I have broken a fairing tab, a frame mount, and a white clip just from trying to get the right side fairing on. I'm also scoring the hell out of the silver on the front fairing where it's supposed to magically slide together. [image: 0aec3509599c7e19b84cf215074c4fd0.jpg]
I'll JB weld the fairing tab, but I'll have to buy a new frame mount. Is there a video anyone knows about showing how to put these sonsabitches back on? I found one on how to remove them, but just doing the reverse is breaking shit.
Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling
Perhaps I'm just lucky but have had both sides off and on without any problems.
But Dave K5 is your man he's had several bikes to bits and his own fairings off a number of times. I don't think he has any problems
First of all you have your fairing mounted incorrectly - second pic, allen socket M5 shoulder screw - the silver fairing should be UNDER the red fairing, not OVER.
This is why you have broken the tabs.
Plus only 7'C in Ohio yesterday - its always a good idea to heat everything up with an hair dryer prior removal - it will help and prevent the damage.
STAY, INNER LAYER COWL - 64541MGE000 - its only 2 dollars so buy it new.
For a harmless and solid repair use your domestic product called PLASTEX - I have been using this stuff for years and it makes wonders.
you have to sit in front of the bike...start by aligning the T shaped fins next to the headlight with the slots in the fairing....make sure that the inside panels by the forks align correctly....then look in from next to the headlight and find the white clip.....align it with the receptacle and slide together.....then all of the fasteners will line up.....leave the hammer in the toolbox
lol, boy lemme tell you it was tempting to break it out!
I've been thinking about why I was having such a hard time about it. Besides the obvious thing pointed out above, I remembered that my daughter pulled the bike over when I first got it. I'm betting that the some of the stuff may have been bent or cracked. Such as that black peice. That sucker looks like it shuold have been way too strong for me to break by sliding the fairing on and off. So maybe in the long run it was better to replace that and pick up some more of those white plastic clip things too.
I have broken a fairing tab, a frame mount, and a white clip just from trying to get the right side fairing on. I'm also scoring the hell out of the silver on the front fairing where it's supposed to magically slide together. [image: 0aec3509599c7e19b84cf215074c4fd0.jpg]
I'll JB weld the fairing tab, but I'll have to buy a new frame mount. Is there a video anyone knows about showing how to put these sonsabitches back on? I found one on how to remove them, but just doing the reverse is breaking shit.
Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling
I broke that black plastic arm the first time too......I think I didn't see the little Allen head bolt, or the little upside-down plastic rivet hidden in there............either way the post I was reading said "Don't be afraid to give it a tug, and POP, it will come off". Lesson learned.............I think it was only $3 - I always look up the price at Babbits, or Parzilla, and have my local dealer match it.........
I did my 24k service today so I had my first experience taking the fairing off. I found it not too bad. Once everything was lined up on the side fairings I used the hole on the silver part and pulled it into place. I guess that is what the little hole is for. It is a pain, and it took all day to do the service: oil, coolant and air filter. Still have to flush the brakes and clutch.
I ordered a dozen of the white plastic clips that break right after first removal/breakage. Haven't needed to use them the last few times, I must have gotten good at it sending the ECU back and forth to get derestricted. There was an excellent video on YouTube, I'm sure it's still there somewhere, I'd hate to think of attempting such an exercise without checking the internet for other's mistakes!
I still haven't put mine back together yet. I have been waiting for it to warm up before attempting it. I do not want brittle plastic from the cold to be a factor. I have used fiberglass mesh this to re-enforce the broken tab, but it was a bugger to keep in the right spot long enough for the stuff to harden. Hopefully I didn't screw that up.
...I used the hole on the silver part and pulled it into place...
Could you elaborate a bit on this, what hole are you referencing?
I still haven't put mine back together yet. I have been waiting for it to warm up before attempting it. I do not want brittle plastic from the cold to be a factor. I have used fiberglass mesh this to re-enforce the broken tab, but it was a bugger to keep in the right spot long enough for the stuff to harden. Hopefully I didn't screw that up.
...I used the hole on the silver part and pulled it into place...
Could you elaborate a bit on this, what hole are you referencing?
I lined the side panel up with all the tabs, peeking in every where to make sure it was in place. Then pull straight back with my finger through the hole with the arrow. Seemed better than trying to push the fairing on. I feel your pain, it was an all day job to work on the bike, with most of the time spent taking off all the fairings and putting them back on.
It was the first time I did everything (bought the bike second hand) so I took my time as to not foul anything up. Ran out of time to do the brake and clutch bleeding, but I could see the big service taking around 4 hours total.
That work stand would be nice, my knees are sore today from crawling around the bike all day.
On a side note, why is the air filter so expensive? I ended up washing and reinstalling mine. Tip of the day.
I would not be without the lift My knees and back are not great
so crawling around on the floor when its only 4 degrees is not on
Good idea on the air filter I have done that before, I usually spray them with brake cleaner then blast them
with air from the compressor
I just use something like Simple Green, then rinse it with water. Blow it out with compressed air and let it dry in the sun or use a hair dryer. Looks as good as new.
That lift is awesome! You paid a pretty penny for it I am sure. I am using a harbor freight lift and I think it is wonderful, but doesn't hold a candle to that baby.
Thanks for the clarification ridered. Appreciate it!
That lift is awesome! You paid a pretty penny for it I am sure. I am using a harbor freight lift and I think it is wonderful, but doesn't hold a candle to that baby.
It's an Abba Sky lift they are £430 over here not sure what that is in dollars,
They are very versatile as you can raise either end or have it parallel.
I got one side back on tonight. I am going to stand by my assessment that I still hate these fairings. I believe the person who designed them should be dragged from their bed into the street and beaten mercilessly. I just cannot find a way to do it that I like. However, if when the bike was dropped in my garage, something got whopperjawed a millimeter off and that is what makes all the difference... I just cannot stand this design. It's clever, I'll give them that; but it's a royal pain in the ass IMO.
I would have put the other side back on but I forgot that I was running a power outlet to the front and got sidetracked. So I need to finish that.
I got one side back on tonight. I am going to stand by my assessment that I still hate these fairings. I believe the person who designed them should be dragged from their bed into the street and beaten mercilessly. I just cannot find a way to do it that I like. However, if when the bike was dropped in my garage, something got whopperjawed a millimeter off and that is what makes all the difference... I just cannot stand this design. It's clever, I'll give them that; but it's a royal pain in the ass IMO.
I would have put the other side back on but I forgot that I was running a power outlet to the front and got sidetracked. So I need to finish that.
Haha, My degree is automotive styling, so I'm the guy that designs stuff to look pretty, and require all fasteners be hidden. That was one of the reasons I love this bike, the design department had full reign and it looks amazing. I do think a few small changes would have made it easier and the fuel tank could be larger.
It's just one of those things that with a little luck and practice they become much easier.
The first time I took the left side fairing off. It took me ages and lots of swearing to get it back on, but now I can get it off and on in a few minutes. The right side seemed easier from the start no idea why.
I'm planning on stripping mine down when the weather picks up, can't say I'm looking forward to it. Might just bang it all back together with velcro and hope for the best :D
Luckily, there is not much reason to take those fairings off frequently. The only reason I can think of now is the coolant change which I just did. I can tell you this, I will actually pay someone to do it next time just to avoid screwing with those damn fairings. I seriously cannot put into words how frustrating and angry the whole process is in my opinion. I was actually looking forward to learning it in the beginning. After all, the belly fairing is just so awesome and easy as well as being well thought out.
I cannot figure out why, but where the side fairing meets the tank fairing, it's just a little too tight and not lined up properly. Neither of my kids could see it, but I know what it should look like. Something must be out of alignment somewhere, but I'll be damned if I can find it.
I'm actually selling the bike now, just decided I can't gel with it, it was serviced in December so the new owner won't need to touch a thing for eons.
I'm really sorry to hear that. All in all, I really love this bike. This is the first serious complaint I have about it. My only complaints thus far are the exhaust note and engine sound compared to the 5th gen and mpg's. Nothing new there, but everything else about the bike I just love.
Luckily, there is not much reason to take those fairings off frequently. The only reason I can think of now is the coolant change which I just did. I can tell you this, I will actually pay someone to do it next time just to avoid screwing with those damn fairings. I seriously cannot put into words how frustrating and angry the whole process is in my opinion. I was actually looking forward to learning it in the beginning. After all, the belly fairing is just so awesome and easy as well as being well thought out.
I cannot figure out why, but where the side fairing meets the tank fairing, it's just a little too tight and not lined up properly. Neither of my kids could see it, but I know what it should look like. Something must be out of alignment somewhere, but I'll be damned if I can find it.
I have busted clips on two fairings, and replaced them. I change the oil, tires, but anything else I've been punting. I finally have a good mechanic (independent) who doesn't make a lot of money so it's a win/win for him and I. I just paid him to change coolant, brake fluid all around, and get the front wheel spinning freer than stock. That front wheel drags. Always an issue with my Hondas but maybe due to ABS or something, the 1200 was worse. Much better now.
For the price many of us paid ($10k, or less), I don't feel like I have room to complain about anything. In this day and age to get this much motorcycle for such little price (especially compared to competitors) I still feel like I stole mine @ $9999. If I was making the decision to buy now, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Arguably, you don't get a lot of motorcycle for the money though, do you. It's basically a bog standard bike with ABS. Every last drop of optional equipment (which most argue should be standard) is so over inflated that it becomes cringe worthy. However, I do like the bike, it just ain't for me.
Arguably, you don't get a lot of motorcycle for the money though, do you. It's basically a bog standard bike with ABS. Every last drop of optional equipment (which most argue should be standard) is so over inflated that it becomes cringe worthy. However, I do like the bike, it just ain't for me.
Other than the panniers, what optional equipment are you talking about? For me, price of options doesn't impact whether the bike is for me - I factor that all in when I buy the bike...
I don't have more than 1500 miles on mine since I bought it (bought in winter of 2014 and last summer was a wash due to wife's bad injury) so I'm really looking forward to riding as much as possible this summer. I can say the more I ride it, the more I like it. On the few rides I've had in 2016 (it's cold in Chicago other than a few warm days), I can tell I'm starting to take the speed for granted, so I'll have to get on some slower bikes soon.
Arguably, you don't get a lot of motorcycle for the money though, do you. It's basically a bog standard bike with ABS. Every last drop of optional equipment (which most argue should be standard) is so over inflated that it becomes cringe worthy. However, I do like the bike, it just ain't for me.
Other than the panniers, what optional equipment are you talking about? For me, price of options doesn't impact whether the bike is for me - I factor that all in when I buy the bike...
I don't have more than 1500 miles on mine since I bought it (bought in winter of 2014 and last summer was a wash due to wife's bad injury) so I'm really looking forward to riding as much as possible this summer. I can say the more I ride it, the more I like it. On the few rides I've had in 2016 (it's cold in Chicago other than a few warm days), I can tell I'm starting to take the speed for granted, so I'll have to get on some slower bikes soon.
_Dan
1. Actual traction control...with....
2. Rider modes
3. Center stand as standard
4. Heated grips as standard
5. Wind deflection as default, not optional daft little bits you stick on
6. Luggage as default, not optional
7. Trip meter that gives you real time MPG
That'd be a nice start.
I'm not saying the options are a factor, the bike just ain't for me. It's a big bruiser - and that's it. There's no soul in my opinion. Power is nothing without a grin factor.
Well, I mean, if you want to pay north of £12k (what's that in dollars...about $9 million?) and not have those, then that's your prerogative.
If you got the bike second hand for next to nothing then fair enough, but wanting to pay excess for a bike with little to no standard features, is like asking for a bag of chips and offering to pay caviar prices.
But before everyone gets butthurt that I'm not into their bike, don't worry - it's just an opinion, I love my VFR750 much more, you all may hate that version of the VFR and it's aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-okaaaaaaaaaaaaay <3
Arguably, you don't get a lot of motorcycle for the money though, do you. It's basically a bog standard bike with ABS. Every last drop of optional equipment (which most argue should be standard) is so over inflated that it becomes cringe worthy. However, I do like the bike, it just ain't for me.
For $9999 I got a whole lot of bike, more bike than what I paid. Mine makes 168 RWHP and handles better than my previous VFR's. Great chassis, great brakes, great handling, and gobs of power. I do not want TC, my right hand is my TC, even in the rain. Honda built an outstanding sport tourer, the best, so you can throw your tour outta the pram, I'm still happy and love my bike. I beat on it regularly and it asks for more. In the twisties it's a beautiful bike.
Luvtoleanit said:
That front wheel drags. Always an issue with my Hondas but maybe due to ABS or something, the 1200 was worse. Much better now.
What'd you do?
'
My mechanic said he basically took apart the calipers and cleaned them thoroughly. Now that front wheel isn't dragging nearly as much. This isn't a VFR issue though, all my Honda's over the years have had this imperfection.
I just wanted to follow up on this thread. 2 things really. There must be something not right on my right side because the left side went back together so easily I did it three times thinking I was doing something wrong. Or it could just be that the radiator fill on the right side is what makes it so difficult.
Second part is that my repair of the broken boss is nice and strong. The bad news is that I must have put too much weld because it is a few millimeters too long now. The seam isn't smooth like it was and it sticks out too far for my taste. My father and wife seem to think that I am just being picky, but I know that I will be looking for a replacement right middle fairing. Or I may save up for Nice Cycle fairings.
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