It's Official

My first oil change on the VFR was a pain in the ass!!! Actually it wasn't that bad but what made it tough was the fact that the local Honda shop didn't have the handy dandy oil filter 'cap' style removal tool. Had to resort to the tried and true phillips head through the filter routine. Removal of the fairing was fairly easy with the exception of the 3 plastic fasteners.....my only question is WHY?????????????????????????????????? Lord God almighty why didn't honda just use three more metal screws instead of those lame plastic fasteners. The guys at the local honda dealer just couldn't quite describe how to take them off so I had to do an internet search just to figure out how they 'pop out' and how to replace them. Anyway, the thing is back together and is ready to ride. I prefer to do my own first service rather than pay someone to screw up my new bike. Other than cleaning and lubing my chain I believe that's about all a dealer would do at the first service anyway.

[image: View Post]LEGEND, on Aug 1 2009, 11:32 PM, said:

My first oil change on the VFR was a pain in the ass!!! Actually it wasn't that bad but what made it tough was the fact that the local Honda shop didn't have the handy dandy oil filter 'cap' style removal tool. Had to resort to the tried and true phillips head through the filter routine. Removal of the fairing was fairly easy with the exception of the 3 plastic fasteners.....my only question is WHY?????????????????????????????????? Lord God almighty why didn't honda just use three more metal screws instead of those lame plastic fasteners. The guys at the local honda dealer just couldn't quite describe how to take them off so I had to do an internet search just to figure out how they 'pop out' and how to replace them. Anyway, the thing is back together and is ready to ride. I prefer to do my own first service rather than pay someone to screw up my new bike. Other than cleaning and lubing my chain I believe that's about all a dealer would do at the first service anyway.even if you remove them correctly they become brittle over time and crack. $3 a pop for when they do. I'm not replacing them on my 5th gen anymore. Guess what? I can't notice the difference. I use a zip tie under the two fairing halves now. I miss the quick release style they had on my 86 vfr.

I heard those fasteners were pricey but $3.00 each....all I can say is wow.

I got my cap style filter tool from an autoparts store, I run a flex socket on it to a foot long extension out to the ratchet. Last oil change I didn't remove anything and was able to change the filter & oil but it's not remotely fun that way. To be honest I wonder about trying to fab up something much narrower in place of the factory inner fairing's crossbar to make this easier, like cut out a lot of the factory plastic and replace with some aluminum strapping (that I don't have and haven't looked around for anywhere) and bond it in for strength. I'll agree with your annoyance at how these bikes are for changing the oil; if it wasn't for the bodywork and filter relationship plus the hoses that run around the filter, I could do it in 1/3rd the time it takes me now, about 30 minutes.

On a first service there are a bunch of bolts that MUST be re-torqued! And I say MUST! Get the service manual and check out all the items. Steering head bearing, engine mounting bolts etc. I was amazed at how loose some of those bolts were after only 600 miles or so. It is not a big job but does require a special Honda tool for the steering head bearing adjust. Best be sure you have done a complete "first" service on it. Then enjoy the hell out of riding it.

Edit: BTW, once you get the hang of it those fasteners are no big deal to remove and replace. Pricey, yes.

[image: View Post]LEGEND, on Aug 2 2009, 02:43 AM, said:

I heard those fasteners were pricey but $3.00 each....all I can say is wow.


Talk to Baileyrock. He's got a whole bag full of them from some after market source for about $6
Yeah Baileyrock!!!!! the name to know

wrestler

[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Aug 2 2009, 06:15 AM, said:

On a first service there are a bunch of bolts that MUST be re-torqued! And I say MUST! Get the service manual and check out all the items. Steering head bearing, engine mounting bolts etc. I was amazed at how loose some of those bolts were after only 600 miles or so. It is not a big job but does require a special Honda tool for the steering head bearing adjust. Best be sure you have done a complete "first" service on it. Then enjoy the hell out of riding it.

Edit: BTW, once you get the hang of it those fasteners are no big deal to remove and replace. Pricey, yes.

I think I destroyed about 5 of those darn fasteners before I finally figured them out :angry: . And at $3 buck a pop... I was thinking what the F Honda, but like motorhead1977 says, there're no big deal once you actually do get the hang of 'em :blush:

Yeah, once you know the key is to press the center in, they don't get destroyed as often. I still replaced mine with screw type that are a pretty good fit...not the 1/4" version most places sell, but 5.6mm ones. I bought a couple hundred of them so I can pass them along.

[image: View Post]Knute, on Aug 2 2009, 08:27 AM, said:

[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Aug 2 2009, 06:15 AM, said:

On a first service there are a bunch of bolts that MUST be re-torqued! And I say MUST! Get the service manual and check out all the items. Steering head bearing, engine mounting bolts etc. I was amazed at how loose some of those bolts were after only 600 miles or so. It is not a big job but does require a special Honda tool for the steering head bearing adjust. Best be sure you have done a complete "first" service on it. Then enjoy the hell out of riding it.

Edit: BTW, once you get the hang of it those fasteners are no big deal to remove and replace. Pricey, yes.

I think I destroyed about 5 of those darn fasteners before I finally figured them out :angry: . And at $3 buck a pop... I was thinking what the F Honda, but like motorhead1977 says, there're no big deal once you actually do get the hang of 'em :blush:
I know what you meen, the first time I destroyed about 3 of them. Now, I'm down to only 1 or so each time I remove the panels. It isn't a big deal any more as I've purchased a bag of 100 for $22 and change. They are a little more stout than the stock ones. Ride safe, Dave

Well ... CRAP .... Looks like everyone's actually answered all your questions........... So, I'll have to limit this with ... WELCOME..... Monk

Welcome! :biggrin:

Somewhere on here there is a thread with about 6 different options cheaper options to replace the factory trim clips. I thought it was pinned in the 6th gen forum, but I'm not seeing it now. Mods, if we find this thread, can we pin it, as a lot of people have this question.

[image: View Post]Ryanme17, on Aug 2 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

Somewhere on here there is a thread with about 6 different options cheaper options to replace the factory trim clips. I thought it was pinned in the 6th gen forum, but I'm not seeing it now. Mods, if we find this thread, can we pin it, as a lot of people have this question.

I'm dumb, was in the wrong forum. It is pinned under the bodywork forum.

All the trim clip options that's fit to print:

http://www.vfrdiscus...showtopic=20080

Nice work guys, I'll definately check out the affordable options for the fastners. I actually did get the hang of operating the clips after some research but still managed to break one when replacing it.

I continue to be amazed by this bike, the wiring appears to be done very well, lots of plastic shrouds protecting connectors from wet weather. I'd love to watch one of these things being put together at the factory.

Thanks for all the advice and helpful info.

Congrats on your first VFR oil change. Yes, a pain in the butt, but worth the DIY job IMO. :)

I've gotten so that I can swap my oil and filter in about 30min. Most of that time is letting the headers cool so you can stick your hand in there to get the filter.

Drain the oil.
While its draining, start taking the bottom of the fairings apart. This lets you flex the inner piece enough to get your hands on the filter.
Don't forget to let those headers cool before you stick your paw in there! :excl:
I only tighten my filters to hand tight. This allows me to remove it with just my hands as well.
Don't forget to smear some oil on that o-ring before you go back together with it. Also, be sure to wipe down the surface of the block where the filter meets up.

Easy cheesy. Well, for a Viffer anyway.

[image: View Post]tx_vfr, on Aug 5 2009, 02:17 PM, said:

I've gotten so that I can swap my oil and filter in about 30min. Most of that time is letting the headers cool so you can stick your hand in there to get the filter.

Drain the oil.
While its draining, start taking the bottom of the fairings apart. This lets you flex the inner piece enough to get your hands on the filter.
Don't forget to let those headers cool before you stick your paw in there! :excl:
I only tighten my filters to hand tight. This allows me to remove it with just my hands as well.
Don't forget to smear some oil on that o-ring before you go back together with it. Also, be sure to wipe down the surface of the block where the filter meets up.

Easy cheesy. Well, for a Viffer anyway.
I'll try your method this weekend. Should save a lot of time! Thanks.

take that little POS clip into your Saturn dealer parts department. You get a bag of them for like 8 bucks. A good Honda dealer charges 1.50 to 5.00 each

-D-

[image: View Post]nofr13, on Aug 5 2009, 03:47 PM, said:

take that little POS clip into your Saturn dealer parts department. You get a bag of them for like 8 bucks. A good Honda dealer charges 1.50 to 5.00 each

-D-


Thanks for the tip!!