All Activity

I'd say I've had somewhere in the region of 35 bikes over the past 35-years. Notable good ones, Yamaha Thundercat, Kawasaki Ninja and Versys 1000 and the Triumph Explorer 1200 I have had for a couple of years. The one I don't miss is the Suzuki GS500. Awful bike in every way.

That is a really good result! Impressed. Do you also neutralize it with something after, before filling with fuel?

Nice looking bike that, seems to have been well taken care of. What a shame the previous owner didn't get it out and enjoy it more. Mine has just over 30k miles on it and I've had it since new. I've never had the valve clearances done and don't notice any issues with it after 26-years. Apart from mostly yearly oil filter changes, about 5-yearly air filter change, brake & clutch fluid changes and one spark plug change, the only "issues" I've ever had were with the clutch and the rectifier. After it left me stranded a couple of times, I bought an upgraded unit from the US (Ricks' VFRness iirc) and had no trouble since. The clutch has been more of a problem. I fitted new friction plates 6-years ago and then after winter hibernation the following year, the lever was locked solid. I ended up replacing the slave cylinder piston, new seals etc and then a few months later, did a master cylinder service. Earlier this year after winter sleep, I had no pressure in the clutch lever at all. I only got around to bleeding it last night and have come to work on it today for the first time this year! I suspect that the DOT5.1 fluid may be the cause so I'll go back to DOT4 next time. It's an absolutely incredible bike that I will never sell, not least because it lost virtually all its monetary value 15-years ago. I've had dozens of bikes come and go in between but the VFR is "the one".

Yes, Mello Dude on here makes them.

That is a fair point, my bad.

OK, kinda off topic, but...even if you're familiar with terms like PABATCO or Super Rat you might not recognize the bike below. Believe it or not I raced it as a 12-year-old on Friday nights at a 1/4 mile short track in Alstead NH.

Just picked this up a couple weeks ago and still in the brake-in period. '24 Multistrada V4S, 1158cc, 170hp, 91 lb-ft, counter-rotating crank, claimed wet weight without fuel 509 lb, so about 550 lb fully fueled. Front and rear radar, adaptive cruise control and blind spot warning, all can be turned off. 4 riding modes, same as the '15 and up, electronic suspension. It just feels more refined than the '20 1260 twin I had before, less raw and feels lighter. And unlike the last one doesn't randomly stall out when you pull in the clutch.

Thank you! I’ll follow that as close as I can. Just went through the whole fault tree that terry posted. I’ve already completed all those tests, except for testing the RR diodes while hot. Only tested them cold. As of now the entire assembly is based on wedge connectors, which could also expand when hot. So I’ll replace them and go down a gauge on the stator wires to be safe. I’ll let you know what happens

The goto for new R/Rs www.roadstercycle.com Also if your short on cash a CBR500 uses a Fh020aa if you can find a low mile used one. The current art on wiring R/Rs If you do any of your own build a harness work.... marine quality wire, avoid the usuall auto parts stuff.. https://www.delcity.net/store/wire-cable/ancor-marine-grade-tinned-primary-wire/ Recommended fuse holders.. https://www.delcity.net/store/fuses-fuse-accessories/holders-circuit-taps/atc-ato-blade/inline-water-tight-black-with-red-leads/78308/ https://www.cycleterminal.com/fuse-boxes.html MetriPack 630, 40amp Furakawa connectors https://www.cycleterminal.com/furukawa-qlw-250.html Good luck

Thanks! I’ll look into it. I’m a transit bus tech and capable of doing tests but I lack experience with these bikes. So I’ve basically been firing the parts cannon due to my limited time. I get 15V AC at idle and 70V AC at 5k rpm. Sounds right within spec. I meant that I got 9 amps at idle when hot, which I’m guessing translates to 3 amps DC for one stator output wire since it’s 3 phase. I’m not sure though

Very cool. Since you acknowledge this is a V4 forum you have to post photos.

There's a dandy fault finding guide on the Electrosport website that you should follow. https://www.electrosport.com/pages/technical-resources?srsltid=AfmBOoqEM4-OgXUCxUIr6cWnVp6IJnRzyzFN3FoUqlm8EWLZPnixdWfD Sounds like you already have a multimeter so have at it. I'd start at the AC wires first as if they aren't kicking out the voltage, nothing else works.

Hey all, I have a 1993 VFR750. Had it for a month. Sorry for being a bit short but I don’t have much time to type. Already replaced stator with ricks unit, brand new battery, and new starter relay. Has an upgraded ricks rectifier in it, looks beefy. Owner says he installed a complete VFRness 4 years ago. Found bike dead a couple weeks ago and started it with shop battery charger, 350a 12v. Put the negative clamp on frame ground but voltage gauge on bike was still smacking the needle past 16v. Won’t charge when hot now. Here’s what I’ve tested… -1.3a at positive charge wire right at battery when cold. 0.8a when hot. When very hot, rad fans kicking in at idle, rev rpm slightly, climbs to 1.3a then drops back down to 0.8 and holds regardless of rpm. Voltage regulator could cook an egg at this point -0.06v total voltage drop between rectifier output + and - terminals and ring stud terminals on battery when hot. Already replaced starter relay. -9a AC at idle on one stator output cable next to regulator. Climbs very healthily when revving when hot. -Aftermarket voltage gauge on bike shows major voltage drop, .5v when either brake is pressed, then seems to not charge nearly as well after. Brake light relay? Unsure. I think I need to replace the rectifier. Planning to route the rectifier output wires directly to the battery as well. Thinking of getting a Polaris one, seen some people mention that being a good option. Please advise on any ideas, parts numbers, etc. kind of at the end of my rope here. Thanks for taking the time to read!

I never put a list together until now but I guess 17. All sold except the original '99 VFR, the '98 VFR and the just picked up '24 Multi. '70 Yamaha TX500 - never did get it running '89 Suzuki GS500 - first running bike '99 VFR800 - 118K miles and counting '78 CB750F SS - 3 years frame-up cafe build '03 CBR600RR - track bike went sliding through Thunderhill turn 14 '85 VF1000R - 3 more years frame-up rebuild, sold, bought back, resold '84 VF1000F - bought and sold quickly '92 VFR750 - parts bike '84 VF1000F - meticulously re-assembled only to find a cracked engine case '93 VFR750 - sold to a vfrd member '02 RC51 - sold during pandemic when my knees said no more '16 Multistrada - never own a Ducati without a warranty '76 CB750F SS - beautiful bike from local original owner, resold to local collector '20 Multistrada Pikes Peak - see previous Ducati comment '99 VFR800 - black Canadian beauty, frame-up rebuild '98 VFR800 - rat bike resurrected & sold to live another day '24 Multistrada V4 - because it's a V4 (under warranty)

A bit of trivia.....those auto parts store plugs do rot and dry out. I was surprised how bad mine was. So, over the years I do this permanent fix it.....plug with bolt with Permatex and red locktite the nut on the inboard side. To get it done on the 5th gen, completely cut off the nozzle flush.... Discovered a 7/16 bolt will thread it itself in the open hole...and add the nut to the inside.. Cheers

On dePairing....suggest you purchase some block plates....the job is easy Here's my breakdown of the job....(I don't sell plates anymore)

Mini Bikes count.... especially a Hodaka.

Kinda tough when this thread leads off with Keny and the Captain! I can get to a dozen, but only if the rules allow my two mini-bikes. One powered by a Tecumseh lawn mower engine, the next a Hodaka 100!

I had the bike for at least 12 years before I knew these existed.

Affirmative. I'm a fucking idiot, that gets progressively more brilliant after each beer/whiskey while in my shop.

Yes how they’re supplied. I now may have to pick up an extra to have on hand. Years ago someone stole mine while parked in a public lot.

Wow this thread is a hodge-podge of confusion as it is in the wrong forum. Firstly, the OP has a '98 VFR800 which has no cat, that was introduced in '00 on the 800. Then we are talking about starter valves, and I'm pretty sure the 1200 doesn't have any. The 1200 uses different PAIR covers on front and back. Based on the part numbers, these originally came from (rear) the CBR1000RR, then the VT1100 and VTR250 on the front heads. The last two are mirror images of each other. At alternative that is not uncommon is to stuff a marble into a PAIR hose to block it off, and there are also blanking caps for vacuum lines which would do the same job (and would allow the hoses to be completely removed). I've certainly blanked off the PAIR on my 800's and on the VTEC I think it makes for smoother throttle response, but is this somthing that 1200 owners need?

Maths is not my strong point, but does that means you currently have 41 bikes? I need to up my MBD game if that is the case.

Ahh that’s cool, it’s how they come or did you have that made?

Oh and one thing I forget to mention in my first thoughts summary and I don’t know how as it was by far my biggest gripe with the bike on my 600 mile trip - the bloody seat! Worst motorbike seat I’ve ever sat on and I was getting a numb arse after just half hour. I think this will be my first investment.