Stéphane

Thanks for the easy to understand lay out. I guess I was a bit mistaken. Having said that, it's because of the Big Bang engine that they probably came out with this for the street. My understanding of the Big Bang was the engine fired 2 cylinders within 70˚, then a long pause. I didn't realized that it was all 4 within 70˚ then a very long pause! That's why the RC30 doesn't really qualify as the big bang, but as a variation leading to it. Thanks again for shading some light!

I know most of you probably have your copy of RiDE Magazine, Sept. 06 with the special on VFR. After reading the post from "air horns" and reading my manual, then the magazine, it downed on me that we might have a variation of the Big Bang motor that made its debut in an RC30. Before I put the article down here, try to remember that:Firing order is 1-3-2-4. Then look at this: #4 and #1 firing within 90˚, while #1 and #3 is 180˚ and #3 and #2 is 270˚!!!!!!! Ok, here's what RiDE has to say ". . . It' was because the tiny V-four motor[of the RC30] . . . had a secret. The ignition timing meant you got one big bang and then a relatively long gap before it fired again. The theory goes that this helps the rear tyre recover between pulses and improves grip and traction. The RC30 was the first 'big bang' sports bike." RiDE, Sept, 2006, p.72 Mind you the 90˚ interval is followed by the 180˚ then by the 270˚. Still, I think it's only a variation.

Well, ya know Stephane. When I come down I am going to be using your talents, so I'll just cut another piece from the template and we'll pop your dash off, do it up and let it sit over night. Right as rain in the morning. Your call dude. :huh: I'll get the Sleeman! :thumbsup:

Boy I'm tempted! Especially that my bike is all apart. I am not sure I can do as good a job as you did.

Ok, here's a couple more questions. I have the wiring diagram in front of me (I could make copies showing what I think you mean, and post them), and of the 2 red/white wires that go into the reg, one comes from the battery, and the other one goes to the main connector for headlight, dash etc. My first question is: Do you use the same fuse, add a new one or bypass it all together? 2nd question: Would it work to take the terminal off the connector for the reg, solder it with the bigger wire and put it back in? 3rd question: Knowing that the second red/white wire isn't a link to the battery, do I still need to double it? 4th question: I noticed that the 2 red/white wires are connected together at one point, shoud I use that instead to connect the bigger wire? Thanks, SG

When replaced the alternator on my truck, the guy who rebuilts them told me something similar: a bad battery is really hard on an alternator. Since our system are slightly different, it still make sense that one would damage the other.

You think you've done embarassing thing in your life? Me? Eh, yeah, I had plenty of these. These however are limited to my motorcycle experiences. except for . . . you'll see. #5- The first dropping of the bike. It's Friday night, I am finished working, I am ready to climb on my first ever street bike - A 1982 750 katana. I'm ready to take off when a couple of customers take a peek at me and my ride ready to attack to road. I rev the engine a few times, to get everyone's attention, put it in first gear and leav . . . stall the engine. However, the bike jump forward and I lost my balance. The Suzuki leaned on its left side while I was trying desperately to bring it back up right. One thing for sure, I did not need any help. Noooooo! Pride was hurting pretty bad here. I did manage to pick it up, and leave the place without looking at anyone. Few days later, I learned that keeping the steering straight helps keep the balance. I never forgot that one. #4- The bike lock. To a certain degree, this shouldn't be that embarassing. I had few. Never fell. I was begining to believe I had a sixth sense for it. Until the day at the mall. Sometimes it is not just the action that is making you wish you could disappear into thin air, but also the surrounding, what you're wearing, who's looking and so on. For starter, it's a jam packed mall with tons of people around. I am wearing only shorts and sandals because I am young and invicible, and once again I make sure as many people as possible know that I am about to go. The car parked in front had just left so I could forward instead of backing off. The way I took off, there would be no stalling. So I thought. As the bike fell on my naked leg, my right hand twisted the throttle which not only kept the engine running, but also drew the attention of everyone in the vincinity. Oh, you think it's enough, well after the I manged to get my leg out, try to put the bike up (now I'm hurting physically as well) I just can't. Between the "Are you ok?" and the "That served you right" I got help and put the bike on its 2 wheels, took the lock off and vanished. The lesson, never get cocky. Nobody is immune to mistakes. #3- Pay attention to the instructor. This is before all this. I am taking a motorcycle course because it is mandatory in Québec in 1990. But of course, I knew everything since I have been riding without a motorcycle license for over a year, I had dirt bikes all my life and I was 22. So listening to the direction or chatting with the chicks? Since I wasn't going to learn anything, I decided to shout the breeze. When it was my turn to go, I took off with the Honda125 and I went straight, then around the cone. The instructions, which I was reminded after, was to turn BEFORE the cone. Because there was sand behind it. Well, I figured it out when I ended up on my butt. When someone with more experience than you speak. . . LISTEN! #2- Would you look at . . .! I included this one, even if it is a bicycle incident because it fits. It all began when I was going to college. I arrived in my class late. I am covered with dust and my knees and elbows are bleeding. The professor asked me what happened and I told her I just got hit by a car on my bicycle. "What?" "I was riding in the parking lot when this lady backed off of her spot, without looking, and ran over me." Advice and reccomendations poured from all sides on what to do. Although what I just said was true, there was an important part missing. Right! The car driver did not see me. But, neither did I. Why? Because I was looking at that blond bombshell with a short skirt CFM boots going the oposite direction. Most likely, she knew I was looking at her when I hit the car. I just picked my bike and left without looking at anyone, swallowing my pride. Lesson, hot chicks, cleavage, etc are like eclipse: you can have glance, but don't stare. #1- A chain is as strong as it's weakest link. Back in time again, this time, we are at the second day of the practice part of the riding school. I'm late. I don't really care, but I don't want to draw too much attention either. The way it is set up, you come up a short entrance with a chain to block the cars from entering. The entrance goes up and opens up to the road course. The instructor and the students are discussing at the top, while I try to join unnoticed. When I arrived at the chain/gate, I graciously leaped over the chain, just like a balerina, when my foot caght into the chain. The momentum I gathered in the rotation around the fence was phenomenal. My hands hit the pavement so hard that everyone turned around and looked at me, melting slowly. The moral? Well, don't be affraid of to make fun of yourself. As for people who are worried of ever seeing me on the road, rest assure that I am not that kid anymore. I miss him, though. He was fun!

Ken, am I correct to think yo do not have to drill through the coolant tank?

This is following our previous discussion: Would you trust these over cyclepaint? 2: How about you have a pint/quart whatever I need to paint almost the whole bike now, then ship it to me including a nominal fee for your trouble? SG

Here I am, at home in front a crackling fire, enjoying a quiet evening with a glass of "stinkin'" Merlot, thinking of what I would like to accomplish in my life. O course, this, I will limit to the sport of motorcycling. First on "The List" is: Become a racer! I have been watching on and off all sorts of motor racing since I was a young lad. From the day I was dreaming of becoming the next Ross Peterson, but without even trying to line up on the grid of a motocross race. I have contemplated go-kart racing . . . yet, it never stemed into something concrete. The closest I ever been to racing was on a dirt track my dad's cousin made with a bulldozer. Oh, I also woke up at 4:30 every second Sunday to watch Jacques Villeneuve on his way to become a world champion. Now at age 38, I am realising that I am letting slip through my fingers something that has passioned me for my entire life. Fear! Fear of not being up to the task. Fear of being slow. Fear of crashing. Fear of failure. Not to mention I had good reasons not to make the move: too expensive, I don't have the time, it's quite risky, reconstructive surgery scares me a little. Last year, I was talking to a local racer, listening to his advice on tire compound and air pressure. Then, leaning against the fence under a blazing sun, I was spotting my "counscellor" scorching the tarmac . . . dead last. My first reaction was "I'm taking advice from a loser?" Of course, two seconds later it downed on me that even in last place on the racetrack, this guy was way ahead of me. I began to realised that no tires, nor tricky rear shock could bring me close to that level of riding unless I get in there. The best way to improve my VFR's performance was to replace the bulky lump between the handle bars and seat with a race tuned leaner entity. While I am still working on the leaning part with some degrees of success, I registered to a race course starting next summer. Now, tinkering on the bike is for my pleasure only, not to increase performance. . . at least for now.

Just to throw a curve ball into the mix here. I have a 6th generation. Last June, I live my house, drove for about 15 minutes an stopped at a store. Get out, turned the key on, put my gloves, and tighten my helmet. Push the start button: 2 revolutions then click click click. At that point, I have no intention of buying a new battery, so I do everything I can to keep on running until the season ends (October). At that time, I was convinced my battery wasn't holding its charge. I would come home, start it a few times, and by the 3rd try, it would be dead. No testings, just "hands on trial and error". So, remember, I don't want to replace the battery, so I do everything I can to keep the charging system working as little as possible to keep the battery fully charged at all time: No more high beam during the day (I like having h-beam on to be more visible), never let the key on for an extended period of time. keep my hand and foot off the brake to avoid having the brake light come on. Put the charger on the battery once in a while. I did that religiously. Not only did the battery last the whole season, it is still good today. At Xmas, a friend of mine wanted to here my bike running. I hadn't charged, nor started the bike for 3 months. It is near freezing temperature in my carport. I Push the start button, the bike fired up after a few revolution, then died, I restarted it, and it ran beautifully. After reading was Cooter posted, and my own exerience, I think the charging system on most motorcycles is marginal at best. Adding accessories (heated grips and vest, GPS etc), keeping the high beam on, running the bike at low revs might just be too much. When this happen to me, I was also thinking my charging system was failing. I had similar problems with 92 Fireblade, which I was running on highbeam at all time. Now, I believe that the charging system is weak to begin with, and there is nothing that can change that. I need to work around it.

I don't know. Sounds like you're trying to convice yourself you did the right thing, but it ain't working. So now you're asking "friends" (we're all friends here, aren't we?) and of course they will support you. That's what friends do. If you trully believed you've done the right thing, it wouldn't bother you that much. But it does. On a more positive note, this was beautifully written.

If I understand well, the resistance should have these colours bands in that order: orange, orange, brown and gold (or silver). Here's a link to read to colour coding: http://xtronics.com/kits/rcode.htm

I wasn't really talking about the light, but to keep corosion away from the coil wires and they sometimes cut the wire when they go in. Since you siliconed it you might get away with it.

great write up. Just wanted to make sure it did not get erased by adding a useless post. (I'll need it later)

I'd say: Do not cheap out on the connections. They need to be soldered. These connections you have, are guarantee to give you electrical problems down the road.