Ok guys, this was supposed to be a no brainer to install. Well I ride, walk upright etc etc, so I think there's some sort of brain upstairs. However, per the genmar instructions and what else I've read, simply loosen the pinchbolt and the forktube cover and put the risers on, tighten and ride. Umm...no so on my 06. This is what the cover looks like. When I take it off, so hello to mr fork tube, and the cover is still attached. So suffice to say, did anyone else run into this? I didn't buy the bike brand new, she had 1350 miles on her when I picked her up a month ago. So oh wise ones of the vfr world...wtf? g
Wow - I thought I found a low mile bike with 6k on it (an '02). What you're looking at is the top adjustor/fork seal which while it looks bigger around than the 43mm fork, supposedly isn't. If you have to remove that top part, the Haynes manual says you should replace the o-ring that seals it. I looked at my manual and it doesn't say it needs to be removed in order for you to take the fork out of the bike, so you may just need to pry the clip ons a little wider than they naturally want to go to put on the Genmar riser since that's the same size as the fork. I installed these on my prior bike and never quite liked the fact that the forks now sat in a depression below the top of the clip on clamp. I guess that's why they give you those covers with the risers. I'm lowering my bike and if I were using the genmars I'd probably lower the front to compensate for the position of the clip ons. This can be done by loosening the triple trees and sliding the forks up through them. Supposedly, you have a couple inches of leeway that still allow max travel of the front suspension.
Thanks for the reply. I sent and email to Genmar and they said that I should be able to remove the cap without exposing the fork tube. Sent them the same pic. They said there is a retainer clip that I need to pry off and then I should be able to put the riser on. Haven't had a chance yet with the storms we've just had. Don't have a good feeling about it though! g
I found a reference to the retainer clip in the install instructions I found on Helibar's website. Dropped my front 15mm last night - That moved my clipons that much higher/closer, so will see how things go. Still looking at options including Helibars and risers from Gilles Tooling, but the Gilles risers, even though more adjustable are a couple hundred more than the Helibars.....Good luck
