Just gotta 1996 vfr w/ 16500 miles for $2000

Edit on 4/27/2013: I am bringing back and updating this thread to talk about the tires as I have reached end of life on the rear tire I purchased when I first got the bike.

Hello riders,
I am new to the forum and the vfr scene. I bought an '84 magna v45 last year as my first bike and was hooked to the v4 engine. i am 6ft so the magna is relly cramped for me. I was looking for a VFR since but money was an issue. Last week i see this clean and low mileage '96 for $2000 and now i own it.

The owner just replaced the Rectifier, it has new front tire.


But the chain looks like its worn out. The chain wear indicator sticker is not there.
Is it normal for the chain to wear out in 16k miles. i am now worried a little bit if the odometer was messed with (or it rolled over 100k which i think is unlikely).

The bike is very clean except for minor scratches on the right side which the owner claims happened in the garage while moving stuff which i believe due to the direction of scratches and they are very shallow.

So what do you experienced guys think.

btw i am in the sacrament , california.

i will post pictures tomorrow

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Way to go rickybobby--that's a sweet deal you slurped up like syrup on biscuits. i'm gonna guess it's red.

If you don't keep the chain lubed with (favorite chain lube here) or SAE 90 gear oil every 200 miles, it will wear out quickly, so i wouldn't question the mileage as much as the previous maintenance on the bike.

Check the sliding contact surface of the crimp lugs on the rectifier terminals, that's where the arcing and heating begins on the wiring harness meltdowns.

 

Thanks for replying.

The previous owner said he did not lube or adjust the chain while he owned it. he had it for 2 years and rode 1000 miles. but the sprockets look good and the chain did not have excessive slack to cause frame damage. so i figured that lack of chain adjustment prolly did not damage anything else. anyways I factored in price for a new chain and rear tire when i bought.

I will check into the rectifier contacts today

any thing else i should look for to determine if the bike actually has higher mileage than the odo says.

Should i check the valves since factory calls for doing it at 16k miles. but i heard the vfr's valve dont need adjustment for upto 50k.

 

Ricky, congrats on the VFR. Sounds like you got a decent deal (although pics are required). I wouldn't worry about whether the bike has more miles on it than the odo says, as it almost doesn't matter. I'm not one who cleans/lubes my chains every 200 miles; but I do it when they need it. My chains typically last between 20k and 30k miles which is fine with me. I've heard guys who claim 50k from a chain. Must be the 200 mile guys.:wink:

I would use this (the need for a chain) as an opportunity to do a little bonding with your new bike. Get to know it by getting your hands dirty. Replace those sprockets and the chain at the same time. Change the oil and filter while you're down there, and check the other fluids (coolant, brake and clutch fluids, etc.) as well. When you're done, you'll feel even better when you head out.

I'm up the hill from you, in Pioneer (along Hwy 88). Lots of guys in the area. We should hookup for a beer & tire kicking session!

 

Thanks for replying. I am planning on replacing the chain a rear tire soon. Infact i am browsing bike bandit right now. the sprockets does not look worn out to me. i will post a picture. so is it absolutely necessary to replace to sprockets with new chain or am i reasonably safe replacing the chain now and waiting to do the sprocket with next chain replacement. Money is tight now. i was not able to afford the vfr (regular price )but wanted one for some time. i could afford at this price. but i am broke now:wink: .

I will be going thru all the fluids before riding it again.

i love riding the hills. but i am still learning to corner properly(aka i am a slow rider). On the twisties my brother is much faster than me(ninja 250) while he is riding the v45 magna.

pioneer is not far and looks like you have some beautiful roads nearby. i definitely want to ride there.

 

btw i am also looking for tire recommendations for the rear.
my priorities are tread life and price. I am not yet good enough to use really sporty high traction tires.

 

Your looking for a sport touring tire. I had the dunlop roadsmart's as my last set and they work pretty well for average riding, I got 7200 miles out of them, but could have easily gotten 8 or 9 if I wasn't getting more and more aggressive with them as I became more comfortable with the bike. I have the Michelin Pilot Road 2's now and think they are a better tire(many others around here will agree) The Pilot Road 3 was just recently released and a few on here have 'em but they cost a little more than the Pilot Road 2. I absolutely love the michelins compared to the dunlops, the turn quicker, feel more confident leaned over and from what most say I should get better mileage out of them than I did the dunlops. Others on here like the Pirelli Angel ST's and some the Metzeler Roadtec although the Metzelers tend to be on the expensive side. I will recommend replacing both tires simultaneously as its not just a matter of mismatching tire types but you're also pairing a sticky new rear tire with a mostly worn but more seriously somewhat dried out front tire. Whichever tire you choose, the selection of sport touring tires available today is a great one, you really can't go wrong if your just putting around and commuting and they even handle exceptionally well when hustled down some twisty roads.

 

thanks for the good info.
regarding changing the front tire, the bike has a 1000 mile/1year old bridgestone batlax bt-021 on the front. so i dont want to change the front. Does that mean my only option is to the same rear tire to keep a matched set. i couldn't fine the bt-021 in the rear size for our bike.

 

can you experienced guys check this photo of the rear sprocket. i cleaned a couple of teeths to show better.It looks like its got more life to me. But i might be wrong

 

I do live in a very nice location as far as roads go (I literally can't leave the house without being on a great motorcycle road). :wink: If you ever want to get some practice riding with a 'buddy', shoot me a PM and come on up.

On those tires - if you're only going to replace the rear, I would recommend going with a Bridgestone BT021 to match the front. It's not a requirement; but it's not a bad choice and you will be better off with a matched set.

I would replace that sprocket; but maybe that's just me. The thing about sprockets is that a worn one will wear out a brand new chain sooner than a new sprocket.

Welcome, and the bike looks pretty nice!

 

what about getting cheaper chain now and changing it along with the sprockets when that wears down(and i have money). Or is it better to just go ahead and change the whole package now.

 

Not sure on the tire availability issue, but I can't see any noticeable wear on that rear sprocket, I wouldn't hesitate to reuse it. I reused my original 43 tooth one after I decided I didn't like the 45 tooth I had put on for two thousand miles or so when I changed the original neglected (being a crappy RK chain didn't help) chain and sprockets at 16,000. My bike has 22,000 miles on it and there is no noticeable wear on the rear sprocket. Granted I lube my chain weekly and clean it monthly since I'm pretty anal about maintenance. YMMV.

 

Correction: I just remembered the BT-021 was recently replaced by the BT-023, so that would be your best bet for a matching tire. If I remember correctly they're priced pretty good too. The BT-021's are still available from motorcyclesuperstore.com but are specially designated for certain models as alot of manufacturers were using them as an OEM tire. There are better tires out there for the money in my opinion, as the BT-021 is an older design. I still might go with the BT-023 as it doesn't seem to be specified for a particular application.

 

@ Davis5g: I really want to reuse the sprockets if thats not going to cause any other damage. As far as tires go I want to get a cheaper tire now and really is not particular about matching unless that is a necessity for the safety and feel of the bike(i would be happy to use Shinko if that's will be safe). I am not going to be riding full lean for a long time due to my lack of skill.(i will be practicing on the ninja 250 though). I dont care if the tire is a little heavy than the expensive ones too.

can any one second Davis5g on reusing the sprocket and also advise me if its necessary to get matched set of tires.

 

If your just putting around, a shinko will certainly get the job done. Check the front sprocket for wear, being smaller, they encounter more revolutions than the rear and I find they tend to be more worn than the rear. The good thing is, they usually only run less than 20 bucks. Check out sprocketcenter.

 

yes the rear adjuster does not turn any more and and the chain has a little over an inch play. what are some good chains for the price.

 

So nobody here is gona call yah a "cheap bastard" huh. Change both sprockets along with a nice new 0-ring chain. Thats what a bright person would do.

You did get a great bike btw and dont get all sulky cause I was blunt wit-yah :smile:

 

hey guy, i just had gotten a 95 vfr my self last month and ordered this chain and sprocket set from sprocket center for 200. i think it's a good buy and D.I.D is a well recognized brand. check it out: D.I.D. 530VM Gold X'Ring Chain & Steel Sprocket Kit - HONDA VFR 750F 90-97 Sprocket Center

 

hey tinkerinWstuff... I was thinking of upgrading the suspension front and back but didnt know what to get. any recommendations? right now the darn this rides like a camel.