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  2. Clearly they're doing naff all, have you traced em back to where they're connected up? That would bug the shit outta me, my OCD would keep me awake at night wondering wtf I had wired into my bike.
  3. Today
  4. Mine is a California bike, had the charcoal canister, a servo to control the flow on/off, the pair system, and flapper valve system. You won't find it on the bike today..... Let's keep helping DavidS.......
  5. OK, my list, which will be much easier than those above since there are only, I'm pretty sure, 11. -Mini bike--manufacturer long forgotten. Pull start, centrifugal clutch, curved steel plate that rubbed the rear tire, which the manufacturer called a "brake." The most incredible thing I had ever owned in my life up to that point. -Bonanza mini bike, photo in previous post. 10hp! An inch of front suspension! My introduction to two-stokes. -Suzuki TS250. Eight months working the fryers at KFC got me a NEW street legal bike at 15. Put 42 miles on it in my dad's parking lot until I turned 16 and got my permit. -Honda 350 Scrambler. Since I was both young and dumb I was its final owner. Sort of ran for six months. -Suzuki GS400. Still young and dumb I didn't notice that the forks did.not.move. until I got it home. But I got that resolved and had four great years until the kid that stole it crashed it beyond repair. -1985 VF700 tariff bike, purchased new in 1986. My one and only bike for 16 years. Kids, mortgage, job...but some incredible trips through New England and the mid-Atlantic. -2002 6th gen. When you go 16 years between VFR's the new one seems like a revelation! -2010 7th gen. So different but just a great motorcycle. That motor! Those brakes! -2003 RC-51 SP-2. I own two bikes at the same time. Whee! Many great track days as well as a memorable 1000 mile weekend in the Sierra with fellow VFRD members. -2017 Ducati Multistrada S. Still in the garage, sport touring perfection for what I do. A great travel bike that can also really charge. -2026 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. 400lbs! So far it's the perfect replacement for the RC-51--lighter, 100hp, rational seating position. I may change my mind tomorrow, and I've never owned a 5th gen, but I think my favorite is the 2002 VFR800. Despite a pretty disastrous R/R failure in 2009 (I wasn't so young then, but was still dumb) it's at the top of my list.
  6. To keep them from driving it away, just pull an important fuse or three. But nothing is going to stop them from cutting a chain or lock and putting it in a truck/van.
  7. There are six in the garage today (bottom of list), but the total over my lifeime? 33 off the top of my XLS. 1985 Suzuki GS700ES 1986 Yamaha FJ1200 1990 Yamaha FJ1200 1994 Kawasaki ZX-11 1988 Honda VTR250 1997 Suzuki GSF1200 1976 Suzuki GT550 1994 Yamaha FZR1000 1998 MuZ Sport Cup 1997 Ducati 748 2002 Yamaha R1 2005 Honda VFR800 2003 Honda CBR600RR 2007 Yamaha R6 1990 Honda CB-1 (1) 1990 Honda CB-1 (2) 1986 Yamaha FZ750 2003 Yamaha R6 yellow 1990 Honda VTR250 1989 Honda CB-1 (5) 1993 Yamaha FJ1200 2007 Suzuki GSXR750 1989 Honda CB-1 (6) 1999 Honda VFR800 2004 Yamaha R6-A blue 1989 Honda CB-1 (3) 2017 Honda CRF250L Rally 2009 Kawasaki KLX250SF 1990 Honda CB-1 (7) 1998 Honda VFR800 2000 Honda VFR800 2003 Yamaha R6-B Roy 2003 Yamaha R6-C Michael
  8. Beyond Ballistics explains in its video that the treatment doesn't corrode the metal, but only removes the rust. The citric acid is neutralized by the sodium carbonate, so the solution becomes almost basic. In any case, I washed the tank several times with water and then used diesel fuel to grease the metal so that it wouldn't rust again until I filled it with gasoline.
  9. The bike did die while running at an idle, I had a bad starter relay before which I replaced. But I don’t understand why I would not be able to bump start the bike like I was able to when it had a faulty starter relay. To re-summarize: Bike died at an idle at an intersection with a “CLUNK” as if it stalled out. I put in a fresh battery and checked all the fuses with no difference, the new battery (Charged to 12.7V) would drop to 6.8V when I would push the start button. There is no crank from the starter motor, but the fuel pump is priming. The fuel pump re-primes every time I tap the start button after holding it for 1-2 seconds. Why would the battery voltage drop so much, let alone not allow me to bump start? Cheers!
  10. Sums up excellently. Yeah, I'm much appreciative of all the advice here from all... many thanks indeed, and much food for thought here. Highly grateful guys 🙏👍
  11. Hi - I am totally out of plates and out of biz on this stuff..... Although I do have a ton of 6th gen R/R mounts left.
  12. I've tried to download this file as it would be perfect for me but it downloads as inbound3473780195077191763.tmp file? not a PC6 file. Any chance to attach the file direct?
  13. What Mohawk said. I had my old 98 on track days giving GSXR 750s a run for their money (they must have had muppet riders) without a single cause for concern from the front end. Plenty of good advice in this thread and you can always invest in upgraded suspension more suited to your style of riding and the roads you ride on. OEM suspension, as with most other things on bikes, is a compromise.
  14. I am very reluctant to recommend any alternative to a Shindengen R/R. As demontrated by a lot of years hanging out on this forum, most alternatives die an early death. Maybe the best alternative is an OEM CBR500 you could get a Canadian dealer or a used on on Ebay Get a FH020AA or some newer Yamahas have that too, I think a Yam FJR1300 is using that one too. Or, got a buddy in Buffalo? Best wishes
  15. The usual means is to put a tally mark on the affected part, such as a punch mark on the swingarm etc. I'm sure a 1200 owner will be along shortly.
  16. Ha ha, that's a priceless quote from a fool 😂 Whilst mine has aftermarket cartridges it uses stock stanchions & VTR1000 sliders, which are basically the same as VFR ones apart from brake mounts. As Stray said after our dry trackday at Donington last year, I'd used up my chicken strips, turkey strip & beef strips on my tyres. At no point regardless of corner speed or braking did the front forks twitch, twist or misbehave in any way. Don't worry about them.
  17. I'm planning on buying this one and getting some marine wire like you mentioned. I live in Canada and the USD conversion rate and shipping costs would be pretty high from roadstercycle. Do you think this one is good enough compared to the shindengen? Seems like a decent clone to me Kimpex HD Mosfet Voltage Regulator Rectifier - 225843
  18. Not true.... .... Dot 5 is the silicone base and the one to be avoided except for racing... Motul Brake Fluid DOT 5.1 For use in DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake systems. Non-silicone based, long life and 100% synthetic, DOT 5.1 BRAKE FLUID conforms to the highest standards in brake fluid performance. DOT 5.1 is specially designed for Anti-Locking Brake Systems (ABS). With a high dry boiling point of 270°C (522°F) and a high wet boiling point of 185°C (365°F), DOT 5.1 delivers the best brake performance and mixes with DOT 3 and DOT 4. SAE/DOT standard: FMVSS116, DOT 3, DOT 4, SAE J1703 http://www.motul.com.au/product_line_up/fork_brake_others/images/space.gif
  19. I wouldn't worry about the quote you copied. People write all sorts of stuff without really tracing a problem back to sorting stuff like all the very sensible suggestions that Gaz66 made. I suppose it's possible that if the triple clamps weren't correctly clamped to the specified torque, the procedure to settle the forks and axle hadn't been followed, and the tyres were squaring off, if then one was to ride at Ulster GP speeds violently opposite steering to change trajectory, one might expect to have some buttock clenching moments and possibly a brush with the hedge or a stone wall. Would that indicate a problem with the bike or the rider? The VFR is known for pretty neutral handling and the stock suspenders aren't to bad provided you're not extremely dense. Setting up your sag properly will help and getting the rebound dialled to where it's a comfortable balance between not too bouncy and not to stiff. I believe the original forks on the 5 gen were non adjustable, so getting them right might be a question of fork oil selection. Personally I'd suggest something around 22 cST @ 40°C such as Motul 10w as a good start point (watch out for silkolene fork oil as their products are much more viscous at the same weight as other makes). But definitely do all the checks that Gaz suggests firsts. After that I'd concentrate on getting your technique perfected. Later, you might choose to play around with raising the forks in the clamps to speed up the steering slightly. And possibly raising the rear end to bring a little mass forward to help load the front tyre on corner entry; but this is all icing on the cake stuff for road riding.
  20. Yes that sounds like the best way to approach learning what setup is best for myself. Thanks for the replies. I'm considering my post, and how I said that the 5th Gen feels like a bus... what I meant by that, is that it feels incredibly confidence inspiring. I love how the bike feels against the road going into corners. I mean, it's a fantastically reasuring feeling when riding... What I was getting at was, that there was another post on here where someone mentions that there was some issue (that few experience) relating to the front forks. This is what I am wanting to learn more about. I have not experienced any bad handling myself as such. Just wanting to know more about any potential gremlins around 5th Gen stock front forks. I linked to the thread and have quoted the post. Thanks again.
  21. Thanks, yeah the previous owner relocated it behind the rear master cylinder
  22. Hi Chris. 5th Gens ride really well for a mass produced bike. If you have no confidence in cornering, I suggest you do some much needed basic checks. All info & torque settings & bike specs are listed in workshop manual, free to download on this site. Basics for your own safety: Tyres/size/condition/pressure/age/rotation/ tyre beads evenly fitted. Check wheels for buckles/flat spots. Check brakes for binding. Check ride height. Zero all suspension settings as a base & start again as per manual. Reset front wheel install procedure, may have stiction due to misalignment in fork legs? Reset fork preload & fork position/fork height in top yoke. Check steering bearing feel for notchy/tight spots/ excess play. Torque up centre yoke nut (loosen both top fork pinch bolts first) Check rear eccentric hub is orientated with axle at bottom as viewed from sprocket side. Clean/lube & adjust chain tension. Torque up all accessible bolts. Then go ride it, on same route as before, compare how she rides. You gorra start somewhere, this is where to start, before assuming anything drastic is wrong, which there may well be?. Rgds Gaz
  23. I’ve just got back from a 80 mile ride in the Peak District (England) with a few spirited blasts and I’m amazed how much fun this bike is considering its weight. It loved being thrown around and changes direction amazingly quickly. Very confidence inspiring and I’ve got no issues pushing it.
  24. I have been randomly browsing posts on the forum, and found the following: "I did not like the downright dangerous front stock suspension of the 5th gen. Few people ever experienced what it is capable of doing to you but let it suffice there is a very good reason the sixth gen. has one millimeter larger diameter front forks. They can save your life. I had a likely near death experience with my fifth gen. when I put it in a "just right" cornering position that twisted the front forks on dry pavement. It's a complicated phenomena that gets a bit hairy to say the least but I never trusted the bike again after that. Too complicated to go into here." Basically, I live in an area with lots of "twisties" as you guys call them in the States. I actually live on the old Ulster Grand Prix track (think Joey Dunlop, and similar to the IoM TTs), and this is probably my most regular stomping ground. I love riding my 5th Gen around these roads and since I've only owned the bike around two months now, and been riding it on the road less than a month, I'm kinda a new rider. I've been riding motorcycles since last March (March 2025, so 5 months as of writing), and my experience thus far is based on a Honda CB125F... That being said, I grew up riding, having a small Batbaby as a toddler, later a Honda 50cc and then having spent extensive hours on a Yamaha YZ80 throughout my early teens. I guess my point is that having ridden around these same roads on the Yamaha scrambler I enjoy the feel of testing and pushing myself while riding. The quote above caught my attention, as thus far I felt that riding the 5th Gen is like as stable as a bus. It feels like the bike is virtually impossible to slide or tip or anything of the like, I know that probably sounds (is) naive... but what do you guys think about pushing the 5th Gen in "twisties", especially about the opinion on dangerous front forks from the evidently experienced posters from a few years back. Are there upgrades or mods that I should consider if I want to riding quick? Thanks
  25. I bought a VFR1200X a couple years ago and it has these wire connectors dangling behind the front cowling. I've been trying to search for this style connector and I've come up empty. I think it's for some sort of GPS setup. Not sure why there would be 2 of them. If anyone has any knowledge, please let me know.
  26. Hey guys, Do you have any idea where can i check if mine shaft was replaced? I just bought a 2012 1200x and the shaft seems very clunky. I live in Poland and my vfr was brought from France. I called one dealer in PL but they do not have access to the data older than 2023. JAKUB
  27. Whatever you do, also consider relocating the RR to a cooler spot. I did some measurements and the frame by itself, where the RR is mounted, gets very hot because of the headers being very nearby. I' ve seen subframe temperatures well over 70C/160F which makes it very hard for the RR to dissipate heat.
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    1. med_gallery_491_3463_298783.jpg

      Juniper Pass

      I took a day off from work and also from my bicycle training to take out the Veefalo one last time before the weather turns ugly, supposed to snow the rest of the week and possibly start sticking to the ground along the Colorado Front Range. I took a leisurely pace up hwy 105 toward Morrison and got reacquainted with the bike since its been over a month since I took any sort of twisties on it at all, hwy 105 is a scenic ride along the front range between Denver and Colorado Springs, its mostly easy fast sweepers and lite traffic so its a favorite road of mine when going north. Then I have to negotiate a bit of traffic near Highlands ranch and up hwy 470 into the mountains. I decided to take the Morrison Exit and try either Lookout Mountain or head up Golden Gate Canyon - this time it was Lookout Mountain, I was sort of making it up on the fly as I went along. Lookout Mountain is my old bicycling haunt from my days while I was working at Coors, its a killer ride and all uphill - I don't think I could do it today If I had to, not quite there yet! I saw a whole bunch of riders doing it though and wished I was in shape enough to be there doing it as well. 30 more lbs and I will be able to do it! On this day I would do it on the Veefalo instead.

       

       

       

       

      I took a video from the gateway to the top at the Lookout Mountain State Park, getting past riders, the guy in the green jacket actually pretty much astounded me with how far he had gotten in the short time it took me to set up my camera, some 3 miles at least and up to the gateway from the turn off at hwy 6! Amazing I thought. I took the first two turns slow then got more comfortable as I went up further, till I was doing well, I made some gearing mistakes and took the tight 15mph marked hairpins in the wrong gear so I lugged it a bit on one or two. Still enjoyed it though and then got off at the top and hiked over a rock outcropping for an overview of the road for the pictures below.

       

       

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      Lookout Mountain - Golden Colorado

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      Zoomed in

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      Lookout Mountain Park top of the mountain

      From there I headed up interstate 70 to Idaho Springs for a beer at the Tommy-knockers brewery, I was the only customer in the joint - slow day for them so they treated me like a king! I got a nice tour of the place sort of impromptu, they made me a nice Pastrami sandwich on rye and with the brown ale it was fantastic. I must say the beer is much better there than in the bottles - its always good at the brewery. I am glad I stopped

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      Tommy-knockers Brewpub Idaho Springs

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      Idaho Springs Colorado

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      Mashtuns and fermenters

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      Rows of fermenters

      I finished my lunch and since the road to Mount Evans is right there I headed up Squaw pass hoping to get in some nice pictures I wasn't expecting what I found, ICE IN ALL THE SHADY PARTS

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      Icy patches on Squaw Pass definitely taking it easy on that road

      There were some section where the ice covered the whole road for 300 yards or so I had to roll through it with my legs out to help keep the bike from sliding and falling over, I took it real slow. A Ford pickup was right behind me so I pulled over to let him pass but the guy was going slower then even I was so I pressed on - in places where I could see I just cut over to the oncoming lane and out of the ice where the sun was shining on the road more, but some places there was not alternative so I just had to go slow, good thing it wasn't slick but rather they tossed some gravel over the worst parts so I had some traction!

      I did stop for pictures in all the best spots

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      Echo Lake at Mount Evans showing off my new plate

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      Elephant Butte Park and Denver

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      Close up

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      Veefalo on Squaw Pass

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      Juniper Pass

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      Juniper Pass

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      Mount Evans

      My route A is home B is Tommy-knockers

       

    2. martinkap
      Latest Entry

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      Not that it matters and not that I expect anyone had noticed, but to those who sent me "where are you?" I would like to say I am back. Not only that I am officially returning to VFRD after nearly 2 months break but I have also ridden my Hawk last weekend and had FUN! Let me restate that; I had major fun riding! Something I have almost given up on.

      Most of you have been riding your whole adult lives and riding is not only a hobby to you, it is part of you. But I started riding three years ago and even though I have encounter some setbacks, till this spring I loved riding with whole my heart. However, I have always considered riding as my hobby. As a hobby which suppose to make my life better, more fun and more rich. Life is too short to do something which we don't fully love.

      My love of riding received a first major scar this spring: I lost a friend on the racetrack. He was a total stranger who offered me his help after I lowsided at CMP track last year. I still remember hearing his "Hi, my name is Todd, do you need help?" while I was duct-taping my roadrash from ripped jacket. He helped me straighten up the shifter and we kept in touch. The next time we saw each other was the day he died.

      With 9 months delay, I can say that Todd's death shook me more than I have realized. It rooted fear in me which was fueled by seeing and hearing about others getting hurt over and over again. If I was to summarize this year - it would be one big accident report. I became sensitive to every broken bone, every roadrash, every lowside. And even though I did 10 track days this year, I became slower and slower and slower. Suddenly, I have acquired this 'grandma' riding style on the road, frozen with fear that behind every corner there is car standing in my lane, or major sand trap or deer staring at me ... I was crippled with fear not only for me about also for my fellow rider.

      So, at the end of this year, I rode more and more by myself. I could not bear the feelings of responsibility for others on the road and my lines were crippled by my own fears. It all culminated this fall at WDGAH. In a freaky accident Love2rideh82crash was taken down by a truck crossing into our lane. I was done. I finished the weekend, locked the VFR into a garage and took a break.

      Until the last weekend, I pretended that motorcycles do not exists. As a last instance after 2 months break from riding, I decided to go to CMP track to see if I can still have fun. I also felt like I should go for the memory of Todd. I went and I had fun! I had much more fun than I expected and the most fun on track I can remember. Suddenly the whole track connected into an uninterupted line of turns and I felt one with the bike riding around! I was giggling like a little girl in my helmet and keep on giggling ever since smile.gif

      Granted I was not the fastest one and through out the weekend, I have never exceeded about 60% of my riding abilities, but I had no "oh-shit" nor 'blond' moments. I could have maybe go faster, I could have brake later for the turns and I could have lean further, but I am no Rossi nor Stoner. I decided to ride for fun and I had amazing blast riding well within my comfort zone.

      I was proud of myself when, after bandaging Ricks arm, I was able to distance myself and go back to riding without the year-long fear. I did feel bad for him but the feelings were not crippling my lines nor my mind. And when a total stranger came to me and said "Hi, my name is Todd", my heart stopped for a minute though but I suddenly knew that my life went a full circle. I probably will never win MotoGP :idea3: , but I am back! :wheel:

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