slowbird

Here is the finished product. Seb really does quality work. 😍

So I finally had a free day and got crackin on the clutch cover. Removing the clutch cover was a bit tough. It was really stuck on there, and I really had to yank on it to get it off. Usually I find the most difficult and tedious process of doing something like this is removing the old gasket material but it came off surprisingly easily with my new gasket scraper tool. After that it was time to pop off the old clutch plate and spring bolts. I inspected the clutch disks and plates and they seemed fine. The Clutch springs measured within spec but they had this strange yellowish goop on them. I thought maybe it was paint but it came off with some light scrubbing. 🤷‍♂️ I don't know. Now this is where I hit a bit of a road block. The bearing that sits in the clutch plate would not go in easily...and by easily I mean it did not want to go in at all. it came off the old clutch plate easily but I couldn't put it in the new one at all. I tried everything. Heating the plate and putting the bearing in the freezer. trying to smoothen out the inside of the plate. Light tapping....nothing. I ended up tapping it in there pretty hard. It was the only way. The bearing now feels a bit notchy when I spin it 🤦‍♂️ So I've buttoned it up for now and the bike feels fine, but I'll have to order a new bearing and polish up the old clutch plate and go back and replace them.

ooooooh yeeeeeah! I didn't even think about that, 😲 The large O-Ring for the window is reusable?

Sorry for the late reply. Been busy. Lots of great replies and helpful info. Thank you so much.😉 Good to hear that some of the clutch issues that were mentioned on here were much higher KM's than what I currently got. I'll take a gander at the plates when I'm in there and see if they look glazed 👍

You're right that it's not really "in there" but I will be "there" if you know what I mean. I'll already have the clutch cover off. I'll already have the 5 bolts and clutch springs out to install the nicer looking clutch plate and bolts. Changing the clutch plates and/or springs at that point is just easier. But is it a waste of money at this point

So I have been sitting on one of Sebs clear clutch covers for awhile now (not literally sitting on it of course) Now, before I install it I have been really huming and hawing over whether I should replace some, if not all, of the clutch bits while I am in there. For the record my 2000 VFR has about 66,000kms (41,000miles) on her. My ownership has been about 20k kms (13k miles) of happy life. It has had a few previous owners. I have an inkling that the bike may have been tinkered with in the past. Looks like it may have had a Power Commander on it previously. I think the o2's are disconnected. Airbox mods, Pipe, K&N air filter etc etc I don't beat on the bike and maybe WOT rip it hard once in awhile. I don't do clutch ups or wheelies or anything. A few years back I took her on a loaded road trip through America. It performed flawlessly on roads like Pikes Peak and Beartooth. (See ride report below) I can say that throughout my road trips and entire ownership I have never had an issue with the clutch (knock on wood) So I am currently stuck between 2 schools of thought. 1. Don't fix what ain't broke So in this case I'll just swap on Seb's clutch cover and be done. 2. May aswell while you're in there In this case I'll install new friction plates and clutch springs. The other option is to just replace the clutch springs. From my search on the forums it look as though when people experience slippage, the springs are usually the likely culprit, and they aren't very expensive. I don't plan on getting rid of the bike ever. What is everyones thoughts?

Really? Interesting. I haven't heard of any horror stories related to not changing brake fluid. It is a good idea though. I agree with ya there. They are what stop us afterall

Really? Oh. Hmmmm....just my opinion but I feel like 24k miles is a bit early to replace the coolant. Does the Brake fluid look dark?

What exactly does the 24,000 mile service entail? I find most dealerships, both cars and bikes, like to charge for them to "inspect" things, which some techs just do a cursory glance.

I'm just curious, what is it exactly about re-plumbing the brake hydraulics to de-link the brakes that you aren't a fan of?

Unless I was riding for a day or more I rarely rode with the bags on it. But after a pickup truck knocked over my bike in a parking lot, and the bags took the brunt of the fall, I always ride with them on. So they serve as both a great way to carry stuff, and giant frame sliders.

I'll have to attach my go pro to the back of my bike and get some audio

Hello fellow Popping/gurgling exhaust noises friend 😎 I'll come clean here too. When I was looking for a VFR I test rode a few 4th and 5th gens. I purchased the one I have now because the exhaust pops and cracks and I just luuvvvvvv it 😍 Sometimes when shifting gears a decent sized crack comes out the exhaust. When I'm slowing down in gear it burbles and pops. I don't know why 🤔 But it sounds heavenly. 💖 It has a 2 brothers high mount, The rest of the exhaust is stock. Still has the cat. It had a K&N filter in it. I swapped in a Pipercross and installed fresh non-iridium plugs and it cracked a tad more. When I had my 4th gen I did the PAIR delete and my exhaust didn't pop any less but, like you, I don't wanna do it to my bike and lose my pops!

It's my understanding that the PAIR system introduces fresh air into the exhaust ports to burn off any unburned fuel vapor/exhaust gases. The fresh air ignites the leftover fuel vapor in the exhaust. 💥 Whether the Fuel vapor gets in there by Fuel Injection or by Carburetors seem to me is inconsequential. 🤔 Back to my 4th gen, when I did the pair removal I bought a kit on Ebay with the block off plates and rubber vaccum caps. I only did it because I was dyno-ing the bike and wanted an accurate A/F reading.

I did the snorkel (iirc) and I definitely did the Pair removal on my old 4th gen and noticed no difference. Even the pops and cracks on Decel didn't lessen. 🤔 I did the flapper and snorkel on both my 5th and 6th gen and didn't notice anything. My current 5th gen has the flapper mod done but the Snorkel is still attached. Your mileage may vary

Very nice write up! Thanks for sharing.

I have been using the same Endurance tank bag for over 10 years. The stitching that held the magnets in tore after so many years and I lost a couple magnets. I loved it so much I managed to find a almost new one on Ebay and scooped it up. Here's to another 10+ years.

Welcome fellow Ontarionite. Post some pics of the VFR for us all to see

Great ride report! Makes me want to re-visit Ohio. I went about 8 years ago for a 2 day trip after hearing about the 555/Triple Nickle. I took my ol' trusty 4th gen with a top box and a tank bag. Started bright and early in Toronto, hit the border in Buffalo into the US and slabbed it to Zanesville. Then I took the 555 south till it ended at the Ohio river, and spent the night in Marietta. In the morning I took the 26 east. I don't recall what others roads I took but I do remember I took the 536 up to 78 (because I have a picture) I do recall the Ohio roads being a mix of "Wheee!" and "Whoa!". Gravel and dirty at times as you mentioned TimC. Also the 536 when I road it 8 years ago was real bumpy and broken up in places. I can totally feel you when you say these roads can be a 6/10ths riding pace. I very specifically remember one corner somewhere had signs showing that a hard right turn was coming, with arrows and caution signs pointing right....but the road went left. I though I had imagined it but when I went back through my GoPro footage I confirmed it. lol 😄 Very strange place Ohio. Thanks again for the report TimC 👍

Hi slowbird, Thank you for your donation of 10.00 USD. We look forward to improving the forums with your donation. Thanks VFRDiscussion

I have never replaced magnets in my tankbag but the ones in my tankbag are crazy strong and I haven't felt the need. 🤔 I'm surprised yours are weak enough to concern you