Expert VFR Mechanics in Indianapolis? Bike is running strange.

Hi All,

I am looking for a really good VFR mechanic in the Indianapolis area.  Dreyer and the HD/ Honda shop are the local Honda dealers.  I wouldn't trust the HD dealer but was wondering if anyone had any VFR experience with Dreyer?

I was riding my 1000 mile 2001 VFR 800 tonight and even after a recent tune up with new plugs/ battery / fluids (everything really) the bike was running strange.  Almost like it was on two cylinders.  It would stumble at lower rpms and when it would finally hit 6-7k it would smooth out and accelerate cleanly.  It also smelled very strange.  I put gas in it yesterday and rode 50 miles with no trouble, so I don't think that it is the fuel.

I know that these bikes are famous for the regulator rectifier issue but hard to believe that would cause this.

Mine did something similar when the R/R died. Is the strange smell sulfur? Either way, take the seat off and check voltages.

-Jake

When i had my previous 6th gen, I checked both dealers out to get service done......I used to live maybe 3 miles from 96th st HD/Honda, but just go in and you can tell where 95% of their buisiness is aimed (HD's).  I was never impressed with the knowledge of anyone I talked to at the 96th st HD/honda shop.  Nobody there really seemed to know anything about VFRs really at all.  When I would ask about them, about all I'd get was....."Yeah, we got a new 6th gen in once, and it sat here for over a year before it sold at a big discount...owner said we'll never get another"  So that kind of ruled me out using them.

So I thought Dryer is the oldest Honda MC dealer in the country, they must know whats going on there, so I went waaaay out of my way to get service done there.  It was the first service from new, and it was my first new bike, so I figured it wouldnt be a bad idea to have the dealer do the service to make sure everything was Tip Top.  Long story short, when I went to pick up the bike, some of the items that are supposed to be done for the first service according to the manual were not done.....and there was a nice big new scratch on the previously pristine right side fairing.  Needless to say, I was very mad.  But it only got worse when I talked to the service manager and then the general manager.  Nobody wanted to take resposibility for the services not being completed, nor the scratch on the bike.  Eventually, the services all suposedly got complete (while I waited another 2 hours "while they worked me in" ), but never got anything for the big scratch.  So I said that was the last time Iwas dealing with them.  Made my decision then and there to make my own repairs and do my own maintenance.

But as to your problem, I had something similar happen on my old truck when the alternator was going out.....would miss a lot in lower rpms, then run fine higher rpms.  Not saying the stator is your prob (im sure its not), but kind of leans me towards an electrical issue of some sort.  Do you have a voltmeter?  I'd say thats the easiest way to start tracking down the possible problem.  Or to at least narrow some things off the list.  Also, did you fully chargethe battery before using it?  Possible battery issue?  Not reeally sure, but i'd at least start by checking the voltages.  Also may not be a bad idea to wire up a voltmeter to your bike to keep an eye on RR/charging system in the future.  I have one on mine, and its nice peace of mind that it actually is charging correctly.

Thanks guys.  I checked on the voltmeter and it looks like it was the same regardless if the bike was running or not.  About 11 volts.  It made a nasty sulfur smell too.  I have a Rick's regulator all ready to go on it now along with the VFRness.  Which I should have done originally.

The battery is brand new.  And fully charged on the battery tender.  The bike was running great until tonight.  yesterday it was extremely hot out and I am thinking that is what finally killed it.