VFR1200FD engine failure at 23572km

Discussion in '7th Generation 2010-Present' started by fotodaddy, Mar 8, 2013.

  1. RustyBit

    RustyBit New Member

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    :redface:caught me, I was thinking of something else, then went back and had another peek. I have rebuilt engines with spun bearings over the years and find it difficult to believe the amount of damage to the shell happened in a short period. Even ones that have let go beyond 11,000 looked better than that. Any theories?

    Cheers Rusty
     
  2. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Wow - that is a really sad sight, and a dreadful noise.

    What to do? I think you need to take it in steps - First check your vin number against the list in that official Honda swarf recall notice.

    Obviously if you shipped your UK origin VFR to Nigeria before the recall notices were posted out, then your notice will have been sent to whatever registered address you used when the bike was first registered with the DVLA - and as a result your bike was not checked. What eventually happend to your bike could indeed be why they mounted that recall campaign.

    Anyway the good thing is you purchased your VFR from a top notch, family run UK Honda dealership who have a reputation of really caring for all the bikes they sell, no matter how old the bike is, and try very hard to ensure their customers get great support and service. OK I have never used them myself - but that's what a few of my riding mates who have bought from them have told me. Back in 2011 Doble were awarded the UK dealership of the year award as voted by readers of MotorCycleNews.

    So if you go about it in the right way, there is still a chance they will be able to help, even if your bike is well outside of the official European warranty cover zone. What I am driving at is, you need to be tactful here - especially as some dealerships would simply take the "not our problem" approach.

    Regardless of whether or not your bike should have been recalled - I assume that after this time/mileage and after several DIY services Honda are not going to cover the cost of supplying a replacement engine, but if you are lucky, you might be able to secure some cost contribution towards the parts you will need to rebuild the engine.

    It is very obvious you are willing to have a go - so I guess the next step is to carry out a detailed examination of the engine to identify all the parts you will need to rebuild it. If it helps, the diagrams on this website will help you identfy the right part numbers. HONDA Motorcycle VFR 1200 2010 - Sale Honda motorcycle spare parts microfiche origin

    Once you have that list, then ring the folks at Doble and see if they can gather up the bits and ship them to you and see if they can persuade Honda to contribute to the cost. Obviously if they are able to help, then it might be worth mentioning this forum/thread, as it may influence some of the UK forum members to make use of their services.


    Anyway good luck with project - and let us know how you get on.
     
  3. Dangerous Dave

    Dangerous Dave New Member

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    Is there an echo in here?? :rolleyes:
     
  4. fotodaddy

    fotodaddy New Member

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    Thanks so much for all your help, suggestions and advice.

    I have just gotten the final email from Honda and I am tired and will not pursue it any further.

    Honda, UK, have told me that it is out of warranty and thats that.

    Have just completed ordering all the parts I will need to rebuild....I have decided to go with a new crank...and will keep you all updated.
     
  5. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    That is so sad that Honda and the dealer are not helping..........Good luck with your rebuilt.
     
  6. fotodaddy

    fotodaddy New Member

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    Hi guys!

    Some feedback and a light at the end of the tunnel?

    Someone suggested I write to Honda Japan and I did. Then today I got the mail

    Needless to say I asked for a new engine :wink:

    MAIL has been removed. However, I will continue to advice all on proceedings.



    Lets see what happens next!
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2013
  7. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    That is good news - at least Honda HQ seem to realise that the pursuit of customer satisfaction should not stop at some border on a map!

    As has been said before, given that your bike is obviously outside of the official warranty cover area, a tactful approach may be the best way to get your VFR fixed and on the road again.

    I guess how you should reply will be heavily influenced by whether or not your bike is among the VIN codes covered by the swarf recall? What did you find?

    If it was within the recall range, then you might want to respond with some sort of special pleading for their assistance getting hold of the parts you need to fix the bike and perhaps ask them to make a contribution towards the costs involved - especially as this damage appears to be due to a quality problem when the bike was manufactured. The chances of getting a worthwhile cost contribution from Honda might be increased if you can get another mechanic to independently assess the damaged engine and produce some sort of report/confirmation of what casued the bearing failure ... due to ... swarf blocking ... and metal bits found in the sump etc...

    However if your bike was not within the range covered by that recall, then I guess your chances of any significant financial help are a lot lower, but even so it is still, well worth the cost of a few stamps... If nothing else they may be able to round up the parts you need and ship them to you at cost - saving the hassle of sourcing them yourself.

    Good luck - let us know how you get on.
     
  8. fotodaddy

    fotodaddy New Member

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    Update.

    In the last 2 weeks, Honda have surprised me further with the care and concern they have shown.

    I even got a visit from reps from the local assembly plant (assembling 125s and petrol generators) who took pictures and asked questions and stuff.

    Good news soon?

    We will see.
     
  9. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Glad to know Honda is taking care of the problem.....Good luck mate :thumb:
    Keep us posted of your progress.
     
  10. TheBeeDeeGee

    TheBeeDeeGee New Member

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    That's awesome! You think Harley would do that if their motor blew up. LOL
     
  11. Hafster

    Hafster New Member

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    Hi Guys,

    Newbie here who is contemplating purchasing a VFR1200 and enjoy reading the forums. Fotodaddy do you have any updates to this thread? I am very interested to hear what Honda have or have not done to help you.
     
  12. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    :welcome: to the nuts house mate :wave:
    Might want to introduce yourself on. New thread and ask Your question and concern there. You have better response that way.
     
  13. fotodaddy

    fotodaddy New Member

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    What can I say!

    A picture is worth a thousand words.

    In this case....several! Honda came through for me BIG TIME!

    The pictures are titled as
    1. Hmmmmm...what do we have here!
    2. Hmmmm....a HONDA Van!
    3. Ahhh....A Box
    4. Looks like an engine.....could it be?
    5. Ohhh yes.....a brand spanking new HONDA VFR1200FD Engine!
    6. Getting reday for heart "transplant"
    7. In progress.....
    8. More progress!!!
    9. End of day 1.
    IMAG0926.jpg IMAG0927.jpg IMAG0929.jpg IMAG0930.jpg IMAG0933.jpg IMAG0973.jpg IMAG0982.jpg IMAG0983.jpg IMAG0984.jpg

    AND IN THE END: FEAR ME meets ROLE MODEL!!

    IMAG1003.jpg

    And by the way...all this at no cost to me.
     
  14. Bryan88

    Bryan88 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Great news! Glad it worked out and that Honda showed they care.
     
  15. karazy

    karazy New Member

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    Great news! I love it when plan "A" works out this well.

    Well done Honda!
     
  16. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Fantastic news :team2:

    Only goes to show Honda really do care about the bikes they manufacture.

    :vtr2: :vtr2: :vtr2: :vtr2: :vtr2: :vtr2:


    I hope it won't be too long before you have your bike back.


    Way to go Mr Honda! :smileyfb:




    SkiMad
     
  17. Hafster

    Hafster New Member

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    Excellent result, these are the reasons we are Honda fanatics.....
     
  18. diVeFR

    diVeFR New Member

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    That is fantastic news! Glad BIG H came through.... I wonder why dealers are so hesitant if Honda Japan does great customer care like this...:unsure:
     
  19. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    That really speaks well for Honda.
     
  20. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    Looks like the 1200vfr is simply a big Lemon or a dud!:tsk::tsk:
     
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