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Hello again fellow Vifferini! Some of you may have read my long winded story here of getting back on a VFR after a 15 year absence from riding. I then posted the clean up thread here about that bike. Since purchase I have put about 10,000 miles on it having an absolute blast riding around the fine state of Utah, USA. The warm weather season is short but we do have a handful of excellent roads with endless scenery. The bike is set up just like my first VFR and it runs perfect. I couldn't be happier with it. Well, the plot thickens...which is to say I tracked down and bought back my original VFR. The one that I bought new in Northern California back in 2001. Yes, my actual exact bike, VIN #00089. Turns out the internet can be an interesting and effective tool. I actually got in touch with the owner a couple years ago but he wasn't ready to sell at that time. Finally, in recent weeks he let me know that he had upgraded and would sell it back to me, and at a very reasonable price. I was more than pleased, and my teenage son and I made plans to pick it up two states away in California. Not wanting to drag my small open trailer 1800 miles there and back, I wondered if a motorcycle would fit inside the wife's minivan. The Google machine quickly confirmed that I was not the first to consider this, as I found multiple pictures of various bikes shoehorned into spaces more commonly filled with soccer moms and soccer kids. That said, we had to test before the drive just to be sure. After some general measuring I figured that if we removed the windscreen and mirrors from my current VFR, we might be able to load it through the side door, which is exactly what we did. "Easy does it. Left a bit! Watch the ramp!" Success! Even got the doors to close with room to spare. Took it right back out and put it in the garage, neighbors shaking their heads, unsurprised at my usual shenanigans. So with that confirmed we made our way out to CA to pick up the original machine. Let me say this, one-on-one time with your kids is absolute gold. While going to get my old bike was cool, 20 plus hours in the car with my son was the real highlight of the trip. He's a fantastic kid and we had great time making new memories doing something that wouldn't make sense to most people. We arrived just after dark at the seller's home after a full day's drive. It was great to meet the gentleman and trade a few stories. I pointed out the small scratches on the clutch cover. "Yeah, that was me, trying to put it up on the center stand one day wearing flip flops and it slowly went over on it's side on the driveway. Not my first bonehead move." It was so cool to see that it still had every mod that I had installed more than 20 years prior, save the Sargent seat, but I'll just use the one from my other bike now. Looking over the bike further I noticed that he had the db killer installed on the Staintune, something I never used in my ownership. "Have you heard it without the db killer?" I asked, reaching for my set of Allen keys. "I didn't know you could remove it." he said. A few seconds later I had it out and fired up the bike inside his carport. Let it warm up for a bit and then gave it a few mild revs. "Whoa you can't have it now!!" he said jokingly, "I should have removed that a long time ago!" We both got a laugh. Every VFR guy has their favorite pipe, an uncorked Staintune is mine, though a period Micron is a close second. The Staintune look and sound just can't be matched. I removed the windscreen and mirrors, having done this exercise once before, and we loaded up the bike in the minivan. I strapped it down securely using the factory seat anchors and several ratchet straps. It was almost as if the van was made for this type of thing. We journeyed back home and put the bike in the garage, with some new memories and a new chapter to start. Seeing double, this looks familiar. The more recent left, modded to resemble the original, right. It even has my original plate on the back as plates stay with the vehicle in California. So what now? Get organized, make the punch list. Gotta go over everything to see that it is clean and up to spec. Fluids, charging system, brakes, etc, a nice winter project. The seller provided me with some receipts of maintenance he'd had done recently at a shop near his home. New plugs, valves checked (all in spec), new coolant and brake fluids. Mentioned an issue of stumbling in lower revs that the shop couldn't rectify. Also mentioned a slight coolant leak on the left side and a dent in the left radiator. Interesting but no worries, I have time to look over everything and make it right. When I sold the bike in 2006 it had 26,000 miles on it. Now it shows just 39,000 miles. I can live with that. In general it looks to be in decent shape still, just needing to be gone through a bit. I first removed the side fairings to have a look at things underneath. Hmmm...of the 18 or so fasteners I removed, only 3 were correct and all were finger tight or less. Luckily you can still order the correct ones from Honda. It's clearly been down on the left side at some point. The coolant leak is from an epoxy repair attempt at the bottom of the reservoir. Actually glad to see it's not from the engine casing as the reservoir is easy to replace. Odd repair though. The left rad is indeed dented on the bottom and the bracket bent slightly, though it is not leaking. It will work until I can get another one. When I removed the tail fairing some of the tool kit fell out of the left side, clanging onto the garage floor, and there is a small crack on the left of the tail fairing at the franken bolt insert. Yeah, it's definitely been down. But....(and it's a big but), whomever dropped it did put on an OEM side fairing so that's a win, and everything else I can deal with quite easily. I also took a chance to check voltage and saw 13.70ish at idle and a solid 14.44v at 4,000 rpm, right where it should be as far as I understand. I'll keep an eye on things once I start riding it later. I made a list and ordered a bunch of fasteners and a new coolant reservoir, OEM oil filters and fluids. Just going to take my time and enjoy it. More to come. Cheers, Justin

Yeah, "Powersports" is the word for many motorcycle dealers now, particularly the non-cruiser ones. But hey, Honda still creates some cool bikes! Johann Zarco's LCR Honda bike was just revealed, and as an RC-51 rider I just love the livery. (apologies for the hijack)

Well, the motorcycle show is here in Toronto this weekend. Debating on whether to go or not. Do I waste $20 on parking and $22 to get in. I always leave disappointed. But since I'm a gear head I need my fix of being around motorcycles. Last year with Kawasaki and other manufacturers missing the show was sad. I left the show thinking If i brought my storm trooper VFR and placed it on a stand it would have been one of the best looking bikes there. LOL. Motorcycling in Canada is a becoming a joke especially how many bikes we do not get here in Canada as opposed to Europe.

Alright misfits, time be now for another group ride. Due to the time of year, and considering some riders may be tiring of Mines Road, I suggest another coast ride. (always up for alternative routes if anybody cares to suggest one.) Weather permitting, February 24, 2024 we meet at Starbucks, 260 Northgate Drive, San Rafael 94903. We ride over to Pt. Reyes Station and up the Pacific Coast Hwy. Lunch in Elk, and back down CA128 to Cloverdale. We top off the ride at the world famous Hamburger Ranch; those up for more fun can continue on CA128 to Calistoga and Winters. The last time we tried this ride did not work out so well, so let's hope for clear weather and decent roads. If the weather is questionable, we'll cancel; nobody wants another soaking like we took last time. But you never know, this time of year in Northern California could make for a memorable ride. Hope so. Kickstands up at 8:30 AM. Hope you can make it. Jeff J.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hx9cdQhZRkooUYyJ9

Ah Padawan, much to learn you still have. 😆

It will be the best looking bike in 10th or 12th place. LOL

I'm not sure that bike is going to compete any better than the last 2 years to win the Ducati Cup, err, MotoGP title.

Perhaps they could help you write the apology letter for messing with us

I'd start afresh and shout it new sprockets and chain, along with all the normal maintenance items, fluids, plugs, air filter, oil and filter etc. I'd also dive into the electrics, solder up all the grounds in the dreaded orange earth block, solder the stator lead wires to the R/R and its output connector, upgrade the R/R if needed and make good the Main Fuse B 30amp fuse holder and wiring. I did most of this last winter, just after I got the bike, also went through the front end ( bushings, dust seals, rotors pads ) and settled on Race tech springs and rates suggested by the Capt. ( one of the best things I could have done, what a difference in the front end ) also tore down the motor to the cams and checked all the valves, surprised to find they were within spec, removed the PAIR system while I was in there, rebuilt the clutch slave cylinder and flushed all the old brake fluid out ( clutch and brakes ), had the injection system cleaned and replaced all the water cooling hard line O rings etc., surprised how bad they were, also new thermostat, I would never have guessed it by running the motor but the old one was stick wide open, new coolant, plugs etc This winter I want to check out and update the rear systems such as chains and sprockets, I doubt I will pull the rear axle system as it rotates fine for chain adjustments and the bearings seem good I like to think I have had a lot of different bikes over the years but this 99 is better feeling than even the 90 VFR750 I have, a keeper for sure

My 1990 VFR750 petcock was leaking. In my case, leaking from both the petcock body as well as through the outlet when the petcock was turned off. After reading a bunch on the forums I learned that it can be rebuilt. Some threads that were helpful: https://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/forums/topic/87331-petcock-body-leaks/ https://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/forums/topic/82877-3rd-gen-fuel-petcock-o-ring/ Should have got the kit from NRP but I decided to homebrew it. I thought I could add to the discussion here by providing details. I recommend the following Viton o-rings. Petcock to fuel tank: 24mm ID x 2mm wide, quantity one (not sure if still available as OEM? Disappeared from Honda p/n’s on revzilla, partzilla etc. but I found the size on one of the forums) Side plate to petcock body: 29mm ID x 1.5mm wide, quantity one Internal seal: 7mm ID x 1.5mm wide, quantity one (two if you are fastidious) (FYI I used 7mm ID x 2mm W and it was a little big, I’d recommend go down to 1.5mm W) Shaft seal: 7mm ID x 2mm wide, quantity two *If turning your petcock “off” doesn’t stop the fuel flow to the outlet after you rebuild, you’ll also need a new spring about 0.9 wire thickness x 9.5mm OD x 10mm L. You might have to try different springs depending on how firm or soft the new spring is, but this is what worked for me. I got it from this kit: https://www.amazon.com/Compression-Assortment-Stainless-Different-Individual/dp/B0BL7RYQ27/ref=sr_1_4?qid=1707004725&th=1 So that’s the short version! If you want pics and step by step keep reading!

Reassembled and was disappointed to find the petcock dribbled from the outlet when in the “off” position. I think this spring is old and tired. Replaced with a stiffer longer spring. It's a little harder to switch the petcock on/off but that seems to be what it needs to seal. Success! No leaks now!

Post pics of FJ! 🙂 I had three of them before making the move to a '99 VFR years ago. Still have some FJ ABS stuff for sale.

Let's start! I'm jumping a bit back and forth to get an overview as to what is lacking and what needs attention other than what I already know. Let's start suspension and exhaust. Matris suspension upgrade done, no issues. I'm sure this will cure the seasickness that comes with a 24 year old bike! Vtr1000 lowers replaced the vfr's and cbr954 brake setup will be put in its place. Not to mention springs are now Viking sized instead of Japanese lightweights. Both suspension and brakes will be a "temporary" upgrade while figuring which way I want to go later. There is a pic of one alternative I have collected last year at the bottom. The headers installation was not that straight forward ( pun coming) There could be more straightness (pun inserted) added to this project. Every piece of pipe/flange had to be forced in place. I wonder how that jig was produced... The welds are not that great (looking) and it has NOT been purged while welding. A great upgrade to flow and longevity - but could have flowed better with purging. You can clearly see how intrusive the old gaskets are on flow. Great to get rid of! One of my priorities on this round is to save weight on every piece i touch and remove unwanted features. I cut all i could of the centerstand/shock Mount and binned the center stand. I never used it and never will. 1.95 kg gone - I wish it was almost 2 kg removed from higher up on the bike but it's hp/kg focus. More numbers will follow as the Winter diet continues!

How about this one, it was 11 separate roundabouts and this is the current version

Does Honda even sell motorcycle anymore in North America? My dealer, showroom inside looks the same...