Totally new to VFR's

[overlake]

Hi, all. I am totally new to VFR's and sport-oriented bikes generally.

For the last few years I've been a cruiser rider whose bikes include a 2003 VTX 1800 and 1997 Shadow Spirit 1100. Dropping by to chat with the kind of neighbor we all should have (he owns 20+ motorcycles and is a fair wrench), I asked him about a white street bike in front of his garage. It was a 1993 Pearl White VFR750F; he was selling it; I bought it.

First observation: it doesn't drive like my VTX. Duh.

Second observation: it seems to provide better rain protection than my cruisers with their Memphis Shade windscreens. Should I be surprised?

Third observation: what an effin' hoot it has made my daily commute!

One question for riders of older VFRs: some of the plastic on my bike is a little rough, small cracks, busted tabs, etc. Some of this looks like stress failure. So, does the ABS bodywork on these older VFR's break down under normal use, or is this related to abuse or poor maintenance? If I go to the trouble to replace or repair the worst parts, am I looking at continuous repairs to keep the bike clean? If so, I may just learn to leave well enough alone. Thanks for any advice on ABS bodywork, and I will be searching the forum for posts on this question, too.

[WhiteKnight]

Hi, overlake and welcome to the wonerful world of VFR's. Where are you from? I am in KY and I too recently (last month) purchased a white 93 VFR 750. I love it. Like yours, it isn't perfect and the plastic has some breaks and cracks (I presume from where the previous own layed it down or dropped it. Changed the oil today and found the lower fairing pieces were wired on. It's a wonder the plastice didn't fall off. But I manage to find soem bolts to put back in so its better than it was now. As for stress on the plastic, I am not sure if it breaks down over time or not though some of the other members here might. An point of note, replacing the plastic is going to be expensive, so you might check with a body shop on the cost of repair. You would not believe the cost and there is even one of the mounting bolts that is like $9.50 each. Holy Cow!!! Put some pictures of your bike up when you get some, I am sure we all would love to see it. Does yours have the rear turn signals on stalks? If so, they can be moved up into the lenses next to the tail light. I just did mine yesterday and even posted pics. Sorry for dragging this out.

Again, welcome to the world of VFR's

Vman (Vinny)

[WhiteKnight]

I forgot to mention that we have a live chat room. On Tuesdays we have a scheduled chat session for 7:30 PM PST. I am usually in the chat room at almost anytime during the evening because my work affords me that opportunity. There is also a member map, to which you can add yourself to, sothat you can see were some of our members are, at least those who have added themselves to it. ;-) There are many good articles and links to other sites. Zoom around the site and check em out

[RVFR]

Welcome to VFR world, you bought a rare and beautifull one, Nice find. AS far as plastic goes most, if taken the time tasking it off fairs pretty well. I wouldn't say it's an age thing more of a owner that didn't take the time to take it easy. some tabs are brittle even when new. speaking of don't bother going to a repair shop they cant match the paint, plus once those tabs and or cracks are broke hard to get anything that I could find work with the factory plastic. I've tried. better off bitting the bullet and buy new. Try Service Honda on the internet, dang good prices when compared to over the counter. thou do not be surprized at a time line, thou yours isn't as old as an 86 some parts are getting hard to come by. But I'd like to belive they can be had. plus you won't lose a dime. even if you think it's a bit much, a nice VFR is worth it's wieght especailly those 93s

[tbones86]

There is some kind of fiber patch filler for plastic that the body shop @ work has, I don't recall the name or manufacture but the stuff works great. I will post the info when I get back to work on tuesday. Works great to reinforce panels on the back side & if you chamfer the edges of a crack on the outside & fill after cure time it can be smoothed & blended w/ a scotch brite disk then sanded smooth. But of course you would have plan on painting the bike, I don't imagine the stuff is cheap but I get to use it for free( fringe benifit thing). You can also try to find someone who knows how to weld abs, I have two nose cones I am taking in next week to have repaired so I can finally part my new lowers on.

[tbones86]

Overlake, Sorry it took so long to get back to this thread; the stuff I was talking about is called Fusor #142, Extreme Plastic Repair. Manufactured by LORD Cary, NC; PH# 1-800-234-fusor.

http://www.fusor.com