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Dude, that really blows. The good news is it shouldn't be difficult to replace the parts inexpensively (not if you use eBay, anyway.) My right mirror has a few scratches. If you can only find a set, let me know and I'll buy the right one from you. Best of luck to you (and if it makes you feel any better, things like that happen to all of us sooner or later.) THANKS for serving our country.

Not compromising the structural integrity of the SSSA was my utmost concern. I spoke with our resident genius (Dan; the Torocharger guy) to see what his thoughts were. He told me that so long as the hole is small, on the bottom, and isn't on a bend, I needn't worry. Dan is an engineer and I trust his opinion. Edit: I was just going through all the pictures I took while I was up at Seb's and noticed there was one I never downloaded. Here's a quick pic I took of Seb while he was on his break.

I want to do this mod, but don't want to spend the money on new brake lines just yet. Would it be safe to perform this mod using stock brake lines or not? I know the holes would have to be made bigger than for the braided lines, but is kinking really going to be a problem with the stock lines put through the swingarm? If so, what are some prices out there you guys have paid for new lines if I were to break down and actually buy some. The total cost of the parts was less than $75. The stock brake lines not only necessitate larger holes (something you want to avoid) but how are you going to re-attach the banjo bolts? Seb told me it can be done, but only with expensive tools most people don't have (and trust me, Seb's got a lot.) You're far better off getting braided brake lines. For this particular mod, not only would it cost less, but braided brake lines provide better braking, too. You can also get them in an assortment of colors to suit your tastes. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.

Bronze isn't a bad choice (but neither is keeping them silver; they give the bike a Ferrari-like look.) Here are a couple bikes whose wheels you might like. 2008 1098R.JPG F4Tamb_2.jpg

You have a sharp-looking bike! The windshield I've got on mine came off an '06 (notice it's gradient black). I had Seb cut it because I, too, wanted a sportier look. I don't recall experiencing buffeting with my stock windshield. I definitely don't have it now. I'm 5'11''. I don't tell anybody what to do with their bike but having Seb give your front fender the "super sport" look (the way he did mine) is a great improvement when going for a sportier look. picture2.jpg

I carefully cut the heat shrink off with a razor blade (remember, it wasn't necessary in the first place; I asked Seb to put it on to get the brake lines to blend in with the rear wheel.) This is one of the fasteners that came with the Thurn chain guard. It bolts onto the top of the chain guard and secures the brake lines. I removed one of the rubber pieces and, with a razor blade, shortened it and trimmed the edges. This is a temporary fix. The rubber strip is neither glued to the brake line nor the SSSA. I did the same for the other hole, but the picture I took showing both didn't come out too well. Since they're in there kind of snug and the brake line isn't a moving part, it'll be adequate until we find a permanent solution. What do you guys think? I went to the sign shop that did my rim stripes and we picked out a color that was as close to the black/gray metallic used on the Honda logo on the gas tank. He then laser cut the "RC46" out of the sheet he ordered. Total cost was $37 (including installation; yes, there's one on the other side.) I'm pleased with the quality of the work I've gotten from them (Signs by Tomorrow.) If you live near Philadelphia, give 'em a call and ask for Chris (tel. 610-407-7020). As always, I welcome all comments.

We had a lot of fun riding Sunday. I couldn't believe just how beautiful upstate New York is. Seb kept smoking me in the twisties. He's a more experienced rider than I am, but in all fairness to me, I was seeing gravel on a lot of curves. Everytime I saw some, all I could think of was what you see below. Anybody like the Eagles? I'm listening to some stuff from their debut album right now. Man, I breathe this stuff! These were taken during my pre-digital camera days (that's why the quality isn't all that great.)

Seb, call me stupid but who is this Earl guy you speak of and waht special tools does he require? I'm really interested in this, except I'ld put some kind of gaurd on the chain. Keystone, Looks amazing though, gaurd or not Earl's is a brand. http://www.holley.com/index.asp?division=Earls

You are correct in that my bike is non-ABS. Stock brake lines cannot be used because there's no easy way to remove and recrimp the banjo bolts with them. Actually, it's my understanding that it can be done with stock brake lines but it would require using expensive equipment most people don't have (again, because of the bano bolt thing.) The cool thing about braided brake lines is A) they're superior to the stockers, B) aren't all that expensive, C) are available in various colors to suit one's taste, and D) they do a better job of protectecting the lines going in and out of the swing arm. As for whether or not this mod can be done on an ABS model, I don't know. Seb can answer that.

Okay, something I've been wanting to do for some time finally got done. Kudos to Seb for actually having done the work. What I've basically got here are before and after pics. I'm sure Seb will chime in in a little bit to show the steps along the way (and explain a few things as well.) To our knowledge this had never been done on any VFR with an LBS. Before: After: There was already a hole here (used to mount the stock chainguard.) Since I was no longer using the stock chainguard, this hole was just basically there with the plastic screw in it. Seb made the hole a little wider to accommodate the (braided) brake lines. This is the underside of the swingarm. There was already a hole down here, too. He used the existing hole to run one of the brake lines through and drilled another for the second brake line. I asked him to put some black shrink tube on it to get it to blend in with the wheel. Note: Seb turned the banjo bolts around 180 degrees. Brake lines? What brake lines! It looks infinitely cleaner back here. Notice how it looks cleaner from this side, too. Before: After: I'm still undecided about the chainguard, but I'm having Seb paint it black and I'm pretty sure it's gonna go back on. While I was there, Seb cut and shaped my Thurn chainguard to make it look more like this: When Seb and I finished lunch and drove back to his place (Greene county, New York), we noticed a fellow rider's bike broke down on the side of the road. We pulled over and noticed the bike had motor oil splashed about in the area just in front of the rear wheel. Bad news. We lifted his bike onto the bed of Seb's truck and took it to this motorcycle shop across the Rip Van Winkle bridge on the Hudson river. Very scenic! I felt bad for this guy because he was really nice and said he had already spent a lot of money on his bike. It was a Suzuki Katana (a '91, I think).

Our bikes look similar, don't you think? Wait 'til you see my bike next month. I'm riding up to Seb's for a project. To our knowledge, it's something that's never been attempted on a 6th gen. VFR. I have to give credit where credit is due: Seb's the brain behind it all. I could never make it happen on my own. Not even close. On another note, are those faux carbon fiber mirrors? I've seen 'em on eBay and have always wondered what the quality was like (given the low price.) For those of you that don't know, the same guy selling 'em on eBay also sells faux carbon fiber brake and clutch levers, reservoir tops, and bar ends. They all look pretty good and don't cost much, either. picture2.jpg

These pics were taken in the 5'x10' storage unit I keep my bike in. I didn't want to pull my bike out because it's raining and, believe it or not, my bike is kind of clean right now.

Ditto. Looks too little. Just my .02. If I could have Seb do it over again, I'd have him leave a little more on the back. However, he did what I told him to do and I'm still pleased with it. I'll take pics at various angles tomorrow.

Thank you. You'll have to touch base with Seb. Although it was my idea, he did all the work. The front part of the fender was patterned after the '08 CBR1000RR while the rear was patterned after the 1098. I really like the way it came out. It definitely gives the bike a leaner look up front.

It's all done! Since we've still got snow and ice on the ground, I only rode it around a little on the premises where I keep my bike. Those of you that followed my thread about the rotor issue may want to know it appears that I'll be okay. However, I'd still like to do some "real" testing on it. I welcome all comments. Personally, I like the way it all came out. BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER

The rotors are done. Although the paint has dried, the directions said to let it cure overnight. I'll install them and the fender tomorrow and post some pics. I sure hope it looks good.

Update: The fender's done and ready to put on. I've already gotten one coat of paint on the rotors and will put on a couple more over the next couple days. Expect pictures Saturday in the p.m. or Sunday a.m.

Yeah, good job Rick! The talent some people have amazes me. I couldn't do something like that in a 100 years. There's no doubt in my mind the Torocharger will one day make it to a national magazine.

Okay, here's what I've got so far. For starters, the reason the picture quality isn't all that great is because I covered the flash with my finger (when I used the flash, the pictures came out too bright.) As you can see, I've got one side done. The other side should be done tomorrow. I think I've done a decent job so far but once that LBS thing is bolted onto these little black areas, it's going to look kind of busy anyway. In case anybody is wondering, Seb gave me a few pointers on how to approach this little paint job (thanks, Seb!). I used some satin black high temperature engine and case paint because I had a rattle can of it lying around (from when I painted my left disk brake.) I'll be using it to paint my right disk brake and hope to have some pictures up soon. I got to hand it to Seb. He did a great job cutting my fender. I knew it would turn out good, but not that good.