First VFR Issue... With a Happy Ending!

I had a issue with the finish on my gas cap. It looks like the previous owner tried to paint it and then tried to paint it back to the original color. I waxed it and the paint came off. The details are here: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/78381-first-vfr-issue/page-2

The short version is that the cap looked like this:


I couldn't get it to look right and I didn't want to paint it with home paint - they aren't really resistant to chemicals and gasoline and they never look right unless done really, really well.

I didn't want a crappy Chinese knock off - they don't vent properly and the fit and finish is usually questionable.

I went on eBay and found a OEM RC51 fuel cap that was straight - but visibly marred (NOTE: The Honda fuel caps with 7 bolts will fit any other Honda with 7 bolts and the 3 mount bolts are the same, but the trim bolts have different sizes.) 5 days and $30 later I had it in my hands.

I put it on the Interceptor and pulled the original and cleaned it and pulled it apart (what a PITA) and sent it out for powder coating services. I will be happy to divulge the name of the company - not sure about forum rules on that - but the service was outstanding. I was told it would be 2-3 weeks since I selected a custom color (Satin Titanium) and it arrived in 1 week. Finish is perfect and it looks great.

The powder coating service was $21 plus shipping.

I am considering sending the other cap out and having it done in a satin black; I am sending the top yoke to have it powder coated and I am not sure which color. It might be nice to have two examples handy before I pick the color.

Anyway, here is the finished product installed:





On the fence a little about the golden tone bolts but the silver ones look funky next to the titanium. But I am totally pleased with the cap itself.

 

Read through your post on VFRD. What was interesting was post #12 "The whole bike seemed like it had a coating of something on it... I had to wax it twice to remove the stuff."Its possible the PO may tried to used some type of semi permanent paint protection. Like 3M Paint Defender. 3m typically makes pretty good stuff so it may have been some cheap knock-off.

Top yoke? Are you referring to the top triple clamp? If so I would suggest gold. Some VFR's from the 80's (86 VFR1000R) had a gold triple clamp. I think that would tie in nicely with 25th ann VFR.

Not sure if there are rules on giving plugs to business. I think any time you find a product or service provider you like or more importantly don't like, you should let others know.

 

Yes, top triple clamp... I like the idea of gold and remember those now that you mentioned it but as I was riding yesterday the idea of satin black is growing on me... lots of glare from the bright Florida sun in the cockpit off the triple clamp. I have a second clamp and gas cap so I think I am just going to get both colors and see which I like best.

I am not sure what was on the bike but it wasn't doing a very good job of protecting anything. I am certain there was a coating on the headlights - they have been restored at some point.

 

As far as mentioning places, it's usually been acceptable unless it's for shameless self promotion (i.e. Free advertising). A lot of guys will buy from places with good or bad experiences and share their experience/story and provide the name of the company. This helps others either get the same good experience or avoid a bad one, your call though. As far as the bolts, I think the Gold accent looks good, but it's your bike.

 

I actually am starting to really like the gold bolts. The whole thing looks even better in the sun - yesterday was the first day in since the cap arrived it was sunny enough, long enough to get a ride in.

I had the work done by Witchdoctor's (buywitchdoctors.com) I got really quick replies to my emails, they offered to do the custom color without question and provided a link to the place they get their powders from so I could pick from literally thousands of colors, they quoted a 2-3 week turnaround but the part was back in my hand within a week and I got notification as soon as it shipped. The cap arrived better than I hoped - really a perfect job as far as I am concerned. The company specializes in Victory parts but will paint, powder coat or chrome anything, the only issue being that the Honda cap is more difficult to disassemble than the Victory cap they show in their video.

I am going to send out some other parts and I hope it goes as well - no reason to suspect it won't. Triple clamp, a second gas cap, and I will be sending in a second set of wheels at the end of the summer. Probably going to pick up a second subframe as well and will be sending it in if I decide to go that route.