Of black wheels, new skins, and springy things

After waiting almost a month for parts, followed by waiting weeks to find time to get anything done, here's how I spent the last week. I've pissed and moaned about the wretched front fork springs and tires since the bike was new. BT-021s are the scariest tires I've ever ridden on. I felt that way when I fitted them to my FJR, and the standard ones on the VFR didn't change my mind. And replacing the fork springs has been on the agenda as well. I was hoping to do both before riding season got here, but alas there were no rear PR3s or Ohlins springs for the VFR in the states, so I had to wait.

I've also never really cared for silver wheels on a bike, greatly preferring matte black, but I have to say the silver wheels didn't look too bad on this particular bike. Since I was doing tires anyway, I toyed with the idea of blacking out the wheels. Through the help of a fellow forum member, I got a photoshopped pic of a red VFR with black wheels. But no matter how many times I looked at both pics (black vs silver wheels), I just couldn't decide. I truly hate making "permanent" modifications. Ok, not permanent, but you get the idea. And then a friend gave me the solution. It pains me to admit that before last week, I was a virgin. But now I've discovered the joy of...Plasti-dip! You can buy it in an aerosol can, spray it on just like spray paint, and if you hate it, you just peel it off! Well it's not quite the same to use as paint, but close. I did the rear wheel first and wasn't very happy with the results, (too wrinkly), but decided to do the front and see how it went. Well it went MUCH better, so I peeled the rear and re-did it. It does in fact peel off without leaving a trace if you so choose, but it's supposed to last for years. You can check out http://www.dipyourcar.com. People literally paint whole cars with the stuff. It's about $6 USD per can, and it took me 5 cans to do the rear wheel twice and the front wheel once, so about one can for the front and two for the rear. Here's the remains after peeling the first attempt. Like a rubber skin.



But here's the finished product. I still haven't decided what to do with the little center cap for the rear wheel...leave it silver, black it out like the wheels, or put some kind of decal on it.



I also haven't decided yet to go with rim stripes or not (leaning towards it), or what kind. But here's the whole picture (or three).







I also installed some 90* aluminum valve stems while I was at it, and of course a fresh set of PR3s. Ya know, sometimes you just don't realize how bad your old tires are until you get them in your hand. Only 3k miles on the BT-021s, and the left side (only) of the front tire is trashed! My friend said the same thing happened with his Kawi C-14 with same tires...one side only gone on the front tire at less than 3k miles. Absolute shit tires!

The guy who installed the Ohlins springs for me did not change the preload adjusters at all, which were cranked to the max just TRYING to get the front sag to a reasonable level. So after reinstalling the forks and front wheel, I actually couldn't get the rear wheel back on the bike (sitting on the centerstand) without taking some of the preload out of the forks, and I bought the softest springs Ohlins sells for this bike. Just goes to show how bad the old springs really were, but I knew that all along. Just funny to get such a graphic illustration of the fact.

So anyway, VERY anxious to get it out on the road and see how it feels. I've spent all my lunch hours at work for the past week changing tires and painting, peeling, and re-painting wheels. We have a rustproofing booth at the shop which was a perfect place to paint the wheels because that plasti-dip smells AWFUL! And the fumes are very strong and really carry. So if you're going to try it, do it in a VERY well ventilated area! So I guess my next lunch hour will be spent setting front sag. Oughta feel like a whole new bike. I can hardly wait. Now I have to decide what's next, fuel manager or slip-on?? :dunno:

 

i've never, in my 40+ years of riding, heard a fork bottom out as loud and hard as this bike ( including MXers!!!) i have a set of the Ohlins frt springs sitting here waiting to go in...how big of a job was it?? i saw the manual called for special tools...full disassembly or drop in..how much did they charge ??.......i say go for the slip on to show off the wheels !!! i have the Akro on mine ...very nice...combined with the Bazzaz ZFi, Zbomb and K&N, it's definitely picked up the tempo !!!!

 

the wheels look good !! personally i'm not a fan of black wheels...reminds me of the old guy on the beach with black socks and sandals...but i've been a big plasti coat fan for years, it's a great idea...i've considered having my wheels powder coated with a smooth clear coat(in the stock color) because they are hard to keep looking clean..the brake dust seems to cling to the rough coat

 

Gotta love new PR3's! Well, new cam or PCV? That is the question. I personally am not a fan of that stock exhaust and would vote for an after market can. That is assuming that the drivability is decent with the stock FI.
John

 

As I suspected, you do need those special tools to install. I watched him every step of the way. I think you'd be hard pressed to replicate the process at home. Only $40 to install (carrying in the forks myself). A bargain.

Still leaning towards the GPR exhaust. Unleaded has one on order. Waiting to see his pics and hear his reviews.

It's not. ;-}

 

Those bigass rumble strips can be tough on a front end. One guy I know because his Ohlins springs were unobtanium, fixed the problem by carrying a dozen shot puts in each pannier. He's a shot put rep which made it less a problem. I don't know if anyone rents shot puts. He can also do the most amazing wheelies.

I gotta try this Plasticoat stuff. Not on my bike though.

 

Prefer silver wheels on this bike. They just look right. Thought about going black myself (paint + baking clearcoat on) for a minute but decided against it. There is a newer product (Armor All IIRC) called wheel protectant. I've used it on the cage/bikes for over 2 years now and it keeps the dirt/grime off and makes them easy to clean.

 

Dave the wheels look SICK :thumb: I like the side case too