How's it going? I'm pretty new here with just recently getting my '02 and had a question about some damage.
The bike was lowsided by the previous owner and I'm looking at repairing some of the damage. I've attached some pictures and was wondering if you guys could give me your best opinion whether this is due to a bent upper fairing stay. I'm pretty sure it is, but before I buy a new stay I want to be reasonably sure. How difficult would it be to try and straighten?
One pic is a busted dash plastic (gauges are fine) with a buckle near the tach, one is the fairing not aligning on right side, and if you look closely at the windscreen pic you might notice it's off ever so slightly, but enough to be annoying (in person anyway).
Thanks.
[image: Attached Image: 15779179098_ORIG.jpg] [image: Attached Image: 15779179095_ORIG.jpg] [image: Attached Image: 15779179104_ORIG.jpg]
Not to say that it is impossible to straighten one out but it is very difficult to get it right. IMO it is a part that is worth buying new from honda to save countless hours of frustration with more than likely less than perfect results.
[image: View Post]steven113, on 04 February 2010 - 11:55 AM, said:
Not to say that it is impossible to straighten one out but it is very difficult to get it right. IMO it is a part that is worth buying new from honda to save countless hours of frustration with more than likely less than perfect results.
I was thinking that as well, but if it was bent, I figured I couldn't do much more damage...
So you're in agreement that these pictures are showing that the fairing support is bent?
I just want to make somewhat sure this is the problem before I drop $170ish on a new one.
[image: View Post]Junyr, on 04 February 2010 - 11:59 AM, said:
[image: View Post]steven113, on 04 February 2010 - 11:55 AM, said:
Not to say that it is impossible to straighten one out but it is very difficult to get it right. IMO it is a part that is worth buying new from honda to save countless hours of frustration with more than likely less than perfect results.
I was thinking that as well, but if it was bent, I figured I couldn't do much more damage...
So you're in agreement that these pictures are showing that the fairing support is bent?
I just want to make somewhat sure this is the problem before I drop $170ish on a new one.
Yes, it is surely bent.
my 2000 was also crashed by the p.o.
if you take alot of time, a looong pipe and a tape measure to it, you can have success.
but, with hondas practice of using 37 holes on one bolt, it can be difficult.
try it.
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 04 February 2010 - 12:07 PM, said:
if you take alot of time, a looong pipe and a tape measure to it, you can have success.
try it.
:+1:
It's fairly easy to straighten these with a little time. Like Timmy said use a tape measure and a level and try to figure where it's tweaked and bent it back. If the bike wasn't killed in a crash it can't be too far off, a little time is worth the effort. :fing02:
BR
ps if you end up buying one new make sure you use Service Honda or Ron Ayers type sellers to save some money.
It not terrible. The PO told me last spring he just took a corner a little too far before the tires got warm and it slid out from under him. Everything is straight as far as the important things go that make it ridable. It's all completely straight and structurally sound, just the cosmetics.
I'll try to straighten it for a bit, but it it gets out of hand I'll just go pick up a new one. I know this part has to be straight before I can do anything really with the other plastics...
I appreciate all the replies!
When you low side a VFR it tends to just Rotate the upper stay away from the drop side, many times a simple twist of the main cross bar with a pri bar will cure most simple bends. :beer:
Just find consistent points on the frame to measure from and go for it! :fing02:
BR
[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 04 February 2010 - 02:56 PM, said:
When you low side a VFR it tends to just Rotate the upper stay away from the drop side, many times a simple twist of the main cross bar with a pri bar will cure most simple bends. :beer:
Just find consistent points on the frame to measure from and go for it! :fing02:
BR
That's the best news I've heard all day! I'll definitely give this a close look. I have way better things to spend that cash on than a fairing stay. Posted Image
If you buy a new one, and are able to make measurements from it, you will be glad you have it sooner or later! I bought one for my 3rd gen and held on to it for years, as i was able to see what it was *supposed" to look like. I am rebuilding said 3rd gen and it is now getting the new stay, an probably gonna get some airtech bodywork once i get the poor girl running!
Good luck, and welcome!
You may find that if you loosen or remove all the fasteners on the panels, etc, that you can straighten things out (that is, the main fairing stay isn't so corroked after all - it's just things have moved a bit).
If the fairing stay/bracket is bent, it's kinda pot luck if you can straighten it. At $170, it's worth a shot.
I had a guy who was trying to buold one good VFR out of two crashed ones. He came around and I dismantled my bike so he could photograph and measure the main fairing stay in order to straighten the best one he had. He never managed to to get it completely straight.
OTOH, when I wrecked my '90 VFR750, the guy who bought the wreck straightened the main fairing stay, rather than pay the NZ$1200 for a new one. It turned out fine.