I rencently bought a 1996 VFR 750 and i really enjoy the bike, I have started doing work on it but I am stationed in Germany. I had two quick questions, one does anyone know the filter size the bike would use, all they carry at the BX is car filters, and ordering filters from Honda will get old after a while. Second I am replacing my fornt and rear sprocket and chain, any suggestions on where to purchase that ? I would like to get the steel sprocket again since the chain and sprocket that are on it now have been on there since 1996. if anyone has any great on-line VFR sights I would really enjoy the info...even more so if they ship to APO. Thanx!
Here's some good info: Clicky Linky --->> Oil Filter Alternatives - Honda Motorcycles Personally, I use a Purolator PureOne PL14610 (longer than normal with more filtering media, about $6-) on my '94 VFR (same Gen as your '96 so I know it'll fit). A Mobil-1 filter is about the only other top-shelf filter that I'd use, but I wanted the extra length and additional filtering media since I extend changes up to 5k miles +/-. Basically any filter for a Mazda MX3 V6 will fit. Your BX should have something that'll fit, but whatever you do, DO NOT use FRAM - They're CRAP. FWIW, I use Chevron Delo 400 oil (15w/40, non-Syn, about $10-/gallon) and it's almost the best oil I've ever tried, 2nd only to Golden Spectro, IMHO. Shell Rotella is also excellent and easily sourced. Chevron and Shell both market the eaxct same oils under slightly different names in other countries (Google them), so even if your BX doesn't have either one, a local Deutsch store on the economy should have one or the other. In addition, Bosch is a top quality German brand for almost anything - If it says Bosch, it's good. I've used Bosch Platinum spark plugs with great success in MANY vehicles since the early 80's - never a single hiccup. BTW - Are you stationed at Spangdahlem?? I was at Bitburg during the mid/late 80's and had a friend stationed at SpangQuentin. At the time I had the then-new and earth-shattering 1st generation GSXR750 and LIVED on the Autobahns, Nurburgring, and (completely surreptitiously) Spa Francorchamps, as well as the Alps, Rhine valley, Mosel, Belgium (best beer in the world), Lux, etc. Spectated at a number of moto GP's in several countries, met a few GP stars (Schwantz sat on my GSXR; handed a US flag to Rainey). The time of my life. At the time the best oil I could find was Mobil-1, but I honestly think the Delo 400 and Rotella work better in a bike, and I was not impressed with Mobil MX4T. There's really no need to spend excess $$ on fancy moto-only oil and filters. Best of luck, and be safe there in moto-Heaven!! :cheersaf: ps - WELCOME to VFRW & the world of Honda's V4's, they're AWESOME bikes!!
just curious are there honda shops in germany?? if so honda line oil and oem filter buy 4-5 of them on your trip there then you are stocked up..chapperal dennis kirk etc will have the chain parts..good luck
Thanks a ton for the information, I am going to hook up on the Bosch filters which i can get pretty easy though the BX (well the parts store they have on base) The oil i can get on the base as well. Not really an option to purchase off base because its almost triple the price. As far as the sprokets i am wondering if i should keep the factory config or drop some teeth to get a little faster. I dont spend as much time on the autobhan as i do on the back roads. Mainly at the moment i have stright sport tires on the bike. One of my friends rode a flat spot on his Busa with his sport tires so i tend to stick to short two hour trips on the open road and spend the rest of my time on the back roads. So speeds range from 50-120 mph and require a good amount of torque. Also if we get out on open roads the other bikes i ride with tend to dominate, since they are all riding GSXR 1000s or Busas and max out at 175ish (well Busa is faster but he is normally nice and at least lets the GSXR keep up)while the poor VFR is 150 tops at the moment. I like my torque and plan on keeping factory. but since you have rode these roads alot any inputs you have would be very helpful. Yes I am currently stationed at Spangdahlem AB and actually live in the old housing on Bitburg. The rest of the base I am pretty sure you know got shut down but Spangdahlem is actually gorwing. Its a very nice area, we have been here for 5 years and not planning to leave till 2011. The roads where built more for bikes than cars it seems sometimes. Yeah we have Honda shops but everything is major expensive and hard to find parts for a 13 year old bike. i plan on checking the sprocket sights out I really need to get mine ordered since they are pretty old and riding season (anything above 40 degrees) is coming hopefully soon. Its nice to meet someone that has been in the area and all the trips you mentioned are great rides. I have yet to hit the Nurmburgring though... never took the time to ride down there but i have heard nothing but good things from it. I would like to take at least one lap just to say i have done it. THanks again for all the information and like i said if you have any input on the sprocket sizes and ect for this region that would rock. This is my first "spot bike" so far after getting past the diffreance in balanceing i have really enjoyed it...
For the sprockets and chain go to the sprocketcenter.com. They have package deals on sprockets and chains for about $180.
I buy my filters on AMAZON.COM (K&N) every now and then they run sales for $5.85 each, buy them by the dozen!
Just like BetaRace said, use Amazon. ALL Honda sportbike from the 88 Hawk GT to current use the K&N303. I bought 6 & it was $30 & free shipping. I am getting a new chain/sprocket set as soon as I return from my little middle eastern vacation. You can get ANYTHING for any sport bike from any POLO shop. They are the German equivalent to Dennis Kirk & they are the single only place I ever shopped for bike stuff during my 5 years in lovely Deutchland. The one is Koblenz (off B9 next to Globus & MediaMarkt in the industriegebeit) is one of the Polo SuperCenters. It is about a 45 minute drive from ETAD. There is also one in Trier but I have never been to that one. Polo-Motorrad-Shopfinder KC-10 FE out... lane: :usa2:
I'm getting ready to do my initial service on my 06, and after getting jacked for $13 for the Honda filter, I got to looking at it and it looks identical to the filters we used to get for the Honda Insight a few years back, except it's black instead of blue. That shorter Insight filter has been superceded to the standard Honda oil filter that every car they have made since 1988 uses. Same diameter, same threads, just about 3/4" longer. That same filter is spec'd on the S2000 that revvs to nearly 10k so I figure it ought to work on my VFR. To try and doublecheck I looked up the part # for a FRAM filter for my VFR and the Insight, and they are the same part # according to Fram, so I would say unless someone else has a reason not to, I would say you can get a genuine Honda filter at any Honda dealer for bikes or cars for around $8.Also that filter is larger than the factory one so theoretically it should have more filtering media than the stock one as well. Cost is around $5. Opinions?
I would say that it would be fine. I just rolled 598 miles onto my '07 yesterday on the way home from work, so I will be doing an oil change ASAP. I may just use your information and find myself a Purolator for an Insight/modern substitute. It's common for bikes to use the same filters as certain cars. My Ninja uses some parts that are common sizes with certain Hyundais, and my Suzuki shares some part numbers with VW. My Acura Integra uses the same head bolts as certain VWs as well. Parts interchangability is common because the auto or bike maker needs to secure a reliable and durable parts supply chain, and creating a set of specific parameters and using an existing part to satisfy that requirement is the best way to know the parts will be there down the road. "Custom" is bad in mass production. I think I'll go find that Insight filter now. :smile:
Updated info: I've found this list of compatible filters posted by helpful VFRWorld member "Action" on another forum. VFR Filters Recommended filters. All have superior filtering. About 2.5 inches long. • Purolator Pure One PL14612, about $6. • Mobil M1-108, about $12. Made by Champion. • Bosch 3300, about $6. Made by Champion. About 3.25 inches long. • Purolator Pure One PL14610, about $6. • Mobil 1 M1-110, about $10. Made by Champion. • Bosch 3323, about $6. Made By Champion. • WalMart SuperTech ST7317, about $2. Made by Champion. I did some further research on the ST7317, and it sounds good. I've used them before and been pretty impressed, and the single and multi-pass efficiency are up there. Here's a good review from a physical tear-down of the filter: Anatomy of an oil filter, SuperTech ST7317 - VentureRider.Org
Ok, so after doing my initial service, the standard Honda filter will work, a filter for the Insight will work, the Honda OEM filter for the S2000 will not fit- it's too big in diameter even though the threads and sealing surface are the same.
I did my first oil change last night (597 miles). I used the ST7317 and it just clears the forward coolant hose by about 1/2".
I think that Purolater Pure One filters are very good...probably better than the Honda one from what I have read. I just put one on today. Plus, Pep Boys has them and they are only 6 bucks! :thumbsup: Lots better getting shafted for 2 1/2 times the price at the dealer each time. Purolator Pure One PL14610, about $6. It is the 3.25 inch one...longer than stock. Oh, and I run 5w-40 Shell Rotella Synthetic for $19 dollars a gallon at Wally World. Though, I will say, I used a K&N KN-303 one time, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they have a 17mm socket size on the end. ALL filters should be this way...so much easier to take off, and you don't have to worry about burning your hand if your bike is still hot/warm, and/or was put on a little too tight.
