Bought a '98 in need of maintenance, so this is "hello"

36k miles, and no maintenance records since 8k.

So I've started with valve clearance check - all good, but one intake is on the tight side of "within spec". I noticed that the thermostat was stuck open, so I replaced it.

To do yet; new rear tire, new chain and sprockets, new battery, flush and fill brake and cluch fluids, repair a few small cracks in the fairing, check the stator and regulator / rectifier,(stock), and last but not least, change the oil and filter.

On the last item, have you ever had a bad experience with a particular oil in your VFR? I don't want to start another oil thread, I want to know if you have had problems with a specific brand and viscosity?

I would like to use a full synthetic automotive oil, maybe a 0w40.

What do you think?

 

Welcome to The World Joe! I'm sure you'll fit right in here, lot of DIY'ers here and plenty of opinions about oil too! Personally I like to run full synthetic and as long as you keep up with oil changes, I'm sure you can run just about any modern oil. The only thing is to follow the manual regarding the minimum oils specifications. Nice ride BTW. :thumb:

 

Is that a Staintune exhaust?

10-40 motorcycle specific oil for wet clutch. Motul 4100. Hi Flo filters.

Welcome.

 

Yes, I have a staintune. It also came with a stock can.

I would like to find the insert for the high mount Staintune. It's a bit loud for my neighborhood. The "hot rod" sound is growing on me though.

 

Welcome!
I use 10/w40 motorcycle specific semi synthetic. Sounds like you have done the right thing by changing the tstat while doing the valves. VFRs have a reputation for eating regulator rectifiers and/or stators. A weak point is the 3p connector between those components on left rear of the bike. This gets dirty, corrodes, overheats, melts and when the different phases cross bad things happen. I cut the connector out and soldered the wires.


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Oil's a tough thing, but you won't hurt your bike with any motorcycle specific oil. They're all so good these days, any name brand will keep you safe and lubricated.

I was a semi-synthetic guy for years. Spectro golden, mostly, though HP4 in a pinch. Currently running Mobile 1 racing 4T, Purlolator filter, though any high-flow filter will do. Don't use K&N oil filters, that's the only mostly agreed upon thing here.

I'm tempted to go back to semi synthetic as I get an occasional neutral shifting 1-2. I never got that with Spectro Golden on my old VFR, and I did with full synthetics on that bike, so I stuck to the semi-synthetics since I was convinced they worked better with the wet clutch. But I realize the last time I tried any full synthetic was around 2002, and things are different now. In truth the 4T is running nicely, shifting is quiet and consistent. THis VFR is new to me and I have no real way to compare oil as I've only put 2000 miles on it. It is likely that any oil will be about the same.

I'm betting all of us have the same experiences. We like what we like, we might try new things, but motorcycle oils are damned good and no matter how much we stick to our habits they're all just fine.

 

Nice find there welcome to the crazy world of VFR ownership. Well I guess, if you need a spud for the Stainetune, let me know As far as oil goes, like others have said any good motorcycle oil that's in your realm of being ok, is good to use. FWIW I use Good ole Amsoil. Just a warning in case you missed it, stay the F away from K-N filters. OEM or Wics is well advised.

 

Welcome. I use Motul 300V 10w40, stock Honda filter...

 

One of the main reasons I joined this great family of VFR owners is the fact that this is the best resource of advice and support on the web, period!

 

Man a lot of new owners showin up lately, nice especially that pipe. Actually really like the red wheels to----- ATGATT bud


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Duccmann, thanks for the complements. Are you really..... Eddie Lawson? (Just guessing because of your avatar )

 

If only I had the talent of his left pinky I'd be happy.



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Do yourself a favor and start looking in to the Regulator/Rectifier upgrade kits.....if yours is stock it's only a matter of time lol. Also in the mean time stick a voltage meter on your dash so you do know when something starts to go wrong. Welcome friend!


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Thanks Nicholas, I have purchased a used FH020AA R/R from a salvage dealer on e-bay.
It came from a 2012 Yamaha FZ8, with only a reported 1,120 miles.
It looks like new, and passed the R/R checkout as recommended by Roadstercycle.com.
I think that I will buy the wire kit from Jack at Roadstercycle, it would make installation much easier.

 

He's a good source to deal with.....just got my R&R kit from him tonight. My stator and rectifier were fried. If you ever have a stator issue everyone seems to like Gary at Custom Rewind, he's in Alabama and he's a good dude.


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