Motorcycle servicing for Dummies: Honda VFR800fi Generation 5

#Honda #VFR800FI Generation 5
This episode 4 I focus on getting the Honda VFR800FI tuned up and service the 2nd VRF. I've called it 'For Dummies' as it is not indepth but rather a quick how-to series of tutorials covering:
Valve clearance check
Stator check
Regulator check
Throttle body strip and rebuild
Auto wax idle issue fix
and more so I hope it helps when you just want the info without the waffle!
Every week a new video will be uploaded covering a specific topic of restoring a motorbike of some interest.
I intention is to share how to restore an object. Anything that I grow passionate about. It’s that simple. I have a day job in a company which restores for a living. Please check out our other channel CarbonBikeRepair (a blue shield logo) for some amazing carbon fibre and paint skills.
I’m not a professional KZbinr but maybe one day if this amazing response for you all continues!
So PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL AND HIT THE NOTIFICATION 'BELL' ICON, TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN A NEW VIDEO IS PUBLISHED.
Some history of this Honda VFR800FI 2001 model:
Discovered on Facebook right in the middle of restoring of a very rare Norton Commando, I decided to impulse buy! It was later that I discovered the Gen5 version was a limited production run before the VTEC model emerged in 2002 and quite sought after. Lucky me and lucky bike!
It is in a shocking state but I’ll turn it around if you watch this challenging restoration! Old tech is fickle…
I don’t imagine there will be more than 2 parts to this as I’m just as excited to deliver the iconic Commando back to the road or a museum!
For now my intention is to restore this VFR on the tightest of budgets (which is fun for me to ride) but also to deliver to my viewers a great example of a Honda VFR800FI.
Thanks again for watching my work. You are all contributing in some way to the growth and maturation of the content.
See you on your screen!
Rob

[@davidronneberg2643]

I had a go with a 2000 zr7 carbureted in-line 4. She sat for 5 years outside without a cover! Put the time in and she came out beautiful! Literally countless hours cleaning and restoring and she came out beautiful. Love your content.

[@gordonmerrilees5846]

Don't you just love the sound of a real VFR! 6th gen onwards just don't cut it.

[@MyRestoration1]

Yes I agree. It’s a unique sound indeed!

[@andyhorsfall9394]

I've got a 2000 vfr and I'm learning lots from your videos, thanks

[@MyRestoration1]

Perfect. That’s the point! 🙏

[@DenisRichardJr]

Same here!!👍 Excellent choice of music btw :)

[@KevsShed]

Nice video dude! Cheers for the plug too chap! 👌🏻😎

[@fisherkalastaja]

Fantastic videos the competence of these guys! Thank you sir's for these interesting videos! I can watch for hours!

[@roadwarrior8560]

Brilliant videos, subbed, your channel and Kevs Shed are both fantastic.

[@MyRestoration1]

Thank you Road Warrior 🙏

[@dannyb4826]

I have this same bike..... I live in Canada so every winter I pull it all apart and check everything and clean it........... I have never checked the injectors though. I have just run fuel stabilizer / carb. / injector cleaner in the gas. a couple times a year. I love this bike.

[@MyRestoration1]

I think you are doing the right thing 👍

[@scottnesleeroysmith2311]

I’m really loving your vids. I’m from Jhb, living in MLB, Aus. Have an 01 VFR and an 02 VFR that I’m doing an adventure build on. Really appreciate your videos and style. Keep ‘em coming bru!

[@MyRestoration1]

Sorry Scottness I missed your nice comments from 3 months ago! Thank you 🙏

[@erickmontero6222]

That would be awesome to see!

[@maverickevans5362]

Thease vidoes will be perfect when it comes to doing checks on my 01 vfr800fi ive got the manuel but watching it gives a better persepctive

[@danhollatz5944]

Have a 1998 , actually stunning! My 1991 GSXR1100RR sits in the garage jealous!

[@jimbo9310]

Great video and music thanks 😊👍

[@stevehall6155]

Hi... Very impressed with your patience with the Fi coding problem.. That's rare... Great info and instruction... So I've subscribed and I very very rarely do that... So that sums up your value.. 👍

[@MyRestoration1]

Hi Steve. Very encouraging comment thank you. I’ll keep on putting out what I can and hopefully grow the following some more! Sorry to everyone for the slow progress here. Work is mad and we are all hands on deck but I’m managing to grab useful content as I go. Many thanks to everyone who chip in with something positive to add to this channel. Everyone has been really complementary and encouraging. Of course I respond by getting better! 🙏

[@kevinroark5815]

You can get brand new thermostats for the VFR from Honda dealers in Australia

[@macmorgan6685]

Thought I’d chime in again, this time about the relay issue. My experience with relay points that have become fused together is that the component the relay is sending the voltage to, in this case the starter, maybe pulling too many amps (due perhaps to age, wear, misuse, resistance, etc.) which causes arcing that in effect welds the points together. I’ve seen this problem in air conditioner contacts, oil burner controls and in your cast the starter motor. You might consider an amprobe to measure the current.

[@miles-thesleeper-monroe8466]

I've used MC Products and the owner has also personally tried to help me out and I'm just a home enthusiast. Cheap and quick too.

[@MyRestoration1]

That was my experience but someone here poopoed him for cheap Chinese products. Eyes wide open always!

[@miles-thesleeper-monroe8466]

@@MyRestoration1 perhaps they can afford to choose, but the Chinese are enabling us all to afford our hobbies. The new PM will cut Chinese trade off effectively in due course or take us in that direction. I'd rather have the Chinese option thanks very much

[@ianl4518]

Really helpful channel👍 I just bought a 98 VFR yesterday with 24k on the clock. It's going through the workshop now and I will get in a week. Never had a VFR before, so I'm keen to learn.

[@MyRestoration1]

Thanks Ian. The VFR800FI is the last of the great Hondas enjoy a piece of Honda history!

[@ianl4518]

@@MyRestoration1 Thank you, the work has been done according to the dealer, hopefully coming on Tues. I hadn't realised your main business is cycle repairs. I've been racing cycles for about 35yrs but just recently sold my TT bike and main road bike. Just a Focus Paralane and Giant MTB these days.

[@MyRestoration1]

@@ianl4518 yes it is Ian. The bikes are just a hobby for me. Maybe one day it will be a bigger thing but for now carbon bikes are the money makers and allow my indulgence! Bicycles are a non impact sport. You can ride till you die. Enjoy!

[@xraywatch1943]

I just sold my 1998 VFR800, it was a great bike, runs like crazy, sounds great. Father time had other ideas unfortunately. I had it for 14 yrs. No problems.

[@throatball]

Ex RC36 and RC46 owner. You check VFR valve clearances at 120 000 miles or hard starting or never. You caused yourself a lot of unnecessary pain. Good choice of bike, they will be soon be going up in value. Not many for sale here in SA anymore.

[@MyRestoration1]

Not sure I agree but thank you for chipping in! The valves were out of spec and Honda service manual reference specific mileage valve checks which of course I followed as I had no idea what condition the engine was in without a service record. On top of that the valves a perfect now, I learned a whole lot about this skill and made a £20 mistake. Not bad I think?

[@kevinroark5815]

How did you remove the injectors? 😭 Can you please make a video for the removal

[@EZ-D-FIANT]

I really need a 5th gen headlight, MOT soon and I cant find one anywhere...😔 I love your channel by the way youve hekped me with koads on my VFR, she's been a bucket list bike for me for years ans I finally got a crashed one in my price range, youve helped with loads if my repairs you tube has been a god send tbh, only thing left is the headlight (Ive put a clear hard protector over it and am going to smile a lot and try my luck lol). Anyway I appreciate you stay safe and keep having fun from Dorset...👍👌👍

[@MyRestoration1]

I’m really glad you could use some of my videos. Good luck 🤞

[@RussianAllmighty]

You know whats wierd...my bike actually gave me the codes when on kick stsnd. Which was really weird. The fi light was on. And when I put my bike on the kick stand to check, ot started blinking without me even taking the seat off to short it. 2 and 8 were the issues. MAP and TPS. Great video!

[@MyRestoration1]

If you look at the kickstand mount you’ll see a switch there. When it’s down it will show codes. When up it’s assumed you are riding it! Maybe they should have fitted it to the trestle stand..🤨

[@paulwright6121]

Great video again and great music taste.

[@MyRestoration1]

Thanks Paul. Im still not sure if I should share my tastes on a public forum but as these creatives are keeping me company I’m happy to share them if it works. Still not committed after some forum comments. 🙏

[@bradk8694]

@@MyRestoration1 Keep sharing; while I hated that crap as a younger person, I can appreciate it now as an older adult. I just hope youtube/music co's won't penalize you for it!

[@MoreSubscribers_AdamRyan747]

Just purchased a 00” Vfr800 getting some good notes from your videos. Been having some idle issues & not reaching full power, Just ordered some plugs hopefully that will resolve my issues …

[@MyRestoration1]

Glad to help! 👍

[@daveyjennyville]

agree had some bits myself

[@guystevens162]

Nice one. i used kevs shed too and my stator was dead lol. So got his wireing harness all good. So after do these bikes up what happens to them. Oh mine was 2006 black VTEC model. good videos.

[@MyRestoration1]

Thanks Guy 🙏 I think I’ve got a hoarding bug..I’ll see. If the channel needs a boost I ‘might’ eventually just give one away to a subscriber!

[@alleywatson]

Thanks for the final vid, did i notice a couple of bike frames in the back of shot hanging over the other VFR ?

[@MyRestoration1]

Yes Alex. These are test frames in this part of the CarbonBikeRepair building which is my actual business in Leatherhead Surrey. You can pop over to that channel where they/we do some interesting rescues. Look for the blue shield logo. 👍

[@elieduguay9488]

Try Cmsnl for parts.

[@nonyabusiness4151]

How can a twenty year old motorcycle have no error codes, but a six month old car has dozens? 🧐

[@papercut1987]

i'm looking to get an used gen 5, would you suggest the 1998-1999version or the 2000/01. I read some people saying earlier version has less electronic, but the later one is more refined? which one would you take if you have the choice? thanks. I'll try to do most of the maintenance myself.

[@MyRestoration1]

I like the simplicity of the choke version but I think the 2001 is smooth. Uses less fuel!

[@mathew6988]

Hi, I've got a 98' and when cold here in the UK, from stone cold with the fast idle lever on, it'll start upto 2k revs, then die within 5 or so seconds. It smells petrolly and will struggle to start like it's flooded. I turn fast idle off, open throttle abit and she will start, so I hold her myself at 2k for about a minute, then I use the fast idle and she'll stay at 2k letting her warm up whilst I gear up/unlock bike. Finding hard to find a cheap replacement Fuel Pressure Regulator for my year as I've read that might be it.

[@MyRestoration1]

I bet it’s the idle pistons are stuck in position or restricted movement. This is a very common issue on this throttle body arrangement. Shine a torch so you can see if the 4 idle pistons all go back in or indeed come out when you adjust the ‘choke’ lever. If they jam up try spraying gt85 or the like on the little shafts and move the lever back and forth. If they don’t get better you have to go in…no sure the pressure reg is the issue but not ruling it out. Good luck 🤞

[@mathew6988]

@@MyRestoration1 Thanks for the response. They do still move in & out, albeit they stick randomly sometimes on the way back in, like a 1mm, after back & forth on the lever and GT85 sorts that out for a while. I've pulled the plate the idle pistons are on when lever is fully on and there's no extra movement that way indicating fully out. I should of done this whilst I was syncing the bodies haha, but I'll have to get the vacuum hose off the FPR and see if it's petrolly. Would indicate the diaphragm has torn in the FPR according to forums. I do get poor mileage as well, maybe 90-100 miles a tank. When warm though, idles fine, rides fine. Thanks :)

[@aaronhughes4724]

The vfr800fi has 4 valves per cylinder, you only measured 2

[@MyRestoration1]

You are quite right Aaron but only in the video though. I don’t want to drag my audience too far hence the edit. Thanks for chipping in 🙏

[@jwvb6089]

Did you find a relation between cilindercompression and valveclearance?

[@MyRestoration1]

Good question. I can’t remember now! I didn’t do a compression test after I did the clearance as there wasn’t much point unless I was going to pull it all apart. I might yet do one. I would imagine a slight increase in pressure 🤔

[@aulzhoefer]

I have my air box off and need to remove the throttle body. Is it just the 4 rubber boots holding the throttle body on? I’m very stuck!

[@MyRestoration1]

Yes. I suggest to spray gt85 or similar to the 4 rubber boots and then use a wooden string bit of timber or other gentle material to prise off the body. Start on one corner slowly working each side until one comes off then lever it off gently. Good luck 🤞

[@aulzhoefer]

@@MyRestoration1 thanks .. So loosen off the 4 bands is all that’s required? ( and collect through wax valve). The vacuum pipes are intense!).

[@MyRestoration1]

@@aulzhoefer the whole thing is bonkers don’t worry it’s not you! The hardest part was the breather pipe coming to the front of the air box. It’s made like a clock. Yes just the bands and pop it off

[@kendryden7575]

Hi I'm ken I'm in kent . Are you in uk ? . Just asking because iv just broke a vfr800 2002 same gen? as in your vid by the looks of it. And have everything apart from main frame as it was from an insurance company and they insisted the frame had to be scrapped even though there was nothing wrong with it lol. Only damage was sides of fairing which were not with bike. Anyway I'm rambling on . I'm probably going to start list the bits on ebay but was wondering if you would like the lot for a decent price .message me back if interested. No worries if not . Thanks ken

[@MyRestoration1]

Thanks for the thought Ken. Yes in Surrey. I’ve got 2 lovely running VFR’s now. BTW Honda only made the FI interceptor version Gen5 to the end of 2001 so check if it’s not the gen 6. Cheers

[@davehoward22]

1:26 that looks a pain in the arse as they aint lite, (and get a decent pipe)

[@MyRestoration1]

Black widows maybe for both 👍

[@roadwarrior8560]

@@MyRestoration1 I wouldn't bother they run much better on stock end cans.

[@peterwilliams1004]

SP Engineering end can

[@flexjay87]

Seems like the group of previous owners were abusive, in regards to maintenance .

[@MyRestoration1]

Lucky me. Love this project. Wait till you see them finished..

[@alvaromateosfernandez-maqu5772]

This is a 1999 model, not 2000. 2000 is the same as 2001 except for the wheels color

[@MyRestoration1]

I thought the same but it is an early 2000 as registered. There are other subscribers who have the same 2000 with manual choke etc

[@alvaromateosfernandez-maqu5772]

@@MyRestoration1 ah ok

[@peterrobert3223]

@@MyRestoration1 Yes I can confirm that!

[@markschultze]

Dealers/importers regularly sell old stock, run out models, job lots etc. and register them with later years than their actual production date. Always go with the model code, in this case it's a VFR800FiX..... or use the 10th digit in the VIN to identify the model year.

[@MyRestoration1]

@@markschultze you are correct Mark, however there were still 2000 model serial correct versions with choke. Mine shows this. Anyone else?

[@scottnesleeroysmith2311]

I’m really loving your vids. I’m from Jhb, living in MLB, Aus. Have an 01 VFR and an 02 VFR that I’m doing an adventure build on. Really appreciate your videos and style. Keep ‘em coming bru!

[@MyRestoration1]

Thanks boet! That was my patch in the 80’s. Keep you eyes on the channel in the next few weeks. That all I’m saying. Lekker