You bought a VFR. What steps did you take, in what order, to make it "your" VFR?
Keep in mind that you didn't buy an MV Agusta, so your budget isn't unlimited. Let's try to keep this in the realm of the "realistic" for the "average" VFR owner.
In my case: 1. Tourmaster magnetic tank bag. Needed something to carry stuff home from the dealer in. 2. ART Carbon Fiber tank protector. The "real deal" (actual molded carbon fiber) and it fits and functions perfectly. 3. Heli-bars. Thought they'd make my initial discomfort with the riding position go away. By the time they arrived, I was perfectly at home with the bars. But my butt hurt (see below). 3. K&N Filter-Bought one. Kept reading these forums. Decided to stick with the stock paper units. 4. Sargeant seat-The stock item just plain hurt, this solved the problem. 5. Givi windscreen-Thought the additional height would make for less noise and helmet buffeting. Didn't work. 6. Blue Matrix iridium windscreen-Thought the "blue mirror" iridium finish would look cool on my silver bike. It does! (These are essentially the same shape as the stock screens. Just way cooler-looking). 7. Honda Hard bags-Visions of far horizons. Once I mounted 'em up, I realized they made the bike too wide for lane-splitting during everyday use. I'll sell them with the bike when that day eventually comes. 8. Removed "Interceptor" decals from tail section. Wish I could remove Honda decal from tank, too, but clearcoat makes that a bad idea. I like the sharp, clean, uncluttered look.
On the horizon for the future: 1. Fork fiddling 2. Ohlins/Penske rear shock/spring fiddling
Honestly, other than some suspension tuning, I can't see much else I'd want to change on this bike. The stock exhaust sounds just fine to me. It fits and looks good, too. I've bought and used both a Rocket Locker and Tourmaster Tail Bag, which suit anything from overnight to two-week touring (I still haven't felt the need to mount and use the hard bags). In 30,000 miles, I've changed over to Motul synthetic oil, and EBC pads. Other than that, this bike works good, looks good and continues to resist my best attempts to squander dollars all over it.
Interceptor stickers.... Gone! Rear mudflap.... Gone! Fake carbon look clutch and brake levers due to a few drops. White Honda stickers on lower fairings (So it isn't mistaken for a Ducati) Rashed fairings so I know it's mine. Black top and side cases for all the wife's makeup and clothes. Heated grips for those sub-40 degree days. Drilled exhaust so I can hear it running.
5. Symtec grip heaters 6. Powerlet outlet in left trim panel 7. NEP throttle lock 8. Sargent seat
Wish list: a. finish my custom exhaust b. PC3 USB c. Ohlins rear shock w/ remote preload adjuster d. upgrade the front suspenders e. 2006 clear lights f. chrome wheels g. new paint this winter, color undecided. Metallic forest green? Black with red pearl? ???
My mods: Bug Buster Heli bars (gel filled) Progrip 714's Custom barends Blue gages Reduced and painted windscreen Signal Dynamics LED voltmeter Sargent seat w/griptex Matching cutom 1/2 tank bra P.C.III USB Speedo Healer Custom dynamics adj. turn signal modulator All LED turn signals All LED brake lights With additional light bars under tail, and licence plate Stop Alert brake light modulator Custom fairing graphics Silver painted side covers Silver powder coated rims Rear lock lug nuts Custom fender eliminator w/mud flap Secdem hugger AFAM 15 tooth front/43 tooth rear w/DID x ring chain Givi top box rack w/ a frigg'n backpack on it Drilled stock exhaust
Not to mention, Diablo Strata's, new thermostat, C.C.T. 's
2004 .......... * Staintunes * Sargent seat * Heli bar risers * Honda OEM bags & top box * Lighted license plate frame * Gone: bags, lighted license frame, fender, rear pegs & mounts, grab rails * Replaced with: Hugger (painted red with chain guard), fender eliminator kit * Small black powder coated rear rack * Power outlet * Removed peg feelers * Garmin GPS * GIVI windshield * Scorpio SR-i500 alarm system w/options * throttlemeister * Tank bag * Mirror Extenders * Mounts for HelmetCam
Yet to come: * Checkered flag accents * Few decals (Honda, VFR, etc.) * Different shield .. open to suggestions * Small tail bag to fit small rear rack * Grips * Trick levers .. open to suggestions * Moto Fork lights
Corbin seat Heli's 'Tunes Color matched(painted silver) NWS hugger and OEM chainguard Euro VFR stickers Honda logos on lower fairing Fender elim mod ZG dark smoke OEM style windscreen Pro Grips Fenda Extenda CF gas cap cover Geelong Carbon Craft silver CF tank protector Tankslapper side tank protectors Ram video mount K&N PCIII Rapid Transit Triple Tree Bag Oxford Humback Tailbag Asst. other bags(tailbags/tankbags) Incl. "no-bungee" mounting setup for all tailbags Removed pass. pegs MV frame sliders Blacked out radiators and lower headers Silver CF heal guards from Seadooloo
Ractech fork springs Racetech Gold Compression Valves Racetech Gold Rebound Valves F3 cartridges and fork caps Ohlins Rear shock with pnumatic preload Factory Pro shift kit Pro Grips Dual Star grip heaters switch on the handlebar HS's Dual Burning Headlights Viosport h3 cam for vfrd video's Staintune high mount kit Givi E52 bags, keyless sidebacks, wingrack Heated Corbin gunfighter seat (heated it myself) Widder Heated vest, pulsed width modulator to regulate heat DynoJet PC2 Mayo Sticker - gotta have a family crest on there! Garmin Quest Motorcycle kit from gpscity Led volt meter Ipod in an otterbox mounted on the left dash for tunes, er6i earbuds, passive mixer for radar, gps. Aerostich with matching ballistics colors Pilot Powers shod and shed to the edge
Sargent seat (needed more comfort) Micron Exhaust (needed better sound and high mount to show off item below) 8 spoke rear wheel Scorpion exhaust (needed low mount to use with luggage) Ohlins rear shock (needed better control, ride etc. ) Aftershocks forks (same as above) R&G sliders (needed crash protection) Pilot Powers ( needed better traction so as not to use above item) Rear hugger (needed to keep Ohlins clean) Throttlemeister (needed to keep speed in check on long boring slab rides) Pro Grip 714's (needed because they were yellow) Polished wheels (needed to add accent to the cool yellow bike) Blue LED dash lights (needed to do just because I could) EBC brake pads (needed to stop me better since I run PP's and can go faster now biggrin.gif ) Turbo City Fuel Pressure Regulator (needed to smooth things out) 16 tooth front sprocket (needed more torque to test PP's) DID chain (needed to accent bike) Fenderectomy (needed to show off rear wheel) Scotts Dampner(needed cause it was left over from last VFR) Adjustable pegs(needed for more comfort) De-dumbo eared (needed to accentuate the sleek lines) Speed o Healer (needed to readjust for factory error and tooth change on sprocket) Factory Pro Shift kit (needed it because I was already in there changing front sprocket) 12v Powerlet for heated gear (needed cause I freeze my arse off in cold weather here) LED volt meter (needed to keep charging system on visual right track)
I just know I'm missing something......Do you ever notice how many "needs" there seem to be with owning a bike? Gotta love it.
Safe-T, how did you do that to your rear wheel? SWEET!
The first thing I did was travel 12 hours to pick up a yellow 6th gen. It came with a HUGE 2-piece Joe Rocket tank bag.
Having had it home for 6 hours I snapped off the left mirror in the trailer on the way to the DMV and bought a new one.
It needed a new rear tire - Dunlop 220ST
Pulled off that God awful mudflap/parachute in the rear Took off the passenger pegs Motovation frame sliders Sargent seat Throttle lock Put the passenger pegs back on for my new Givi rack Hard wired an mp3 player to the triple clamp Added Garmin c330 GPS with a RAM mount (thanks Lobster) Spooned on a new Dunlop Qualifier front CRASHED (the biggest mod you could possibly do) - replaced my right frame slider, right mirror, sanded and Bondoed my right fairing, upper and Givi rack, had those repainted (thanks 03_VTEC), replaced my front brake lever, right bar end (thanks seadooloo) and clutch cover (thanks pgreen94). Rode the crap out of it and we came to an understanding (no more crashing) AND just last Thursday I mounted my new Sony video camera to my RAM mount (videos to follow)
It's truly my bike now. Nobody else has one like it and that's part of what I love about it.
Future plans:
Suspension? I can't afford Ohlins but I've been thinking about putting on something with preload adjustment and some new front springs
SAFE-T, Jul 11 2006, 05:21 AM I took the rim into a decal shop and they did it smile.gif
That is the mod I would like to do with the quick release hub & wheel, but it will never happen because I have to many other things taking all my money (I've tried to grow a money tree but it keeps dieing).
If I could just find a friend who's lathe I could use then it would be done, but just don't have anybody I know with anything but a hobby lathe :-(
zRoYz, ask Smithy, he's got some mates from his days working at Hawker de Havilland, who took home some nice workshop gear when HdH shut down. My underseat box was welded up using a welder the size of a Mini, and the guy who owns it had a mill about 12' tall and heaps of other goodies.
My VFR - when I bought it, I rode it as hard as it would go all the way to Phillip Island for the '98 500GP, and dropped it on the Island to blood it goofy.gif
Further personalisation came a few weeks later when I forgot to take the disc lock off, and a few weeks after that I did a bit more customisation when I got nudged off it by a bus in the Sydney CBD (don't lanesplit up the inside of a bus that's turning to the side you're lanesplitting on!).
Not long after that, some Harley dudes kicked it over while it was parked out the back of the George IV Inn in Picton on Anzac day, I think that was a few weeks after I was involved in a 6 police car pursuit which scored me a ride to the station in the back of the bullwagon.
Now, I feel like a change, so I'm doing all the mods everyone else here is doing beer.gif
4000 miles on odo so far Corbin with back backrest with red piping Pazzo Shorty Levers Gutted/Shortened/Dechromed Stock Exhaust ZGDB Black Windscreen - Currently in need of fix Sylvania Silverstars Carbon Fiber Yoke Cover Carbon Fiber Tank Pad Gel Grips Motopak 35L tankbag Removed Interceptor Decals Competition Werks Fender Emlinator PCIII De-Snorkled
Have these things ready to install: Throttlemeister, Motivation frame sliders, new decals, pinstripping, also going to put the VFR on a diet, Stebel Air Horn
Future Plans: Repaint, Polish/Chrome Accents, HID Kit, Alarm w/ remote start, and this is all contingent on how much money is available. fing02.gif
• 767fixer's Quad Hi-Beam Modification (I can see through small animals and children now) • Removed EVAP, PAIR, and Flapper • Added a power socket under the seat (just in case I need to use my 12v air compressor) • Asphalt fairings (kinda had a little accident) • White rim strips (which I removed about a week ago) • Air Horns • Buell Footpegs (comfort is important) • Rubbermaid Trash Can Fender (hell yes!) • Auxilary Fuse Box (to help avoid burning up the stock wiring harness) • Electric Cruise Control (oh my god, this is the greatest) • Voltmeter • LED Signals on the mirrors • Heated Grips (they saved my life once when the temperature dropped down to 22?F) • BMW Sport Grips • O2 Sensor Eliminators • Saddlebags and Top-box • Replaced 30 amp fuse holder under the seat (mine finally burnt up with 18k on the bike)
Still on my wish list:
• Sargent Seat • Stainless steel brake lines • Upgrade rear suspension • Shorty levers • Frame Sliders • GPS Unit • Heated vest (the first one I made broke) • CB radio (so when I ride with my parents, I can talk to them) • Satellite radio (already have one in my car)
I absolutely love this bike. I had no idea what I was missing until I got it. For only owning it for about 14 mouths now, I've put 18K miles on it. Plus, I'm planning on riding 2k miles this week. Yeah!! Plus, what I think makes the bike so enjoyable is everyone here at VFRD. fing02.gif
Mods: 1. Created my own "powerlet" outlet in steering head. (For fun, not for savings). 2. Throttle lock 3. Progrips 4. Ram mount for Garmin 2720 5. Givi E460 topcase
Next up: 6. Sargent seat 7. Peg lowering (maybe) 8. Backrest for E460 topcase (for pillion(s))
I might have to add some side cases eventually, but I need to see how much I can get in the E460 first.
Ohlins rear with remote preload RaceTech fork springs Highmount Staintune Zero Gravity Double Bubble screen Ventura rack system VFR stickers of side fairings removed front mud guard (behind the front wheel) painted blue to match the rest Tank bra Custom billet al bar ends
Soon to be done:
Stripped wheels by using SAFE-T technique of an acid bath
1. Black tank bra 2. LP 2nd look red tank bra, sold the black one on epay 3. foam grips, wasn't used to the bike, was getting sore hands 4. Throttlemeister, for highway cruising. Hardley use it now, as I avoid the slab 5. Custom Oval SS High rise exhaust. Louder and nicer than a 'tune, and cheaper. 6. Custom rack to suit Ventura rack rails and Gearsack bag 7. DiD Xring chain, after I cooked the oem by not lubing it regularly 8. Racetech fork springs and rebuilt stock shock, 6mm rear shim 9. Zero Gravity screen, friend didn't like it, so I snapped up a bargain 10. Galfer Wave rotors, friend was parting out bling from his Vtec before sale, snapped up a bargain 11. Pazzo levers, cant resist the bling and need retail therapy 12. Polished wheel rims - did it myself over a weeknd coz it was Winter 13. Chopped rear fender, coz I was bored again 14. i4c voltmeter 15. Red Fox Hugger, in anticipation of protecting an Ohlins smile.gif 16. Ohlins rear shock 17. RC51 bits for the front smile.gif
On the horizon: New paint job, 7 years = lots of stone chips 870cc big bore kit, in about 200,000km when the engine gets tired, LOL.
First thing I did was remove the Interceptor decals. Then I took off the Honda decals and hit the tank with a little black spray bomb just to take out the shine the decals left behind. I then proceeded to cut some holes in the endcap to my exhaust. I also trimmed down that goofy icense plate holder/fender. I wanted to remove my rear sets but determined that I will have to come up with a solution to where to put the rear suspension adjustment knob.........so I bolted it right back in place with the rear sets...........some other time. I added a carbon tank protector and thats all so far. Future mods include exhaust/power commander.....a new seat....maybe some tapeworks and carbon levers would be nice. I might change the windscreen but I might just paint the one I have. I have thought about strategically placing some green LED lights so that it glows green around the outside edge of my radiators.I have the asphalt color. I would also like to put on some frame sliders.
Mud-flap - gone. Interceptor stickers - gone. Gen-mar risers. Flapper-valve - gone. Carbon canister - gone. PAIR valve - gone. Tank bag Chase-Harper. (Put a hydration bladder in bottom section with foam rubber to insulate it from the heat. Very convienient.) Tail bag - Cotech Sport. Saddle bags - Cortech. Dual-star heated grips & heat-troller. (love 'em.) RAM mount for camcorder. Metz z6's. Puig double-bubble windscreen. (OK... causes a bit of helmet buffeting - I'm 6'2") Turbo city FPR. (Helped a little. Removed when the following item was installed.) Power Commander III USB. (Great unit) wheel.gif O2 eliminators. (330 ohm resistors... Thanks VFRD!) fing02.gif Etymotic ER6i earphones - love them. musik20.gif
tbzep, Jul 10 2006, 10:55 PM 1. I paid off the loan. tongue.gif
Well, that was actually step 2. Step 1 was to attach the tank bag from my ex500. Step 2, see above Step 3, Obtain sargent seat from a vfr mailing lister for a song Step 4, mold mirror extenders (see sig for details) idea3.gif Step 5, obtain used MIG Indy exhaust (free) from a vfr mailing lister Step 6, Givi tail rack Step 7, Kappa k491 trunk step 8, Custom Coffee holder (search for farkle quest) idea3.gif Step 9, convert coffee holder to camera mount
Ran it from 2,000 miles at purchase to 54,000 and counting. Gen mar bar risers. LP Tank Bra. A few scratches from running it into the ditch at low speed exiting Laguna Seca a few years ago. A few other scratches from whatever times I pulled a Homer. Just character marks and memories. biggrin.gif
Done: Removed rear mud flap Removed peg feelers Joe Rocket Tank Bag Mirror Extenders Sargent Seat Red Fox Carbon Fiber Look Hugger Pazzo Shorty Levers Removed Passenger Handles Removed Passeger Foot Peg Brackets Rivcyko Bug Buster BMC Airfilter Turbo City Fuel Pressure Regulator
Will Do: Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil Power Cammander III USB Remus Titanium Exhaust Pirelli Diablo Strada EBC Brake Pads & Rotors Ohlins Rear Shock Front Fork Upgrades Lose some weight... LOL Find a new job Win the lottery Buy a Ferrari Date a super model A chemistry set Eternal Life Oh... I'm sorry, I got a little carried away there. That's it for now. beer.gif
First thing I did to make it mine... laid it over taking it to a ramp to load it in my truck after buying it... Too much throttle and clutch at the same time at a stop sign... The fairing was already a little messed up, but now I know my scratches smile.gif
Since then: Replaced broken throttle grip Replaced homemade brake lever Replaced cracked/slit brake line Y2K Mirrors - first
Came with: Corbin seat (seems to be customer covered though) Left side exhaust
To come: Buy new/replace cracked fairings (already have the piece between the headlights and the bottom right piece... need alot more) Saddle bags Other than that, we'll see what I see on eBay or on the Classifieds
Red 02, non-ABS, bought in April of 05 with 21k km on the odo. (It now shows 48k km)
Previous owner had removed the "Interceptor" stickers and replaced the stock VFR ones with UK-spec, black logo.
Lifted the Oxford tankbag from my EX500 Ditto for the JR Sport saddlebags Tool chest drawer liner to go between what's above and the bodywork Some kind of red, stick-on tank pad Garmin GPS V, hardwired from the battery, with RAM mount through the tank bolt holes "Colorado Dancer" custom graphic on stock windshield Dual Star heated grips I'm happy with the stock seat, believe it or not. Deals Gap "Dragonslayer" license plate frame Dragon stickers on the front fender.
Future mods/farkles: Blue Sea fuse box and marine-grade wiring (currently on the work bench) Silverstar H4 and maybe H7, gotta check the archives here. Powerlet (for future heated liner, warm n' safe or Gerbring) Hard bags, either Givi or a David Silver Spares import. But I really need a two-piece 'stitch first. Radar detector of some sort, even if they're illegal in Ontario. tongue.gif On-board camera, not sure which model/mounting option. (And a new computer to edit said video)
On my '93 VFR750 there are two mods: 1) Corbin Seat 2) Added a CPU fan over the R/R
on my '00 VFR800: 1) Corbin Seat 2) Baglux Tank Cover 3) Yoshimura RS3 Carbon Fiber Exhaust (work in progress) and on the "to do list" 4) Hard Saddlebags 5) MRA Windscreen 6) some sort of extended clip-ons
silverjet1, Jul 10 2006, 09:20 PM You bought a VFR. What steps did you take, in what order, to make it "your" VFR?
I only have one mod. and that would be ME. When I swing my leg over the bike and go, there is not another VFR in the world that looks like and performs like mine..... tongue.gif
Actually, I don't do modding (but not to say I never will). If the bike isn't what I want, I get what I want. wheel.gif
Honda hard bags Tourmaster TriBag Corbin Seat Autocom intercom Metzler Z6's Helibars Magknight tank bra Jastek powerlet--steering head and under seat Progrip grips Harris rear wheel hugger Dual Star heated grips Garmin Quest & RAM Mount Power commander USB Dual Fiamm horns hyperlights brake LEDs digital voltmeter 02 eliminator Staintune throttlemeister
It's all about the pilot. fing02.gif That loose nut holding the handlebars is the most important part of the equation. And, I guess I resemble that remark sometimes.
At least I didn't get the Exhibition of Speed ticket and bike impounded today. Too bad for my friend Sparky. goofy.gif Note to self. If you must do wheelies (I don't usually), don't do stand up wheelies on PCH. Or other busy roads. Doh! :bitchslap: LMAO. squid.gif
A couple of mods were done by a previous owner, but most of them (apart from a bent footpeg and brake pedal) I liked, so I left them alone. But here's a current list of what makes my bike non-standard:
Carbon fibre (real) tank pad, dunno what brand
Satantune high-mount zorst
Non-matching front disks blink.gif
Seat cowl that fits over grab handles
Heated grips with rheostat
Ventura headlight guard
60/55 H4 bulbs
Ventura pack rack
SBS brake pads all round
Azaro AV49-SP front tyre, AV46-ST rear
16T front sprocket
Quick-connect battery charger cable
Custom brake light flasher
Speedo corrector
O2 sensor eliminators
Custom dowel-shaped tank dent
Removed safety sticker from tank, exhaust compliance sticker from frame
Garage door opener switch on RH switchblock
Factory Pro Evo Star shifter kit
Bent gearlever down to make shifts better
Removed stupid plastic cap from rear hub
Dead sheep cover for seat (used twice)
PCII (for a few weeks, before returning it to owner)
Etched screen (from fuel splashes??)
To come:
"Rider" custom seat
Uni airfilter (made from OEM filter frame)
Another horn (plus relay and wires)
New cush rubbers for rear hub (ordered)
New chain 'n' sprockets (and lowered gearing)
Stripped and polished rims (when they're scratched and chipped)
New tinted windscreen (standard shape)
Of all this crap, the only things that are "absolutely must haves" are the shifter kit, the O2 sensor eliminators and the pack rack.
Riot Grrrl, Jul 31 2006, 11:29 AM Klingon? Is that what the '99 models are called?
Only by some (jealous?) individuals. When the 5th Gen came out, in late 1997 (the 1998 model), the shpae was quite different from the previous more rounded models, and some people didn't like it much.
Riot Grrrl, Jul 31 2006, 11:29 AM I juzt bought a yellow one, pick it up on Saturday! I'm sooo excited!!
*grin*
Woo hoooo!! fing02.gif You go, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl!
2002 Corbin seat Staintunes Blue gauges fender removal NWS hugger ProGrips Penske 2-way Forks worked by Aftershocks BMC airfilter Dunlop DP H++ brakepads Speedbleeders Flapper mod Philips Visionplus Headlight Bulbs Magknight tank pad Outlet for Battery tender & Widder vest
Two Bros. High mount Nelson-Rigg Tank Bag Fender-octomy Maxxis SuperMaxx rubbers Fender-octomy Harris Adj. Rear set Home machined (custom) pegs for Rear set Underlights R/R fan Custom mirror extenders Gen-Mar bar risers EXL soft luggage (tail and saddle packs) Ventura Rack and bag Corbin G&L seat Wheel stripes "MAXXIS" Wheel-eze
This winter projects: LP undertail locker -- In the closet... Custom seat cover by myself RS replica paint Dumbo ear deletes Custom blinkies Possibly polish or paint frame, swing arm, bars, triple Carbon yoke protector--in closet...
Hopefully the BIG BORE KIT in the next couple of years....Everyone has to have a dream right... Even if it is wet!
End of thread · 41 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 13 Mar 2007
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