Shock swap on a 97,000 mile VFR... what could go wrong? Everything.

[@matpagnolo7041]

Epic puffing and cussing in the garage when taken to the end of your tether with a b***ard of a job and in a tight space too. All been there. Loved the honesty of it. No rock music and clinical operating-theatre-like spannering: just a mallet, drilling out mashed up stuff, some top common sense problem solving and some elbow grease - the reality for all home mechanics. Top work. Tidy job. Love the V4, but the way Mr Honda shoehorned everything in, though brilliant, is an absolute ball ache to work on.

[@paulcummings8611]

Always the same. Start one job end up doing half a dozen others. Nothing changes, glad you overcame your problems. Keep these videos coming.

[@steveeverest5644]

Had my VFR for 11 years now, been slowly replacing bits, it took me 5 days to get the new exhaust back on by myself, front on, rear falls off etc. - rear shock wasn't so bad - had to change the throttle bodies (sensor failure - ebay to the rescue), I have all new internals for the front forks. replaced the spark plug caps - could only get origninals -- 4 for 250 quid! but like you I got it cheap and with all the expense its still been cheaper than buying a second hand bike for a few grand; great series, great bike, keep the tips coming

[@sidewaysaction9983]

I paid £1200 for my 98 6 years ago. Chain sprockets reg rec clutch & springs fork rebuild maxton rear valve clearances full exhaust rapid bike pro evo & a map, it's only my commuter bike...where do or how can you throw in the towel I've got thousands in the old lass ?

[@JayGee6996]

Plusgas is one of the best release sprays 👌

[@TheBezaleel]

Over the years I have upgraded five bikes with new shocks from Hagon. Excellent service, excellent products, excellent value for money. Such an upgrade changes the ride so much.

[@diegocella6791]

Never worked on a VFR... but i've worked on some other Hondas... and the intro is 100% true! Like you have to do a ritual at the right planetary conjunction to be able to do what you want to do...

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Honestly, it's put me off having a V4 ever again. It's a lot easier to work on an inline four (and a boxer is a dream!).

[@RK01]

One of those jobs where you start off doing one thing and then the secret nightmares all start showing themselves, great entertainment watching you work through it.

[@davidreed6817]

Well done fella, you deserve a beer!! I could feel the frustration through the screen

[@modoudrammeh]

Lol 😅 the best bit was your wife chucking the gloves! Oh the joys of working on older well used bikes

[@bennettsbikesocial]

And she stole my shoes!

[@MarJay1980]

John, I did this exact job on my 2000 VFR800Fi... With a Nitron shock. It was nowhere near this bad... I can't really remember that well, I did it in 2019 but I vaguely remember that linkage nut being a touch difficult, having to use a bunch of tools connected together to get at it, but I didn't remove the exhaust at all. I did the job in half a day.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah, I think this was made a lot worse by the seized bits. Cheers, John

[@MyRestoration1]

Oh did I laugh and cry…I thought it was just my ineptitude when restoring mine. It’s a challenge in every way. I have several vfr800fi how too’s to help others through the pain but what a great bike..great delivery 👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! I'll check them out. Cheers, John

[@patsonabike]

OMG! I was at full sympathy for most of this because I have vivid memories of all the frustrating "get the thingamajig out of the whatsit without shearing or sweeping up 3 pounds of corroded bits and bobs" moments. However, I did go into hysterical laughter when you said "Don't let that put you off". I'm still giggling and getting funny looks from my nearest and dearest. I blame the lateness of the hour. Admittedly, it can feel like even more of an accomplisment when you have put some Herculean effort in against all the odds, no matter how "simple" the job was supposed to be. So, well done!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! There was a lot to sweep up!

[@GPR111]

When I changed the shock on mine, I had to give up pretty soon and get someone who actually knew what he was doing to sort it out 😁 I must be one of Hondas V4 biggest fans as I have been through lots of VFRS and Pans too. Brilliant bikes, a bit long in the tooth against modern stuff of course, but just dead solid well made machines. Will be keeping my low miler fi now I think, only ridden rarely between other bikes but still puts a retro smile on my face when I do, great vids more please.... 👍

[@jerhughes500]

I bought a 2 owner, 97 VFR750 in June. 28k miles on it and I’ve done 4K miles till now, from Edinburgh to Inverness and down as far as Fishguard. MOT yesterday and it went straight through! What a piece of engineering.

[@r.d.1991]

Loving this series. Painful (on your part) but hugely satisfying! 😃👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! Three more shot, I just need to get on with editing them! Then there'll be more after those too...

[@davedickens5642]

Strange, I've had the rear shock off and on my 2001 VFR800Fi a couple of times (replaced with a Nitron unit) and not needed to remove the exhaust. I did have to remove that collector bolt when replacing the engine but managed to undo it without the need to drill it out.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I was trying to check and grease the linkage too - I do have a feeling that I could have had the shock out without all this faffery! After all that, The final linkage bolt was seized in place anyway! Fortunately it all rotates fine. For now. Cheers, John

[@G58]

You can save a lot of money on jobs like this by shopping around and researching on eBay. For example, generic stainless bolts and nuts solve the rust issues, especially with exposed exhausts etc. And it’s easy to improvise rubber parts from multipacks available from DIY stores, Aldi or Lidl etc. Adapt and improvise.

[@villiamo3861]

Totally agree

[@djwarren5081]

VFR's are well known for their corroded exhausts.

[@G58]

Is there no aftermarket collector box? Delkevic do everything else you need.

[@johnyoung3511]

Not just hi-milers. I bought a new V-Strom 650 last year and they employed a chimp to assemble it from the crate. Loose front spacer as axle bolt not torqued up, cockeyed chain alignment and zero grease on gear selector linkage. However, its satisfying & confidence building to fettle your own bike. Bolts on my cbr945rr are either in good nick or replaced :-)

[@zx9b2]

I love a good high mileage bike. Love the series so far.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! Cheers, John

[@FlesHBoX]

:( I bought a Kawi Z400 a couple months ago and one of the first things I looked for was a haynes for it. Seems like they don't have anything past 2019 for Kawasaki, and didn't bother to make one in 2018 for either the Z400 or the Ninja 400

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Sadly they've stopped making them. 😞 The one I have for my Grom, and the S1000XR I just sold were the most recent.

[@drewiediggler1]

Best stuff I've ever bought is 'PlusGas' release fluid. I don't know what they put in it but nothing else comes close. I spent over a week soaking a seized cylinder on a pre war Francis Barnett. Heated the iron barrel until the penetrating oil on top of the piston was actually bursting in to flames (did it outside and wore goggles. Not for snowflakes or the safety conscious) Used a lump hammer and wooden drift. Never budged a millimetre. Tried two types of fluid and even just regular oil. As a last resort i bought some PlusGas and within an hour it had freed the piston. It's amazing stuff!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Good call, thanks!

[@sjtheroadshenanigansofabri6631]

I have always had Low price higher mileage bikes 30,000mi+. your not buying for economy and know your going to be replacing/ maintaining it to YOUR standard.... Yes absolutely an uneconomical task but the fun lies in making it YOURS to be enjoyed in your way, where Purity isn't such a factor in putting you off REALLY enjoying your machine

[@jonahlloyd3149]

I did all that a year ago fitting Maxton shock, I had already replaced the original exhaust system with Delkevic so getting the shock our was a lot easier. Did you realise if you take off the tank and the hinged holder there is a big nut under there that holds the top of the shock bracket on the bike. Release this and the entire thing drops out no need to struggle with the top of the shock under the bike. Plus you need a bike ramp badly, or better still a skylifter.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Ha... I did once I got there! I was trying to get the linkage out to service too though.

[@jamest5149]

I see like my wife with my shoes, your wife wears your shoes for ease 😂

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Ha, yep - it's all about the style!

[@davidstromaine5990]

A great example of why you should lash everything under the covers on a VFR with old engine oil then it wont end up a corroded mess like this one . Engine/shock/stand/oil pipes and copper slip your exhaust nuts .:)

[@tomevans4078]

Love the reality and honesty in these videos. Glad to see your wife is as happy as mine when I ask for help with maintenance! Been meaning to upgrade the 20yr old rear shock on my Fazer for a while now, you’ve given me the inspiration to bite the bullet.

[@MrWhothefoxthat]

that's nothing, i have to beg for a brew.

[@stuartbarrow666]

@@MrWhothefoxthat Ive been meaning to replace the 52 year old wench as well..

[@michaeldobson8859]

Wives are just jealous of our relationships with bikes. They can be nasty about it. So cook her a nice meal to make it up to her.

[@macmorgan6685]

Don’t think I ever had to take the exh. off to get the shock out but I have broken a exh stud off. I made a wood ramp to keep the swing arm/wheel up. Grease the gaskets to keep them in place.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah - looks like I could have got away without taking it off, but I wanted to get all of the linkage out to grease it. Cheers, John

[@satchitysatch]

Great video and great bike even if it does end up costing you a couple of grand it’ll do the same mileage again!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Hope so! Cheers, John

[@andyhorsfall9394]

Good video, came up on my yt suggestions. I've got a 2000 vfr800 50k miles and I was thinking of doing this job..you've put me off 😄

[@martinburns342]

I've had a 96 VFR750 . The exhaust had a ball joint to swing it out of the way to remove the rear wheel. Also had a 2002 VFR 800 first of the VTEC motors. Owned it for 9 yrs put 85000kms on it. Only normal maintenance and tyres. Still had the original chain and sprockets when I traded it in. We don't have salt on our roads in Australia. 🦘

[@bennettsbikesocial]

But you do have killer bugs!

[@Matthew_Bowker]

Really enjoying the series, can’t wait for the next video.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! Just got to find time to edit them!

[@macmorgan6685]

Have almost new stock shock, a twin clicked from Fox, oem headers good shape.

[@robbikebob]

Makes me glad I own an old air-cooled GS 500 twin to work on... I'll pay someone else to work on my 2011 yamaha xj6....

[@averagejoesmotogarage9534]

Theres one of these for sale in california right now with 136,000 miles on it and is claimed to still run amazing hahaha

[@andrewwhitehead2353]

Entertaining as normal. I struggle adjusting the chain😀

[@henrietn]

I feel your pain

[@neilwiddison6529]

Hi mate I put a nitron r1 shock on my vfr750 ,it was a job I did with no problems, must have been lucky

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I think I made it harder than it needed to be by trying to strip the linkage to fully service it! Cheers, John

[@michaeldobson8859]

I have to say that i gave up working on my knees years ago. Now i sport a proper Bike and ATV Lift to do my work. You need to do the same or your knees will pay the price.

[@davidbadham3712]

I hope you've got a decent sized swear jar😜🤣

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Fuck yeah!

[@johnmarsh2078]

You needed a MAP gas torch. I have some oxy-acetylene left but I don't think you can get acetylene any more. Propane is probably as good for red heat.

[@paulocarreiro5855]

Long time no see, John! Now I know why. Bike is looking good, apart from the exhaust manifolds 😂

[@paul.vanhout57]

Looks like all the essential mechanic tools were required - a hammer and a saw😊. I think Japanese bikes are engineered to optimize assembly not DIY maintenance😟

[@martyndunn1905]

I changed my rear shock, didn't have to remove anything 🤷

[@dgammell]

Did you replace the collector box bracket bolt With an Oem one. Doing this job now what a massive pain to remove that bolt same as yours completely corroded have it our now as I'm fitting a full stainless exhaust and the centr stand is a pain aswell. Love your videos their making my job a bit easier to do , I'm goimg to replace the rear shock aswell .

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yes, and it was bloody expensive! Cheers, John

[@harrykramer7479]

That dramatic exhaust! I know what it is. Terrible.

[@pabsocs]

Great content

[@jeffestrada6857]

Your brave doing all this with an old bike. To be honest old bikes are more trouble then they are worth. Been there done that many times over. In fact old bikes to me (these days) are old heaps of shit particularly when you dont know the history of their previous abusive owners. Sorry but having modern easy to service bikes are a dream to own. Thanks for the video 👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I'm lucky to also have a much newer bike now, but for about the first 15 years of my riding I couldn't afford anything but old bikes that I had to service myself. Not this high mileage though!

[@jeffestrada6857]

@@bennettsbikesocial Yes same here, as you thats all I could afford at one time and did all of the services myself (I still do!) When I come to think of it Honda got it right with the VFR800 with the linked brake system. At that time the linked brake systems were in their infancy, but apparently the VFR (not sure what year) had the best system in regards to proper modulation...... We are lucky these days to have great motorcycles that are complete in every way. I do appreciate your video though. Thanks again 👍

[@macmorgan6685]

Best advice is to not let them get so old and rusty

[@bennettsbikesocial]

We can stem the rust, but not the passage of time

[@LoweSpeedFab]

I have the shock out of my 5th gen right now didnt take the exhaust off at all. Stock Out, A/M in stock exhaust system,just saying.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah, I was trying to get the linkage out to service that too

[@LoweSpeedFab]

@@bennettsbikesocial also had that out to re-grease but i guess i dont have to sell the drama in my shed haha 👍

[@blackburd5]

Where do you get your standard parts from like the exhaustparts?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I get as much as I can from Wemoto, but the mounting bolts came from Fowlers.

[@johnny207]

Brilliant video as always. I’m sorry to admit having a huge dose of Schadenfruede, We’ve all been there. 😊

[@themayorofdipshittery3646]

VFR’s are great bikes but the underseat exhaust models are much more aesthetically pleasing 😉

[@martinx1525]

I don't agree. VTEC looks like a big and horrible scooter. VFR 800 FI is the best looking VFR 800 in my opinion. The VTEC is not even a real VFR. No gear driven cams!!!

[@slobberybog]

I feel your pain on the collector bolt. Last year I replaced the exhaust system on my '01 VFR - it's only done 27000 but the bolt was in a similar condition. It took hours of careful cutting and drilling. Was ready to burn it to the ground. Got to replace the shock as it's failed the MOT - at least the bolt should be easy this time as all the pipes and bolts in the new system are stainless.

[@adecarnally5501]

It's not just me then...

[@macmorgan6685]

As for needing my wife to hold anything, I’ve used tie straps.

[@HoagesMoto]

Ahh nothing like having a whinge at design engineers that made something as wonderful and robust as these VRF's. A 150xxxkm bike that's been averagely maintained, is rusty as hell and has an exhaust system as flogged as that should have been better cared for long ago; it's an outcome of poor maintenace you're dealing with not poor design, if the cheap hardwarewas replaced before it got to this state there'd have been no issues lol? So funny, you Euro/UK guys have a very different tolerance for rust than we do in Aus, in Australia a conciencious owner/quality mechanic would have tossed those flogged headers, flanges, studs, shock bolts and replaced them all a decade ago looking like that; and cetainly wouldn't have refitted them in that state... when Delkavic make the whole system for 250pound/$480AUD. Also those rear shocks ARE rebuildable by a shop that knows what they're doing, I've had multiple stock sealed OE shocks (inc. a Husky TR650 & my VFR800) rebuilt, pistons machined and revalved in the past. Loads of shops in Aus, and I'm sure in the UK, that can do this. Obviously the full replacement is a nice option but also cost me ~180pound/$350 AUD for my last sealed unit rebuild & revalve and this replacement cost $1000AUD so better to do at least rebuild of the stock unit than nothing for those on a budget.

[@KAWIKATANA]

My 00 zx9 has 110k miles on it

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Excellent! How were the valve clearances? On my 1999 ZX-6R they were well out at 18,000.

[@KAWIKATANA]

@@bennettsbikesocial Now I'm debating should I keep my ZX9 or money for work because a 100000 mile bike is not gonna be worth anything for execute 14 or should I just keep my zx9 and keep rolling with the miles I also have on this bike for 10 years

[@mickeymouse4897]

Haha ... the dreaded 2000/2001 5th Gen 800fi Cat mount bolt ... Yes Mr Honda engineer, will be pissing himself laughing, this fuck up alone is one good reason to not buy a 2000/2001 5th Gen 800fi ... 1998/1999 has no Cat, hence exhaust is easier to remove... You keep banging on about this being a £500 bike, it's not tho is it, you've thrown hundreds at it to make it a usable bike ... so in reality, you could have just bought a 40/50K bike, that wasn't shagged & saved a lot of grief, for probly less money than you've chucked at this old banger.... funny vlog tho ... keep up the humorous content bro👍

[@zedddddful]

V4's are awful to work on full stop.

[@SteveMuir]

I don't understand this. I have had the shock out of my VFR ( 2001)3 times . (106000 km) I put a WP in it at bout 25,000 km, and haven't had to take the collector box off. I took the back plastic off and the bottom bolts on the rear sub frame and lifted it up and braced it out of the way with a 4x2.. Once the bolts are out of the shock I jacked up the rear swing arm without the tyre on it and could wiggle the shock out the bottom. (Well I think that is how I got it out but the Chemo fog makes me wonder. ) The top bolt , well that is their little joke. they must be put in before the wiring bundle. Bolt head is on the left. I put it back in from the right and it is easier to get to . I was able to have it on the center stand. I did also take the right side heat shield off and then thought that is wasn't necessary. I had springs and valving done by Frank Ponds and the bike is nice to rice everywhere. I got the hydraulic pre load as well.

[@SteveMuir]

I like you dedication getting the broken stud out. I think I would have retreated to the corner for a few deap breaths and called for help.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I was trying to get the linkage out too, to fully service that... wish I'd not started that!

[@G58]

9:25 If you were a gentleman, you might have done the heavy lifting whilst you wife pushed the bolt in. And if you were an engineer and aspiring contortionist, you would have used a simple wedge or lever system to lift the back wheel as you aligned the bolt yourself. 🧐😎😜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 VFRs are great value aren’t they? Peace

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I'm neither!

[@RandomPokecenter]

This was 50% video and 50% ads...

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Gotta catch 'em all

[@colinburnside4569]

The VFR 750 and 800 hundred are a rust bucket. So stay away from them.

[@ninja2kernow]

My 91 vfr750 is easier to work on than that.

[@spbub]

Great video, makes me want an old VFR! I remember those downpipe gaskets on my SP1 OE silencers. I found a bit of copper grease and opening them up slightly with the neck of a small bottle helped a lot.

[@jediknight129]

the VFR major flaw is the mild steel exhaust system. if you take it off you pretty much need to do the stainless replacement because you don't want to take it off again

[@cp4512]

We’ve all been there 😂😂😂😂😂

[@RoryMacdonald-pfff]

I feel you … have just removed nuts and studs from my latest project bike. Fist bump on sorting it 👌

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It's all good fun! Cheers, John

[@willrayment9544]

Loved this video. I remember working on a vfr400 20 odd years ago doing the front valve shims. they were a pain with the limited tools I had. They were right on the limit. I was getting so stressed. I will always remember my dad who designed industrial electric motors coming along and saying to me " remember, every limit has a tolerance". That always stuck with me. 🤣

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Excellent! I'll remember that! Cheers, John

[@ZediMaster]

Wow, I just enjoy the riding. Anyway, ride safe, god bless u.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Can't ride it if it's broken!

[@stuartkraven]

Why didn't you change out the manifold for a stainless steel one while it was half way off?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Just cost, but considering it

[@gixerloon]

Ohh John, I feel your frustrations mate, I've been spannering on my own bikes (and cars) since I was 17 so a looong time, and I've also had times when I wanted to burn the things, when confronted by poor design and poor workmanship by previous owners... well done for sticking with it, I look forward to further installments on the Viffer 👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Cheers! Fire may still be an option...

[@Imotopilot]

I hate asking my wife for help but when I do, she reacts just like yours. Lol

[@thewanderingdude13]

What if I told you there is no need to remove the exhaust to change the shock?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I was also trying to get the full linkage out to check the bearings - sadly it has to all come out for that. But yeah, once I'd got the whole thing off I realised!

[@Jones-xx2gc]

You're a very patient man. All credit ro you.

[@NickyLong89]

Good effort, we’ve all been there. That annoying half hour job that turns into an 8 hr job 🙄

[@andyrawlings5369]

I suppose when you are ready to replace the exhaust system it will come apart easy love my vfrs have 3 of them and yes do all my own repairs myself a hgv mechanic . Honda vfrs are a well made bike if you look after it will run ever both of my 750 models i replaced the exhaust system i replaced the shockers like you did top tip grease the the linkage every 2 years . my other vfr is 1200f love that as well that v4 motor is a beauty.

[@rackbites]

Ouch ... that looked slightly frustrating ... anyway all done for a long time now.

[@mrcintheuk4641]

Appreciate this was "just" the shock, but would it be fair to say that all V engines are a pain to work on, and the more cylinders the greater the pain? 🤔

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Hmmm, tricky. This is a particular pain as it's so crammed in. I wouldn't say more cylinders are more awkward as my 4-pot ZX-6R wasn't as bad, but that's only done 18,000 miles and it's an inline four. Yeah, Vs can be tricky I think, depending how they're put together. More heavily worn bikes seem harder as more things fail when you take them off. It does come down to design too though. Really, you can't generalise I reckon; it's the bike itself and the state it's in. Cheers, John

[@timrogers1857]

Great video! 😂

[@baenkt]

Great and honest video! Is there a playlist for all the VFR videos?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

No, but I will make one, ta!

[@sidewaysaction9983]

Black widow full high level (get the rear wheel straight off) stainless steel all gasket & a fitting kit £400 it literally fell on. No collector box bollocks.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Tempting! Been looking at the Delkevic pipes too.

[@panzermatt]

We’ve all the the wife in’t shed, to hold, lift or help, and like your wife. They all have the same reaction! Leg it as soon as done. There’s a glass of wine with their name on it😂

[@firestorm755]

I literally just fitted a Hagon shock to my Firestorm. Very impressed and fitted perfectly and didn't take long either! (Sorry!)

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Ha! Rub it in why don't you?!

[@davem3059]

Great vid mate 👍, But it did look rather challenging. I bet the swear box more than paid for all the parts, and a few well earned beers afterwards 😉 Haha.

[@ahppa]

Wow! I'm always so impressed by the dedication people put into these wonderful bikes. Definitely goes to show that regular maintenance saves the balls from much later aches.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

A good way to put it! I'm using that! Cheers, John

[@ahppa]

Still, machines like these make it too easy to take it easy.

[@robvanduren761]

Maybe blind idiots lol

[@martinaddison5991]

I've had my vfr 2000 year since new, replaced the rear shock earlier this year. With the exhaust can wheel heatsheild and lineages off , tank lifted and battery box removed and the rear tank bracket we managed to wriggle the shock out. Then wriggle the new back in. It was a case of this is in the way lets remove it but apart from the can the rest stayed put. I bought a hyperpro shock as that's what my local m/c dealer sold and what a difference best mod ever. But at 22 years old and nearly 50 thousand miles, I'm not looking forward to replacing the exhaust headers.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah - I reckon I could have done it but I was also trying to get the linkage out to check and grease it all. In the end that final bolt was seized in and going nowhere! Fortunately the linkage moves fine.

[@thewoodster8607]

I don't remember removing the headers and collector box to change my shock? I used a Nitron. You are right about the exhaust though, my motorcycling mate helped and it went much smoother. I had spent weeks prepping the bolts with penetrating agent though.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Yeah, I wanted the linkage out to service that too

[@phil4986]

9:20....yea...she was happy. God blessed you with an awesome wife. I swear ,the entire deal looked like a nightmare. Thanks for not doing the KZbin magic install video.

[@marklloyd4153]

Richie Vida has one of those bikes and paid a company a small company mom and Pop to redo his bike and it came out phenomenally well. You should check that out. I wouldn’t be afraid to sink a lot of money into a bike like that if you are able to get the parts to make it like new or aftermarket parts to make it better than new . Odds are That bike would have a whole new lifespan ahead of it as the engines rarely give you any problem

[@laz1go286]

Wow these bikes look like they had been submerged into the North Sea for a couple of years. Soo crusty and rusted up it's incredible.. I bought two of these VFRs 99' models. Rust free but both failed with electronics. Recertifiers two times. Both at 130 000kms. One was a dedicated track bike. No lights, mirrors, etc. Straight piped, no collector. Sounded awesome just like MotoGP.😊 When the rectifier failed i just finished the sixth session of the day, so it stopped at the end of the event but it nearly burnt down. The battery got such a load that it expanded into the frame and had to prie it out with tire irons and screwdrivers, when the whole thing cooled down. It was a mess. Oh well it was fun until it lasted.😅

[@JeffAicken]

That moment in the garage (on your knees in more ways than one) is unfortunately quite familiar to me! My mate has a 2015 facelift Crossrunner 800 and was considering swapping the standard shock out for something newer / better. I told him it was a great idea, but although his bike looks a lot cleaner / less corroded than your VFR, I'm now wondering if the exhaust system on it is just as fiendish as this frustrating setup?!

[@ozzyg82]

Im interested in getting into working on my bike. But don’t know how to start. Any tips for someone who knows next to zero mechanics, e.g. should I do a mechanics course or something else?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Make sure you can get a Haynes manual for your bike, then start on the basics. If you're in the UK, do this: rewards.bennetts.co.uk/rewards/diy-motorcycle-maintenance-voucher-discount-code

[@ozzyg82]

@@bennettsbikesocial thanks 🙏🏼

[@sidewaysaction9983]

Keep em coming on the vfr because I'm nursing a 80k 98 model on the daily commute. How did the overheating go mine doesn't like traffic or hot days fan on over time in the high 90s

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Not good... I think the thermostat has had it, but it's a sod to get to

[@sidewaysaction9983]

@@bennettsbikesocial it certainly is and not cheap. I ended up changing the intake rubbers not cheap either🏍️👍

[@robvanduren761]

Im watching your pain and feeling it. I have a 1997 GSXR1100 and its a pain in ass {38.000 miles}. I had to buy a new bike because i cant rely on it to take me anywhere. I only ride where there is cell phone reception within a small radius of home in case it shits out again again.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Bugger! That's not even that high a mileage!

[@villiamo3861]

Er.. electrics by any chance?! Had a slabby 1100 and more modern 1000s and Suzuki always had a poor reputation for their electrics in the eighties - frikkin' rightly - and if they don't still, they should: as the 1000s are no better. Connectors' quality shite, weak regulator/rectifiers (and on the slabby, weak coils)...

[@robvanduren761]

@@villiamo3861 Yes all the connections/ relays/ switches etc . Apart from that its an awesome bike. My 80s Katana 750 was the same. Its a 1997 1100 so i will sell it or if i cant get decent money leave it in the back of the garage to rot. Maybe i could start a bonfire on guy fawkes night with it lol

[@andyparrott2454]

Christ knows why you had to take the front pipes and collector box off. I've had my 800 from new in '98. Changed out the shock after 35k for a fully adjustable Nitron, it's been jn and out a few times for servicing. I have slso swopped out rear shocks on a few other 800s with no problems and have never had to remove anything but the rear wheel and the end can.

[@vespaveloce1924]

You’ve got more patience than me! I’d have torched the bloody thing! 😂

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I did consider it!

[@davidreed9217]

I had to chuckle watching this again, we've all been there, shiny sockets and spanners and a Haynes manual, what could possibly go wrong ?. Three hours later, bleeding knuckles, face covered in grease and contemplating phoning the scrap man. I replaced my VFR800 shock with a YSS unit last week and struggled to get the old shock out at first, I had to drop the top mount as far as it could go then unbolt it from the shock, the shock then fell on the floor, fitting the new shock was the reverse.

[@thedarkknight1971]

Having owned many singles, twins and inline fours, I once owned a VF750F, and soon became enamoured with it (till some dimwit cager pulled out on me me), so yeas, I WOULD have a VFR (particularly love the early 3rd gen in red, or the 4th in 'NR' colouring/styling..), HOWEVER.. It's this particular nightmare that makes me think, yes - IF I had a large garage AND IF I had a ramp AND IF I had a good sized work bench AND IF I had a vast tool setup THEN YES I WOULD get one hahahaha Otherwise I'll happily stick with my Front garden, the tools I have, and an aircooled or liquid cooled 4... As sadly, not everyone even has a basic garage, but, I've done alright so far 👍😉🤞 😎🇬🇧