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Good Afternoon Everyone, Very excited to be able to join the forums and a great group. I purchased a 1994 Honda VFR 400 NC30 today (this is what I was told the model is), with an odo reading of 21k-odd km. From what I've seen she hasn't been taken great care of and I am expecting replacement of nearly every washer, bolt, seal and deep clean and to do suitable adjustments throughout. Good price for a Project and it'll will keep me busy for some time. I need some assistance please with the front shocks please... As this feels like the only legitimate "dangerous" aspect of the bike. When driving up the driveway, over speed humps or pressing the front brakes it makes a very clear "knock" at the front. Basically whenever mass gets transferred to the front. From what I've seen online this could be head bearings, shocks needing a service, wheel bearings etc. I've uploaded a video if you please wouldn't mind in telling me what is causing that knock and what you can see or hear from the video as to what the actual fault can be. Then, how do I go about fixing it? Please let me know if you need more information. I will be asking kindly for your assistance throughout as I need to get her back to standard and then refurbish her as good as possible. Thanks in advance. It's great to be a member of the Community. shocks.mpeg

https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/msf100_2016/Risk_Factors_From_MSF_100_Study_Paper.pdf?dom=microsoft&src=syn

I wrote this just as a note to share with my friends and office mates, but wanted to post it up here. I'm in Orange County, CA but this could apply to anyone, anywhere, at any time, regardless of whether lane sharing is permitted or not. This is not meant to incite negativity or point fingers at anyone since none of us are 100% legal when we ride, though when we speed or cross double yellows, it might be for a good reason. Whatever the case, I wanted to share this note and maybe have it shared with someone you know who might need some enlightenment in terms of why we ride the way we do. Thanks. ===================================================== Apparently last Friday during after work rush hour on the 405 south between Costa Mesa and Cypress, there were 3 bikes splitting through all lanes of traffic. The riders were intentionally punching mirrors and flipping people off for no apparently reason. One car after another was damaged and each driver was insulted. These types of riders DO NOT REPRESENT THE RIDING COMMUNITY, but unfortunately, one bad apple spoils the cliche. Innocent drivers now have to pay to repair the damage on their cars, and innocent motorcyclists now have to pay for the behavior of a select few. On behalf of the riding community, I'd like to apologize for the poor judgement and fragile egos of those who ride irresponsibly and without regard for others (drivers and riders alike). Many drivers think that motorcyclists feel, "We own the road." We don't. We know we don't, but certain exceptions ride without forethought, and the fact that I am writing this now is at least evidence of one rider who believes that the road belongs to no one. Sharing asphalt is not an issue of "ownership;" it is a shared responsibility to those around you. When safe, I signal a thank you to every driver who sees me and shows me the courtesy and care to give me room to get by. To those who move out of my way but see that I don't pass, it is probably for a variety of reasons, namely that I don't feel it is necessary to split when traffic is moving at 50mph and the flow is showing reasonable spacing between vehicles, but this is not to say that I am not thankful for your consideration. I may also not split but will stay to the right because I am able to see better in that lane position, in which case I am utilizing the space the driver so kindly gave me to pass. If I pass you closely and/or at higher speeds, you are probably a large vehicle obstructing my view ahead, so I apologize if I seemed rude or arrogant. My purpose for passing was not to prove a point; it was to maintain my field of view. A note to those who think it's acceptable to intentionally block a bike: This is not a video game. We do not have a reset button. We do not have bumpers nor do we have a cage surrounding us. Our bodies will hit your car while you sit comfortably in your seat, cocooned in your metal shell. I cannot speak for every rider on the road, but I know I do speak for a large majority of them when I say: "Please understand that it is not funny to cut off a motorcycle; it is illegal, and potentially fatal. Please keep in mind that many of us have spouses, children, grand children, sick relatives, people who rely on us, etc. We are no different than you are. A person sitting next to you at a restaurant might not have a helmet on at the time, but they ride, and you wouldn't know. A person on a bike with a helmet on and faceshield down might not show a recognizable face, but that person might be your neighbor or a family friend whom you never knew rode. We are not invincible in our leathers. We are made of flesh and blood and we knowingly accept the risks of riding every time we get on our bikes, but that is not an excuse for you to feel the need to add to the dangers we face at every mile. Thank you." I could write more, but perhaps this is enough for now. I don't typically write posts with the intention of sharing, but I ask that someone please take a minute to at least read and keep this in mind. If not shared on FB, then maybe mention a point or two when in discussion with someone regarding lane sharing and unsafe riding practices. Thank you for your attention and consideration, and as always, ride safe. - Christine Sakane (Orange County, CA) Daily Commute: 5 freeway between Anaheim and Irvine

Sad, but a good message we all need to consider. Regardless of age, we are not as sharpe at the end of the day so we need to be aware of that fact!

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but the NYT did an interactive visual on its website a few days ago with recent U.S. statistics concerning motorcycle fatalities in states that have repealed helmet laws.

This is Saturday Morning, 8-31-13 riding with 2thdr in Arkansas on our way to meet up with Gloryracing on Hwy123. It was a gorgeous morning about 0730. The lighting and time of day are dead giveaways to keep an eye on the sides of the road and keep speeds somewhat manageable in order to give yourself some recovery room if it's needed. Even keeping the pace moderate and scanning the sides of the road, you can tell this one caught me off guard. My swerve was delayed, and according to 2thdr, this guy chased me for a couple hundred feet after I almost tagged him. Keep those eyes peeled, kids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cqhEnlMKtI&feature=youtu.be