I've never driven bikes only rode with people on them. I paid $1200 for this bike and it has just over 23,000 miles on it.
It idles fine, revs good, and has new tires/brakes/spark plugs/battery on it.
THE ONLY problem i see with it is a leak coming out of the carburetor, the bike has sat for about 1 1/2 years after the guy rode it to Daytona Beach in 2006. His only reason for selling it is the fact that he wants a more comfortable ride like a Gold Wing.
I dont know much about bikes and i was gonna see if i could get some pointers on maintenance/quick fixes.
ummmm and could you guys tell me if you think $1200 is too much to pay for a bike like this?
Get an oiling kit if it doesn't already have one, and take it slow while you learn. An MSF course is never a bad idea. Wear gear, it's cheaper than the hospital and sweating never hurts, bleeding usually does...
so my uncle who has driven bike a lot has been riding my bike to a few places.
he rode it and enjoys it when he gets going but hates starting off because his legs are a lot shorter than mine.
i found out it's running really well besides a few little leaks i see here and there that can be solved fairly easily, ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS, the center stand is impossible to do with one person or so we are beginning to think.
i was wondering, if i park my bike in a parking lot to go eat and might be there for like an hour or so do i need to put the center stand up or what?
my uncle suggested getting a shorter kick stand so it would lean over more because the factory kick stand doesnt lean far at all, maybe you guys have been through this before i just dont know what to do with my problem of being worried it's gonna fall over especially being that i dropped it today getting excited taking it off of the center stand, i sat on it rocked forward went to step off of the bike and it leaned towards me and kept going. it didnt drop i kind of jsut laid it down and then once i repositioned my hands i picked it back up.
this might sound bad but i havent even pulled the clutch out on this bike, im really really nervous/scared/idk what. what is the way to get over this? btw i think ive set a record, sat my bike on its side twice before ive ever even riden it.
It'll cost ya a few bucks, but they will teach you how to ride (on their bikes!), and will provide you with a great basic knowledge and skill set that you can transfer to riding your VF.
Welcome to the VF world. You will do fine with the bike and it seems like you got a decent deal as well. The side stand is OK, just pay attention to what angle you park the bike in relation to the slope of the ground. The secret to the center stand isn't in the strength to lift/pull the bike up onto it. This has been an issue for some owners of all VFRs. The secret is to just stand the bike up vertical and use your foot to push the stand down to touch the groud. Once it is touching, you will be able to tell if the bike is vertical by a slight rock from side to side and "feeling" both legs of the stand touch at the same time. Once you have it there, all you have to do is STAND on the lever that sticks out from the side of the center stand and the bike will magically come up on the stand. No rocking, no jerking, just STAND on it with all of your weight.
When you take it off of the center stand, always sit on the bike or I will guaranty you will toss it over on the right side someday.
Your local dealer (or driver's license bureau) should be able to point you in the right direction for riding classes. I rode for 7 years before I took a class (required to ride on an Air Force base) and was amazed at how much I didn't know.
Don't spend a single dollar on tricky little mods to the bike until you get yourself some riding gear.
[image: View Post]The mailman, on Jun 14 2008, 08:41 PM, said:
Welcome to the VF world. You will do fine with the bike and it seems like you got a decent deal as well. The side stand is OK, just pay attention to what angle you park the bike in relation to the slope of the ground. The secret to the center stand isn't in the strength to lift/pull the bike up onto it. This has been an issue for some owners of all VFRs. The secret is to just stand the bike up vertical and use your foot to push the stand down to touch the groud. Once it is touching, you will be able to tell if the bike is vertical by a slight rock from side to side and "feeling" both legs of the stand touch at the same time. Once you have it there, all you have to do is STAND on the lever that sticks out from the side stand and the bike will magically come up on the stand. No rocking, no jerking, just STAND on it with all of your weight.
When you take it off of the center stand, always sit on the bike or I will guaranty you will toss it over on the right side someday.
Your local dealer (or driver's license bureau) should be able to point you in the right direction for riding classes. I rode for 7 years before I took a class (required to ride on an Air Force base) and was amazed at how much I didn't know.
Don't spend a single dollar on tricky little mods to the bike until you get yourself some riding gear.
this sucks, it's raining outside and i wanna see if i can get the center stand to work like that, that's crazy to me because my uncle and i were out in the heat today just rocking it back and forth sweating trying to get it up on it.
thanks for letting me know though, im going to the driver's license place tuesday and gonna take my written test (any pointers on this also because i dont have a book and they are making a new one that comes out in july sometime) and wednesday getting my license plate changed on the bike, should i go with the antique tag? hahahaha
Stand and face the bike on the left(clutch side). Hold the left handle bar with your left hand, hold the passenger grab handle with your right hand, and simultaneously stand on the centerstand/pull up with both hands, it should come right up.
***** It sounds to me like your bike has been lowered, if the kickstand is keeping it too vertical, and the centerstand is hard to use.*****
Measure from the center of your front axle, to the bottom of your lower triple tree( the lower of the two parts the forks pass through), and from the center of your rear axle to a point on the body or the passenger handle, and report back. I'll check my stock bike and see if they match.
Welcome to this board! You seem to have paid a very fair price for your bike. As far as the center stand, I only use mine when doing maintenance such as chain adjustment etc. I agree with Seb though, sounds like your bike has been lowered if you use the correct procedure and still can't get the bike on the center stand. Put it on the side stand and take a picture of it from directly behind or in front and post it. It should be clear to most of us from the pic if the bike is indeed too upright. Also, post your city and you may get someone to come over and help you out! Great to have you here and good luck.
[image: View Post]iamdyslexic, on Jun 14 2008, 08:09 PM, said:
so my uncle who has driven bike a lot has been riding my bike to a few places.
he rode it and enjoys it when he gets going but hates starting off because his legs are a lot shorter than mine.
i found out it's running really well besides a few little leaks i see here and there that can be solved fairly easily, ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS, the center stand is impossible to do with one person or so we are beginning to think.
i was wondering, if i park my bike in a parking lot to go eat and might be there for like an hour or so do i need to put the center stand up or what?
my uncle suggested getting a shorter kick stand so it would lean over more because the factory kick stand doesnt lean far at all, maybe you guys have been through this before i just dont know what to do with my problem of being worried it's gonna fall over especially being that i dropped it today getting excited taking it off of the center stand, i sat on it rocked forward went to step off of the bike and it leaned towards me and kept going. it didnt drop i kind of jsut laid it down and then once i repositioned my hands i picked it back up.
this might sound bad but i havent even pulled the clutch out on this bike, im really really nervous/scared/idk what. what is the way to get over this? btw i think ive set a record, sat my bike on its side twice before ive ever even riden it.
HELP ME GET OVER MY FEARR OMG
=D
First timers think you have to pull back on the bike. Like others have said, step down and pull up on the grab rail. When coming off the stand, sit on the bike, and just as it's coming over, apply some front brake so the bike stops as the stand comes up. Everyone here has dropped a bike or two over. It happens sometimes. It's like skiing, everyone falls at first.
Sometimes it seems the bike won't stand up on the side stand, but you'd be surprised how much it takes to tip the other way. Judging by your photo, the forks don't seem to be pushed up and it's sits normal enough plus if you say your uncle thinks its tall, I would say you're all set. When you have to park on a down sloping parking spot, back it in. This helps load the side stand plus you don't have to back the bike up hill. My R is 600lbs and you learn quick how to save your ass. I've ridden my R for 23 years without the center stand and don't miss it in the slightest.
the ground is kind of not level but you can hopefully see what im talking about, i moved it last night off of the center stand when it was raining because it didnt feel stable on the ground like it was
that's the only place that you can tell it's been laid down. it's not bad and all the yellowish liquid you see is old gas from the carb that leaked out because of a piece of trash under the floater
BY THE WAY.... what type of gas do i need to run in this bike, is 87 ok?
so guys, i drove my bike for the first time today. FIRST TIME ever even driving a bike, this was the biggest rush ive had in a long long time.
i got it up to about 11mph in my back yard just getting used to the clutch and then it started getting cloudy so i didnt actually get to drive it on the road. i got a free tinted shield for my full face helmet for free today and another key cut for my bike for free, i love living in a small town. my dad did drive the bike today which is the first time he's driven a bike in years and he drove back up with this huge smile on his face, it made me feel pretty good that my mom is gonna hate me when my dad buys a motorcycle hhahahahaha
today i got out on the road. i rode about 80 miles from about 6-9
it was amazing to open it up right after i shifted to 3rd gear. i only got up to about 82mph and didnt realize i was going that fast.
ive never actually driven a motorcycle on the road, the first mile or so i would only go about 30mph in 5th gear just putt putting along. it was soooo much fun, im so glad i got over my fear.
i stalled out 3 times trying to take this turn that i had to stop at with this truck behind me, i finally just walked my bike over so he could get around me, this sucks because i can drive a stick shift fine, im not used to the whole throttle with my right hand when starting off, idk.
i love this bike, it's agile, reasonably fast, and soooo much fun.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Jun 12 2008, 08:59 PM, said:
Get an oiling kit if it doesn't already have one, and take it slow while you learn. An MSF course is never a bad idea. Wear gear, it's cheaper than the hospital and sweating never hurts, bleeding usually does...The oiler kit. Is that the manifold that attaches at the base of the oil filter with hoses leading back on to the cams???
As far as the rear suspension being lowered, I'd look for replacement shock and linkages if you can find them cheap. Mabey just the shock is dead flat.
www.daughertymotorsports.com or contact Dave Dodge at www.drp123.com, not much there except his contact info, but if you call, he will answer.
You can also make your own, but you should have a certain level of experience with hand and power tools before you try that. If you think you can handle drilling a hole in your motor, I can give you a parts list and a place to order from.
[image: View Post]VFR Capt.Bob, on Jun 19 2008, 10:04 PM, said:
The oiler kit. Is that the manifold that attaches at the base of the oil filter with hoses leading back on to the cams???
Yes, there is also another version(cheaper, but same or better end result), called the "Drill & Tap" method. In that method, you drill a hole in the bottom of the case at the main oil gallery(in safe place, it's almost like Honda meant to put one there, but didn't...). The rest is the same as the adapter kit, with a tee, then one line to each head.
ok. i decided to check out the air filter today since i thought a new air filter would give me better gas mileage. I've been really worried about taking the fuel tank off, turns out 2 bolts, 1 wire connector, and the fuel line. EZ-mode. got it off. checked my air filter, blew it out. gonna order a K&N sometime in the future being that they are like 60 bucks.........
OKKKKK
so i was out there with my dad and looking at everything just burning up in this heat.....i say to my dad "let's go ahead and put the tank back on so we can get inside"
well put the tank on the frame. put the top bolt in, done. attempted to put the rear bolt in (the one that is under the seat) and i couldnt get it to catch the threads on the frame. ....... .. . ..
my hands are sore, my wrists hurt, i have a headache. i couldnt get this god forsaken bolt back in....i just took it out put the seat and side panels back on and im gonna get a longer bolt tomorrow.
ill have the bolt by the time you guys reply but.... is there some secret to that rear bolt and any tips for the next time i take the tank off......... and im finally 100% sure my bike doesnt have the oiler kit. i talked to a guy at a dealership that said he knows a guy that comes in there like every week that has an oiler kit on his bike, he's gonna ask him about it for me.
my bike does have 23300miles on it....should i even worry about it at this point or is it something that is bound to mess up no matter how many miles you have?????
i love my bike btw. it's the most fun ive had ever.... the only problem i have is starting off with a car behind me. i get really nervous and practically push myself off with my feet to start rolling. . .. .. . .. .. .. im just scared im gonna give it too much gas and lose control in 1st gear starting offf. hahahahahah i know im bad at this.
yup. give replies please.
im gonna post some nice pictures hopefully tomorrow sometime.
Congrats on the new ride. Have fun, be safe and all that...take that MSF course if you can. You'll learn more in that weekend than many weeks of trial and error, and on their bikes.
Grab some time at an empty parking lot and just practice using the clutch. Find out where the sweet spot is and get used to it. Nothing beats practice where you can be comfortable and not worried about cars and other traffic.
To get the tank bolts back in, put the rear one in first, but only start it(thread it in just a few turns). Then start the front screws. You may have to push the tank forward to get the front bolts started, but they will go in. They came out didn't they? ;)
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Jun 25 2008, 10:26 PM, said:
To get the tank bolts back in, put the rear one in first, but only start it(thread it in just a few turns). Then start the front screws. You may have to push the tank forward to get the front bolts started, but they will go in. They came out didn't they? ;)
i tried that, it's the rubber grommet, it just feels too thick......like my dad and i both push down on it and tried to push it down to get that bolt to thread. i didnt have any trouble with the front bolt. ugh
[image: View Post]iamdyslexic, on Jun 25 2008, 08:31 PM, said:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Jun 25 2008, 10:26 PM, said:
To get the tank bolts back in, put the rear one in first, but only start it(thread it in just a few turns). Then start the front screws. You may have to push the tank forward to get the front bolts started, but they will go in. They came out didn't they? ;)
i tried that, it's the rubber grommet, it just feels too thick......like my dad and i both push down on it and tried to push it down to get that bolt to thread. i didnt have any trouble with the front bolt. ugh
Loosen up the front bolt quite a bit, then slightly lift the rear of the tank and angle the rear bolt and get it in just a few threads like Seb said. They will both go in, just get them both started loose. Then tighten them both down.
[image: Posted Image]
i painted those just flat black because i was bored and figured out how to get them off...thinking about murdering out my bike....MAYBE [image: Posted Image]
tried to spray over this.... this is where i dropped it at the shop before i bought it like an idiot. oh well. not the same blue but better than the white that was tehre [image: Posted Image]
[image: Posted Image]
you can see where the bike went down one time before (while actually moving)... not from me though i tend to just drop it while it's sitting therre [image: Posted Image]
well only like 11 pics. but enjoy. tell me anything to do with it.
i ordered my K&N air filter today. he's still asking a guy about the oiler kit. my new set of rear view mirrors are coming in tomorrow.
still didnt get that bolt on the back of the tank. i got home late and it's about to rain... idk BUT there you go. this is my baby. i still dont know what im gonna name her
SOOOO, i havent started driving my bike as my daily driver yet BUT tomorrow was gonna be one of the first days i was going to drive it to work.
i decided to take it for a ride tonight to just drive it for about 30 minutes and i was turning onto a rode and pulled the clutch in to shift and BAM my clutch wasnt working. i hit the kill switch and coasted to the side of the road..........i take a look and see this
Looks like your clutch lever let go. They are still available from Service Honda for around $20 (I've replaced 2 of them tipping the bike over in the garage...DOH!!). If you need a part number, let me know.
[image: View Post]iamdyslexic, on Jun 30 2008, 10:14 PM, said:
SOOOO, i havent started driving my bike as my daily driver yet BUT tomorrow was gonna be one of the first days i was going to drive it to work.
i decided to take it for a ride tonight to just drive it for about 30 minutes and i was turning onto a rode and pulled the clutch in to shift and BAM my clutch wasnt working. i hit the kill switch and coasted to the side of the road..........i take a look and see this
i replaced the clutch lever, put in the K&N air filter (seems to have a bit more top end, but i dont open it up that much being that i only have like 300 miles under my belt)
YET the clutch reservoir must have had the screws lost at one point and some idiot put 2 10-24 x 1/2 machine screws in it.
i had to replace the screws off of my 4wheeler at one point...it wasnt hard, i went to fastenal (there should be one in like every city now, i actually worked at this one so i just got them at work one day hahahah) BUT they stripped the hell out of the aluminum in the reservoir, you have to put alot of pressure on it to get the 1 or 2 threads that actually holds the cap on it down...BUT after i struggled with all of this i rode it about 40 miles today and it was O.K.
i guess. im gonna have some good riding this weekend.
[image: View Post]iamdyslexic, on Jul 6 2008, 10:11 PM, said:
do any of you guys have a clutch reservoir laying around somewhere by chance?
I might. IF seb is watching, he might be able to tell me what I sent his way. I think I have one, but my life is in a storage shed right now, so if he can verify that I didn't send it to him, I'll start digging.
You can use a clutch master from another bike, it doesn't have to be a VF part. I do have an extra laying around but it will need to be cleaned thoroughly at the very least, possibly rebuilt. It hasn't been used in a long time. PM me if interested.
Sounds like you used a Standard fastener instead of Metric... doh!
[image: View Post]Chev, on Jul 6 2008, 11:45 PM, said:
[image: View Post]iamdyslexic, on Jul 6 2008, 10:11 PM, said:
do any of you guys have a clutch reservoir laying around somewhere by chance?
I might. IF seb is watching, he might be able to tell me what I sent his way. I think I have one, but my life is in a storage shed right now, so if he can verify that I didn't send it to him, I'll start digging.
I think I have that one too! :fing02:
Dys, PM me tomorrow morning and I'll go look in the garage. I'm off tomorrow and will be here working on my ride report for last week's trip.
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