Behold...my new acquisition!

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Terry Smith, Jan 22, 2022.

  1. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    That dash carbon fiber is real carbon fiber, from Germany if I recall, I didn't save the link. No longer available methinks, demand too low.... I put the full kit on mine, dash is 4 pcs., side panels and triple clamp. It was really good stuff, stiff and the pieces had to be placed precisely, very precisely cut.


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  2. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I believe if I leave the CF dash cover on, and add an HRC sticker, I can magically unleash 120 hp! And if I add the flapper "mod" and snorkel delete I'll be able to do the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs...This is The Way.

    I just spotted the yellow brake lines...something else to add to the wish list.
     
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  3. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Let the Farkles begin! Lol..
     
  4. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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  5. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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  6. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Did a little bit of an experiment tonight, and dropped the triple clamps down the forks by 10mm. I had found the bike a little reluctant to turn, now it feels almost telepathic, yet no less stable or neutral. Very happy with that outcome. And another nice warm evening for a blast around the countryside south of home.
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  7. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Looking good there down southway.....yeah I remember when I first got mine, the bike steered like a truck and would push in the corners. Dropping the triples is a definite improvement. Also when I got the new shock. I raised the rear too....

    Running a Ventura pack?
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2022
  8. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    All NZ bikes are fitted with Ventura packs, it is a legal requirement. I did have a rear seat bag but wanted to use the seat cover cowl (more YELLOW baby!) so I got a 10L bag to fit the rack. Just big enough for my compressor, puncture repair kit, rainsuit, a bottle of water, visor sponge and microfibre cloth.

    This bike has a really nice Nitron shock, and I have already wound out the length by 5mm or so, and there is more length to use if I need to. I think the back end is pretty good as is, it really holds a beautiful line as it drives out of bends so I think the geometry is just right for now.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2022
  9. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Hah!!
     
  10. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    The VFR got the afternoon off. The forecasted rain held off so the Sad Robot Bike got taken out for 200km cobweb blow-out. Criminy, I had forgotten how much power this beast has (it happily pulls inadvertant 3rd gear wheelies during overtakes), along with nimble steering and brick-wall brakes, it demands riding in a different fashion to the VFR, more of a point and shoot operation. I need to do something about the seat however, the Sargent on the VFR has spoiled me. The MT seat is just sloped wrong, and I spend too much effort pushing back from the tank. The VFR will get due attention shortly as the long-awaited Slow Boat from Japan has delivered my new thermostat. Yay. What fun that will be....

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  11. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Over the last weekend I managed to do a thermostat-ectomy, with all of the usual shagging around that that entails. Initially had odd vacuum and hgh idles and suspect I got a hose caught in the front throttle stop, so hauled it all out and refitted things properly. Odd vacuums continued according to my Carbtune but the bike ran fine and the coolant stayed where it was meant to be. The vacuum levels seemed to sort themsealves after a bit of running and my theory is the rubber boots took a heat cycle to settle back into position. The second run with the Carbtune got the vacuum levels back to the normal position and the bike is purring again.

    Took a very decent 400km run today on my favourite twisty loop and had a blast.
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    Even better, when I got home the nice man from Delkevic had left me a package:

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    Easy installation and a nice snug fit. I left the dB killer in place, probably a good idea as it is reasonably fruity with it in. I think the CF complements the colour scheme well (and most importantly matches the dash now). That dash really ties the room together...
     
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  12. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I'm not really a yellow anything guy, but dang that's good looking!
    :bruce2:
     
  13. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Me too; I wanted another 5th gen and preferably another red one. But the yellow/black combo is epic, and fortunately all the folks who have owned this bike over the past 23 years have done a darned good job of taking care of it; I'm smitten.

    I repainted the fork legs and may need to get the wheels re-powder coated one day, but the bodywork is just as nice as it looks. Next up I've got some yellow rim tape coming on the Slow Boat from Aliexpress and some clear blinkers, and I'm also waiting on Gold Valves for rebound, then I'll rebuild the forks with new bushings and the VTR1000F damping adjusters, just because.

    My wife says I need to get a helmet with some yellow in it now...well, all right, if I must....
     
  14. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    More yellow...can you have too much? Added some reflective rim taps from Aliexpress, also some clear front blinkers. Just because. My big learning for the week is if you drop one of the tank rubber mushroom as you lift the tank, it ends up just under the throttle bodies. Also, you can remove the front cowl without removing the side cowls first I never knew...
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  15. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Hope this helps, I got some replacement turn signal lenses from China.... the sonic welds do not hold up for very long..... suggest you remove and apply a bead of RTV all around the back side of lens to housing..... DAMHIK.
     
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  16. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    IMG_2970.JPG Its been a great weekend for riding. 400km on the MT10 yesterday and another 300km on the VFR today. Loving the VFR with the Delkevic pipe! Looking forward to receiving some rebound Gold Valves this week and completing the front end make-over with some new bushings and a further tweak on the compression valves.
     
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  17. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    The Gold Valves duly arrived so much fork-fettling was engaged in this week. The bushings were a bit worn on one side but the others looked fresh, honestly who does that? First mod was to the existing Gold Valve in compression, the bypass holes were undersized at 0.8mm diameter when they should be 1.3mm. 0.5mm sounds trivial but there's a huge difference in the flow area, and that translates into extra road shock transmission. Sorted that out, and built up the rebound Gold Valves using the R17 stack recommended by RT. I fitted these valves into the VTR1000F cartridges which gives me adjustable rebound (and looks cool). This also required some revision to the preload spacers to get the 15mm recommended. Bolted this back together and filled with 5W oil at 140mm.

    Today was proper test ride day, and the results are really satisfying with a plush controlled front end that just swallows the majority of road imperfections and gives a very stable and steady feel on crappy roads. I didn't touch either the preload or rebound adjusters, and don't think I need to. In conjunction with the Nitron shock, the VFR is a pretty fabulous open-road handler. Made lots of V4-Victory sounds around my test loop today (SH22 to Waingaro Springs and back through Rotongaro and Glenmurray Roads. IMG_2976.JPG
     
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  18. Grum

    Grum New Member

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    Great job Terry as always, beautiful looking 5gen.
     
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  19. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    Here’s a few helmet suggestions Terry
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  20. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    When you buy someone else's bike, you really don't know what you are getting inside the mechanical parts. I've already replaced all the fluids and filters and balanced the SVs, so today's fun task was a valve check, the back bank is reasonably pleasant once I removed the fuel tank, but the front bank was as usual horrid (and very dirty). The oil cooler and it's bracket make access tough, and working on the floor required much contortion, so this probably took twice as long as the back bank; this is one job where a lift table would be useful.

    To save cock-ups, I worked on one cam at a time, and used Tipex to mark the teeth for easy re-timing.
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    No terrible surprises in there and all were within the +/- 0.001" spec; four inlet valves were at the tighter end, and the exhausts were evenly split with 6 dead on, one slightly loose and one slightly tight. A little creative shim shuffling and some replacements from my Hotshims selection got them all back to the target 0.006 and 0.012". This is one job that just seems easier in imperial measurements. I won't be doing this again anytime soon (I hope).
     
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