benSV

I see the tapeworks prices as: $20 - 2 sheets of 14"x10" $40 - 1 sheet of 14"x47" $70 - 1 sheet of 29"x47" You could probably get real carbon fiber and apply that instead for a similar price. And you might be close to getting enough material to actually build a real CF dash. I found the following prices just now for the real thing: $26 - 2 sheets of 11"x8"x0.015" - 0.78oz each $47 - 2 sheets of 11"x16"x0.015" - 1.55oz each $96 - 2 sheets of 11"x32"x0.015" - 3.1oz each 0.015" is listed as something you can cut with scissors, perfect for cosmetic applications like this. You can get a $20-30 bottle of epoxy that would last a long long time. Not commenting on the worth of fake carbon fiber.. just noting that the Tapeworks stuff is a HUGE scam compared to the real thing. You could probably do several triple tree covers with only a single 11"x8" sheet for $13 and some glue, you wouldn't even need to use real epoxy. Damn every time I check the prices I want to try it.. and I know I could even get free epoxy from my Dad as he's got a 2 gallon kit for boat stuff that he'll never use up. edit: Just checked that particular vendor will pre-apply adhesive for you for $2.95 for an 11"x8" sheet. So all you need to do is cut out your shape and then peel the adhesive backing off, no need to mess with glue/epoxy. Exactly the same setup as the fake stuff.

Balance is indeed the key and it sure is tough to get it right sometimes, even with everything stock and you're just messing with the sag. The biggest thing that I have trouble with is the bike really seems to require a compromise sag setting to handle right all the way through a tank of gas. It's mostly just ride quality but the amount of gas this bike carries really seems to effect things as it burns off.

Yes I looked it up... There are two drop in Ohlins shocks that have almost exactly the correct length and spec for the VFR. One has a remote Preload Adjuster and the other has a threaded pre-load collar. They are designated 46DRS (remote preload) and 46DR I think. Length is 317.5mm, about 1/8" longer then stock, perfect to jack up the rear a bit. Stroke is 53.5mm. I found them online in one place for $750 but the correct price appears to be closer to $850-900. Looks like they are available for the 5th gen too. Looks good to me, if I'm going to go to all the trouble to swap em out I want to get the bike nearly perfect the first time. I might do it next year, depends on the cost to work over the forks too. I really want that remote preload adjuster though, I find it highly annoying that Honda gave the remote preload adjuster to ABS riders but not to the rest of us.