BLIGHT

Thanks for the info... I can see clearly now the rear header tubes are carbon steel up to the joints. I forgot they had the 2 clamps there.... I was trying to see how Honda had welded carbon and stainless successfully. I've never tried it, but I hear it's possible using a compatible filler like 309L SS between 304L and carbon steel. Clever to put your 3rd 2 into 1 collector inside the lunch-box! Nice work! BLIGHT

Those little chambers are on the OEM VFR1200 headers. I think they are resonators since they have a perforated inner tube. They can be eliminated or left in place with little or no effect on performance. Honda uses them on many of their motorcycle header systems. Not sure who built these pipes, but they are stockers simply with the cat chamber removed, and a 2 into 1 S.S. collector welded into it's place. They also welded in a single O2 sensor after that final collector. Nice! BLIGHT

Very nice work!!! But why keep the catalytic box, unless you want to stay "green"? Even if you gutted it, it's still not the best for power production ...no scavenging in the box. Just one more two-into-one would give that final bit of efficiency I would think...that's what the aftermarket NC30 and RC30 pipes had IIRC One more question... isn't the whole system stainless steel already?

This is how I would de-cat (below) with adding a third 2 into 1 collector.... not just gut the cat chamber like some have done. .

Thanks... I've tried 3 or 4 different muffler styles. I think it was a DanMoto GP style you were referring to. (curved outlet on the megaphone) I usually buy my mufflers on AliExpress, a sort of Chinese ebay for manufacturers. Decent quality stuff at low prices. All of the mufflers I've tried are pretty quiet with the 'db killers' (baffle) inserted. However, with the baffles in, the VFR1200 really takes a hit on power output. It's quite noticeable. So, for max power I settled on the current pipe shown above without the baffle... loud V4 snarl and nasty sounding but I like it a lot... with earplugs. Someday I'd like to eliminate the cat-con and put a 2 into 1 collector in it's place. If you look at the cat-con it has 2 inlets and one large outlet. I bet there is some restriction in the converter with the exhaust gas having to go through the honeycomb catalyst material inside. I know... it would 'harm the planet'... but not as much as my Kawasaki 500 two-stroke triple! Or a small volcanic burp. BLIGHT

Thanks.... good to know!

Did any of those photo links above work.... anybody? Just curious. I may need to use PhotoBucket or another service for forum posts. BLIGHT

Try this one: https://goo.gl/photos/durS4rK1PNoysrbj6 And this one: https://goo.gl/photos/qCuSXswTboL51f7x5 Thanks.... hope these links above work. Google Photos keep changing their 'share' methods and I'm totally frustrated with them. It shouldn't be different every time I go to use it. BTW, when are you going to make a Rapid unit for the VFR1200? I have a Bazazz plug-in unit for the 1-2 gear power limitation removal.... works well, except the gear indicator shows 3rd gear in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Also put in a plug-in unit (enrichener) that connects to the airbox temp probe and has an external temp probe mounted in the airstream. Really wakes up the bike, but I KNOW there is correct fueling and ignition map and ECU for this bike that would make it totally outrageous. It already has 95 ft-lbs of torque which is monstrous. Guess I don't really need more power. BLIGHT

Hmmm, try this link to mo pics: https://plus.google.com/photos/107171422769758768095/albums/6299980649163107665 Also, here are some left exit pics (different muff): https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNzKgbbGsGfxM3SgjKngDJtOwbq89mtxpYZDOn5 I had to lower the muffler on the left to clear my OEM hard bags... I had it on there at a more jaunty angle before I got the panniers. There is no muffler 'clearance' pocket on the left bag so I had to make a heat shield and drop the muffler a couple of inches. I can't bob the fender (as much as I'd like) because those rectangular holes are where the bags hook on. I did unbolt the unsightly OEM license plate bracket and made my own... just compare the pics to a stocker and you'll see what I did. BLIGHT

Thanks! It's not for everybody, but it looks nice with the silver bodywork IMO I had polished wheels on my 91 VFR750F years ago, and it was a beauty! I still miss that little 750! BLIGHT PS: Photo doesn't really show the shiny wheels... I'll look for another!

Hi Guys, I bought a set of used rims for my VFR1200 on ebay and had them chromed. I like the look, and think they make the porky VFR look a lot lighter and a bit 'sportier'. Here's a link to some more pics: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOA-Kns44H9K-5_rvWlNM-ofCDvUTB07zoBE9an Major chicken strips, just put the new Conti-Attacks on, and rode around the block before the photos. BLIGHT

All of those things should be taken into consideration when choosing which dealership to purchase your next new bike from. The recall states to bring the bike in for inspection. If the prop shaft fails inspection a new same part will be installed so that you can use your bike. When the counter measure part is available you will be called to reschedule an additional visit to have that part installed. If you do not want to do this then the lack of having your VFR available is on you. If your dealer does not want to do this I am quite sure the regional Honda rep would like to discuss his responsibilities with them. I bought the bike from a private party with 4500 miles on it. No dealer was involved.So... Honda's brilliant plan is to put in the same weak part and it's suddenly OK to ride? Well... at least until the new, improved stronger part comes in March? Come on... this is just plain foolish. Just don't ride it with the original design shaft whether it's a replacement or the original. Just be smart folks, and wait until the 'countermeasure' part (i.e. a better, stronger design I would bet) comes, get it installed, and ride safely. I'm not dropping it off for repair twice..that's ridiculously inconvenient! This whole thing is being handled very poorly by Honda Motor Corp. on one of their flagship bikes. BLIGHT Honda issued a recall for which most never even knew a problem existed. You don't trust their advice to bring your bike in for inspection, why are you trusting the new part is good enough? Member Dae in Korea is the only VFR1200F drive shaft failure I've heard of while many people have put 10's of thousands of miles on their VFR1200 without incident. Not nearly enough instances of failure to consider not riding. IMO True this. I've got over 31K miles on mine and no issue with anything mechanical. Of course, since the recall notice, I now hear and feel all sorts of noises and vibrations. I do trust that HONDA knows what they are doing, yet at the same time believe they want to minimize their financial cost and risk exposure to their clients. I'm sure a few heads have rolled at HONDA HQ. Yes, it's true, I choose not to replace a proven faulty part design with a brand-new faulty-designed part. It's just a silly thing to do in my opinion, really just a 'band-aid' intermediate patch. I'm waiting for the final-design part, which I'm sure is undergoing horrible torture-testing in the Honda labs as we speak. I remember back when Firestone-Bridgestone had a bad design in their automotive tires. Multiple tread separations and folks were getting killed. These were OEM tires on many GM, FORD and MOPAR vehicles. Firestone had a massive recall for owners to come in for replacements. They didn't put the same new Firestone tires on, and say "Come back again when we have some better ones and we'll fit you up". They stepped up and offered the customers the option of another brand of tires, or a new set of new Bridgestone tires that were not involved with the recall. That doesn't work in this case, but you can see my line of reasoning... and you needn't agree with me. This is an open forum where we can all share our experiences, thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. I'll check back after my VFR1200 is finally fixed. Good luck to everyone here, and I hope no one else gets hurt with this mechanical issue. BLIGHT

All of those things should be taken into consideration when choosing which dealership to purchase your next new bike from. The recall states to bring the bike in for inspection. If the prop shaft fails inspection a new same part will be installed so that you can use your bike. When the counter measure part is available you will be called to reschedule an additional visit to have that part installed. If you do not want to do this then the lack of having your VFR available is on you. If your dealer does not want to do this I am quite sure the regional Honda rep would like to discuss his responsibilities with them. I bought the bike from a private party with 4500 miles on it. No dealer was involved. So... Honda's brilliant plan is to put in the same weak part and it's suddenly OK to ride? Well... at least until the new, improved stronger part comes in March? Come on... this is just plain foolish. Just don't ride it with the original design shaft whether it's a replacement or the original. Just be smart folks, and wait until the 'countermeasure' part (i.e. a better, stronger design I would bet) comes, get it installed, and ride safely. I'm not dropping it off for repair twice..that's ridiculously inconvenient! This whole thing is being handled very poorly by Honda Motor Corp. on one of their flagship bikes. BLIGHT

Well, it's February 1 in another day...still not a peep from the local dealer since I contacted them a month ago. I'm am on the wait list for the fancy new driveline parts. This is a ridiculously long time to 'ground' the bike voluntarily. The thought of the rear locking up at any speed is disconcerting. I have 'cheated' a bit... and rode it a couple of times around the block to keep the battery up. I live in a area (not by accident!) that allows year-round riding, Monterey CA area. It was almost 70 deg F a couple of days ago. Rather than take out my favorite bike, I had to ride a lesser motorcycle in my stable. That just has to be OK for me to accept, but what about someone that only has one motorcycle? NO offer to pick up or deliver the bike from my stealership.... it's up to me to do that, and that's damn inconvenient. Requires me to have my wife follow me on the limping bike in her car to the dealer. They fix it hopefully, and then 'repeat the process' in reverse with one angry wife... certainly not 'Lexus' customer treatment, although the VFR1200 is certainly priced like one! BLIGHT

Well, it's February 1 in another day...still not a peep from the local dealer since I contacted them a month ago. I'm am on the wait list for the fancy new driveline parts. This is a ridiculously long time to 'ground' the bike voluntarily. The thought of the rear locking up at any speed is disconcerting. I have 'cheated' a bit... and rode it a couple of times around the block to keep the battery up. I live in a area (not by accident!) that allows year-round riding, Monterey CA area. It was almost 70 deg F a couple of days ago. Rather than take out my favorite bike, I had to ride a lesser motorcycle in my stable. That just has to be OK for me to accept, but what about someone that only has one motorcycle? NO offer to pick up or deliver the bike from my stealership.... it's up to me to do that, and that's damn inconvenient. Requires me to have my wife follow me on the limping bike in her car to the dealer. They fix it hopefully, and then 'repeat the process' in reverse with one pissed off wife... certainly not 'Lexus' customer treatment, although the VFR1200 is certainly priced like one! BLIGHT