Hi, Just purchased my first VFR today. I also have in my garage a 1982 Suzuki GS850G, a 1996 Honda Pacific Coast and a 1987 Honda Goldwing GL1200 Interstate. The VFR is a 1999 VFR800. I have never ridden a VFR, but have admired them for many years. Looking forward to enjoying a little more power than I have been used to. My name is Keith and I live in Mobile, Alabama. Probably will be having questions to post from time to time. In fact, here is my first question: Having had only shaft driven bikes for so many years, what are recommendations for products for cleaning and lubricating and adjusting the chain on the 99 VFR800? Thanks Keith
Hi Keith and welcome to the world of VFR's. I think you will find, like most others, that this bike does a bit of everything and does it well, from sprinting through the twisities like a sport bike to some distance touring, even more so when set up for the rider. For chain lubrication, I use Bel-Ray chain lube (in fact looking at the can right now it says "Super Clean Chain Lube"). I bought this can a number of years ago when I had a motocross bike, but this can be used on street chain as well. When you spray it on it goes on white ad sticks like crazy to the chain so it won't fling off. I to date, with this and other previous versions of Bel Ray chain lubes, I have never had a chain fail on me. The chain on a VFR is simple to adjust, and I think it is also easier. There is a bolt use a 14mm socket (at least on a 93 anyway, check local bolt for proper size) which you loosen, then use the tool (loosk like a spanner wrench for adjusting the rear spring on bike, curved with a couple of teeth on it) and place it in be hind the chain on the adjustment ring and rotate clockwise to tighten and counter-cockwise to loosen (for loosening, turnbe sure to turn the wrench with the crescent up). Adjust chain until the is about 1.5 inches of movement up and down and then tighten the large bolt. Al of this is done with the wheel on the ground. After tighten roll the bike forward or backward depending on the amount of room you have and check the chain in different places for the proper tension. If it is tighter in on place than others after you adjust it, then repeat the procedure with the chain in that spot, except this time rotate the ring counterclockwise. This will keep the chain from being too tight, in that spot but will make it a little more loose in others. I will try to get a how to done this weekend and post it. I have been slacking on getting it done. lol Ok I am done for now, Again, welcome to the group and enjoy. :smile:
Hey, Vinnie thanks man for the welcome and great overview of chain maintenance. I have't thought about taking care of a chain for years, as I mentioned earlier having only had shafties since. But, I remember once in the 70's reading in a cycle magazine that a good thing to do is take the chain completely off, put it in a cooking pan with motor oil and vaseline, then turn the stove on and get it good and hot. Well, in those day's I was riding a 72 Kawasaki H1 500 triple that was heck on chains. So one day when my wife was gone I did this procedure, got everything cleaned up and put away and chain reinstalled. I figured wife wouldn't be any the wiser, but as soon as she walked in the house she was asking me what I had done. Anyway, I don't recall that the procedure did much good. I do know I decided then to go with shaft drives. Thanks again for the welcome Keith
You are most welcome. If I felt the need, I would take my chain off my mx bike and put it in a coffee can and then cover it in oil and let it soak for a day or so, depending on how stiff it had become. This would allow oil to penetrate inside the links. Of course, that was before good o-ring chains were readily available. My advice is that if you do soak the chain and there are still places that it is stiff or binds, replace it and the sprockets as it will increase the wear both on it and the current sprockets and will increase the chances of a failure.
Keith, Welcome to the site. I too use the Bel-Ray chain lube. I got it from a Harley dealer a few years back and highly recommend it. I also use old motor oil from time to time on my chain to make sure it is good and lubed. Just simply take a brush and glob it on really good, let it drip over night and then take her for alittle ride. After the ride come back and reapply the Bel- Ray and you are good to go. All of this I learned from the Harley guy, and it hasn't done me wrong. Good Luck once again and be safe out there.
