Jump to content

All Activity

This stream auto-updates

  1. Past hour
  2. natnif
    I ended up taking a much longer break than anticipated from this. Building work, health issues and my mam died just before Christmas so it's been a bit of a shitshow! Anyway, I got a few hours at it over the last few days. This poor bike is so crusty, everything just takes so much longer than it should because there is so much cleaning involved before anything can go back together! My main job this time was to pull the thermostat and test it. As you can see from the pictures, the o rings were in such bad shape they had to be scraped out piece by piece. From the state of the block , there have been a few leaks down here for a while so all water joints get new genuine o rings, bolts cleaned up etc. The thermostat tested fine so back in that went. I got about half the new hoses fitted as welland I'm obviiously replaceing all the hose clips as well....some of those were so bad I had to cut them off! Slow progress, but progress all the same. My aim is to have this on the road by the end of the month. I'll run it for the season and if it proves itself, then it'll get pulled apart next Winter for a more serious restoration, sort some rust and really start cleaning it up. I'm hoping to get back at it again on Saturday to bleed the brakes fully and get the rest of the coolant hoses sorted.
  3. Today
  4. Terry
    I can't stand not knowing whether the engine is maintained correctly (or not). My 1200 was purchased as an insurance write-off and I had no idea of the mechanical history, so in I go. My 800 VTEC had been unloved by the PO so after riding it for a few months I bit the bullet and opened that one up too. Although accepted wisdom is "the VTEC valves never need servicing" my experience was quite the reverse with 7 of 8 out of spec and one with very little clearance. Based on the effort required to check them, I suspect they were never looked at before, just the non-VTEC valves. Bucket/shim valves don't get noisier, they just slowly recede into the head and the clearance reduces.
  5. davydave
    Thats intresting to know,i will report bsck once mine get sorted.I'm with you on thr imperial too lol.
  6. Terry
    I opened my 2015 VFR1200F up yesterday 28000km and have completed the rear valves so far. All intakes were dead on at 0.006", all the exhausts had opened up from the spec 0.008" to 0.010". Pardon my Imperial measurements, I find it much easier to do valves in inches where the tolerance is +/-0.001". I'll be doing the front head later in the week once I figure out how to get there. Pulling the radiator off looks easier than the throttle bodies but I already have the wiring and airbox off so I'm nearly there. Before I started the service there were no worrying noises, I just like to know that what I am riding has been correctly maintained. From what I know, the clearances on the shim/bucket valves (i.e. the intakes) are more likely to close up, but very slowly. The screw and locknut valves seem to open out with time and I assume more rapidly than the shim/buckets. More clearance is not a risk to the engine, just may make a little more valve noise. Insufficient clearance is much more of a risk if the valves can't close fully when they are hot.
  7. Dutchy
    Granted, I ride VFR750s. Current one 82000km, never checked. Runs peachy. Prior one (culled by an oncoming cager turning left) did 102,000km. YMMV.
  8. Dutchy
    But now, the fun is over...
  9. drHoo
    I'm also sitting on the fence with my valve clearance and spark plugs. I have a manual 2015 and when the previous owner showed me a Honda's stamp that the valves where checked at 16k. I believe this was just a "listening check" rather than opening the head and checking properly. My bike has now done 37k miles and I'm intending to get the sparks and valves checked in the next couple of 1000 miles.
  10. davydave
    Hi all,newbie here.Got a 1200DCT 2011 model year.Has only done 21500 miles,but has no history of the valves being checked.I know its due at 16500,and I'm currently waiting on an engineer freind to have time to check them.My question is is it risky to keep adding the miles as its so over?I have seen threads where people say its not needed even at much higher mileages,but I'd rather hear from the hive mind as to how safe it is.Thanks all!
  11. Dutchy
    -1°C is no reason not to ride....
  12. LEGEND
    VFR’s function so well for so long maintenance can get overlooked. Took my 6th generation ‘07 to the shop for brake fluid replacement and clutch fluid as well. Proper bleeding with new fluids made all the difference, shifting is butter and very smooth engagement now. Those sometimes troublesome linked brakes are now working like new, fresh pads up front as well.
  13. PetePower
    I have Honda risers on my 2014 and I'm very happy with them
  14. Captain 80s
    Probably why I prefer little cable free play on my bikes, but still be safely present.
  15. PetePower
    I got mine a coupla years back from MParts in Japan
  16. vfrgiving
    I've got enough miles on them all, I'm used to it. Going back to a cable clutch with earlier engagement is a little foreign to me.
  17. Terry
    Too true. I have also found that when the friction discs get some wear, the clutch has a narrower engagement band and can be a little grabby. I fitted new EBC friction discs to both my 5th and 6th gens (at around 90000km for each) and they made the clutch feel like new with a broad and smooth engagement that makes me look more like someone who knows how to operate fine machinery.
  18. Yesterday
  19. vfrgiving
    Not really shown in full, but you can see the brackets in the photo. I have the official "tall" accessory windscreen from Honda installed. Got a killer deal on it. Half price from a vendor because it was "open box", despite being unused. Somewhat interesting... Honda didn't actually make it. They farmed out the production to National Cycle. I was somewhat confused seeing their name on a bag of hardware, but their NC stamp is also in the bottom corner of the plastic. Not really surprising though, Honda often farms out OEM accessories to 3rd parties. GIVI has handled cases for them before.
  20. St. Stephen
    That is a machine to eat up the highway miles. Do you have enough wind protection? Looks like you have a windscreen, but otherwise how is it in the rain or at freeway speeds?
  21. Tirso
    Years ago had similar issue, with my '99 clutch. Replaced master and slave with known working pair and stored the "bad" master and slave. Yesterday morning, I drained and disassembled the non working set. This is what I found. The master did not show any signs of corrosion. To my surprise the rubber gaskets were soft/supple and had no wear. Some of the brake fluid was starting to jell on the piston but a little scrubbing with a soft toothbrush and WD-40 cleared that up. The problem was at the slave. With some effort, the piston could be push back into the slave but it would not bounce back, it was stuck. I got the piston out and found lots of corrosion. The bottom part of slave corroded from moisture due to lack of maintenance. Top part of slave had little corrosion The bottom part of slave piston was also corroded. With some 3M 7448 Ultra Fine Pad and WD-40 I cleared up the corrosion, making sure my last scrubs were aligned with the piston (up/down) rather than going around the slave bore. Sprayed everything with brake cleaner and let it sit overnight. This morning, used a tiny bit of red rubber grease on the rubber and bores and put it back together. Now the pistons in both the MC and slave are smooth and bouncy. Attached below are some after pictures I took this morning after I saw this message. If you know the MC, slave and piston are clean and corrosion free, I'd next look at the push rod. There is a right and wrong way to install the MC rod. As @Terry said check the long rod the slave piston pushes. Also @Captain 80s and @FromMaine mention looking at the brass bushing if you are using the stock lever. Also make sure the pivot point between lever and MC are clean and properly adjusted. If needed, Brakecrafters sells a couple of rebuild kits, Here's the Honda version. Good luck, have fun.
  22. vfrgiving
    I've got three Hondas in the garage with hydraulic clutch. VFR, VTX and Goldwing. Friction zone on all is closer to released than pulled in.
  23. vfrgiving
    Not so recent photo, but I can't wait to slab this thing across the continent to SoCal. I've since figured out a top trunk arrangement. Late spring can't come soon enough. Today I finished all the touring farkles I need. Fit RIVCO Products Aero Goldwing highway pegs, which I gotta say is the slickest aftermarket product I've ever installed on any bike. Never thought I'd find a motorcycle engine I'd like as much as the 5th gen V4, but man... this flat-6. 👌 The instant torque off idle, smoothness and subdued spaceship noises is tied with 180-crank gear-driven cams in my book. Fitting they are parked next to eachother.
  24. FromMaine
    My experience is that the hydraulic clutch can appear to be stiffer than a cable, but that is going from a 2016 Africa Twin to any of my VFR's. Capt. brings up some good points. Bleeding with new DOT 4. and yes, that bronze bushing can get a bit crusty and benefits from a polish and lube, as does the adjusting wheel. Speaking of which you should be able to get a fair amount of range out of it as far as where the clutch starts to engage. If none of that seems to satisfy, there are numerous aftermarket levers available that work well. I do have like 3 pairs on my bikes, only because the oems were worn out and they were cheaper than replacing with oem's. As far as temps go, my 5th Gen runs hotter than my 2nd. 3rd, or 4th. Yes 219f is when the fan switch comes on, but never at speed, only when stuck in traffic or extended stop and go. Being in Calf. where you can filter in traffic I would think it would be rare rather than a common occurrence. If this happens, say cruising at 45 mph when the ambient temp is 80f, you should start thinking about a system flush and clean. Also, the water pumps are mechanically driven, so they perform less effectively at extended idle. I'm in Europe at the moment, so do not have access to my service manuals, but I'm sure either Clymers or Haynes has a testing procedure for the pump. BTW, Honda says anything over 252f is considered overheating on these bikes, which I consider to be bordering on ludicrous. Good luck. They are still great bikes despite the odd head scratcher.
  25. Terry
    The 5th gen clutch should be smooth and easy. In addition to the Captain's advice, you can remove the clutch slave cylinder, that pushes on a long rod through the motor, which can be slipped right out, polished up and greased. The slave itself may also have some corrosion that is making the action a bit stiff, but that requires a little more surgery to correct. If you do pull the slave off, use a g-clamp or cable tie to stop the piston creeping right out.
  26. TTommy5thGen
    TTommy5thGen changed their profile photo
  27. Mohawk
    I recalled that looking for something else a few months ago I found a spare set. These are nickel coated, can't guarantee exactly same as the brass ones I used. But connected length is 85mm, barb tails are 10mm. I don't recall doing it but looks like I may have turned them down a little. They self seal on both sides.
  28. Captain 80s
    Stock lever? (aftermarket can affect leverage and friction zone) Have you bled the system, which would also replace the fluid? Have you removed the lever to clean and regrease the pivot? Have you checked the condition of the replaceable brass bushing in the lever? (can definitely affect friction zone when worn) Some people can find them stiffer than cable, and it can depend on the model and the clutch springs, just like any other bike. A 500 Interceptor will be different from a ST1100. I've been pulling hydraulic clutches for about 40 years and don`t consider them too stiff, even after riding one of my cable bikes.
  29. Shoelib
    Nearly a month with the 1998 rc46. Running great it seems, just some notes. Clutch lever is stiff, although it IS my first bike with a hydraulic clutch I'm just wondering if it's meant to be that much stiffer than a cable. Moreover, I have virtually no free play entering the friction zone. While the lever distance is slightly adjustable with the little wheel and whatnot, is there a way to bring the friction zone a little closer to the knuckles? Also, what's the normal operating temperature? Consistently hitting 220f+ on sub-85f days
  1. Load more activity

  • Blogs

    1. HispanicSlammer

      A blog by HispanicSlammer in General

      • 122
        entries
      • 565
        comments
      • 301777
        views

      Recent Entries

      HispanicSlammer

      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.

       

       

      gallery_491_3463_225077.jpg

      Lookout Mountain - Golden Colorado

      gallery_491_3463_460686.jpg

      Zoomed in

      gallery_491_3463_96202.jpg

      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

      gallery_491_3463_328875.jpg

      Tommy-knockers Brewpub Idaho Springs

      gallery_491_3463_290342.jpg

      Idaho Springs Colorado

      gallery_491_3463_432219.jpg

      Mashtuns and fermenters

      gallery_491_3463_278071.jpg

      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

      gallery_491_3463_419309.png

      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

      gallery_491_3463_338944.jpg

      Echo Lake at Mount Evans showing off my new plate

      gallery_491_3463_562075.jpg

      Elephant Butte Park and Denver

      gallery_491_3463_271364.jpg

      Close up

      gallery_491_3463_12419.jpg

      Veefalo on Squaw Pass

      gallery_491_3463_298783.jpg

      Juniper Pass

      gallery_491_3463_291678.jpg

      Juniper Pass

      gallery_491_3463_385846.jpg

      Mount Evans

      My route A is home B is Tommy-knockers

       

    2. MartinkaP's Blog

      A blog by martinkap in General

      • 8
        entries
      • 77
        comments
      • 36712
        views

      Recent Entries

      martinkap
      Latest Entry

      I Am Back !

      gallery_7692_2036_18129.jpg

      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:

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.

  I accept