J800VFR

Hi, I've just done an oil & filter change on my 1999/2000 VFR800 FiX. The Haynes manual says it requires 2.9 litres of oil for a basic change an 3.1 litres if the filter is also changed (which I did). With the bike on the centre stand, i filled it so that the oil level was in directly between the lower and upper levels on the sight glass, which took almost exactly 3 litres and then I ran the engine for a couple of minutes at idle. The level then dropped, which I assume is when it had filed the new filter. I then shut the engine off and topped it up which required another 300ml of oil. However; I may have added slightly too much oil as it's now just on the upper level in the sight glass instead of between the two levels. Also I notice that when I restart the engine the level in the glass drops down blow the minimum line. Is this OK?

Hi, that wouldn't be Peter Thruscott by any chance? If so then I remember being in the club way back in 1998 and going to you shop down in Goring-by-sea Worthing which became Sussex Rolling Road with a dynamometer tuning system. I had a 1998 VFR800 FiX which was one of the limited edition 50th anniversary UK editions with the red, white & carbon paint scheme and other mods. I still have a near identical VFR800 bike, albeit with Ohlins rear shock and a few other mods. Best regards, Tony Howard East Grinstead

Sounds like either one coil is faulty, but that's an easy part check. Just swap it with one of the other cylinder's coils and if the problem moves to the cylinder where the suspect coil is now fitted then the coil is the problem. Otherwise, if the problem persists with the original cylinder then it might be an issue with the ECU

I replaced mine with stainless steel (A4 or A2) allen head bolts and washers. These are easily available from many hardware shops, online or from specialists such as boat chandlers (A4 is marine grade stainless steel, also known as 316) A2 (also known as 304) is not quite as rust resistant as A4 but has a higher tensile strength, which isn't important for the tank bolts but can be important for other locations where strength is important such as engine or suspension mounts.