A Couple of Questions for 6th Gen Riders

I just got through taking the bike up the street for an safety inspection (they passed that worn out back tire by the way.) I had to get it inspected in order to transfer the title. On the way to the inspection station I noticed that it seemed to turn heavy. It doesn't seem to want to turn and and you have to push it down, rather hard, to get it to change directions. It is wearing Shinkos and the back tire is squared off and needs to be replaced but could the feeling be all tire related?

Does anyone know how does the crank case ventilation work? I have very limited experience with 6th gen VFRs and I have never fooled with the system on my 5th gen. I know there are large hoses that originate in each head. These terminate at the air box but pass through or valve of some kind? I am wondering if this could have something to do with my smoking issue.

 

Those 2 x hoses are the pair system they can be blocked off with either plates or by blocking the hoses with marbles

the crank case vent into the air box is the single hose from the rear cam cover to the rear right hand side of the air box

As for the bad steering check the tire pressures first

 

X2 on tire pressure. Check both tires. I recall not too long ago that my back tire was way down on pressure - like it was only at 20psi. The bike had sat for quite a while and I simply forgot about it during normal maintenance & check-overs before a ride. Anyway, turning felt very sluggish and slow. Bringing it back up to pressure solved it.

 

x3 on the tire pressure

 

I am running 41 back and 37 front. I don't know but it feels like it doesn't want to turn. I know what you are takling about. I had a pretty long ride on an 8th generation VFR and I thought it was a pig. I checked the tire pressure when I got back and they were both sitting in 22psi.

I know the rudiments of the breather system but is there a PCV valve or something to keep crank case pressures under control?

 

Can't speak to the hoses but you definitely need some new real tires. Try Bridgestone's latest and greatest.

 

What Bridgestone tires are you using? I am running Michelin Pilot Road 3s on my 5th Gen and like them.

 

How old is your 6th Gen - my Vtec 2006 is on its 3rd set of head bearings @ 100k miles. I suspect many older bikes will have very tired bearings by now.


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It is an '02 with 22K on the clock. I am sure that I will get around to rebuilding the front end. I would rather wait until this winter and ride it a bit.

 

OK spend 5 minutes now - Put the bike on the main stand. Get someone to sit on the pillion seat to lift the front wheel clear of the ground. If the bars can be moved side to side and back both easily and smoothly then all is well. If there is any grabbing - check for fouled cables/wires. These bikes are heavy so the load on the steering (head stock) bearings is high. If you find the steering has developed a central notch which requires extra force to move past, then you really need to get the head bearings replaced.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvgIRuRHSrQ

Otherwise check the tyres/pressures. With bearings its less about miles and more about age, as we tend to ride with the steering more or less central so vibration on the bearing race tends to be in the same place. Likewise if the bike has been parked for a long period the whole weight of the bike has been on the same points of the bearing races - just add any water and it all becomes like grinding paste.

Take care


SkiMad

 

Wow Skimad. I have never replaced the head bearings in mine. When I get back from vacation, I will have to look closely at that. It could be I just don't notice a lot of things, but recently two old members from here, Chomper and Kingsley, both rode the bike and thought it was remarkable considering the mileage.

When I get home I will check it out and if in need of replacement, will try to do a thread with pix to show what high mileage bearings look like. There is something like 198,000 km+ on it.

 

skimad, how many time have you had the valves adjusted? Were they out much?

 

Checked twice by Honda (52K and at 98K). On both occasions none of the valves were outside the spec - so its still all exactly as it left the factory. The folks who look after my bike inspect dozens of vtec VFRs every year and rarely find any which need attention despite many having a lot more miles than mine. They found that with typical mostly touring/commuting riders these engines will go on forever. Valve checks are however relevant if you (or the previous owner(s) are a lot more a sport/track day focused riders - so running at or close to the red line most of the time they will go out of whack and need adjustment.

Randy - The steering bearings on mine have been out in a LOT of rain often unavoidable to make ferry bookings at the far end of Europe. On two separate visits to Derbyshire I have been caught in biblical rain and caught completely surrounded by flooded roads with deep standing water (knee high) meaning the bottom bearing was submerged by the bow wave as I carefully rode through. If you live in California, or never ride in the rain - I guess the risk of a steering head stock bearing failing will be a lot lower.



SkiMad

 

I will check on my return. I used to ride far more in rain than not.

 

I came from the PR 3 & 4. You need to get the Bridgestone T30 Evo. Excellent tires that will make your bike feel 100lbs lighter, providing you don't have toasted head bearings. I couldn't believe the difference on the tires.

 

I am on the VTR1000.org forum which is a UK specific site and it is shocking how fast bikes detonate in the British isles.

I have the front wheel out and I have felt the forks for play. I do not find any. I think my steering problem is due to very worn tires. It will be sporting a new set and we will see how it handles then.