1990 VFR750 chain/sprockets

Discussion in '3rd & 4th Generation 1990-1997' started by Hingley, Feb 26, 2017.

  1. Hingley

    Hingley New Member

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    A few months ago I purchased from a dealer a very clean looking and complete 1990 VFR750 Showing 15,000km ( 9000 miles ) on the speedometer
    Over the winter I started to clean it up while checking it over for work needed before it is on the road
    The more I look the more I question the mileage
    Today I noticed the chain was a RT and rear sprocket was a Sunstar
    Am I right in thinking the original chain and sprockets would have lasted longer than 9000 miles?
    The bike also has newer tires but I figured they were replaced due to age
    I have also found a few fairing mounting tabs broken but I also figured this was due to age
    I know it is possible to disconnect the speedometer or install another unit
    Is there ways to confirm a bikes true mileage?
     
  2. CatHerder

    CatHerder New Member

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    Possible that chain/sprockets were just part of a change in gearing?
    Then again, there are people out there that can trash a chain in 9000 miles.
    Real idiots can do it in less...
     
  3. 750

    750 New Member

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    We have an MOT test annually in the UK, the mileage is recorded each time - this is available online at the drop of a hat, it lists what the bike failed the MOT on and the mileage at the point of being tested. Do you guys not have something similar?
     
  4. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Chain coulda been rusted out too, my used 93 had 15,000 miles on it, and they replaced chain and sprockets due to rust. I changed the master link as i was not happy the way they staked it. One less thing i had to go online s buy. You got the best one :thumbsup:
     
  5. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Download the free service manual on the 1990 or see a visual on the speedometer/odometer drive on most sites that supply OEM parts for Hondas.

    Not a clue about the tires..

    For a comparison of overall gearing, count the teeth on both sprockets and compare that to OEM.

    Yep,Honda could have done better on some of the fairing tabs..

    As to mileage certification, the US has them but they vary from state to state in wording. Ten pesos (now worth more than they were before
    great leader strongman took over) says Canada has a much the same thing going that may vary from province to province..

    Another tenner say the dealer will throw up their hands and if the reading is bogus they will blame the former owner and not do much more than that, hoping you will go away smiling and maybe buy something before you go home..like a regulator/rectifier..
     
  6. Hingley

    Hingley New Member

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    Thanks for all the suggestions
    I never thought about checking the past history of the bike
    I will see if our local registration office will give me any information
    Knowing how goverment works I do not think I will hold my breath
    I have never done this before but, hopefully here is a picture of the old girl when I brought her home IMG_9530.jpg
     
  7. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    If you are unable to verify the mileage through the registration/certification database, then I'd use the discs as a guide. When new they will have flat surfaces, but as they age the pads wear the centre of the face more than the edge, and you'll eventually get a step or lip at the very outer edge of the disc. At 15000km there should be no real wear on the disc. Just my guess, but if the bike has been around the clock, the discs will be quite scored and lipped, and maybe getting thin as well. I'd also look at the fork lowers for evidence of rock dings and corrosion, and at the wheel rims for evidence of multiple tyre changes. If they're all fine, then the mileage is probably genuine. Still if you do the maths, a 27 year old bike with 15000km = 555 km per year. That is very (unbelieveably?) low...
     
  8. CatHerder

    CatHerder New Member

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    She looks good to me...
     
  9. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    A few other indicators on the bike that may tell the tale. The overall appearance from the pic suggests the bike was stored inside. ie no clouding on the windscreen,oxidation on the rubber mirror stalk covers and fading on the combo switching on the right hand bar. Look for rock chips on the apex of the lower fairing elements that the front wheel can kick up. Unless that piece of the fairing has been modified there should be few dings or chipped places.

    Another couple of tells are the condition of the seat cover and if the bike has that little fairing shroud on the sidestand. Not a clue about the white rear cowl. Looks to like the PO swapped out the stock can for a Yoshimura. The one on my 91 is the same thing and other than some paint and polish is as old as the bike.

    Feel free to not answer this but how much of a deal did you get? Ballpark is good...

    I bet some of your fellow Canuckistanians will have info on how to get the mileage info.. Some of them are almost thawed oot!
     
  10. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    your exhaust system is different than a stock slip on yoshimura set-up as on my 93, we are supposed to have that large flare on the bottom that goes to the large resonator can that has a graphite gasket on it. Maybe you have a complete system though, cant tell from the picture, would imagine that they would use some sort of springs up where the header goes the motor. I take all the PAIR stuff off my bikes, you can tell if you have metal tubes above the header pipes, you will have them on the rear cylinders too, its all associated with two plenums on the carbs and then some more plumbing crap thats on the air box. Thats a whole other story though. Both my bikes run great, 91 goes better than the 93 just by five miles an hour on top. 93 gets very thirsty on petrol going above 110 mph though.

    Tell you what those stock seats wear like iron, my 91 with 80,000 or so miles still looks and feels great.

    You should get rid of those hideous blinkers in the back and integrate them into the rear lights. :peace: good score,
     
  11. Hingley

    Hingley New Member

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    Today I finally had a little time and it was above freezing so I finished removing the body panels and completed the first degreasing
    I have attached a few pictures of the bike so you can get a better idea of the shape it is in
    In reply to the guestion about the seat cowl, it is made in the USA, made of fiberglass and it is a lot stronger than the original plastic one plus fits very well
    I think the Yosh. exhaust is stainless steel but in poor shape, has anyone had luck cleaning these pipes?
    Does it look like a Yosh. exhaust pipe system? or is it a combination of two different components,companies
    The front rotor shows no signs of wearing while the rear does show a ridge around the edge of the disc
    I like the idea of relocating the rear signal lights, what is involved ? parts from a newer VFR?
    Great to see all the comments it is a big help in getting her ready for the spring
    IMG_9708.jpg IMG_9707.jpg IMG_9704.jpg IMG_9703.jpg IMG_9702.jpg IMG_9699.jpg
     
  12. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The Yoshimura muffler can be buffed out or painted. The collector is MIA so who knows what ya got there for sure? The escutcheon plate on the muffler or at least on mine is brass. Painting the pipes is just a matter of some masking and using hi-temp paint.

    The chunk of what looks like fiberglass cloth under the muffler clamp can be tossed and replaced with a couple of high temp Orings for a neater look.

    How aftermarket terminal exhausts are installed on bikes could be a book..
     
  13. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

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    OH WOW looks like you might have some sort of Full System, you lucky SOB lol. I would not worry or attempt to clean up those pipes, I would carefully remove the header and take it to a competent ceramic coating shop and have it sand blasted (or what ever process they use) and ceramic coated inside and out. This would do two birds with one stone, remove and stop future corrosion on what could be a valuable exhaust system and reduce the heat coming off of the header.
     
  14. slovcan

    slovcan New Member

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    That is in VERY nice condition. I'd say the 15,000 kms is correct. The rear sprocket and chain likely were replaced due to age/lack of maintenance/kinking - maybe throw in the aforementioned gearing change if the tooth count doesn't add up. The tires on mine looked great when I bought her a couple of years ago, but were 10+ year old Michelins. You definitely have a full exhaust with headers there. Great suggestion to ceramic coat the pipes. Ask the dealer if they still have the centre stand that would have been removed to install the header and tell them you want it - maybe to reinstall after modding things to fit. It does have value. It'll be interesting to see how it runs with the header (any deceleration popping?) - should have been re-jetted. There is a good chance the original dealer did the exhaust work - maybe the same dealer you bought it from. The original dealer that sold mine put the Supertrapp can on for the original owner. I think the seat cowl may have been an option up here, that may have been a years later afterthought - hence white fibreglass instead of red plastic. The fairing tabs get brittle with age. That was always a finicky, fragile system and dealer mechanics are on the clock and not always careful when removing/installing panels. Speaking of clocks, does yours have one? Mine doesn't and I really miss not having one. BC had the Carproof system for checking history, accidents, mileage, etc. I don't know if NS has something similar.

    BTW, went for my first ride of 2017 on Saturday (on the Trophy). Huge fun with the sand and dodging potholes!



    Cheers,
    Glenn
     
  15. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Looks like s full Yoshimura system to me. Nice bike
     
  16. Hingley

    Hingley New Member

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    I am not sure this is the place to drift from the original subject or not, but if someone thinks so I will start a new thread
    So here goes, in this thread and others I have noticed the subject of the option seat cowl for the 1990-93 VFR750 is greatly sought after. The 1990 I purchased last year had a well made fiberglass unit installed at some point. I tried to found out if it was still available but I had no luck tracking down the builder. I am sure there are a few members who are better at searching on the webb or live in the area of the company, if it is still in operation
    IMG_9722.jpg IMG_9721.jpg IMG_9720.jpg IMG_9719.jpg
    If someone has success in finding the company it would be great to see it posted so others can order the cowl to complete a restoration of one of these great early VFR's
    Now my wish list, if anyone has a gray butt bumper that I can purchase or know where they are available I would sure like to hear from you
     
  17. slovcan

    slovcan New Member

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  18. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Heard vfr-chuck was s crook. Its hearsay though.
     
  19. Hingley

    Hingley New Member

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    Today it is -13c, (8f) with a strong wind so it is a good day to read all the intersting replies
    I am intrigued on the idea of integrating the rear signal lights into the rear tail light locations
    I have looked on the Webb and it sounds like you need the rear signal lights from a 1994 and newer VFR and replace the original brake lights on the sides of the main brake light
    does this sound correct?
    If so how badly do you have to cut the original wiring to hook into the original signal light wiring?
    Does the 1994 signal light Lens assembly fit into the older 1990-1993 brake light lens location without a lot of messing around?
    By chance does anyone have a picture or two of the result?
     
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