Lion

I bought a Doh last year for a trip to San Marino (Rimini really but San Marino sounds much more posher) with the missus. Great bike for carrying a load of stuff and a lovely riding position but so under-powered it had to go as soon as I got back. I get a bit of jip in my Cilla too. Bought a V-Strom and a Tiger a few years back but they didn't stick around long either. Had the VFR for 20 years and although I keep threatening to chop it in for a more comfy ride, I've still got it and even been out for a blast today! Sorry I can't contribute much to the thread but reading it through has helped me out a bit as well as the OP.

I've just replaced the seal and piston in mine because I had the same problem. I actually change the friction plates and once put back together, the clutch lever would not move - locked completely up! I ended up popping the slave piston out and it was pretty cruddy. There was some odd gold coloured stuff inhabiting the rubber seal. I figured it's a 20-year old bike so was worth replacing the rubber. After I cleaned the old piston up, I saw it was pretty badly pitted so bought a new one. Because of the way it was scored, it actually looked like the push rod was binding and making it turn. If it wouldn't retract by hand I would really advise you to get it serviced. It's an easy job and I'd be happy to share my photos and give you help 'if' you need it.

At first I thought this thread was about an amazing trade-up of a VFR with a 'blade. May I ask what benefit you get by swapping the shock? Thanks

Maybe if you could post a short video of you trying to start the bike, it might help with lads identify what the problem could be by hearing it turning over. I wonder if you have an electrical fault (fuse)? What actually happened in the crash? Where was the bike most badly damaged?

I'm going to go with Michelins next time I change mine. Have always stuck by the Dunlop Sportmax which were fitted to my 5th Gen. when I bought the bike. When I had the YZF it was shod with Continentals and they were absolutely superb in the wet. I also used to ride in the UK year round so had them during cold wet days and can highly recommend them. I sometimes wonder how I stayed upright at times on the M2 & M25 during rush hour but put it all down to the decent boots on the bike.

Wow, thanks for all the welcome comments! My bike is a 1999 model that I bought in 2000, an FiX and it's certainly black, not green. I never considered the position of the bobbins before so thanks for the alert, I may move them to the lower bolt hole if that makes more sense. @ Wera910, I'll be heading to the twisty roads pretty soon. The roads around Neu Schwanstein castle are pretty sweet so that's where I'll be for the next few weekends. @ Whitelightning - I'm in Munich, about an hour from Augsburg. which is a lovely city. Are you there for work or play?

Hi Gang After a good few years without using my bike, I finally got around to re-registering her in Germany last year. Used it a few times last year before stalling in the underground car park at work one morning and subsequently finding the starter button not able to bring her back to life. Rectifier knackered for sure. New unit and VFRness already on order from Wire My Bike. In Germany biking is a seasonal thing, no sod bothers to use their bike in winter (unlike in the UK where I'm from) so I'm looking forward to becoming a biker again in 5 days from now. New sparks plugs, air & oil filters are on ready for the season ahead. Here she is in all her splendor, minus the mirrors: Cheers!