what did you do to your vfr today?

Well I did manage to recover the CCT bucket that dropped off the front tensioner (after taking the clutch cover off!!), then an oil & filters change, then the bike back together & its working perfectly.
However, as great as that was (& it was good) - I have MUCH, MUCH BETTER news than that....

 

Nasty rainy winter weather here so no point getting the bikes out.

Did get keen and fitted a new cam belt to my ST1100, and reshimmed the one valve that was a little tight, and then balanced the carbs for good measure. The shimming procedure is identical to the VFR and uses the same shims. Plus painted up some manky looking cam covers (affected by a coolant leak under previous ownership) so they look like new.

On the 800, I finally yielded to common sense and cut out the connector for the stator-RR and soldered the wires together (had to add a short section as the wires were too tight otherwise). Even cleaned and greased, the connector was getting much too hot to touch after a few minutes running, and I was getting 13.7v at the battery. With the soldered joints, I now get 14.1v, and the wires are much cooler. My non OEM RR has heavier gauge wires than the stator wires as do my extensions, and the smaller gauge stator wires still warm up but are not hot, the thicker wires don't warm at all.

 

I went one further Cadbury.
It started as a small solder job, but I ended up slicing the harness and removing all wiring involved in the charging circuit and replaced it with larger gauge cable, larger main fuse (with same value amperege) and all soldered joints. Both positive and negative wiring.
Now I know it can't fail. It didn't really take that long to do and it showed just how small a gauge the original wiring is.

 

as promised - here is a teaser.. - only had a chance of one pic, but more to follow later in the week..:smile-new:

 

I heard about this rumor being true, BTW that's a great shot there , maybe a new avatar? I wanta read a ride report please

 

Thanks guys,

I haven't ridden it yet as it was dropped off 3 hrs ago...lol
Need to sort insurance / tax out but looking forward to it.
My wife is really fantastic - she bought it for me !!!!!!

The weather has gone (well crap) so can't really do anything more today with it - but tomorrow looks nice so hopefully more pics to follow..

 

What a great present!

Looks like that's at least an RVF400 (750?) to add to the list of bikes on your forum profile. I guess the kids' 49cc pocket bike might not count but its got the same graphics as the full size Honda RVF?

Take care



SkiMad

 

i'll try for a 'family' picture tomorrow - its in the plans...lol

 

Made some of my redundant charging system wiring for another forum members bike ....

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Went for a 130 mile ride, basically all canyons, could have gone further, but I remembered I had to adult today.

 

Being an adult is for the birds ...

 

Finally enjoying a spell of mostly dry weather here in the Alps and managed to take in some of my favourite viewpoints.



I also dropped in on the local dealer fit a new rear tyre and spotted they had a brand new 2016 VFR on display and an Africa Twin!

View attachment 37126

After replacing my old BT23 rear tyre with a new Battlax T30 rear tyre I headed home and fitted a ram mount to the underside of the top box carrier bracket (to attach a rear facing go-pro).

View attachment 37127

I also removed the original cigarette lighter style charging point on the nearside fairing (I was mainly using an adapter to supply USB loads like my iphone but it was not weatherproof). Instead I now have a waterproof twin USB power outlet. The feed is taken from an ignition controlled relay and has a manual switch so it draws no power when not required. With the USB output coupled up to the RavPower power bank in my tank bag whilst riding, the power bank will take in enough charge during the day to fully recharge overnight the phone, notepad and helmet GPS music intercom system without needing access to mains power - handy on extended camping trips.





SkiMad

 

I intentionally didn't even look at it. I put 1241 miles of ALL quick twisties (Wolf Pen, Gap, Blood Mtn, Cherohala, 360, Hwy 28 and MANY others) on it in a little less than 4 days this week and my body is killed. Pain is with me right now....ouch, ouch, ouch, damn it!!!! If it were 65 degrees outside though, I would have ridden it today. It was 95 degrees and no way today at that temp. Later when my body heals, I will. Damned VFRs......

 

Burnt up another R/R. Since i ordered 2 the last time this happened. Not to much drama.

 

You upgrade your wiring???

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Hmm I hope you are only dealing with an RR failure.


So your bike is now on at least its third RR? Meaning at least the OEM unit and your initial replacement RR have failed? I wonder if something else is awry.

It would help others if you can let us know some details of the unit which failed recently. Was it another OEM replacement unit, or if not can you recall which brand RR it was / where you got them from? I suspect others on here may wish to avoid if it did not last very long - so how long did it work OK?


At first sight I would hope that if someone has to replace an RR, then provided they fitted a decent replacement unit it should outlast any bike. Certainly the Yamaha Shindengen Mosfet RRs appear pretty bullet-proof hence quite a few people on here have adapted their wiring to work with them as and when the charging system on their bike threw a wobbler.

I have occasionally seen suggestions that RRs should be seen as other consumables like tyres - they only last so long and then eventually need replacement. Sadly I would guess from Mr H's perspective the prospect of their dealership network being assured a plentiful supply of chargeable maintenance work on electrical gremlins with their bikes means Mr H is unlikely to follow Yamaha and install more reliable units despite they being only marginally more expensive if ordered in volume.

Hey ho just my 2p and I wish Mr H had spent it!




SkiMad

 

Is all this because of the plug connection frying?
If so is it on the left right below the tank?
And will cutting that out completely and soldering it take care of this problem?
Thanks

 

Been done. Always keep a spare R/R

 

Washed and rubbed my girl, Storm, down after riding in the rain yesterday. She deserved it.

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