I recently installed a Motad header on my 2006 VFR,has anyone had experience with this?I am having clearance issues with the engine casting underneath.
If my memory serves correct, I believe VFRworld memeber whitechocolate recently installed some. Maybe PM him. I'd like to do the motad headers myself someday, I think a new shock will come first, however.
I installed the motad header last winter, and yes, you will have to do some careful grinding on the bottom of the engine casing and also in the area of the center stand mount on the right side of the machine to get the correct clearance...I went through a couple sets of exhast flange gaskets before I got it right. It won't hurt anything to do the grinding, I have over 6k on mine and have had absolutely no problems. The hassle is definately worth the outright performance return of having the header. I discussed this with Mr. Steve Larsen, the Motad product rep from their US importer, Annitori Distributing, and they were going to talk to the motad folks about the issue.
Norcal, ever any word on the clearance issues? Also couple of questions for anyone who has intalled these. Did it seem like the front headers were not on the correct angle to line up with the headers? How did you install the little rubber bumper on the Motad unit for the center stand? did you use a new one? I am trying to put the old one on, and having a hell of a time. I push it flat against the under side, but it doesn't seem to go far enough to get the top of the mushroom thru. Any hints? There was something else, but now I can recall... Oh, did you have to remove either the rear wheel or the center stand to feed the header thru?
My conversation with Anittori concerning th clearance issues wasn't a, "I'll get back to you with an answer" type of deal. I merely pointed out the problems and suggested that fabrication and assembly adjustments be made in the future. Everything lined up perfectly, once the clearance issues were resolved, relatively simple fix. I used a tiny screwdriver to push it through from the back side, i put this on before i installed the header. Figured it would be a lot easier off the bike. Removal of the rear wheel will help in getting the two rear downpipes on and connected a lot easier. Just one less thing in the area where i was working, and easy to remove and reinstall.
I didn't have any clearance issues on mine either, and based on the post here I was looking for it. Glad I didn't grind away prior to install. Yes, after 2 years or so sitting in my garage I finally fitted it last night. I do however have to undue part of it to put the center stand back on. I took it off to get the thing on, and now have discovered that there is not enough room for the right side bolt to the center stand if the headers are on. Doh! I should have just taken the rear wheel off, but my front wheel and forks were already off, and I can't fit both wheel lifts on my "table style" lift at the same time. So I thought it would be far easier to just remove the center stand -- wrong! I also for the first time ever in my shade tree career I snapped a bolt in half and had a hell of a time getting the piece of stud out of there; several hours were wasted. I think the previous owner removed the center stand before and then marinated the bolt in blue Loctite before installing it. "Hey if a little dab is good, a pint must be friggin' awesome!"
got to love snapping bolts, did that on the stock exhaust clamp. It's a good thing my new pipes came with a new clamp.
I installed mine yesterday in about 2 hours. It's pretty easy but a little frustrating lining up everything. I think the trick is to leave all the pipes loose in till everything is in place. Put a jack under it bottom pipes under the bike and put a little pressure upward on them to hold them in place. Once I had the pipes in place them I tightened them all. It went smooth. The trick wit the little rubber center stand bumper is the put a little wd40 on it and slowly twist it till part of it pops in. Then with a little dentil pick I slowly pulled the rest of it up through the hole till it popped in place.... The weight difference is huge! The old unit must weight 15lbs vs. like 8 or so. I did notice a little difference power wise but not a lot. But with the weight, power and sound it's worth doing for sure...
