Lorne

HS, years ago I noticed a significant amount of oil in my VFR750's airbox. Never did figure out the cause (overfilling the oil?) as it only happened the one time. It might be something as simple on your 1200. 

Rob, keep the mag clutch cover. Consider the scuffing as patina - think what the does to the value of a Louis IV chair 

Good on you for figuring a way to tidy the license plate lamp/mount. On my Gen5 & VTR1000F I just removed and put 'em on a shelf.

Did you bolt the plate directly to the mudguard? If so, a sheet of rubber (truck tire inner tube, for eg.) as a backing dampens vibration and should prevent the plate from cracking.

Congratulations on finding such a tidy VTR, Rob. It looks fantastic as is, but I can see it has an awesome future in store.

SP1 or SP2? I've read good arguments in favour of each. A Brit mag recently called them under appreciated classics that will only rise in value. 

Terrific choice of wheels, btw.

This Sport Rider article might give a few more ideas, though you've no doubt done massive research already:

http://www.sportrider.com/honda-rc51-rvt1000r-great-sportbikes-past

Thanks, John. I was surprised to see that the VTEC used a 16T sprocket and the 5th gen. 800 used a 17T. Then I remembered that one of the changes to the VTEC series was to the transmission gearing. Sure enough, the service manuals show that the VTEC has marginally lower gearing in 3rd through 6th. The result being near identical mph/1000 rpm in top gear. Nice to know that I could swap a 17T into my VTEC and reduces revs on the highway.

Well done, I love seeing tutorials like this. Looking forward to the next instalment.

Iirc, there was a lot of sturm und drang regarding the additives thought necessary for motorcycle gearboxes & wet clutch. And that the lighter oils are least likely to contain them. As I recall that is when some argued in favour of diesel-rated oil.

Personally, I've been using Motul 10/40 semi but you have me thinking it might be time to go light.

Today's wx made for a good rainy day project - new front brake pads for my 2009 VFR800 - fwiw, I used Galfer FD344-G1380.

A couple of notes:

1.The new pads might be ever so slightly thicker as it was a bear to get enough clearance to fit the new ones. Might be worthwhile pulling the calipers for a good cleaning next time.

2. The pad pin on my '09 is one piece, with a 6 mm bolt head. No rubber/metal plug hiding an allen bolt.

Iirc, CBR-XX bars are also 43mm but quite a bit lower than those from the VTec VFR. The indexing might be different but otherwise they ought to fit.