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 Project 41 gets its final oil change Some of our VFRs have an annoying quirk which allows draining sump and filter oil to run onto the exhaust pipe. A simple tip is to drape a length of aluminum foil over the pipe to divert the dirty oil. Once the drain plug and filter are in place, you'll still need to spray some cleaner over the engine sump, so leave the foil in place to divert that stuff, too — I use aerosol electronic cleaner.
Toss the foil in the trash.
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 Click on image for the eBay link What: 2010 VFR1200F Why: Nice shape, well-maintained Where: Albuquerque, NM Price: Opening bid $4000 UPDATE: No bids received The 7th-Gen VFR was a radical departure from Honda's successful formula for their V4 "sporty bike" platform. And it was not well received, despite being a tour de force of technology, style, power, competency and impeccable build quality. Introduced in 2010, the model struggled in the showroom, resulting in selling discounts for its four-year model run. Those lowered dollar values continue to this day, making the 1200F an exceptional used bike value, and today's auction bike is a perfect example. Showing 27,000 miles and a great maintenance history, the only mod listed is a Two Brothers carbon slip-on muffler that "isn’t too loud but winds up nicely when you open the throttle." There's some tip-over markings on the left side and the forks seals are beginning to seep. But the thing that caught my eye with this sale is the price — the seller's opening bid is $4000 with no reserve, when 1200Fs routinely carry asking prices of $6-7K. The back story is that this bike is re-listed, having garnered no bids the last time around. That probably speaks volumes about the used sport touring market in general and the 7th-Gen VFR in particular, but when you stand back and consider the amount of motorcycle you're potentially getting for under $5000 it really is a bit amazing. Good luck to seller and buyer.  "The Essentials" carb rebuild kit Essential Carb Rebuild Kit This collection of parts are what I use in my carb rebuilding. I've sourced the best parts I can find and only include the replacement bits I consider necessary — the rest of the carbs' OEM parts can be reused. Combine this with the "Fuel Line Kit" (Gen-2) and you'll have all your fuel concerns covered — well, maybe a replacement fuel tank petcock, available from Honda or aftermarket. Of course, I still offer the stand-alone "Fuel Joint O-ring & Fuel Line Kit, '86-97," to seal those fuel tubes, or even just the fuel joint o-rings (only $6!). Lots of options, so no excuse for letting a great bike sit idle due to leaking or malfunctioning carbs. Visit the "Products" page and contact me with questions. [email protected]  Click on image for the eBay link UPDATE: PRICE INCREASED TO $93!!! WTH?
I used to buy these Gen-2 carburetor insulators for about $40 per set of four. Those days are behind us, and they now list for $90 from Honda, or about $75 via the internet. These are OEM parts — I've never found aftermarket Gen-2 replacements. But here's an eBay seller offering sets of four for only $60.42 (w/coupon code) including shipping. I'm amazed that Honda still has these available (not true for the Gen-3) so we should grab them while we can.  With the new chain/sprocket set installed on Project 41, it was time to mount the sprocket cover and clutch slave. The decision was made to go aftermarket, and a beautiful Oberon slave cylinder was chosen, in titanium color. This a a straightforward swap using the original mounting bolts. Oberon furnishes a fresh gasket and I add a dab of grease to the clutch push rod. To finish off the clutch hydraulics, the rebuilt and repainted master cylinder was installed along with a stainless braided hose. The system bled out easily and looks great. I've never used an Oberon slave, so I'm anxious to get this one on the road. https://www.oberon-performance.co.uk/clutch-slave-cylinders  SOLD $300 includes shipping to continental U.S. I found this beauty a few years back via one of the VFR forums, but just never came up with a Gen-4 to mount it on. I don't see that happening so it's time to pass it on to someone who can make use of it. This is an 18" long (muffler), genuine carbon fiber, with mid-pipe to mate to the 1994-97 VFR750 stock exhaust collector. Includes two connector springs. I've never mounted it but it appears to be a high-mount style, no additional mounting hardware included. It is a used item, but negligible wear evident. There's a light scuff on the rear side, not visible when mounted (see photo). The muffler weighs 2 lbs, 7 oz, the pipe 1 lb. A very nice piece. Contact me: [email protected] (some images appear to have a tan hue, but the carbon fiber is the darker shade pictured) (click on an image to enlarge) Some time ago, I convinced AS3, in the UK, to begin manufacturing silicone hose kits for the Gen-2, 1986-87 VFR 700/750. As an incentive, I agreed to purchase several sets, of which I have two sets available for sale, black, new in the package. These are complete with the special clamp set, specially designed for silicone coolant hoses. Retails for $146 USD, yours for $120 including shipping to continental U.S. I also have one new hose set for the Gen-3, 1990-93 VFR750, no clamp set, new in the package. Retails for $114, yours for $90, including shipping to the continental U.S. https://www.as3performance.com/ PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, etc. Contact me at: [email protected] I have a beautiful new, never mounted M-Shock for sale, made in France. I purchased this for a project three years ago and never used it. Spec'd for a 200-lb solo rider. 10 3/8 inches between mounting holes. Paid $492. Yours for $400 including shipping to continental U.S. Designed and manufactured by a passionate suspension expert. A single adjustment knob adjusts both compression and rebound, keeping the two correctly sync'd. This is my second M-Shock, the first was an excellent upgrade at a reasonable price point. Contact me with questions: [email protected] https://shock-factory.fr/en/home/28-m-shock-bike-shock-absorber.html  With the rear end components installed on Project 41, a 1987 VFR700 F2, it's time to fit fresh chain and sprockets. From the wide selections available at Motosport (.com), I chose JT brand steel sprockets in stock sizes (16/45 tooth), and a Bikemaster X-ring chain in nickel finish. I also opted for a rubber-damped front sprocket, just because. Here, I'm guiding the new chain around the front sprocket — it's not obvious, but the rear tire is clear of the lift so that the wheel rotates as I guide the chain through the frame and over the sprocket. Notice the notes on the frame and rear sprocket to remind me to torque the fasteners once the chain is installed and the tire lowered.  (Below) I'm using my trusty Motion Pro chain breaker/riveting kit. Chains are often packaged with the correct number of links, but this one came with about five extra links, which I marked and drove out the necessary rivet. Here, you can see the driven rivet and its o-rings. The new master link is greased and ready to install. This is a rivet-style master link, the "clip" style is not appropriate for high performance street bikes. (click on an image to enlarge) (Below) Next, I install the new master and o-rings from the backside. The front plate then needs to be "pressed" to achieve the correct width. Be sure to keep the rivets centered in the tool's holes, so as not to inadvertently mushroom the rivet (pink arrow). As I'm pressing the plates, I pause to check the width, matching it to its neighbors. (Below) With the correct width, I reconfigure the tool to rivet, basically mushrooming the soft rivet to lock the plate in place (no photo). The rivet needs to be just right, too tight and the link won't want to pivot as the chain wraps around the sprockets, too loose and you risk the plate coming off — you can imagine the result. Here, I'm measuring the pressed rivet's diameter — the chain manufacturer will provide a recommended diameter range; 5.48mm is perfect. This is what your finished rivets should look like. (Below) Finally, with the sprockets now held firmly in place by the chain, I'm able to torque the sprocket fasteners. At the rear, I've numbered the nuts to help me torque them in a crosswise pattern (you have to raise/rotate the wheel to access each nut, and you can easily loose track). After torquing the front bolt, I add a line of white paint. This allows a quick inspection through the sprocket cover to verify that the bolt hasn't loosened. Rear nuts: 58-72 ft-lb Front bolt: 38 ft-lb After adjusting the chain tension, this job is finished. Next, I'll install the sprocket cover and a very special clutch slave cylinder.  Click on image for the VFRworld.com link Here's something new to me: This is an aftermarket Wolf brand underseat dual muffler slip-on to fit the 1998-01 VFR800. I came across this offered for sale at VFRworld.com by member vfrcapn. It's a used item, said to have been restored by a previous owner. The seller states that he's had the system in use and fabricated an underseat tray, which is included. I would assume that this is a necessary modification but not really sure. The entire package is offered for $775 plus shipping from California. Contact the seller via the attached photo link for more information on this rare and unusual item (membership required). |
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