Well, after a 1,600km three day motorcycle road trip with my brother Michael I decided the VF was great on shorter rides, but for me at least very uncomfortable on longers days of 500km or more in the saddle.
With my old work injuries acting up the knee joint angle was just too much and being tall there was just too much weight on my wrists.
I traded the Honda on a 2006 BMW R1150 GS Adventure. I hope an enthusiast grabs the VF. I'm gonna miss that V Four engine sound!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
PIRELLI SPORT DEMON UPDATE
Over the last weekend I put another 400km on the Pirelli's. They just continue to improve as the kilometres pile on. Yesterday's ride was a mix of fast twisty B roads, twisty lowspeed back roads and high speed motorway. I pushed the tyres quite hard and they always felt planted and rovided great feedback.
I never felt nervous about feeding in power while still cranked over, even on less than perfect surfaces. I'm still yet to ride in the wet, so I'll reserve my final judgement until then. Later!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
RACK FITMENT
Took a few photos today of the brackets on my rear rack. The long bolt seen is an attachment point for the rear bungee straps on my Oxford seat bag.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
PIRELLI DEMON SPORTS REVIEW
Over the weekend of the 27th & 28th July I did about 500km on my new Pirelli Sports Demon tyres. I managed to cover pretty much all types of surfaces,
smooth new bitumen, patched up broken tarmac, gravel strewn back roads, unsealed roadworks, oily old tarmac and freeway running on bitumen.
Right from the start the Pirelli's felt very good. A big improvement over the Bridgestone BT-45's that were on the bike when I bought it. Bearing in mind the BT's
were half worn, and they were radial too where the Pirelli's are crossply/bias ply construction may have a lot to do with it. I've read where some riders have fitted radials to their mid 80's VF's with good results-but they may be riding mostly on good surfaces, where here in Australia our 'B' roads can be in very poor shape indeed. Apparently the radial tyres provide more feedback to the chassis than it can cope with, doing strange things to the handling, and that applies to most cycles built before about 1986.
Straight line stabiity at speed was excellent, minor surface irregularities had little effect on directional stability. Turn in transition from upright to lean was smooth with no surprises, and mid corner stability was great-I even hit an unseen 'dip' on one 25km/h posted corner at about 40km/h and it didn't faze the grip at all. On the unsealed gravel road works and gravel strewn backroads there was no 'walking' usually associated with road tyres on those surfaces, though I must admit I didn't explore the loose gravel grip levels, after being brought undone by loose gravel in the past!
I bought these tyres based on what other riders & testers commented on regarding overall wet and dry grip not being concerned about longevity at all.
The VF is a heavy bike, and I think it will work it tyres quite hard during spirited riding. It'll be interesting to see how they go with the bike loaded for a weekend away when our Summer kicks in. I'm still to use these tyres in the wet, but I'm sure that day will come with our usual Summer storms!
Topbox Refitted
After last weekends ride I decided to refit the topbox that came loose. I did away with the extra Z brackets that were attached at the front mounting points.
I fitted longer bolts that tighten against the bikes frame behind the captive nut, and another nut to space the bracket out to the head end of the bolt. This seemed
to work OK and means there are fewer bolts to work loose. I'll keep an eye on them next ride The front bolts are an M8, the rear bracket ones are M8 as well and the front adjustable sections are M6. I fitted the box with M6 stainless bolts, using a rubber grommet spacer at the front mounting point to dampen vibrations.
On last weekends ride I struck a large hump in the road surface avoiding a big pothole. The impact popped the LH for seal so when I have the $$ it'll go to the
mechanics to have both seals replaced.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
new adjustable levers fitted
When I bought the VF, it had the OEM brake lever fitted and an aftermarket incorrect clutch lever fitted. I notice when I rode the machine for it's rego inspection the clutch seemed very heavy for a hydraulic unit. Turns out the clutch lever was the wrong type, and was a lot easier to operate with the proper Honda part. I had seen span adjustable clutch levers on late model bikes and began a search for one to fit my 29 year old Honda. I found a set of blue anodised ones on Ebay in the UK, obviously NOS but cheap so took a gamble they would both fit.
Yes, they did! The now adjustable clutch lever is much easier for me to modulate correctly with my stroke affected left hand-kind of important on a 100+ HP cycle!
UPDATE
My Brother Mick gave me an unwanted topbox & baseplate after he bought a BMW K1200GT and fitted a BMW topbox to it. The supplied bracket was toast, so I modified the Gearsack rack and bolted the topbox directly to it using ss fasteners. I cut the rack in a way the it can be easily refitted with a sleeve, should I have the need to be able to use the slip on bag again. As I always ride solo, there is enough space for my expandable tail pack on the seat and for my throw over soft panniers. At least I now have secure, waterproof storage on my budget tourer!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
NEW BOOTS FITTED!
Had a new set of Pirelli Demon Sports tyres fitted last Friday. The tyres that were on the VF were past half worn, the front BT45 was 'cupped' as well and made the steering feel very strange. It was also very old as evidenced by the tiny cracks in the tread area. The rear BT45 wasn't as old, I don't think but was worn flat in the centre from commuting.
The Pirelli's are a crossply design carcass to suit older sports bikes like my VF, and although I am yet to give them a thorough workout they feel soooo much better than the Bridgestones.
I've read where the Pirelli's don't last as long as the BT's but as I'm using the bike 'for fun' I'm more interested in grip than longevity. Also the fact the last bike I put new tyres on, the VT250, I crashed within 40km of them being fitted. They were IRC tyres and were touted as 'long lasting' for commuter bikes. They were cheap too....
The front Pirelli has a 'wavy' centre groove that is claimed to reduce tracking over lines, road grooves etc and that's good as the BT45's I had on my last big bike, a 2007 Yamaha TDM900 was badly affected by road surface irregularities that got progressively worse as the tyre wore down.
I'll post an update after next Saturday's rally ride with the Mac Towns Motorcycle Preservation Club.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
cleaned tacho before installation
And installed.
http://imageshack.us/scaled/medium/59/g65n.jpg
Tacho Fitted part two..
The most difficult part of the whole excersize for me was refitting the fairing assembly.
The rear section is held on each side by a metal tab on the fuel tank, and there are slots on both sides of the fairing at the front on the inside. The trick is that the front slots engage at the same time as the tank tabs, so one really needs four hands. After much cursing it finally went together. I did note there was a broken mount on the fairing's internal section where the left side joins with the front. There is no weight of stress on this part so I doubt it will be an issue. One has to remember with any removal or replacement of plastics that it is thirty years old and needs to be handled with due care!
The rear section is held on each side by a metal tab on the fuel tank, and there are slots on both sides of the fairing at the front on the inside. The trick is that the front slots engage at the same time as the tank tabs, so one really needs four hands. After much cursing it finally went together. I did note there was a broken mount on the fairing's internal section where the left side joins with the front. There is no weight of stress on this part so I doubt it will be an issue. One has to remember with any removal or replacement of plastics that it is thirty years old and needs to be handled with due care!
New Boots
Well, I wheeled the VF out of the shed the other day to finish fitting the Oxford tank bag and thought, is it just me or is this bike very hard to push around? I thought it was me, as I have lost a lot of physical strength in the last 18 months.
But no, the front tyre was nearly flat and the rear had 8 psi in it! The front air loss was due to a faulty valve extender, since removed. The rear was caused by a piece of staple penetrating the carcass, I have no idea how long its been in there for but since the rear tyre is 'squared off' and well past half worn, and the front is past half worn and is also showing cracking due to age I'm replacing them with a set of Pirelli Demons in the correct sizes of 120/80-16 and 140/80-17.
http://www.google.com.au/search?lr=lang_en&client=ms-optus-au&hl=en&site=imghp&tbs=lr%3Alang_1en&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=980&bih=496&q=pirelli+demon+sport&oq=pirelli+demon&gs_l=img.1.1.0l2j0i24l3.897.5634.0.11275.13.6.0.1.1.0.271.271.2-1.1.0....0...1ac.1.19.img.KF5LRTS54ao
The bike is fitted with Bridgestone BT45's, that are a radial tyre though the bike was designed for cross ply rubber originally. I ran the BT45's on my last big bike, a 2007 TDM 900 and the front tyre on that bike wore badly just like this one has. The pressure was always correct, though I did make them work in the corners! I've read where radial tyres put a lot of extra stresses through the bike's chassis, which is fine for the newer machines designed for them, but not so much for the older ones, like my VF.
I've read many good things about the Pirelli's and many riders mention the high level of grip they posess which is important to me rather than outright longevity. Nobody wants to ride in straight lines eh!
But no, the front tyre was nearly flat and the rear had 8 psi in it! The front air loss was due to a faulty valve extender, since removed. The rear was caused by a piece of staple penetrating the carcass, I have no idea how long its been in there for but since the rear tyre is 'squared off' and well past half worn, and the front is past half worn and is also showing cracking due to age I'm replacing them with a set of Pirelli Demons in the correct sizes of 120/80-16 and 140/80-17.
http://www.google.com.au/search?lr=lang_en&client=ms-optus-au&hl=en&site=imghp&tbs=lr%3Alang_1en&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=980&bih=496&q=pirelli+demon+sport&oq=pirelli+demon&gs_l=img.1.1.0l2j0i24l3.897.5634.0.11275.13.6.0.1.1.0.271.271.2-1.1.0....0...1ac.1.19.img.KF5LRTS54ao
The bike is fitted with Bridgestone BT45's, that are a radial tyre though the bike was designed for cross ply rubber originally. I ran the BT45's on my last big bike, a 2007 TDM 900 and the front tyre on that bike wore badly just like this one has. The pressure was always correct, though I did make them work in the corners! I've read where radial tyres put a lot of extra stresses through the bike's chassis, which is fine for the newer machines designed for them, but not so much for the older ones, like my VF.
I've read many good things about the Pirelli's and many riders mention the high level of grip they posess which is important to me rather than outright longevity. Nobody wants to ride in straight lines eh!
Tacho Fitted....
Well, I finally got my act together and fitted the '85 model tacho unit. I'm lucky that when I bought the used one the seller sent the whole assembly, and not just the tacho unit itself as there was some damage to the instrument housing that wasn't obvious until the fairing section was removed.
It looked as though a minor front end impact had forced a headlight mount bracket through the rear of the instrument housing, right where the tacho sits. I daresay that impact broke the indicator needle and the metal to metal contact finished off the electronic part of the tach.
While the front end was disassembled, I noticed why the trip meter and odometer wasn't working properly....both the mounting screws were missing! Luckily the used part I bought had some fitted.I cleaned up the replacement tacho face with some mild detergent and cotton buds, then gave it a coat of petroleum jelly and a final wipe down.
It looked as though a minor front end impact had forced a headlight mount bracket through the rear of the instrument housing, right where the tacho sits. I daresay that impact broke the indicator needle and the metal to metal contact finished off the electronic part of the tach.
While the front end was disassembled, I noticed why the trip meter and odometer wasn't working properly....both the mounting screws were missing! Luckily the used part I bought had some fitted.I cleaned up the replacement tacho face with some mild detergent and cotton buds, then gave it a coat of petroleum jelly and a final wipe down.
Monday, June 17, 2013
A little history....
My first ever motorcycle experience was a Honda C70 stepthrough. I was 13 at the time and living with my Mum and Stepfather, my Sisters and Brothers in a farm house in Scone NSW. Up until then I had only ever ridden bicycles.. Once I got the hang of the semi auto Honda three speed gearbox I was hooked. I fell of, a lot! but my skills slowly improved no doubt helped along by the young boy on the property next to us, he the same age but growing up on the farm he was already an accomplished bike rider. His Dad bought him a new Honda XL100, and the first thing he did was cut the exhaust off at the footpeg, leaving only the header pipe basically. He used to ride over to our place by public roads, the local coppers never came out our way. He set off one night to come get me to go shooting and I set off from our place at the same time. He had a habit of riding at night with no lights on, so he could see any oncoming cars[or cops]and get off the road and hide until they went past. My bike wasn't registered either, and the lights were not working due to a shagged battery. We passed one another, in the pitch blackmissing one another by inches[no metric then!]avoiding what could easily haveended both our young lives. We agreed to keep it a secret, after finally meeting up at our agreed spot. He said he thought he passed something on the road, and I asked how fast he was going and he said he was flat out, lying on the tank in fourth gear. He was only a little guy so I reckon he was doing at least a 100 km/h. Scary stuff indeed!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Well, another chapter in my love of all things Motorcycling begins.
Having recently sold the VT250F to a good home, the hunt was on for something with more room for my fat arse....and space to stretch out a bit. After a very brief flirtation with a 1983 Yamaha XT600Z Tenere resurrection[aka the money pit]I realised I needed something with electric start[the Tenere was kick only]and with at least some weather protection[Tenere has none]and big enough to carry sufficient luggage for a two or three night away trip.
This was the Tenere, build number three for the Aussie market. Paid $600 for it, but soon discovered that bringing it up to roadworthy was going to cost a LOT of cash I simply don't have, so after spending nearly $1K on the front wheel rebuild alone i decided to cut my losses and find a new home for it. A member of the tenere.uk forum has bought everything I had, including many new parts. I have lost a considerable amount of money but I needed a motorcycle I could use in my work as a sub contract Courier, and the Tenere wasn't that bike!
Back to the Honda. It was sold ready for NSW rego, and had been in regular local use by the previous owner, who only sold it due to financial hardship. Must have been heartbreaking, only a bike enthusiast would understand. One look tells me it was looked after, bikes are not in this condition after 30 years in the Aussie outdoors unless they are cared for.
A little haggling on price was done, I collected it after a couple of weeks and took it for a roadworthy the same morning I picked it up. Air in tyres, fresh unleaded and away we go! The inspection station I used was about 10km from where I bought it, then another 15km or so back to my home. In NSW one is allowed to ride and unregistered bike to an Inspection point, to a repair facility for the purpose of obtaining a 'blue slip' then to the bike's normal garaging address. It gave a chance for a short freeway run to see how it went at 120km/h and I was very impressed.
Remember, this is a thirty year old motorcycle with 73,000km under it's wheels. It rode far better than I really expected, especially given the Brigestone BT45's fitted are well worn, with a 'flat spot' on the rear, and scalloping in the front[my TDM did this to it's front tyres too]and I have no doubt the already acceptable ride and handling will only improve with fresh rubber.
When I first got it home I set about giving it a proper once-over, the PO had only recently had it serviced with oil and filter, and new plugs. Chain and sprockets are also new, and it has been fitted with braided steel brake and clutch lines. The only issues with the bike is a faulty tacho, and a missing lock for the seat release. I can live without both of those, and keep an eye out for any that may become available in the future.
The previous two pix were taken after I gave the Honda a thorough clean, checking fasteners etc as I went. When I first bought it home the right sidecover was painted in rattle can black, obviously the original had been damaged beyond repair and the black one was from another bike. My brother Mick who followed me in his car when I first picked it up, and took it for it's rego inspection offered to repaint the crappy black sidecover to match the OEM one[thanks Mick!]and that is why there are no sidecovers fitted. The seat is off and being soaked in CT-18 detergent. Speaking of the seatcover, it is very old and faded though the base is fine. I've ordered a new reproduction cover in blue from the U.S. that should be here in a week or so. I'll have it fitted professionally when funds allow as I'm no upholsterer!
The eagle eyed readers may notice the battery is missing, it's a new one and is inside on the battery monitor so it will be ready for the Honda's maiden trip when it's registered.
Over the last week I've cleaned and scrubbed, polished the exhaust cans[it's LOUD!]and treated all the unpainted plastics with Vaseline petroleum jelly. Works a treat an doesn't run anywhere it shouldn't, like ArmorAll does.
The bike also came with an original Gearsack rack, that was very straight and only needed a clean with CT-18[love the stuff]and a soak with petroleum jelly to bring it up nearly good as new. I fitted the rack today with new stainless steel fasteners[already had a bag to suit]and repainted the centre and sidestands in gloss black epoxy enamel to prevent corrosion. I also fitted a strap on tank bag I already had, that fitted like a glove!
More to come later!
Back to the Honda. It was sold ready for NSW rego, and had been in regular local use by the previous owner, who only sold it due to financial hardship. Must have been heartbreaking, only a bike enthusiast would understand. One look tells me it was looked after, bikes are not in this condition after 30 years in the Aussie outdoors unless they are cared for.
A little haggling on price was done, I collected it after a couple of weeks and took it for a roadworthy the same morning I picked it up. Air in tyres, fresh unleaded and away we go! The inspection station I used was about 10km from where I bought it, then another 15km or so back to my home. In NSW one is allowed to ride and unregistered bike to an Inspection point, to a repair facility for the purpose of obtaining a 'blue slip' then to the bike's normal garaging address. It gave a chance for a short freeway run to see how it went at 120km/h and I was very impressed.
Remember, this is a thirty year old motorcycle with 73,000km under it's wheels. It rode far better than I really expected, especially given the Brigestone BT45's fitted are well worn, with a 'flat spot' on the rear, and scalloping in the front[my TDM did this to it's front tyres too]and I have no doubt the already acceptable ride and handling will only improve with fresh rubber.
When I first got it home I set about giving it a proper once-over, the PO had only recently had it serviced with oil and filter, and new plugs. Chain and sprockets are also new, and it has been fitted with braided steel brake and clutch lines. The only issues with the bike is a faulty tacho, and a missing lock for the seat release. I can live without both of those, and keep an eye out for any that may become available in the future.
The eagle eyed readers may notice the battery is missing, it's a new one and is inside on the battery monitor so it will be ready for the Honda's maiden trip when it's registered.
Over the last week I've cleaned and scrubbed, polished the exhaust cans[it's LOUD!]and treated all the unpainted plastics with Vaseline petroleum jelly. Works a treat an doesn't run anywhere it shouldn't, like ArmorAll does.
The bike also came with an original Gearsack rack, that was very straight and only needed a clean with CT-18[love the stuff]and a soak with petroleum jelly to bring it up nearly good as new. I fitted the rack today with new stainless steel fasteners[already had a bag to suit]and repainted the centre and sidestands in gloss black epoxy enamel to prevent corrosion. I also fitted a strap on tank bag I already had, that fitted like a glove!
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