2002-2005 Honda VFR Recall Letter

[jeremy556]

Originally Posted by dravera

Here is an update on the recall from Honda. I called the factory last week and asked when the parts would be avaible. The factory told me the parts won't be avaible until the end of November. So, in the meantime my bike is down until then. What do you think of that?

This has been a problem since 2002 - go ride your VFR.

If you are that concerned with Honda's lawyer speak, fix the problem yourself. It only takes about 15 minutes and $3 worth of parts available from any auto parts store.

[GR8TSCT]

I just got my bike serviced at the local honda dealership last week. (Thousand Oaks Honda, Ca) He said next week he should have the parts for the recal. So some time this week they should have the parts. I am planning on taking it to them on Friday. I will let you know how it goes.

[dravera]

Thanks for the info.

[GR8TSCT]

Have been calling the Honda Dealership once a week for the past three weeks, and there is no word on when they will get the parts for the recall. They told me to keep calling. I will post a reply when I get word that the parts are in. Hope everyone is having a good time riding. Very good weather in Southern California. Talk with you all later.

[SilverSurfer800]

OK, Just took my bike into my local dealer (Marin Cycle Works, CA) They agree that the repair is for the ground wire in the main harness. They claim that they originally notified Honda about the problem and had the NTSB and Honda Reps at their dealership to alert Honda to the problem. They checked out my 05' and said no issues but preformed the temporary fix anyway, just in case. They expect the parts some time in Novemeber and will apply the premanant fix once they arrive. I guess I'll keep waiting. I say go ahead a keep riding. They never told me to stop...

[GR8TSCT]

I just got a notice in the mail from Honda stating the parts are available to fix the recall. My bike is in the shop getting it fix now. SAWEEEET!!

[sspilotmi]

I just got the letter from Honda saying the parts are in and to schedule an appointment for repair. The temperature here in Wisconsin is in the 30's, the dealership is 40 miles away. I'm not too keen to take the trip exposed to the elements.

I have a utility trailer, has anyone had experience on how to tie down a VFR to a trailer without damaging the fairing?

[jeremy556]

Use a canyon dancer, or use soft ties around the lower triple clamp, or on the upper triple clamp and just use towels to keep the tie down from rubbing on the fairing.

[OneSided]

Got my parts are in letter, called local dealer, got told that they didn't sell any VFR's so Honda did not send any kits to them yet...apparently Honda is initially sending kits only to the stores that originally sold the VFR...my bike was originally purchased in Maine so I guess it's time for a road trip! LOL
He said he thinks the rest of the dealers won't start receiving the parts for weeks-months?!? Luckily that was just the closest dealer to me, hopefully I'll have better luck with another dealer in the area!

[Molsan]

Wow, I moved recently and thus did not get this letter.
What i'm more worried about is the problems not adressed.

Are the other issues a case of if it ain't broke? and just wait or should i fix them now? I'm about as mechanically inclined as whale.

[squirrelman]

Just exactly where are the burned/melted parts located on the bike??
what needs to be removed to access the area?

[Chicken Little]

Wait, I don't get it. You guys keep getting all bent outta shape waiting for Honda to cough up some parts on the bike, and all the stuff you need to fix it it here on the site. Order the wiring harness from wiremybike.com, bypass the green wire, run an extra ground wire. You are then 100% sure it is right, and you did your own work, and it is better than any fix Honda can come up with. Is there some kind of reason to wait on Honda for this? Or is it principal- since they screwed up?

[simihondajoe]

Its just handy when honda fixes it cause its free. and if you ever neede to get replacment parts, say after a crash, it would be really easy to get the right pieces. We get into trouble all the time with insurance not wanting to put non stock parts onto parts after crashes

[SilverSurfer800]

Honda needs to fix this issue. Plus there's somethng about a warrantee that you won't have if you do it on your own. No knock against anyone's abilities but i like having the dealership being responsible for this fix. This doesn't give Honda an excuse to say, " oh your bike blew up and you did the recall on your own? Tuff nuts but we can't help ya!"

[HondaDavidson1090]

Originally Posted by OneSided

First my Explorer and now my VFR, I'll take my chances until the parts come in..........

I have an explorer too. It hasnt caught on fire yet. As for my VFR, I guess I should take care of the recall since I ride everyday. I only drive the exploder when its hurricane type weather or I need to restock my beer.

[OneSided]

Well, I finally found a dealer/service shop that had the parts and didn't want to have my bike ripped apart in their shop before they ordered parts that they are having a hard time in receiving. I'm taking mine in for the recall work first thing in the morning!

[Vfruum2]

Hello all,
I own a 5th gen vfr that is having issues now! This year I have used up 2 batteries,both high beam lights are now blown out, and last week the bike would not start(no whine in the fuel injestion)when turning the key to start position. My 2000 vfr sound like it is having the same problem as the 6th gen. any thoughts out there??????? please respond in detail as I am not the best mechanic.

[PorscheBob]

Originally Posted by Vfruum2

Hello all,
I own a 5th gen vfr that is having issues now! This year I have used up 2 batteries,both high beam lights are now blown out, and last week the bike would not start(no whine in the fuel injestion)when turning the key to start position. My 2000 vfr sound like it is having the same problem as the 6th gen. any thoughts out there??????? please respond in detail as I am not the best mechanic.

Give yourself a few Christmas presents like:

1. New (2006+) R/R
2. Add a fan to the top of the R/R
3. Install the heavy duty wire harness from Tightwad.
4. Install a new battery (I prefer Optima gel)

Then forget about the electrical nonsense that Honda designed into our beloved bikes and ride it like you stole it!

[Claudesbto]

Howdy, my brother passed away on a VFR on Sept 8th 2007. His was a VFR 800 between the years of 2002 - 2005. It was a clear dry day. It was late in the day. He lost controll for no apparen reason. His buddies were behind him and still can't explain why he wiped out. would this defect cause a crash? He was an experienced rider. If his bike was defective, could a sudden loss of power at the begining of a sweeping turn cause a crash? If so, how could we tell from looking at the bike. It won't bring him back, but it will help my Mom understand why she lost a son. Thanks for any replies.

[chomper]

Sorry to hear about your loss, its always tough to hear when another rider goes down.its possible the bike could of cut out do to electrical fault from wiring harness. honda dose state in there letter it could cause a crash with sudden loss of power im sure they put that in to cover their ass. this was a safety recall mandated by government .yes that would be the worst time have engine failure going into a corner

[Claudesbto]

Thanks Chomper. How could one tell in looking at the bike if the wiring harness failed, or shorted out?

[chomper]

Originally Posted by Claudesbto

Thanks Chomper. How could one tell in looking at the bike if the wiring harness failed, or shorted out?

not sure if you or i could tell. thats more for a government agency that investigates things like that, if the harness was shorting out or overheating it could possibly show signs of overheating (melting or black marks) but for that to happen it should of given some indication before accident. the connection could be tested with ohm/volt meter to see if a short exists but not very conclusive sorry i couldnt be more helpful.

[Kelvin1970]

Does anyone have a pic of the location of the wire harness?
and did any one did the modification himself instead?

[chomper]

Originally Posted by Kelvin1970

Does anyone have a pic of the location of the wire harness?
and did any one did the modification himself instead?

jeremy556 did a great job of explaining problam and how to fix, with pictures under thread vfr recall. doing mod myself just been lazy still have another 10 weeks to do it before riding season starts(never had a problam yet). live in canada bike is us model so i have to take it back to us, not worth the hassel easy to fix and only cost a few $

[Kelvin1970]

Originally Posted by chomper

jeremy556 did a great job of explaining problam and how to fix, with pictures under thread vfr recall. doing mod myself just been lazy still have another 10 weeks to do it before riding season starts(never had a problam yet). live in canada bike is us model so i have to take it back to us, not worth the hassel easy to fix and only cost a few $

Thanks man
found the link
problem solve

[GISRider]

VFR Recall
Check out https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/Mo...aintenance.asp
I was able to key in my VIN number to see if my bike was affected by the recall. Dealer was uncertain about extent of factory coverage and told me in Sept. to check back in October/November timeframe. Not real keen on the local dealer anyway, so I may check/repair the fuse issue myself during the winter.

[chomper]

Originally Posted by GISRider

VFR Recall
Check out https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/Mo...aintenance.asp
I was able to key in my VIN number to see if my bike was affected by the recall. Dealer was uncertain about extent of factory coverage and told me in Sept. to check back in October/November timeframe. Not real keen on the local dealer anyway, so I may check/repair the fuse issue myself during the winter.

I was going to do the same thing do a blue harness grd bypass as a no hassle fix but after reading honda service bulletin repair procedure, i realized that was a very limited fix. get the work done your 02 is fully covered just find a dealer you trust. they add a new harness under front nose new batt cable as well. in affect they have taken the load off the infamous blue connector.the work was done on mine with no hassle in less than 2hrs
I tried to load bulletin on this site but its to large for this site 2.7m over limit.
its on vfrd if you cant find it pm me and ill email it to ya

[Joe62]

Where is the R/R connector containing the monitor wire shown in Jeremy556's pitcure?

[Badbilly]

What would be great is to post "the letter." Honda owning up to any R/R problems finally has to be a first. 91 on it's third R/R and a spare under the seat just in case.

[hondawolf]

I talked to my local dealer, they have the harness in stock and can do the warrenty replacement. I just need to find time to drop it off. Still ride it regularly and haven't had any problems. At 36,000 miles too. Seems to be most problems are happening at a fairly low milage....