what did you do to your vfr today?

I'd be more worried about other Australian poison critters than I would be about mice!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

12* this morning, high temperature today mid 20s.

So, I removed the liners in my helmet. and washed them by hand.

New clear face shield arrived this afternoon. Good time to give the lid some overdue TLC.

 

He he, yeah, where there are mice there are Brown Snakes. There are also Taipan snakes at the property too, who also like rodents. There are a few very large Carpet Pythons (4 metres and 3 metres long) who live around the stables and shed who I'm hoping take care of most of the rodents so there's nothing much left for the highly venomous Brown and Taipan...!!!

For you non Aussies who aren't aware, those two venomous snakes are I think second and third most venomous snakes worldwide.

There are Northern Funnel-Web spiders here also, just by the stables, large and deadly too.

This is not a place to walk around with bare feet, need boots.

 

Not long arrived home from a ride on the VFR with the guys. It was great, 80 % tight twisting back roads, up and down the ranges, dropping down into gullies across causeway crossings and back up the other side via more winding roads, for 3 hours. Lots of the roads have dense trees forming dark tunnels with dappled sunlight streaming in. It's the first time I've been on these roads, my goodness, the countryside is breathtakingly green and lush. So many times I wanted to stop to take photos. Wish I had a video of the ride.
Stopped by a country cafe, set amongst a leafy shaded courtyard, then back at it again for another hour, then an hour home.

The VFR handles so much better now with these suspension settings.

 

My pleasure, you know what they say about Freudian serpent dreams! ;-)

Sweet dreams.

 

That's Ffreaky! Hope it's not venomous.

 

Hehe, Lint. Thankfully Australia is a growing population mostly managing to stay out of harms way.

 

Is your hair Australian?

 

Next step add the red wheel decals, Tail tidy, Lens protectors and have someone hopefully in Utah help adjust the front forks. I have never adjusted stock settings on my suspension of any bike. Most have had them and one Both. I have always been solo and I am glad to try to experience what you guys and gals are talking about and the riding experience that I have missed. The VFR right now has a serious bobbing in the front. And the rear is not adjustable. Having a wicked case of bronchitis I hope to have at least the wheel decals on and the lens protectors on for a post tomorrow late. P.S. any help on adjustment on the front being moderately aggressive and heavy at 230lbs would be appreciated.

 

I tried some red wheel tape to put a stripe on... the fuckers who mounted my last tire put the tire weights at the OUTSIDE of the wheel so the applicator can't follow along when I get to that point. Couldn't get it to look right for the life of me, so black it stays for now.

I cleaned and spun the bobbins on my brake rotors, which were REALLY stuck. I was kind of horrified to see how much crud came out of them when I got them freed up and sprayed the brake cleaner in them. I never had floating rotors on the old bike, so I didn't realize they were frozen. Couldn't figure out why it would drag on occasion and squeak, but I did a bit of research after I picked up some vibration this week and, sure enough, that was the culprit. I'm learning. I also did a thorough cleaning on my chain, which is in great condition and should be good for a while. I've been neglecting that.

I also have work set up for next week. I ordered a clutch. I don't know what the deal is with mine, but I am pretty sure the springs aren't strong enough anymore. It's unpredictable and occasionally grabby, and only engages at the very end of travel, even if it doesn't slip. So I have a task for next weekend or the weekend after, depending on when it comes in -- I ordered Honda parts rather than the Barnett clutch kit and it said it could take 3 -4 extra days. And I have Daugherty springing my rear shock for my fat ass, so I'll probably do that at the same time.

 

That sounds a bit like the clutch in my 95000km old 99 VFR800. It didn't slip at all but the engagement was near the end of the lever travel, and it would grab and lurch a bit. I fitted new EBC fiber discs and uprated springs, the old friction discs were well worn and blackened, the steels and the clutch outer were in great shape. Works like a brand new clutch now, wide engagement point and a very smooth take up. Hope you get the same result. Don't forget to order the clutch cover gasket.

 

Thanks for the reminder, I definitely did not forget. Bike looks new, but it is 17 years old. I'm sure the gasket will not be reused.

I think that was the big reason to just go with stock Honda -- I was ordering a gasket from a honda dealer anyway, and the $145 from a couple of online Honda places is about the same as the Barnet kit.

 

Just got back from a lunchtime ride. Not a single squeak or other bad noise from the front brakes. Probably psychosomatic, but I think they're more consistent, too. Very happy I spent the time spinning them.

So, question for the peanut gallery. How often do you have to clean your buttons to keep floaters in shape?

 

Briefly stared at the 01 thinking about what's next and when I'll have time to do more work. Then, I hopped on the 09 and headed to San Diego via the coastal route. Lots of fog and mist most of the way.

On my way home I took the inland route as I was expecting to go to another appointment in Riverside but it was cancelled. I took the opportunity to ride over Ortega Highway rather than slab it all the way back. All was good for most of the way but Cal Trans was doing roadside cleanup work and had closed two sections of road down to one lane, so my way back home took a little longer than I was hoping. Still better to get in a few curves when you can, even if being on a bike didn't gain any benefits in this type of traffic back up.

 

Put the carbs back on my '83 for the third time in the last two weeks! Started with a slow drip off one carb. First time cleaned needle valves, second time replaced all needle valves, third time replaced o-rings on tubes, bingo all is well.

O-rings for gas tubes are 7mm ID x 11mm OD. I bought a box of 177 (8 different sizes) Metric O-Rings at Autozone for $8! 25 are for the tubes. I have put one in a pill bottle with gas to see how it will hold up. (No info on type of rubber), so far so good.

 

My hand grips were quite worn and lost their grip, so I bought new Ariete hand grips, very grippy, good product. Also I added this neat, cheap, item, such a hand saver this MCS throttle assist.

What are your favourite hand grips?

It's been bucketing down here, flood alerts along much of the coast and inland. Was caught in an almighty weather event yesterday and had to traverse a muddy road. What an experience on these fat tyres, brining all my off road skills in on the act of keeping this heavy machine upright. The VFR looked like it was in a mud fight, when I arrived home, so I parked her in the rain for an effortless rinse off.