XLR8's VFR

[Rogue]

Do yourself a favor and buy the oil filter socket NOW.  That factory oil filter is tight and it will take a big oil filter tool to get it out.  Problem is, there is no room to fit a big oil filter wrench.  So get that Honda oil filter socket (or equivalent) and save yourself the head ache.  It does take 10w40.  Use cheap oil for now.  Oil change intervals on the bike is every 7,500 miles I think.  If it's got the original tires, maybe now is a good time to replace them with Dunlop Roadsmarts.  If I were you, I would go ahead and flush all the fluids like brake and clutch and coolant, replace with fresh ones.  Be mindful when replacing those brake fluids on linked brakes--it must be done in order.  Starter valve synchronization would be nice if you have time.

It's nearly a 7 year old bike afterall.

[ol Rocket]

Can I start the "Vtec sucks" sub-thread now?

[XLR8]

Can I start the "Vtec sucks" sub-thread now?

 

I read so much of it, it made me want to try it even more.
Posted on: October 14, 2008, 10:01:02 pm

Dude, it takes a week to ship it from Fort Collins to Boise?

Only takes about 15 hours to make that drive!

Sorry about the wait...I spose that it gives you time to order frame sliders and such.  

May be here sooner. I was going to go get it but I don't have the time.
Posted on: October 14, 2008, 10:01:46 pm

Do yourself a favor and buy the oil filter socket NOW.  That factory oil filter is tight and it will take a big oil filter tool to get it out.  Problem is, there is no room to fit a big oil filter wrench.  So get that Honda oil filter socket (or equivalent) and save yourself the head ache.  It does take 10w40.  Use cheap oil for now.  Oil change intervals on the bike is every 7,500 miles I think.  If it's got the original tires, maybe now is a good time to replace them with Dunlop Roadsmarts.  If I were you, I would go ahead and flush all the fluids like brake and clutch and coolant, replace with fresh ones.  Be mindful when replacing those brake fluids on linked brakes--it must be done in order.  Starter valve synchronization would be nice if you have time.

It's nearly a 7 year old bike afterall.

Forgot all about that oil filter wrench. Thanks. I need to see if they have one. I bet that filter is on there tighter than a sumbitch.  

[mtrider16]

Yes, my memory was incorrect.  It is 10-40.

I bought a dual sized filter socket from Napa and it was too large in diameter to take the filter off.  I used the ole screwdriver trick, but it was touch and go to get the factory filter off.  Since then, I've been using a water pump plier.

I read the shop manual on the linked brake bleeding process, and after all the fun I had with the clutch, I'm not sure I want to tackle the brakes without a power bleeder.

Your going to have more posts on this thread before you get a chance to post pictures than most people do with their new bike threads after they post pictures.  

You have to take at least the left side panel off to get the oil changed.  Pick up some of those flakey Honda plastic rivits as you will eventually break one or two.  The ones that hold the left and right fairing together under the engine are easy to break with all the dirt and road grime.

David

[mtrider16]

3 days and counting....  

Paper and keys have arrived.  

I think some of us our about as excited as XLR8.  

David

[XLR8]

It finally left Denver!  

[merrily]

congrats on the bike purchase!  fun bike, but i don't suppose you'll ever find a non-fun bike.  each motorbike has its own niche.

m.

[XLR8]

congrats on the bike purchase!  fun bike, but i don't suppose you'll ever find a non-fun bike.  each motorbike has its own niche.

m.

thanks merrily!

tomorrow I can do an oil change, possibly coolant if I can figure it out and then I can try it out.  

[traveler]

thanks merrily!

tomorrow I can do an oil change, possibly coolant if I can figure it out and then I can try it out.  

Did you get a Honda shop manual yet? Might want to review it prior to attempting a coolant flush/change. May also be helpful for your first oil change, but owner's manual should have info on that.

Oil change is easy, at least on mine, with the exception of fairing r and r. You might need a Honda filter wrench, and note that Honda recently changed filter diameter/size or number of flats, so now I have two filter wrenches. See VFRD for aftermarket filters which fit your bike and are also of high quality. Honda gets $10 and change for a filter. Also, a 10-12 in. extension (3/8 drive) for your ratchet plugged into the filter wrench will ease the process. Don't forget to buy some crush washers for the drain plug. I change mine at each oil/filter change.

VFRD should have lots of how-to's you can refer to if you get stuck on anything. I could possibly come by to give you a hand but don't even know what part of town you live in. I pm'd you my phone a while back. Call if you need anything.

As previously mentioned, stock up on the fairing plastic rivets, as they will fail.

 

[XLR8]

Did you get a Honda shop manual yet? Might want to review it prior to attempting a coolant flush/change. May also be helpful for your first oil change, but owner's manual should have info on that.

Oil change is easy, at least on mine, with the exception of fairing r and r. You might need a Honda filter wrench, and note that Honda recently changed filter diameter/size or number of flats, so now I have two filter wrenches. See VFRD for aftermarket filters which fit your bike and are also of high quality. Honda gets $10 and change for a filter. Also, a 10-12 in. extension (3/8 drive) for your ratchet plugged into the filter wrench will ease the process. Don't forget to buy some crush washers for the drain plug. I change mine at each oil/filter change.

VFRD should have lots of how-to's you can refer to if you get stuck on anything. I could possibly come by to give you a hand but don't even know what part of town you live in. I pm'd you my phone a while back. Call if you need anything.

As previously mentioned, stock up on the fairing plastic rivets, as they will fail.

 

I should have everything I need but time. Here's the account since it got off the truck yesterday...

Wake up, do homework, eat, go to work. On the way out of the house I stop and say, "hey, look at my cool bike I can't play with".  

At the end of the day I do this in reverse.  

Tomorrow I have the day off to catch up on stuff and run some errands and maybe take some pictures.  

[mtrider16]

Wohoo!    Can't wait to see the pics.  I have a shop manual I can read to you if you get stuck.  I haven't flushed the coolant, as I think it has been running enough.  

PM sent.

Hey, quit posting on STN and get cracking on that bike, you can still put some miles on yet this year.  

David

[ol Rocket]

You're going to lose your reputation as a serious slacker if you start putting work and studying ahead of playing with a bike.

[Rogue]

I don't know if you've done the coolant already.  Changing this on the VFR is super-easy.  There is a drain plug right above the oil fiter I believe.  Just loosen that and out comes the coolant.  Remove the "radiator" cap (it doesn't really sit on the radiator) and more coolant comes gushing out.  Don't forget to drain the reservior as well.  After wards, put the plug back in (use a new washer), fill the reservior, pour new coolant in.  Then run the engine to temp (to circulate and "burp") the system.  Check coolant level again and top up.  It's so easy, a Caveman can do it!  

[merrily]

I don't know if you've done the coolant already.  Changing this on the VFR is super-easy.  There is a drain plug right above the oil fiter I believe.  Just loosen that and out comes the coolant.  Remove the "radiator" cap (it doesn't really sit on the radiator) and more coolant comes gushing out.  Don't forget to drain the reservior as well.  After wards, put the plug back in (use a new washer), fill the reservior, pour new coolant in.  Then run the engine to temp (to circulate and "burp") the system.  Check coolant level again and top up.  It's so easy, a Caveman can do it!  

there are two drain plugs on the 5G: one on the left side on the water pump, and another that is ~5 inches above the oil filter.  did the 6G lose a drain plug?  i definitely second the new crush washer.  i didn't replace the washer once, and i had to go back and replace them.  the task is pretty easy.

my '98 had crusty hoses and the coolant overflow tank kept drying up.  i ended up replacing all of them ~2 years ago, and there haven't had any coolant leaks since.

m.