adkfinn

Here's the link to the service manual, fyi. Also - the hoses you have blue taped in the earlier photo are the hoses you use for the starter valve sync and, if you look closely, they are numbered for each cylinder from the factory.

All told - 35k miles is nothing for a VFR, that mileage wouldn't even phaze me if I was shopping. One thing worth asking the owner of the 35k mi bike is whether or not the valves have been checked (even better if he can prove it), since the maintenance interval for this 'expensive to have a shop do it for you' service is 16k miles IIRC and this bike should have def had it done at 32k mi even if the earlier interval was skipped or missed. I paid $2k for my 1998 with 25k mi in very nice condition a couple of years ago (in New England fwiw), but I scored a bit of a deal if I do say so myself. 5th gens sit for sale on Craigslist and FB for months with asking prices ~ $3k. I agree that your $5k bike is probably above market price, but like others have said 'buy the best one you can afford' especially if you aren't looking for a wrenching project.

I second all this. Stompgrip has made an immeasurable improvement of the bike/rider interface on my 5th Gen. Tons of grip for my knees, between this and a Sargent seat my body is much more planted and I completely cured that 'sliding into the tank' feeling I had with the stock seat and no side grip. I use a generic carbon fiber tank pad to protect from paint damage from zippers/etc. There is a 'Stompgrip is cheating' thread here or on VFRW that covers this in more detail, including what Stompgrip fits well and how to trim it (there is no custom cut option for the 5th Gen). Edit - I see that you have an 8th Gen, so my comments about what will fit are null, but the feel/experience with Stompgrip is still relevant.

I like the bronze of the 8th Gen a lot. In fact, I would like to have bronze wheels on my red 5th gen. Funny how we tend to want something different than what came as factory. If they all came with white wheels how many folks would be painting them black? My guess is quite a few...

I installed Jamie's BD40 rear shock and BD20 fork cartridge kit on my 5th Gen this season. They are amazing, completely transforms the bike and the fit and finish is top notch. More here -

They are still made and available from most aftermarket windscreen brands - Zero Gravity, Givi, MRA.... Not sure where you looked but revzilla has some options - https://www.revzilla.com/parts/1998-honda-vfr800-interceptor#page=1&sort=featured&limit=96&facets[]=2403&price=&price_min=1&price_max=1549&is_new=false&is_sale=false&is_made_in_usa=false&has_video=false&is_holiday=false&is_blemished=false MRA - https://www.mrashop.de/com/model-based-products/honda/vfr-800/bj-98-01/ PUIG - https://puigusa.com/en/tuning-motos/windscreens-for-fairing-bikes/racing-screen?bike=5962 edit - Powerbronze also makes a taller windscreen in what appears to be a large variety of tints/colors - https://www.powerbronze.co.uk/honda-vfr800f-98-01-420-h117.html

This was exactly where I was at also. I have no regrets about the chain size, the only thing I am still curious about is trying 16/45 next time around, since 17/45 wasn't a drastic change and I think it could be geared a bit lower still.

You are correct, the gear change was noticeable and due to that I can't attest to changes felt moving from 530 to 520 since it happened at the same time. I have about 1k mi on the new 520 setup and I will say that it performs just fine, no issues. I think that DID specs the chain I am using for bikes up to 1200cc, so our little, 20+ year old 782cc is well within the chain's tolerance, even comically so.

Brief suspension update now that I've ridden 500 miles or so - The DMr setup front and rear is amazing, it truly transforms the bike from stock (especially for 200+ lb riders like me I suspect). Install was seamless and Jamie's initial setup based on the info that I sent him feels great. The bike is so settled at lean compared to before, it is uncanny. For me, the differences are so drastic that I feel like I am re-learning how to ride this bike. Behavior is improved across the board. No more brake dive, no more wallowing and shifting in corners... it is just settled, stable, and predictable. I am looking forward to riding it more and fully dialing it in.

No worries, no offense taken, just wanted to clarify my plans for the headlight. Also, I missed your earlier question - I have almost 28k on my bike.

Jim, I can't speak to normal operating temps in FL, but if the history and service life of your thermostat in unknown or questionable I'd suspect that it might not be opening all the way. When I bought my bike it was just the reverse, the tstat had failed open and was resulting in cooler than normal operating temps at speed and slower rises in traffic, at stops, etc.

The superlites at the top of the page I linked are steel, fyi. Mine is holding up fine but I only have a couple thousand miles on them so far. Maybe someone else can chime in that has used a few sets of them up.

Jim, not sure where you looked but the 45T rears are available - https://sprocketcenter.com/street-sprocket-applications/honda/vfr-800-1998-2001.html I agree with your thoughts and when I installed a new chain and sprockets I went with 17/45T and also a 520 conversion. I like it, I'd almost gear it a little lower to be honest, it still seems like a lot of gearing for street riding.

RossR, I am very familiar with Daniel Stern Lighting, he is a great resource. I think you misread my post though - I am planning on installing true, high quality bi-xenon projectors and HID bulbs, not just HID bulbs in the halogen reflector (something that I haven't and don't have plans to do). Also, part of the reason I am upgrading from the LED bulbs in the stock housing is due to glare. The light output of the LED's I have installed is pretty damn good, but it isn't as well controlled as I'd like. The retrofit I am planning should bump the light output into the 'outstanding' range from 'pretty damn good' and also will have a much sharper cutoff, eliminating any glare/dazzling effect for oncoming traffic or vehicles/bikes in front of me. I have retrofitted and upgraded the lighting in most of my vehicles over the past 10 years, this isn't my first rodeo.

I don't think anyone meant to come across as too harsh, mostly just having a poke. I think most people consider this small batch replica header to be a different animal than a production piece, hence the different expectations. The 'other guy' actually took way more guff in another thread, but you both seem to have weathered it just fine. If we all agreed all the time this place would be pretty boring.