Captain 80s

26 minutes ago, Dutchy said:

You catch my drift? 

Absolutely.

Admittedly, I do have a helmet problem.  I currently have 7 Arai that I rotate and wear depending on my mood and bike I'm on.

My latest:

And I don't even own a Suzuki.  But it sure looks great next to my Edwards, Mamola and Spencer.

3 hours ago, vfrgiving said:

 

They actually can't, they are two different standards.  At least this is what I was told while helmet shopping not too long ago.  The Sedici Strada for example comes in Snell or ECE.  There isn't one rated for both.

I didn't say that at all.   Just because a helmet "could" pass Snell, doesn't mean it "couldn't" also pass ECE. 

So the Strada is manufactured in two versions using different methods?  One that passes ECE, and then they make a less safe version that just has to pass Snell?  /s

The ability of a helmet to protect your life is of course a top priority, but there are also things that cost money that make being in a helmet all day pleasurable.  I'm certainly not saying you have to spend $1K to be safe and comfortable, but you can keep your theoretical $200 ECE helmet, testing alone would account for a good portion of that build budget.   Just because a $1K Snell helmet isn't ECE rated, doesn't mean it couldn't be.  Testing and certification costs money.

The Holy Discussion Trinity:  Oil, Tires, Helmets

19 minutes ago, Mohawk said:

Interesting titbit, I was in Japan last month for a bike tour with a friend. We went to some Tokyo bike shops & Arai & Shoei  helmets were half the price they are in the UK. So I suspect the pricing is due to importers bigging up the Japanese quality/cost ratio for pure profit.
 

Don't get me wrong they are quality helmets, but not worth twice as much as many other good brands IMO.

Another possible factor is the cost of having helmets tested and approved to meet certain countries' requirements to be sold there.   That affects the price of bike accessories as well in the UK.

I fitted & sold Helmets (in the U.S.) for over 10 years in the 90s and 00s.  Arai & Shoei were the best, and it usually came down to fit if brand loyalty wasn't in play.  HJC came on the scene in the budget / medium category and were great helmets.  Then HJC upped their game and I thought they were one of the best values, lots of bang for your buck.  I sold A LOT of HJC helmets.  The early "modern" AGVs were heavy in my opinion, but the quality and fit was decent.

Now there are many good choices that don't have to destroy a gear budget.  The one that fits your head shape the best and offers the safety and features you're looking for...  great.

My very first helmet at age 9 was an open face Arai, got a Freddie Spencer Super Vent for my 16th birthday.  They have always fit my head shape perfectly and nothing else goes on my head, regardless of price.

Hi Captain 80s,

Thank you for your donation of --. We look forward to improving the forums with your donation.

Thanks VFRDiscussion

42 minutes ago, BluRoad said:

I have actually modified a CA (non-vented) cap on the 49-state (non-vented) tank…I just drill a tiny hole upward through the cap, exiting under the key flap. Doesn't leak or smell, but accomplishes the venting function.

You say "drill upward", is there a casting mark or a spot that is good on the bottom as a reference, or did you actually drill down to make sure your spot under the lid was where you wanted it?

Sounds like the US 1992 VFR *PB184MU* GRANITE BLUE METALLIC.  Its a Pearl "Black" with blue metallic flakes sprayed over a Purple base coat.

You can check under your seat and see if the original Paint Code sticker is there.

Careful, the tank will have more clearcoat than the rest of the bike and is more resilient to polishing.  Also, the graphics on the tank are clearcoated over (if original), but not on the rest of the bike, so graphics can be removed.

Before:

After:

16 minutes ago, bmart said:

It is funny that you type that. I feel similar to my GS700ES. I still think it is one of the more handsome motorcycles made to this day...but I may be alone! At least we're not off topic...

 

80's lipstick on a groovy 70's chick.  I think that's a pretty good looking bike too.  Always liked the big GS/GSX1100ES too.

eBay - Right Hand Air Vent Fairing Slats

With how clean everything is, the previous owners must have had that cover off quite often.  I'm really surprised they weren't better about replacing the c/s sprocket more often and general chain maintenance.  

/s

Yep.

Is that the exhaust you run?

11 minutes ago, bmart said:

 I imagine that the front generates a LOT more heat under braking.

Just wait for the SMC to seize, plenty of heat in the rear then.  🤣

Sometimes the rear pads can be the same configuration, but a different compound or thickness, resulting in a different part # too.

Please update with some dimensions when you receive.

Same part number used on the VTR1000F.  Perhaps that will increase your search area.  There is a used one on eBay, maybe they will take a measurement for you.

eBay VTR petcock

9 minutes ago, vfrgiving said:

 

I made the switch to gear oil a few trips ago.  I got tired of packing aerosal chain lube and separate degreaser.  That's money better put towards gas..  Now I carry a small squeeze bottle I filled with 90wt and a toothbrush in a case to apply.  The gear oil doubles as a decent cleaner too, as a good application and then wipe off excess with a rag carries dirt with it.

I typed a longer response (in agreement) but deleted it because we are technically talking about oil now.  And we know how this goes.  I'm just gonna give another:

👍

19 hours ago, vfrgiving said:

sat down for a chain adjustment and application of gear oil.

👍

This is gonna turn into an oil or tire thread I can feel it...   but...

You have an overall (db) limit to stay under for the bike to pass EPA (or equivalent) requirements.  ANYTHING you can do to save some noise can be spent elsewhere and the loud gear drives are eating up a bunch.  You can then "spend" some (db) on things like intake and exhaust to help make the power you want.  It's also part of the reason they put in heavy spring loaded split gears on the cams.

No spring loaded gears here:

9 hours ago, BusyLittleShop said:

You're welcome... but it is designed to dampen clutch knock not engine sound...

Then why do my 86s have them on the Left side too?  Generator knock?  Honestly, I don't think they can discriminate which sound they might be dampening.

11 hours ago, scup33 said:

Thanks all.

 

 Wonder what the engine sounds like with it removed ? ?   Gotta try it.

 

Had this thing since new (76,000 miles) with no issues.  I decided to check out the clutch specs when I saw the unused disc attached to the side cover.

 

Thanks again,

 

Josh

When I swapped frames on the RC26 I prepped another engine and harness to have a head start before swapping components.  Original engine I left them out, new one had them intact.  I really couldn't tell a difference.

'86/'87 has one on the Generator side too.

11 hours ago, timmoer said:

$13 heated grips from Ali Express - I thought about the $3 ones that you tape/glue behind the grip but a) it's not insulated from the bar itself, so the throttle hand will be hotter, and b) I haven't had a good experience in general, one of them went out on my old SV. 

 

These ones come impregnated within the grip itself, it's much more robust and at the hottest setting my hand gets a little too hot. I also like how slick the controls are, very nicely integrated with 1 small slider on the left grip with 5 settings. 

 

 

Only downside is the right grip comes glued to a cheap throttle tube, they intend that you replace it. I'd rather not use some crappy aftermarket throttle tube (that came cracked, I might add - so in reality it went from $13 to something like $6 for the set) so I spent a bunch of time separating it so I could install it over the stock throttle tube. 

 

 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804895402901.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.115.7fd01802rJAiwY&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Pro tip:  If you use the "link" function you can custom shorten the text of your link and be briefly descriptive.  Doesn't really matter I know.

21 minutes ago, vfrgiving said:

I think I'm on to something here...  My hands can be toasty and stylish this winter.  I would just need to pull the Ohio State badges and put these on:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394944071437

 

 

😍

 

Amazon listing for the muffs:

MoGee Muffs, Weatherproof Bike Handlebar Mittens, Fleece-Lined

19 minutes ago, vfrgiving said:

 

I forgot about those.... Now that I'm running the police handlebar, these may be an option.  Do they come in Italian Red?🤔