Norfolk, England

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by Ratters, Jul 27, 2013.

  1. Ratters

    Ratters New Member

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    Hi all,

    Just a quick hello from Norfolk, UK.

    Just got my first VFR 800 2001 in Red.

    Look forward to getting to know you all In the technical forums.

    Rgds

    Marc
     
  2. Robclo

    Robclo New Member

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    Howdy Marc, welcome, I'd pop over with a carrot cake but you live to far.
    :smile:
     
  3. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    :welcome: to the madness from across the pond :wave:
     
  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Welcome. We need pix. I would ride on over there and give you an in person welcome but there is a huge fuggen puddle between you and I.
     
  5. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hi Marc

    Welcome to the MadHouse :welcome:.

    Some folks won't believe your VFR :vtr2: exists until you post up some pictures. So if you don't want folks raggin on you, then post up some pictures of your new VFR (click the icon two to the right of the envelope and follow the prompts).

    You may also want to update your profile to include your location and VFR year. That way the details will be on all your posts and if you need to ask for help, people will know what Gen you own and may be willing to swing by and offer help.

    Take care


    SkiMad
     
  6. Ratters

    Ratters New Member

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    2013-07-29 13.45.28.jpg I'm back, With Pictures!

    This is my 2001 VFR 800 with Givi 45s.

    I was going to get a 05 vtec but the guy sold it the morning I was going to collect it! Only told me after I'd rented the truck and had set off on the 400 mile round trip! Quick trip to MC'Ds for the free WIFI and I found this. Half the price and fewer mile (45000) I'm really not disappointed.

    Rgds

    Marc


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2021
  7. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Looking good Marc

    With all that gear it looks like you really need to take it for a long test ride. At the moment its 27 degrees dry and sunny in the Alps!



    SkiMad
     
  8. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Hello and welcome Mr Marc. I added a pic to your last post so peeps get a better look at it more easily. Nice lookin' girl.....and the "fastest" color to boot!

    :vtr2:
     
  9. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    post forgery
     
  10. Ratters

    Ratters New Member

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    So a lot of time has passed and now my dream bike is not as bright or roadworthy as she once was.

    Failed an MOT in 2016 and I didn't have the cash to get the work done so she was garaged. Time passed and other things got in the way as is the norm. But now on the 20th birthday its time to get her back on the road.

    The fails were:

    Head bearings notchy - I cant feel it
    Back brake dragging - Seems like the peddle wont return, can pull up to clear the drag.

    Embarrassed to say the quote was around £300 at the time but I just could not justify it with the miles I did.

    I'm going to take her in again for an MOT and see what 5 years in the garage has done in the way of damage.

    Is there anything you think I should do prior to that? Still starts and runs like a dream, I've kept her ticking over every 6 months or so. Not planning on a massive overhaul (YET) but just odds and sods that could hamper the MOT.

    Suggestions welcome.

    Cheers

    Marc
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Marc. I would be inclined to go to our MOT office and simply ask them, What are the common problems your people are finding with bikes during their inspections. They should be happy to let you know. If nothing else, it shows whom ever you are speaking to there at the MOT, that you are interested and doing your part to determine what is common problems, what you may be able to do to correct the bike before you go in for an inspection. I don't think they get "x" number of free donuts or beers for every fail they find.
     
  12. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    5th Gen bikes remain popular but finding parts to keep them on the road is only going to get harder. So if your 20 year old bike has already been gathering dust for 5 years then you really should consider weighing up its current sale value against the potential cost you will need to invest to get it roadworthy again.

    Sadly it may not now be worth the effort especially as you could still achieve a decent amount parting it out.

    If you intend riding that bike again then you should at the very least do a basic service - so new oil and filters and of course replace that truly ancient brake fluid - and whilst you are at it you will probably find the rear caliper is now completely siezed/stuffed and need replacement. The 20 year old flexible brake lines are also probably due replacement if that has not already been done. The tyres are now at least 5 years old and if the bike has not been properly stored then one or both may have serious flatspots which can make the tyre prone to sudden failure. So please check them before even considering riding the bike anywhere. Open the fuel filler and inspect for rust - if the bike was parked up brim filled with fuel then it may still be OK - but you will still need to fully drain the system and refill with clean fuel. If there is rust inside the tank then you will need to remove it and deal with the rust. Again you do not want to draw ancient fuel into the engine.

    As for the steering head bearings - they obviously won't have got any better in the last 5 years. Even so it is defintely worth checking if the last test station just confused the fairly typical tugging effect caused by moving quite stiff cables on a VFR with truly notchy steering bearings. Obviously an MOT test is not free but you can do your own basic check. Put the bike on the main stand - get someone to sit on the pillion seat to lift the front wheel clear of the ground. Then move the steering smoothly from lock to lock several times to see if you can feel any discernible notch in the steering. If it was an MOT fail then any notch should be very obvious and you should add the cost of replacing the steering bearings to the repairs list and then get quotes for all the work (assuming you are not willing to do the work yourself).

    Meantime checkout the value of used 5th Gens with similar mileage on sites like MCN, Bike Trader and eBay to see how much you could flog your current bike for without lifting a spanner, and indeed possibly find a fully roadworthy replacement.

    Then it really is entirely up to you to decide whether to fix it or flog it.

    Whatever you decide to do - good luck.
     
  13. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    The quote for that is not bad.. However, it will now be more.

    The head bearings you need to take the whole front end off. Fairly easy to do but a pain.
    May as well while you are there get the front end fork oil switched out.
    Brake fluid refresh front and rear.

    Rear brake dragging usually just requires a full strip of the calliper - quick polish of the pistons, new slider. Again very easy for a shop to do this.. however may require new pistons... You don't know till you look.

    After 5 years you will also want to oil change, oil & air filter.

    If you get change from 500 take it - there is a fair amount of work there.

    This is working off the picture above - You can tell its not been kept inside, cleaned often & has been ridden a lot.
     
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