A VFR followed me home...

[Zerosum]

So I'm picking up a '97 VFR today... It's funny: I wanted one of these for the longest time, but then soured on the idea.  I almost bought a 4th Gen 750 a while back, but the Reg/Rectifier blew WHILE I was test riding it.  Then I rode an 800 and the ergos just felt too "sport" for me.  So after that, I decided that the VFR just wasn't for me.   I resumed my casual search for a sport tourer, looking mainly at the V-Strom 650, FZ-1, SV1000S, etc.  But the money thing just kept holding me back... I didn't want to spend more than $3K.  My price range keeps me about 10 years behind the sport-touring curve, I guess.

But then this VFR750 popped up on Craigslist yesterday... and it was on my way home from work... and it was cheap... and it only has 7200 miles on it.  It looks great, but as one might expect from the low milage, it's showing a few signs of sitting unused.  The guy was really nice, and let me take it for a test ride.  (I NEVER ask unless I'm handing over a 100% deposit, but hey, he offered!)  I'm not sure why, but it just felt good to ride.  The bars weren't too far forward, I felt nicely nestled in behind the tank, and makes decent torque compared to my little Hawk GT.  So I said to myself, "Screw it, I want this bike.  I can always sell it for what I'm paying for it!"  Wee!  I figure I owe it to myself as a motorcyclist who claims to like "sport touring" to at least see what this whole VFR thing is all about.  (How's THAT for rationalization?!)

So now for the reason for the post:

This thing is in great shape, except for the chain.  It's bone dry and a little rusty.  Am I correct in assuming that I should replace it?  And if I should replace it, what about the sprocket?  I know you're supposed to replace the sprocket and chain together, but the sprocket only has 7200 miles on it... can I consider re-using it if the teeth are in near-new shape?  

Also, the guy wasn't exactly clear on how old the tires were.  Between 3 and 5 years was his answer.  They still have decent tread, and no signs of dryrot, but am I correct in assuming that these should also be replaced with fresh rubber?  How big of a saftey issue is this?

And the 3rd issue... this thing is on its stock regulator/rectifier.  Which means that it's probably a ticking time bomb.

Is there anything else I should look for on this "garage queen" VFR?

Thanks guys!

Rob

[veefer800canuck]

Check you tires ages by using this handy guide:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

[hovmaven]

Say hello to your new home:

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?

Post in the proper model forum (or in Mods/Maintenance) and answers will follow.  

[Carlos]

This thing is in great shape, except for the chain.  It's bone dry and a little rusty.  Am I correct in assuming that I should replace it?  And if I should replace it, what about the sprocket?  I know you're supposed to replace the sprocket and chain together, but the sprocket only has 7200 miles on it... can I consider re-using it if the teeth are in near-new shape?  

Also, the guy wasn't exactly clear on how old the tires were.  Between 3 and 5 years was his answer.  They still have decent tread, and no signs of dryrot, but am I correct in assuming that these should also be replaced with fresh rubber?  How big of a saftey issue is this?

Α new chain must be followed by a new pair of sprockets .Maybe the teeth are in great shape but can they last for about 20K km , as It lasts a chain , or more? Besides , the cost for both of them are about 200E ( don't know exactly in US ).

As for the tires , even after a 6month period of immobility , they need change . Of course if they were kept in garage they should be in a better condition than the ones that are exposed to sun and rain .But the 3 to 5 yaers period is way to long even from   condition

[2DFlyer]

Nice ride.  Congratulations on living another fantasy!

[Zerosum]

So I got my new VFR home last night.  It is a neat bike.  Heavy (compared to my Hawk GT), but a neat bike.  It certainly makes you PLAN your next move carefully at low speeds.  The Hawk is way, way more manuverable at low speeds.  I'll probably get used to the weight quickly, but for now, all I can think is "DON'T DROP IT!!!"   And what a technological marvel this thing is... my Hawk is so simple and primative by comparison!  The thought of having to disassemble and work on this thing makes me ill.

Regarding comfort, Honda really performed a feat of ergonomic alchemy with this bike.  I've never, ever sat on a sport bike and felt this comfortable before.  Even the VFR800 put way too much weight on my wrists.  But the VFR750 seems to balance my weight properly between my ass and my hands.  I see now why there are die-hard 750 fans who never really liked the 5th gen 800.

Powerwise, that V-4 a neat motor.  At low-to-mid RPMs, it responds like a V-twin.  But when you crank on the throttle it remembers that it's a multi and goes!  I can't wait to put this thing on the road!

So yeah, maintenence wise - a new set of tires is definately in my future.   The chain has some minor surface rust, but I'm hoping I can clean it up with some karosene and a brush.

One thing I noticed - after I got it home, of course - is that the exhaust is smoking a little.  It's not black, or white (thank god), but a light grey.  There's no evidence of soot on the exhaust discharge or around it (and the guy hadn't cleaned it before he sold it).  At first I was a little freaked out.  I even looked for smoke coming from the exhaust when I was test riding it, but it was at night so I guess I didn't see it...  

For now I'm telling myself, "hey, the bike only has 7200 miles on it in 10 years.  There're probably some deposits in the fuel system.  No big deal."  I've noticed that my Hawk does this if it's been sitting for a long time... I'm going to run some carb cleaner through it for the next few tanks of gas and keep my fingers crossed.  The exhaust also smells really rich, now that I think about it.  The guy who sold it to me said that fuel/air/exhaust was all bone stock, and he was the original owner.  Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[veefer800canuck]

Pop the lid off the airbox and look where the PCV vent line connects. You'll have to remove the airfilter to see it.

Look for some oily residue left from the crankcase. If the P.O. overfilled the oil, it's possible to shoot some mist up into the airbox via the PCV system.


And a shot of carb cleaner followed by a few tanks of fuel and a sound thrashing may be in order too!


Don't forget to check the date code on those tires. Bridgestone has their new BT021s that would be great for your bike. Also the new Avon Storm ST

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/index.php?page=tyres&method=showtyre&id=25

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Bridgestone/Bridgestone%20MC/bridgestone_battlax_bt021.htm

And sorry, it's in german:

[spinalator]

I had an extra R/R but never used it and got 50K out of the old one in 6 years before I sold it. Some guys were doing mods with cooling fans, using R1 R/R's or whatever. Keep the battery serviced, take the plastics off and go over the wires AND connectors and regrease them with dielectric grease or solder them if you are bored. I have seen three fried R?R's in two VFR's and all of them had bad wires connectors seemingly first.

I bought a sprocket and chain set and changed them all at the same time. A good excuse to buy a riveting tool as well.

[White Lightning]

7200 miles in 10 years?    The poor bike has been neglected, take it out for a ride.

Congratulations on the new steed.

[sagerat]

I'm betting you can save the chain with a little cleaning and relubing.  

Congrats on the Viffer.  Now throw some Tourmaster Cor-Tech soft luggage on it or Corbin Beetle Bags and you're all set to live the STN fantasy.  Models wil throw their room keys at you.  

[Mr Pheer]

you could be getting the exhaust smoke from old gas being in the tank. Drain the old gas and fill up with some fresh unleaded and ride it a bit, it will probably clear up and run even better.

[Against The Wind]

Great bike. Enjoy. I also think you should be able to clean the chain and go. I'd install new rubber.

[Zerosum]

Hey, guys.  So I ran some carb cleaner through the tank on Sat.  It seemed to help.  The smoking only ocurrs when the motor is cold.  Once it warms up the exhaust gases are completely transparent.  I could try draining the gas... of course, I'd have to FIND the fuel outlet... this thing doesn't have petcock valve!  What the hell kind of techno-spaceship bike is this anyway?

I'm going to try and salvage the chain.  Any ideas on what kind of solvent I should use to scrub off the surface rust?  I was inclined to use WD40 and a stiff brush, but I read the other day that WD40 will penetrate the O-rings and disolve the lubricant behind the seals?  (Oops... I use WD40 on my Hawk's O-ring chain all the time... D'oh.)  I've read that Karosene won't do that, though, because it's a heavier weight.

I need to do some research regarding tires... I definately want to keep the maintenance costs down with this bike, now that I have two to worry about.  I've read lots of good things about the longevity of Avon Azaros, it sounds like they're at the "intersection" of longevity and performance.

Thanks for all the input, guys!

[Against The Wind]

I use Varsol for cleaning my chain.