CA Roads or tune up needed?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by ragintxn03, Mar 6, 2018.

  1. ragintxn03

    ragintxn03 New Member

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    So before getting the VFR, I was running around on a 919 (wish I had that with the VFR, but I'll save the lose of that bike for another day). Always felt solid - confident - straight. I've noticed since getting my VFR it seems to wander/shimmy down the 5 here while I'm commuting. I'm just wondering if it's the grooved roads here in CA or if it's tire, front fork, or steering barings that need to be adjusted/replaced. It's a 99 with 23k miles - anyone else experience this wandering/shimmying down the road on Q3s? Is it a product of almost being a 20 yo bike? Or is it just getting used to a new bike?

    Thanks for any replies or your experiences if you've felt the same thing going down the road. (BTW - the LBS said they didn't see or feel anything wrong - they did recommend rebuilding the front fork. I was gonna replace the valves anyways to get a little more sport feel. I do know the springs will need to be placed as they oscillate down the road at times.)
     
  2. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I have two different VFRs and neither seems to experience what you describe, my 6 Gen has 70k miles and the 5 Gen has 32k miles. I will say that I have upgraded the suspension on both (new valves and springs front and rear. A Penske on the rear of the 5 gen) and as of last weekend, tapered steering head bearings as well. Both bikes also have fairly new front wheel bearings as the wheels were powder coated not that long ago.

    The only other difference is I have never used Dunlop Q3s on either bike so cannot comment on that part of the situation. However, I would imagine that others who have used them would have chimed in about the issue.
     
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  3. ragintxn03

    ragintxn03 New Member

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    Thanks OOTV

    This is a bit separate, but didn't think it would be good to start a whole new thread for a picture. Any ideas how to get these stock bolts on the Fi mirror? IMG_20180306_213617.jpg

    10mm socket doesn't fit - I'm thinking I'm gonna have to cut it...

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
  4. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Those might not be stock, on my 01 these are actually hex bolts. However, since yours is a 99, they might be different as the 98-99 did have slightly different mirrors, so hopefully someone with the same year can chime in. For most of my bolts, I go to a local hardware store that has an awesome selection of metric bolts, some even in stainless steel. Otherwise, if the bolt is unique I usually get them from a Honda dealer, unless I can find it somewhere online.
     
  5. ragintxn03

    ragintxn03 New Member

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    No yeah, totally agree - they SHOULD be the hex bolts, but the prior owner used the bolts from the condom mirror on an '01 VFR base...so now I'm stuck trying to figure out how to get it off without (hopefully) having to cut them off...drives me nuts
     
  6. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I had a 919 blade - loved it.. - Agreed, totally stable at any speed - inspired confidence..

    My VFR although fine, JUST doesn't inspire the same levels of feedback as that did.

    But look at the suspension - The VFR is FINE for what it is, its just NOT the best.

    You can however get the VFR to work very nicely..
     
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  7. ragintxn03

    ragintxn03 New Member

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    Update on the bolts - got a 10mm deep thinner walled socket in there. Yeah - frustrating when people do take the time to use the correct parts for upgrades and farkle. I'm thinking they got the CBR mirror as well cause it's never been very solid on the bike (they wrenched those bolts on hard) - they tried using the stock condom mirror base - no good. Ordered an '01 mirror - will compare.

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  8. mofo

    mofo New Member

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    I feel the grooves too on my 6th generation. But, only in certain areas, just south of the Orange airport on the 405 to be specific.
    Never run Dunlops on this bike. I have running them on different bikes and I don't like them at all.
     
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  9. dbuzz77

    dbuzz77 New Member

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    My Kawasaki needed a front tire but until it came in i rode it a bit. it seemed to pick all the cracks. new tire, nothing like that at all, doesn't wander or pick up cracks. My vfr is fine also. I am convinced it is tires.
     
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  10. Eagle Six

    Eagle Six New Member

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    I had Dunlap's on an 06' and they were fine, but not great. Recently purchased a used Ninja with Bridgestone's. Although the front looked descent, there was some strange cupping. Bike was stiff counter-steering to the left. Replaced with a new set of S21's. Turns out they are a great tire, sticky on the sides and tough in the middle. Bike rides and steers like a gem. I really wasn't expecting that much improvement and thought I may have to do some work to the forks, suspension, but S21's corrected all my complaints. Oh, well there was that 21 lb tire pressure in the front I had to correct before the test ride. I would think this probably had something to do with the uneven wear.
     
  11. ragintxn03

    ragintxn03 New Member

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    *UPDATE ON MIRRORS*

    So a buddy of mine had a deep socket with thin enough walls to get the condom mirror bolts off. Ordered the keyed bolts, along with a matching '01 condom-less mirror. Got it all on (did not use the brass base they put on again with the '01 mirrors) - took her out for a ride tonight and everything is solid and no more shaking on the left mirror. Also got to test out the new DB ZG screen - MUUUUCH better than the Givi Touring Screen (at least for me).

    IMG_20180321_192004 (600).jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2018
  12. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    Older "DUNLOPS" SUCK! to much issues for me to share. Cupping or waffling and odd road reactions like you are speaking about. I had a lot of "Head shake" and wandering like you said. Try a tire change.
     
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  13. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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  14. ragintxn03

    ragintxn03 New Member

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    So I've been looking at Race Tech's suspension - is this a better option? Never seen them on an open web search and I'm very ignorant I this area

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  15. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    With Jamie he sells inserts for the forks and what I did was OOTV found a 6Gen abs rear shock on flebay for $100 for my non- abs ride.
    He also sets it up for your weight and riding style.
    Inserts are very easy to install
    Think I paid roughly $1k


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  16. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    DMr has done all three of my bikes, well sort of. I did the front forks of my 6 Gen, using components purchased from Daugherty, he did the rear shock. On my 5 Gen I sent him the front forks and a Penske rear shock and he rebuilt both of those. I also did the same for my Ducati 900SS, where I sent the forks and shock to him. On the latter two bikes, I probably could have done the forks myself like I did with the 6 Gen, but I usually prefer to be riding rather than wrenching, at least whenever I can.

    With the DMr drop in fork kit, it is really a DIY project. I recently helped a fellow VFRWorld member with his suspension upgrade he got from DMr. The shock, unless you have all the tools, equipment and experience, is probably best left to a professional to rebuild. Drop Jamie an email and inquire about what he can do for you. Use the email from his website, as he checks that regularly.
     
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