Maintenance After Five Years Of Storage

The last time I rode my sixth gen VFR was in September 2007 when I rode it across the US and put nearly 10,000 miles on her in 20 days. I then (literally) rode it into the garage, put it up on the centerstand, dumped fuel stabilizer in the tank, plugged in the battery tender, jumped on a plane and left the country for five years.

I am now home and it's time to get the VFRs back on the road (mine first and then the wife's).

Here's what the '02 VFR looked like for the past five years:

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Last week I went with a friend and stuck them on a trailer to drive them a few hundred miles to their new home where I will start the long process of getting them ready to ride.

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The only good news was that for most of the time I was gone my in-laws would start up the bikes every couple of weeks and let them get up to operating temperature. It was only over the past few months that the batteries got so old they simply wouldn't crank the engine.

Step one was to take a look at the gas/gas tank (gas was still relatively clear and the tank had no rust or sediment in it) and throw a new battery in and see what happened.

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Good news! The old girl cranked right up and settled into a decent idle.

Now that I've confirmed that the engine doesn't sound like someone dumping golf balls into a steel drum, I stripped all the fairings off to inspect for any obvious leaks or issues.

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I've got some rust on the exhaust shields from the long cross-country trip where the Givi rack rubbed...

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Surface rust on a completely cosmetic item means (of course) that I needed to buy an aftermarket exhaust system. So I just (today) bought the Remus system that huntinggunns was selling on VFRd.

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Some not-so-funny news was that my right-hand fork seal is leaking.

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A leaking fork seal, as I patiently explained to my wife, means that I have to take the forks off the bike and send them to Jamie Daugherty (who I will be calling tomorrow) to be rebuilt.

I also figured that since I'm already taking off the exhaust I may as well see if he has the 929 shock available and swap out the old/stock unit that has 60,000 miles on it. :goofy:

So far I figure I'll have to:

1. Replace the battery
2. Drain the fuel
3. Flush the radiator/fluid
4. Change the oil
5. Flush/bleed the clutch
6. Check/clean all electrical connections
7. Install new front brake pads
8. Install new tires
9. Install new chain/sprockets
10. Rebuild forks
11. Change rear shock
12. Install power commander
13. Install Remus exhaust
14. Install K&N air filter
15. Change spark plugs
16. Rebuild brake calipers (inspected / unnecessary)
17. Replace the brake proportional control valve (inspected / unnecessary)
18. Rebuild the secondary master cylinder
19. Flush/bleed the brakes
20. Un-stick the clutch plates
21. Install dual USB port

From there it will be time to work on the wife's 2000 VFR.

More pics to document the process as the parts arrive and I make time to finish the work.

Paul

Nothing runs like a Deere - except for VFRs. Nice little time capsule you have there. I also agree that a small scratch on the exhaust heat shield requires a completely new system! :beer:

You forgot to mention to your wife that your seat has become stale from sitting there for so long and it will require replacement with a Sargent or Corbin.

I'm sure she'll also understand when you explain to her that the old gas has caused some hidden damage that can only be fixed with a Toro Supercharger.  I promise honey it's the only thing available that can make it run normal again :pinocchio:

Rollin

That's awesome, you're going to be satisfied that you did not sell them.

A first ride report is appropriate when it happens!

Get'em ready for TMAC ..........

Five years is a long time. Should we be saying thanks for serving our country?

Or, congrats for finishing serving your time in that Turkish prison? Statute of Limitations finally expired? :goofy:

J/K. Welcome back. :beer:

Five years is a long time. Should we be saying thanks for serving our country?

Or, congrats for finishing serving your time in that Turkish prison? Statute of Limitations finally expired? :goofy:

J/K. Welcome back. :beer:

I usually joke that I left to hide from the recession! :unclesam:

Get'em ready for TMAC ..........

I want to -- I've never been to TMAC! I just started a new job and trying to see if I can swing enough leave to make it up there.

That's awesome, you're going to be satisfied that you did not sell them.

A first ride report is appropriate when it happens!

Roger that, but it will be a boring ride report (welcome to flat Florida)!

You forgot to mention to your wife that your seat has become stale from sitting there for so long and it will require replacement with a Sargent or Corbin.

I'm sure she'll also understand when you explain to her that the old gas has caused some hidden damage that can only be fixed with a Toro Supercharger.  I promise honey it's the only thing available that can make it run normal again :pinocchio:

Rollin

I had a Corbin on my fourth gen, and have one on my FZ1, but never got around to putting one on my sixth gen. I used the Airhawk for my last long trip. I've been scouting eBay looking for a decently priced Corbin for the sixth gen.... I'm already blowing the rebuild budget with exhaust and suspension. :wheel:

Dude, you are cracking me up. Of course it warrants a new exhaust system. And naturally you need to have the forks done by Jaime. And rear shock? Would be careless NOT to do it!

I imagine a VFR is a lot like a dog, she has to be really excited to have you home!

Since you are going to be replacing the fork seals, it might be a good idea to change the springs...

Welcome back!  Will be a lot of fun to watch the progress!