Rear fairing holes do not align where the cowl / storage bolts are inserted

On my recently acquired 1999 VFR800, there is no rear cowl (seat cover). There were no bolts in the sides and the rear plastic tab was missing. I do not want a cowl but as for the bolts and tabs I purchased these from the dealer. The bolts are "hook bolts" apparently allowing me to hook storage items on. In any case, the hole in the fairing does not align with the bolt receptor inside. If I push with a lot of weigh I can bend the fairing close, but it seems that is a lot of pressure for plastic, which could break the fairing.

I see a star bolt in the front of the fairing and a screw under the rear. I do not see anything that would allow a variable alignment. How can I align the fairing so the bolt slips in properly?

Once I get these mounted I could use a suggestion on a simple aftermarket item to tie down carry-on items. I am a photographer and would love to just put my camera on the seat and strap it down, so that it would be in easy reach. Of course with all the vibrations I should probably put it in a bag lined with padding or bubble wrap. What do you suggest? Are there generic tie down items I can buy that will hook onto the bolts (a net?) or is the sizing proprietary where I need items made for this bike? This is all new to me!

Bolt 13 here is what I refer to on the left side. Again it will not slip in because the fairing hole is not aligned with the bolt receptacle inside:



Thank you.

 

Check under the fairing to see if something is holding it off. It should line straight up fairly easily....

 

It should line up. Any chance that rear plastic has been replaced and is Chinese aftermarket? I had 2 tails sections on my bike (meaning had a spare), and both were clearly Honda on the inside (its part of the mold, not a sticker).

 

Also make sure that special frame bolt 13 isn't bent or missing and thus causing an alignment or reach problem (you might need to pull the rear fairing to check this).

Here's a link to a diagram that shows frame bolt 13 90110-MZ7-000 BOLT, SPECIAL 10X37 (rear cowl bolt 13 threads into this special bolt) :

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1999/VFR800FI+A/FRAME/parts.html

 

Thank you guys. Based on your opinions I took the seat off and took a close look at how far I was bending the fairing. It was not as much as I thought, and looking at it I surmised that after 14 years of not having bolts there the plastic has probably changed shape ever so slightly, causing the problem. So I loosened all of the bolts, put the new ones in, then tightened each bolt a little bit until done and it went together. I hope the next time I do maintenance the fairing install is easier and the plastic quickly conforms to the slightly new shape.

The frame bolt looks on the straight and narrow, thanks FMB42.

I did not completely remove the fairing to check, but the bike appears original so I am not worried the fairing has been replaced.

I am researching cargo nets, soft bag, and the alternative tank bag, for my camera.

 

Glad you got it sorted!

Better to play it safe than risk a busted fairing panel...

Ok, so about that camera; when ya gonna post some photos of that bike of yours?

 

FMB42, thanks for the push, the impetus. I went to the garage, and after three hours the new Yuasa charger showed a green light. Disconnect, take bike outside, shoot photos, run inside, upload, and now please take a look at my gallery!

With a handful of new bolts, switches clean and lights working now, one sticker removed, a charged battery, new chain & shock tools, and having two "original" keys made tomorrow, she will be slightly better than I got her. I would like to continue that trend. It feels good! I hate the "No Crybaby" sign but I am am too fearful of harming the fairings to take off the windscreen yet. A friend liked the sticker so I'll think about it, but I like my machinery clean so it will probably go.

I would love a short, dark, double bubble screen! Have to budget for that...But I would be surprised if much else changed on her! She is bea-U-ti-ful.

 

Looking good. As an ex-owner of a yellow '99, the only thing I'd suggest you change is the mirrors. The ones from the 2000-2001 5th gen (not the 6th gen VTEC although they look the same) fit straight on, look better and work better because they are more adjustable. Other than that, sweet!

 

The bolts are the famous VFR "Frankenbolts" or shank bolts. The heads are made so that 25 centavo piece can be used as a removal tool. Honda charges big pesos for replacements.

Your camera depending on what it is IMO, is best tucked away in a tank bag unless you are shooting with something like an RZ67 or a DSLR with a 500mm prime lens.

Bubble wrap is great but fragile. Foam is much better. Cameras are fairly tough unless dropped on the concrete. (Don't ask) More fragile are the len's. One element just .001 out of plumb is shot..

A tankbag stash is handy and visable. Soft tail end luggage stuffed with heavy stuff can shift and even fall off. Hard bags have lock failure from vibration, over filling and poor engineering. The biggie is that any of this can happen out of sight.

This follows the inverse of Occams Razor and into the realm of shit happens.

When I pack a camera. I use a plastic box inside the tank bag. All this depends on the camera. On a serious shoot a bigass DSLR with a couple of lens' can take up some serious room. For just having a camera just to have one, Some of the smaller ones work great.

Tank bags are a study, there are almost too many to count and what may work for one dude is not so good for the next guy, so I'm not going to load you up with what I would use if I was Ansel Adams or Scott Kelbey.

Next is the tripod problem unless the hardware stash is VR ect. Several ballhead mounts for a bike platform or a small tripod cinched down with some good quality bungee type cords so the legs don't flail and a rig to carry it like a backpack. All kinds of stuff like strapping, zippers, Velcro, padding and a shitload of plastic buckles at loft stores.

A good shoe repair guy can do the right kind of sewing or if you live near an REI store they do this kind of custom work without breaking the bank.

More on tankbags. Some dudes are concerned with the effects a magnetic bag might present. If this is a concern then get some other kind. Never had a problem. My main DSLR is Nikon D300. That one does not go on the bike. The alternative is one of the older DSLRs. Just a choice but picking up an older camera with a compatible mount and coupling is what works for me. Specifically, I shoot Nikon and carry in the tankbag either a D40x or a D200. Both on the used market for a couple of hundred pesos or less. The little guy is a P&S Canon in a soft case I got a thrift store for fifty centavos or thereabouts.

 

Are those newer mirrors hard plastic, rather than covered by the thick boot that can actually prevent elephant babies? You hit on a key, these are ugly and I was surprised by the lack of motion & adjustment. I will strongly consider this!

 

Yes I bought the 2 at $15 a piece There had to be bolts there! Although it is not structural it looked terrible without them.

Great stuff thanks.

I will be googling the concern that comes to mind, will a tank bag harm the tank finish?

It is disparaging to think that many of the soft options I might use could simply fall off, without me seeing it because it is behind me. I was hoping someone would talk about fault-tolerant solutions (yes I'm an IT guy.) Maybe I need to invent such? Seems like a market for mega buck returns! it cannot be that hard to design something that will always stay when used properly.

Today I have a D90 with a kit lens. I sometimes think I could have bought the 85 mm F1.2 instead of the VFR. That would have been a life changer as well! That is still on the wish list.

Tripod - I have this nifty table top tripod with bendable legs that fits in a pocket. I shoot spontaneously and have little need for the big one. Yea that would present new problems!

I like your suggestions, and will strongly consider them all. One reason I bought a Nikon was the reputation for durability. So I'll try not to kill it intentionally (letting it fall off of the bike, etc.) but would expect it to hold up during minor bike travel.

Off topic but the key making did not go well today. This locksmith made several keys that looked identical, and they worked for every option except they would not lock the steering. He is contacting the key machine maker for advice on recalibrating the spacing for Honda keys (whatever that means) and he offered to try again as soon as he figures that out. There was no charge for 2 keys that do all but lock the steering, and he used LOK-SHOT, a synthetic, non-petroleum based fluid, and made the gas tank opening action like new. This can be gotten only from locksmiths and locksmithstore.com has it. This stuff is cool as it is engineered to move on its own. The liquid travels along the path inside the lock, preventing the need to open up the mechanism.

Thanks!

 

Some guys have a couple of different styles of shank bolts besides the Frankenbolts. Ventura sends a set of regular bolts with some of their luggage racks.

Tank bags are tank bags are tank bags. Some attach by straps, some are magnetic. Some zip on and off a magnetic base or a strap held base. Way too many variations and permutations to address. Like anything else motorcycle, shit happens. OEM tanks paintwork is done with farkles, chafing from knees and just being where they are in mind. ie heavy clearcoat.

The ultimate answer to keeping tabs on rear mounted luggage would be a heads up viewer in one's helmet with a video feed from the ass end of the bike. Shit happens redux. I suppose that some might even consider TIG welding some alloy panniers to the frame as the perfect anodyne.. Rear luggage is good and not to be discounted or disparaged I have Krausers on a BMW and a Giant Loop on the 91. The camera stays in the tank bag. Another upside on that is it's handy.

Yep, those fast primes are spendy.. I have some older glass that I have had modified to AI to use on the DSLRs. I see some carping on the quality of those kit lens'. Nikon optics are glass and that 18-55 kit zoom lens is IMO a damn good piece of glass. I do prints up to 20X30" with mine and it works just fine.. Still on the subject of Nikon..Great cameras and other optics as well.. I am jonesing for one of the earlier 18-200 lens. as my go everywhere lens.

For straight poop on Nikons, and be advised, highly opinionated to the point of being brutal see Ken Rockwell.. Takes a bit to get used to his "style" but the dude shoots from the hip with great accuracy. The likeable aspect to what he says is refreshing since he does not begin by telling everyone he is the greatest photographer to walk and roll.

Kind of like us hack riders who are all over the fast guys.. or the dude behind ya at a ballgame quarterbacking with a moustache full of mustard.

Try your new keys again in the fork lock position. There is a go/no go position that must be aligned for the lock to function. a couple of mm will make a difference.

 

That is a beautiful example of a VFR. Taking the screen off is not a problem and a bit of gentle heat with a hairdryer on that sticker should allow you to peel it right off.

 

2000-01 5th gen original equipment mirrors are exactly the same as 6th gen VTEC mirrors but with different spacing of the bolt holes which is why the VTEC mirrors don't fit. This was mine. (no, that's not me!). As I said, they fit straight on to the 98-99 and because they can adjust the angle of the stem at the base as well as having the ball joint at the mirror I found them a great improvement.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I agree, the clarity is fantastic! My favorite subjects though? Birds and other animals. And they are normally in motion, requiring higher speeds and thus more available light. And where I live the statistic on number of sunny days in the year is abysmal! So it is always overcast and I am always shooting with the minimal F5.6 at zoom. See the challenge? That is my want of a fast lens, it would provide for 90% of the shooting I do. I shot for twenty years with an Olympus OM-1, 50 mm 1.4. (The camera & all lenses were stolen in a break in). The freedom that lens provided me was astounding.

Yes I moved the bars ever-so-gently with the locksmith to no avail. With the existing key the bike mechanism still works like brand new, never needing to move the bars. But the new keys fail to lock the bars even once, with the finagling.

 

Boy it would be nice to have body-painted mirrors as well!

 

Thanks!

This said to the guy who broke all his toys by the day after Christmas...

 

I have a cargo net bungee that works really good for all kinds of stuff I strp on my seat.

Something like this: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...e=&network=g&gclid=CLitzd7I0b8CFaVZ7AodNEoAog

 

We have the same problem with overcast here Seattle/Oregon Coast. Right now its foggy and rain is expected.. Nice and cool though.. Try jacking up your ISO. Noise is somewhat related to grain structure in film when film is pushed. Progress in overall usable ISO grows. Is your kit lens a VR? This takes care of a bunch of problems. Just for fun if you have a handheld meter, compare readings on various days both sunny and overcast. Overcast is the optimum outdoor light IMO.. I shoot in RAW and go from there usually in AP. For critters then of course, SP.

I always tell other photographers (almost always anyway) that any of it is a series of compromises of light, time and money.. Hope you get that fast prime..

Sounds like the key needs some more of your locksmiths massaging. The Nikon blanks are really hard.

 

Those nets are great! I carry one in my tank bag in case I spot something at Walmart I want, short of a 50" TV. Best IMO to stay clear of the ones that have the wire hooks. The coating wears off and the tips come off. The plastic hooks have a secondary hook for fancy strapping.

Still have to stick with not carrying a camera anywhere where it can't be seen or accessed. I don't want to have to design a Tshirt that says "If you can read this, the camera fell off and I am out tres mil pesos!"