Setting my hair on fire.

[Megadan]

So, I have saved up a couple grand in order to get this bike fixed. I want 6th gear back! I don't have the space or the time right now to tear into it, and I am just tired of looking at it collecting dust. I hate putting my babies into somebody else's hands, but I do trust the shop I dropped it off at (I have a couple of friends that work there). I will likely be without it for at least a month.

[JerryHawk250]

How I missed this post. Must of posted this during the storm. I know what you mean about letting someone else work on your bike. I like doing my own work because I know it will be done right. Seems like every time I brought a vehicle for the dealership for warranty work on them they always forget to fix something. End up bringing it back a couple of times and have to explain to the mechanic on what to fix.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

How I missed this post. Must of posted this during the storm. I know what you mean about letting someone else work on your bike. I like doing my own work because I know it will be done right. Seems like every time I brought a vehicle for the dealership for warranty work on them they always forget to fix something. End up bringing it back a couple of times and have to explain to the mechanic on what to fix.

Yeah, but sometimes you just have to accept the reality. I could do this work, but I lack two important ingredients. I could make the space, but that means I need more time that I slready don't have enough of. Either way it isn't a cheap repair.

[Megadan]

So here is the fun update to this story. A week after dropping the bike off, they still don't contact me. I call them to ask what is going on and get told "sorry, but we won't be working on it for a few months..." Essentially the same thing everybody else told me, so I took my bike back, brought it home, and I am setting up to do the damn work myself. In the meantime I am just riding it and not using 6th gear, which is more than fine considering how tall that gear is anyway (really only useable above 70+). No long highway trips for now, but I don't have any planned.

I gave it a nice wash and full detail this weekend.




Anyway, I am currently cleaning out my garage, tossing a bunch of junk, putting in some shelving and building a work table to set the motor on and tear it down.

On positive out of this whole mess is that another VFR1200 owner had the same thing happen to his bike and he gave me some wonderful insight into doing the job. The heads do not have to come off in order to split the cases, but instead it can be done by splitting the case and backing out one bolt at the same time. That will save a ton of time and money. I am still looking at about $500 in parts between the gaskets, gears, and a shift fork, but it beats the $2000-3000 repair bill of somebody else doing it.

Since I now have some extra money on hand I may do a few extra things while the bike is apart. I have wanted to de-cat the bike for a while, so I will likely do that and then have the whole exhaust ceramic coated. I may change to a different muffler from the current Coffman's shorty, especially if I do decide to de-cat. This will also require a re-reflash of my ECU, luckily Guhl only charges $100 for this instead of the $350 it first cost me. It should also unlock about another 20hp if I raise the rev limiter in conjunction with the de-cat, giving a total of around 180-185whp.

I am also debating ordering an aftermarket fairing set in a different color. Not that I don't like the orange. I just want to keep the OEM panels as pristine as possible. I am thinking of black, which would match my panniers. Besides, if I ever get bored with one color, it would only take an hour lol.

[JerryHawk250]

That will be a good winter time project as long as you have the garage heated. lol Bike looks awesome as always.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

That will be a good winter time project as long as you have the garage heated. lol Bike looks awesome as always.

I plan on starting it next month. Realistically, it should only take a few weekends to get it sorted as long as the parts don't take too long to arrive.

[Megadan]

I couldn't help myself. I hate to see it sitting there, and I am waiting for some parts to arrive, so... I had to take it out and ride for a bit, and clean the dust and finger prints off. I am so used to riding the Hawk now that I forgot just how quickly this bike gets up to speed even when you aren't trying. First gear tops out what the Hawk tops out in 5th lol.

I will say this. This bike is photogenic as hell, and not too bad looking for being 10 years old.




A couple of angles that really caught the sun.

[OneLeggedRider]

That thing is just downright sexy Megadan.

[herbie]

She sure looks good in the sun! Are those tank grips tech spec?

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

That thing is just downright sexy Megadan.

Yes, yes it is. One of the few bikes I have ever owned where I still have to turn around just to look at it agian lol.

Originally Posted by herbie

She sure looks good in the sun! Are those tank grips tech spec?

It's that pearl coat. It really comes to life in the sun.

Yes, those are Tech Spec snake skin grips. Kind of a necessity with this bike. Trying to grip smooth painted tank panels when braking with the earth stopping braking power, or ballistic missile acceleration, this bike has is rather difficult lol.

[herbie]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Yes, those are Tech Spec snake skin grips. Kind of a necessity with this bike. Trying to grip smooth painted tank panels when braking with the earth stopping braking power, or ballistic missile acceleration, this bike has is rather difficult lol.

How long have you had them on and have you had any trouble with them coming loose? I just bought some small Tech spec snake skin grips for my V strom. Mine isn't the power monster like yours but I think they help from scratching the tank as well as gripping.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by herbie

How long have you had them on and have you had any trouble with them coming loose? I just bought some small Tech spec snake skin grips for my V strom. Mine isn't the power monster like yours but I think they help from scratching the tank as well as gripping.

About 2 years now, and not one peep of trouble from them in any way. The adhesive they use is top notch.

[Megadan]

I engaged warp factor 9 for the first time in probably over a year. Open empty highway, no wind, no cops, no traffic... somewhere in Mexico.

I forgot just how much of an adrenaline rush this bike is. Even wide open in 5th gear it pulls so damn hard you have to hang on for dear life (while in a tuck). Somewhere around 150 I decided I had my fill for the night. Doesn't take very long to get there.

Honestly, as exciting as it is, it's the fact that it doesn't take that long, or any real effort, to do that kind of speed is part of the reason I love and hate this bike. It is also the reason I find my Hawk or other small engine bikes so much fun. I can twist wide open through all 5 gears on my Hawk and still barely scratch the speed limit on most major roads here unless I get one heck of a run. This bike will hit 100mph between stop lights with 1 wheel off the ground without even trying and still manage to stop ( I love the brakes on this bike ).

In truth, it's the torque this thing makes that inspires both awe and fear. Not only does it make a ton of it, but it makes almost all of it from basically 3500rpm to redline. It's a savage kind of power that just wants to rip your arms from your sockets.

I do believe I have fallen in love with my VFR again. Now I feel inspired to actually work on it.

[griizgrokz]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Yes, this post is just an excuse to show off my new pride and joy. No, I don't have a thing for orange pearl metallic 4cyl Honda touring bikes... it was just a coincidence. I do love the color though. It POPS in the sun. Anyway, I brought it home today. It's sad to see the Goldwing go, but it's really nice to have an EFI bike, and something so pampered that it still has new bike smell, even when its 8 years old. I have wanted a VFR1200 ever since they were introduced, even though my plan was to get a NEW bike, this is good enough.

One thing I really need to get used to though is the power. This is the most powerful bike I have ever owned at 170hp, and just lightly breathing on the throttle makes this thing pick up speed beyond my comprehension. Getting on the highway on the way home I gave it maybe 1/4 throttle in 5th gear and went from 60 to almost 100mph faster than my Goldwing goes from 60 to 70. Around town I really have to be careful...it takes 1 second to end up in felony speeding ticket ranges.


It needs new tires, and I am not a big fan of the exhaust on it. I think the only other gripe I have is the suspension is too soft for me, but I expect that with every bike I buy because of my size, so a new rear shock and some magic in the forks are on order as well.

I love it though. This is the first bike I have ever bought that I actually wanted to own. Usually I buy something and spend tons of money turning it into something else and upgrading it. This needs very little for me to be happy, and I love the styling. I also love the factory panniers, they mount and dismount with the turn of a key and lift of the handle and instantly transforms into a sport machine.

That Honda is beautiful!.. I'm kinda interested in the late 80s early 90s.S-10... I bet it has the famous 350 swap lol.


Owned 2 myself lowered 4 in the front (spindles and springs)and 5 inn the rear. Never had anything faster than the 2.8 . Really would like to find a Syclone.. Hell I'm still working on getting that kpx...

[Megadan]

I got my goodbye ride in. I listed it for sale Sunday at Midnight and I have a person scheduled to show up from out of state Friday afternoon to take her away.

A part of me is definitely going to regret selling this bike, but it is time to move on to something new and a little more tame.

Took these right before my last ride on her. A part of me is sad to see it go.