what did you do to your vfr today?

Changed the oil at the 600 mile mark. This is the third factory oil filter from Honda that was a bitch to get broken loose. Installed K&N air filter. Adjusted chain tension.

 

Here is an easy way to get off a new filter or one that someone else has tightened, especially on the new gen 8's:

Bought this cast aluminum wrench and put two self tapping screws in it to lock filter, much easier, as there is so little room for anything else.

 

This. I did this.

 

Now that's a damn industrial strength oil filter wrench!

 

I sat in my garage with the door open cleaning the VFR with a microfiber cloth watching the rain fall ....and fall.

 

That's probably a better choice than I made on Sunday, when what I took to be atmospheric haze turned out to be the leading edge of a torrential downpour, which I thought might be just a quick shower, but really wasn't. At this point I was about 2 hours of great twisty roads away from a warm, dry garage.

I discovered riding on fine sunny, dry days is a lot more enjoyable than skating around on greasy roads while icy tendrils of water make their way inexorably towards one's delicate parts. Turns out my textile suit is great at keeping my arms and shoulders dry, but leaks (badly) through the front zipper.

Will. Check. Weather. Forecast.

 

The promise of my lined mesh riding gear is greatly exaggerated. It' OK in the cold. It's fantastic in the heat (with the liner removed) but it just sucks in the rain. The outer mesh jacket and pants become soaked and it allows water to seep into all kinds of places. I bought a cheap FroggToggs rain suit, as big as I could find. It goes over my mesh riding gear and works great in even driving rain. It also packs down really small so I carry it with me in my tank bag.

 

Yes I spent a goodly portion of the soggy ride home planning on improving my preparedness for unforeseen events, mechanical and meteorological. I've got a mostly unused rain oversuit and gloves that I should have packed. I was riding my ST11 so had no shortage of luggage space....

 

Probably a stupid question but are you oiling the rubber filter gasket before installing it on the bike? If not it will be hard to break it loose when trying to remove it. Having done countless oil changes over the years I have never torqued a filter on and never (that I know of at least) had one come loose or leak. Just snug it by hand then a tad more...
"Snug it" is a real measurement, just like adding a dash of something to a recipe. :thumbsup:

 

I replaced the shock/spring on mine today. Used the guide that I found on this website and although it wasn't particularly detailed and had no photos, it was useful as a step by step guide.

Little bit gutted to have scraped some red paint off the new spring while wiggling it back in. :sour:

 

bye bye chicken strips

 

Yeah, I do oil the filter gasket when I put a new one on. The one that gave me fits is the one they installed at the factory. That's three new Honda's in a row that had the same problem. After the initial service I don't have any problems.

 

Ok, my horn stopped horning. Tried the fuses. All good. Looked for any loose wires, not it either. Thought to check the connections at the horn, so I unbolted it and looked at the connections. Dirtier than a thread by Jev. Took sandpaper to it and plugged it back in. Beeping like Roadrunner.

Checked my rebound on the shock, as I was getting telltale tire wear. It was set all the way to soft. Cranked it over to hard, as I have the compression maxed out. Thought I would ride around with a screwdriver and make changes as needed. Compression on my forks was set incorrectly. Right side was 1 full turn out, left was 1/4 turn out. Cranked those all the way down as a start as well, since I am not Japanese. Then I checked my air pressure. Front was at 30 psi and the rear was at 35. Set those back to 36/42 as I won't be canyon carving for a few days. My front was down a bit, it should have been 34 per Bridgestone's recommendation for aggressive riding. I imagine it should ride differently now. I'll have to throw on my gear and go test it.

Carry on.

 

What shock and forks do you have that you have compression adjustments? I thought your bike had stock legs. Or when you say compression are you meaning spring pre-load?

 

The other "dragon"

 

Yes, pre-load.

 

Beautiful looking road. Smooth pavement, curvy, and no cars. Perfect.

 

Did today what I believe could be my last ride with summer gear - a 880km round trip from Montreal to Smith Falls, Ontario. What a lovely city.
Oh, and the odometer turned past 93 205 miles during that road trip.

Once converted, that would be 150 000 kms for us Canadians.

 

I replaced the nasty stock exhaust, and did some cleaning. It's the best looking VFR in the whole wide room.

 

Another pic