New VFR800 FI owner

Recntly purchased a 1998 vfr800 with 33k miles, runs great plenty of power. Last bike was a ninja 400 so this feels pretty fast. I'm new to the single sided swing arm though, I feel a "clicking" so to speak on my left foot peg over some rough portions of road... not every time but sometimes, could this be a bushing? I know its an engine mounted swing arm and I've inspected with the fairings off, no cracks missing bolts etc. Power delivery is choppey under 3k rpms or so but i think thats normal? And just curious as to what temps you guys see on hot days, my bike will hit 221 degrees in traffic on hot days and cool itself with the fan back to 217 until i get moving then generally run between 170-185 degrees. Love the bike and its in good shape so i want to keep it that way, just running some things by you guys for opinions and to make sure i dont miss things on the maintenance side.
Thanks,
-Lee

 

Hi Lee. Welcome to the forum.
With respect to your temperatures they sound about right. These bikes soon heat up in stop start traffic no matter what the ambient temperature.

Have you had a close look at the drive chain with regards the "clicking" noise on the left side. Is it properly tensioned, lubricated, and not worn beyond its service life?

 

The pick-up at low revs has a fair bit to do with the V4 nature, but can be improved a bit with a decent throttle body synchronisation. If you have access to some vacuum gauges or equivalent, it's a quick job on the 5th gen.

Having a digital temperature gauge makes for a bit of temperature anxiety I think. More relaxing to think that 170-185F is 1/4 of a dial gauge, 212 is about the middle point, and you are nowhere near 3/4 which is where the red zone starts. As Grum says, your temps look quite reasonable.

It would be worth checking the thermostat to ensure it is opening and closing as it should. An indirect test is to keep a hand on the radiator during a cold start and warm up. The radiator should stay stone cold until the temperature hits 170-odd, then it should get suddenly hot as the thermostat opens. If instead it heats slowly from the time the engine starts, the thermostat is stuck open. Not a train-smash, but the engine will manage its temperature better with a functioning thermostat.

 

Grum, my chain is clean and waxed, tension looks to be good. It is quite far past the "replace chain" indicator though.
As for the temps I feel better now, I was constantly watching the digital readout while sitting in traffic. 90 degree day and the hottest i've seen it was 222.
I will try to upload photos of the chain position and bike later

 

for quality (not chinese) chain and sprockets you'll need to spend up to $300 USD.

 

Here are some photos, I guess my chain was not so clean... I have been riding it a lot. How far out of spec does the chain/sprocket adjustment look? would a chain stretch this much?

 

chains wear more with more miles, how many miles on your 800 ? dija get any maintenance records ?

in most cases oem chains last 25,000-35,000 miles on average. cheap chains wear out faster.

 

Standard chain and Sprockets are 108 link 530 chain and 17 and 43 tooth sprockets.

With the chain appearing to be well beyond the wear indicator, it has either stretched badly OR the wrong chain length has been fitted. Make sure you count 54 chain side plates inclusive of the master link for a 108 link chain.

 

If the rear sprocket teeth are well past the wear indicator, you need a new chain in and sprockets. They can stretch that much. Rollers and pins wear, causing excess slop and larger clearances.

Clicking felt through the left foot peg could also be an indicator of binding links. If they're stubborn to pivot, links won't lay down nicely as they come around the small drive sprocket.

$300 is a bit much for a VFR drive train combo. $150 can get you setup.

Drive Sprocket with rubber cushion:

JT Sprockets JTF339.17RB 17T $22 at Amazon

Rear Sprocket:
JT Sprockets JTR1340.43 43T $32 at Amazon

RK racing chain 530XSOZ1-108 (530 Series) $93 at Amazon

 

^^^prices above seem like chinese parts................which every decent person wants to avoid.

@ less than $100 the chain can not be made in japan.

amazon sells chinese junk mostly.

 

RK Excel chain is made in Japan.

Those JT sprockets I listed are OEM style and I've never had any issues with them over 100,000+ miles across numerous bikes.

 

i agree that a real RK chain is made in japan but i suspect the $100 chain may be counterfeit.

 

I would suggest you go have a look at their catalog before throwing out speculations. The XSOZ1 is one of their more economical offerings for street use. If you want to spend $200+ on a gold plated 530 chain for Hayabusa drag bikes, they have those as well. I see no reason to install one on a 100 hp VFR.


$93 isn't cheap for 130-108 motorcycle chain. $40 is. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/NICHE-Drive-Connecting-Master-Motorcycle/dp/B07XWQSK4Z/?th=1

 

i admit i was way off on chain prices.