Lorne

Olema, eh? I was enjoying a solo ride homeward from Monterey in July of '03, and neglected to stop at Olema's one and only stop sign. I was looking for the turn into Point Reyes National Seashore and hadn't noticed a CHiP car right behind. Oops. Got away with a warning, tho. No photo of that adventure, but here's one from earlier on that trip. Also on a VTR1000, but an F sadly instead of an R. This is a couple miles up Nacimiento-Fergusson road from PCH, near Lucia.

Excellent work as usual, John. But what it has me thinking is just how filthy my 92.5K km '09's swingarm must be.

I don't believe the airbag flapper is the culprit. That rattling was obvious on both my 5th gen VFR800s, but never on my '09 Vtec (93K km). Mohawk's suggestion of throttle cable fee play seems top of the list to check, and can be done in the garage. Start your bike and once the engine is idling normally, close the throttle then check how much you can rotate it before the engine speeds up. The book calls for 2-6 mm of free play. But if you do need to tighten it double check afterwords that engine speed doesn't change when your turn the handlebars lock to lock. Do you know if your bike is completely stock and unmolested? In any case, you can also do a basic mechanical check to assess fuelling and electrical systems to affirm that everything's kosher. Good luck

Great shot of your Vtec, that gloss black is the diabolical inverse of my white '09 - Vader's tie fighter to my X-Wing. Anyhow, when the noise appears is it constant? Does it change depending on throttle opening? The same whether accelerating, coasting, or steady speed? Uphill or downhill. What if you add a touch of front brake? Put it on the centre stand, have an assistant hold the back of the VFR down, and shake the forks to check for loose headstock bearings. Good luck

I bought my yellow VFR800 new in early '99, and it came with an obvious cosmetic shortcoming. The colour of the side fairings looked distinctly different, less saturated than the upper cowl or fuel tank. At least in bright daylight. So it may take a deft hand to blend in your touch up seemlessly. You mention metal so I assume it is your fuel tank. A spot is on the top or upper sides will be more noticeable, and if at the back or lower in the sides then a tasty tank cover will help hide the crime.

If available, Road 5 would be a great alternative.

Grum and Presson have it right, just go with the standard Road 6. According to Michelin the GT is for heavier bikes, and not included in their recommended list for your VFR. Since 2000, most of the tires I've chosen for my VFR750/VTR1000F/VFR800/VFR800 Vtec have been Michelins. I like how the feel of Michelins better than the equivalent Dunlops or Bridgestones I've used. Only done one track day, most of my mileage has been multi-day trips. Started with a set of Pilot Sport in 2000, then Pilot Power, PP 2CT, PP 3, Road 4, and currently Road 5.

Hmm, that looks more like the reg/rec cable as the stator cable has only three conductors. But in any case you best inspect the stator on your 4th Gen, as well as the starter relay for signs of heat stress as well. Pics of some of my '92's connectors and my '09's stator show the horrors hiding behind closed doors 😱

You can see a lot of a state if you visit often enough 😉 The scenery in that part of California does look like something out of a fairy tale, doesn't it?

I love the stretch of PCH and nearby roads between GG and Bodega Bay. Didn't try the bakery but I've had a few nice coffee breaks at Tomales Deli next door. Here're pics from my 1st visit, back in 2007.

For a variety of reasons my '09 VFR800 has been mothballed for the last 18 months. And not, sadly, in a nice cozy garage but in a carport with a bike cover. Today I decided to check the inside of its fuel tank, praying that rust hasn't gotten a toe hold. In my case, seemingly not, if this photo mosaic can be believed. I should not that iPhones aren't the best tool for peering through the gas cap. I think I have the orientation right.

That is a good looking Arai, Dutchy. My 2013 Arai Aoyama-rep is getting long in the tooth, but I'm bummed that none of their current graphics appeal to me as much as it or my even older Doohan-rep.