go over 7,000. Then the airbox flapper opens up and the resonance noise happens again at about 10,000 RPM.

Today's short 250k run and some Fuel Economy stats - After a total of 434.8k's since my last fill, took on 17.48 litres which calculates out to 4.02ltr per 100ks, backs up what the avg/L/100k. indication is displaying at 4.0. Always amazed at this bikes fuel economy and tank range. (Sorry for the blurry Instrument Panel pic I had the sun over my shoulder). And No, I don't ride at snails pace! Photo is near the old gold mining town of Chewton Victoria. This is a tribute (wood carving) to a local guy Rod Hadfield, a well known Street Rodder and T-Model Ford enthusiast. The dog appears to be far more interested in my VFR than the old T-model, nice doggy! Cheers.

At your service! I got mine from Dimple in the U.S. (below). They have a different shoulder than OEM - I was skeptical at first, but they work fine, no leaks or backing out. The one compatible with the 8th gen, presuming it's the same as for G6 is pre-drilled for a safety wire, which I decided to begin using after getting the appropriate pliers last year. You'll need a new crush washer at each service (they'll be roached and not reusable) so order plenty, or go on Amazon or ebay if you don't have a local supplier. I've used both aluminum and copper washers, either work fine. I got my copper ones on Amazon in a bag of 50. These things are crazy strong. They really hold on to things. Worth considering are the oil filter magnets, shaped like hockey pucks. The VFR gets 3 staggered from bottom to top - all my other vehicles 2. They're not terribly expensive. I had a magnetic plug in the CRV, Camry and 4Runner, but there was never anything on them, so after I ran out of crush washers I went back to the OEM plug and just use the filter magnets on the cars. It's the bikes that produce the swarf that these things catch. All the ones I've seen them in do it. I suspect it's from the gear box - that's the major difference I can think of between the bike and car engines. IDK why manufacturers don't put them in bikes - car gearboxes, either auto or manual and differentials seem to typically have them. https://drainplugmagnets.com

This article, posted in another thread a few weeks ago, besides just being an interesting read, on the 3rd page has some real world empirical data points on how this courier (dispatch) rider got his 3rd gen to ultimately reach 852,000 miles on the chassis before it finally had had it. The first engine lasted 440,000 miles and the 2nd was at 412,000 when he retired the bike. He also touches on what he did for chain maintenance and tires. None of his practices may fit your situation and he was unusual, doing long stretches at a time so the number of cold starts over miles ridden were likely way lower than the average rider who does maybe 3,000 to 5,000 miles per year. But as pointed out, oils now (as well as other ancillaries such as tires and even chains) are so much better than they were 20+ years ago that you can't go too far wrong at all with your choices. Regardless, it seems likely that we will wear out before our engines do! Something that I started doing 3 years ago was to install a magnetic drain plug in the sump. I encouraged a couple of friends that I assist with maintenance to do the same - one a KTM and the other a Kawi. I'm somewhat amazed at how much sticks to the plug during an annual service, which can be in the 4,000 mile range down to just 1,500 in a lockdown shortened year such as 2020. There is always a black ball on the end of it. If I use a heavy paper towel to wipe it off and keep it centralized, I can turn the towel over and use the magnet to pick it up, so there's no question it's magnetic and not just the usual buildup of oil contamination over the miles. Regardless of the oil you use, a magnet can keep that out of your rotating assembly. I also have two magnets I apply to the outside of the filter. Upon cutting one open, I found the same - two black dots on the inside of the can where the magnets had been. I got mine from Dimple but there are likely many sources. Rare Earth magnets will be the strongest and may catch more of that than Chinese knock offs - hard telling. Britains highest mileage rider.pdf

So today went for a ride in the "mountains" around here, and ended up at Pinchot State Park. Met my wife there and we took the pups for a walk. Was only in the mid 40's really but my VFR didn't seem to mind...

Don't bother looking for an original shock. They will all be well past their sell by date. No one can rebuild them and not economically viable either. I know , I tried. Your choice of aftermarket shock is quite wide. After much research I went with a YSS rear shock . I am very pleased with it. I have had bikes with Ohlins / other high end shocks and I have absolutely no qualms giving the YSS shock a recommendation. Quality is excellent , beautifully made and went straight on with absolutely no issues. I am not lightweight , about 105 kg. I find the shock works admirably . I bought mine from Brooks suspension . They gave me excellent service and can recommend them. When I spoke to them about it, they thought I was working on a track day / race bike and their comment about YSS was " surprisingly good ". When I told him it was for a VFR 800 Fi road bike he said its all you will ever need. I am not sure what else I can tell you about it. Some pictures of mine just after fitting it.

Not only can you get very good mpg from a VFR but you can do so with 89 octane (US), the bike doesn’t need premium unleaded. I’ve easily achieved 50 mpg on my sixth Gen.

Indeed, and though not the most popular view around these parts, the 8th Gen is the best VFR800, with the Crossrunner of course being the pinnacle of 8th Gen development. 😜

I have not run the bike since repacking the exhaust can. The next time will be when I sync the carbs, I’m waiting on a warm day here in Northwestern VA. to do just that. Can’t wait to hear it. I hope we are allowed to post links, let me know if not. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ED8QTJ6/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_track_package_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like the SH775 for its smaller size. Unless I'm racing bike, I'm not going to be constantly at redline and over RPM limit of SH775 anyway. This is also used as OEM Polaris 4012941 which you can usually pick up at breakers for $50. Also don't have to worry about optimum mounting & airflow or extra heatsinking. Since it only flows as much power as being consumed, it's always cool to touch at end of ride. Stator is that cool as well. When making wiring for RR, don't use bare brass terminals. You'll end up replicating factory OEM faults and those connectors will corrode over time and increase resistance and heat up connection. I prefer to always upgrade to better-than-stock specs and solve issues forever. So at minimum, get tin-coated connectors, and pre-tinned silicone wires if possible. Crimp, solder and adhesive heat-shrink wrap all connectors. It's done this way in pro-motorsports, aerospace and military wiring for performance, durability and reliability. Planes have fallen out of sky due to poor wiring. If it can be done better, I prefer to do it. If you re-do fuse-B, I recommend upgrading to bolt-on MIDI fuses rather than stock ATO/ATC blade-connectors. Larger contact area and tight bolted connection can conduct up to 200a without heating up.

The video below is from Jack at Roadstercycle who seems to get good reviews and sells only the Shindigen R/R's. The 1st 10 mins or so are charging system basics which may be redundant for many. At about 10:30 he starts in about "why you would choose one or the other" and at about 11:25 he specifically mentions the 775 and why you would / wouldn't use it. I had thought it would be attractive due its smaller footprint than the 847, but after what he points out about its use on higher RPM bikes I'll probably stick with the 847 when I get to doing that mod this winter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXbZZZWLtzY

There are others, but just found that one in a hurry. 👍

JZH is spot on, there is a manufacturer in Thailand of after market suspension parts for bikes. Here is a link to their Australian subsidiary and the shock for the 98-01 VFR. YSS Australia - Official YSS Importers for Australia YSS Suspension Australia (yssaustralia.com.au) I have no experience with them so you should do due diligence as far as quality, fitment, reliability, etc. I know at least one member here bought one a few years back, but I can't remember who or for what bike. Good Luck.

Ok despite the earlier rumor, er post, that I was probably done for the winter. I said screw it's 39 out can't be that cold and went and did some minor errands on the vfr. I think she appreciated it greatly. Of course while running to get my wife a few things I had to blow some carbon out, I mean carbon build is bad for the engine right? Wasn't much riding around, maybe 15 miles in total but my gear is fine, layers is a lesson i learned many moons ago. I do have heated grips but didn't even bother with them nothing was extended long enough for me to worry with it. In my previous riding life I never would have ridden when it's this temperature, I blame my VFR it told me to take her out... 😛

Here are my stats month by month . Purchased my 2014 VFR800D off the show room with less than 10 mi on the odometer. Here are my stats for each year. 2017,2018,2019,2020. The left column is miles. Enjoy.

As some of you may recall, I had planned a motorbike trip from Townsville to S.E. Queensland back in July. I still haven't gotten around to doing a ride report, too busy transporting all the goods everyone is buying on the internet during this bloody Covid outbreak (I am happy to have a job though!!). This will probably be done in one day at a time but I will try to be prompt with further installments. I am no Wilbur Smith so don't expect too much. My mate Andrew and I were going take a couple of weeks off to ride to the Gold Coast to go riding with my brother-in-law Grant. Unfortunately Andrew was only able to get 1 week off so a shorter trip with just Andrew (Suzuki V Strom 650) and I was planned. However a few days before our departure Grant, who has had the same 1979 Bonneville Special since he bought it new in 1979, turned up on my doorstep. He had decided to ride to Townsville and join us. Much to our surprise he had bought a new bike (his first in 40 years) although it was no surprise that it was another Triumph, a 2013 Triumph America. He still has the 79 Special of course. Day 1. Sunday morning we left Townsville heading for Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands a distance of 342km, a pleasant Sunday ride. First stop was Cardwell for a coffee. The route we took turned off the Bruce highway at Silkwood, where the road winds its way through cane fields and farming country through Paronella Park at Mena Creek and South Johnstone and joins up with the Palmerston Highway. The road is a little narrow but much more interesting than going on the Bruce Highway to Innisfail and then up the Palmerston. The Palmerston Highway is a very pleasant ride with mainly long flowing corners. We had a quick photo stop at Crawfords Lookout. Home for the next few nights. A great place to stay if you tour the tablelands is the Malanda Falls Caravan Park. Small room with a double or two single beds. No air conditioning, but it is normally a few degrees cooler than down on the coast. Small bar heater for winter. Toilet and shower block located just to the right. Very friendly owners. $50 a night. Malanda Falls, located about 200 mt from the cabins. Good swimming hole in summer. Had a quick trip up and down The Gillies straight away, what a great motorcycling road, a little busy on a Sunday afternoon, though it doesn't look it in this photo. Had dinner at the Malanda Hotel, great meals, very friendly. Had a few quiet drinks at the cabins to finish day 1. More to follow.

Well better late than never, sorry for the long delay. I have finally got a few days off so I will attempt to finish this ride report. Day 3 was spent riding around the Atherton tablelands. This area is fairly elevated and as a result is always a bit cooler than the coast, so it makes for a very pleasant days riding. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos this day, but to to give you an idea of the country I have attached a few photos from the net (yes I know that's cheating) This is Lake Eacham, one of two very picturesque lakes located very close together, the other being Lake Barrine. Milla Milla Falls, one of the many waterfalls on The Atherton Tablelands. This is a good example of the terrain. We also visited a friend who lives on the Atherton Tablelands and likes to find and restore old Kawasaki's, something he is very good at!!! These are his current examples. Once again Day 3 was finished off with dinner in Malanda and a few drinks at the cabins. Day 4. We had originally planned to travel to Cooktown and stay overnight before heading back the next day. unfortunately we had a great deal of trouble finding any reasonably priced accommodation so we decided to go up and back the same day, a distance of 317km each way, exploring Cooktown and surrounds would be saved for another day. Had a great ride up to Cooktown, the road is pretty boring with the exception of a couple of small ranges. The landscape is pretty spectacular though. The view at Bob's Lookout (the first of the above mentioned ranges) Self explanatory. This lookout was at The Annan River just short of Cooktown, looking north towards Cooktown. Annan River. Black Mountain. Much more impressive viewed in person. And finally we arrived in Cooktown. It has a very spectacular setting with some great views. After a quick ride up and down the main street and some photo opportunities we had a light lunch. it was while refuelling for the return trip that things went a little south. While lifting the bike on to the centre stand my foot slipped off the centre stand peg and the bike fell over hitting the corner of one fuel bowser on the fuel tank and just hitting the corner of the adjacent fuel bowser on the headlight. Needless to say my language got a little colourful. My only excuse is that it had been raining and the ground and my boots were wet. I also think I have become a little complacent putting the bike on the centre stand, it's a very easy operation but we should remember VFR's are fairly heavy bikes it only has to lean away from you a small amount and its impossible to get back. Anyway lesson learned (the hard way) The words of the couple at the Daintree Lookout were ringing in my ears. The result!! Some of the fairing panels on the right side of the bike had popped out of place but all pushed back in to position and didn't move during the ride home. Unfortunately when inspected for the insurance claim a few plastics had to be replaced as the brackets inside were cracked. Frame sliders, brake pedal, new headlight, new tank, new panels ect with labour came to a little over $6000!!! (labour was $800) I now park my bike far enough away from the fuel bowser so if the worst happens again it only hits the ground. This is the first time in over 40 years of riding that I have dropped my bike while moving it or putting it on the centre stand, hopefully it's the last. I would also point out that while the headlight did end up with a small crack in it, the damage would have been far worse if I had not fitted the headlight protector. If I did not have insurance I would have been able to continue using the headlight and save myself the cost of replacement, which for those who don't know is a little over $2000. The trip was still very enjoyable despite this mishap and I am happy to report that the parts finally arrived from Japan last week. I gave them the bike on Thursday and picked it up about six hours ago. All's well that ends well I guess.

DAY 2. Malanda to Cape Tribulation and Return. . After a slow start to the day, we headed down the Gillies once again. Turned North at Gordonvale and rode through Cairns heading towards Port Douglas. We stopped at Ellis Beach just North of Palm Cove for brunch. Very nice bar and grill here with views out over the Coral Sea (not the greatest Photo sorry) Next stop was the Rex lookout about halfway between Cairns and Mossman. I came close to getting run over while taking this photo, what I thought was the exit lane from the parking was actually the highway, I know I'm getting old (that's my excuse anyway) We then rode through Mossman to the Daintree River ferry crossing. This is very cheap for Motorcycles only $11 return. Despite the light rain the rid to cape Tribulation was very pleasant. The road is fairly narrow but sealed and in reasonable condition. There are lots of camper vans ect so it pays to stay tight in the corners. There are several good lookouts on the way. While parked at this lookout a couple approached me and commented how nice my bike was, they asked how old it was and I replied four and a half years, WOW they said there's not a scratch on it !!! (you know where this is going but more on that later) We continued on to Cape Tribulation for a light lunch and a cold beer before heading back. Decided to take a photo of the VFR on the beach not far from Cape Tribulation. The sand was very hard, still needed a pebble under the side stand though. I wasn't worried about the sand or salt as I rode very slowly and it was raining lightly for the next 50km or so (still got a good wash when we got home) The Daintree River is not somewhere you take a refreshing dip in. It was a then a quick ride back to Malanda via the Rex Range, another great motorbike road. Just be careful of the sugar cane haulers in season. We rode approx 450km mostly on twisty roads. After a quick shower we again headed to the Malanda Hotel for dinner and a few drinks (not sure if I mentioned earlier but it is only a 5 min walk from the Caravan Park) It was a great day for all involved.

Turned 90k miles on the dial today. No valve checks, on my 4th stator, 3 sets of CCT, original RR. This machine starts within 1 or 2 revolution, runs smooth, pulls hard and strong. Of the 90k miles, 85k are mine. Bought it in '08 and loved every mile I put on it. Looking forward to hit the 100k mark in a couple of years or so. Enjoy your VFR everyone, it a great dependable bike.

Well, I could not right the bike by myself... The petrol station proved closed..... But luckily, a drunk (yes at 7am on a Sunday; I could hear Johny Cash starting to play in my head ) staggered past. Unable to communicate (my Latvian or Russian language skills are zero), he pointed at his chest and shouted "Popeye!!" I gave him a tenner (probably good for 10 bottles of vodka...) for his help... 4 hours later, an oncoming car took a left turn w/o seeing me. And that finished my 4th gen (and my trip) off....