Bike in for MOT @ Smiffy's Superbikes in Acle. Passed (of course it did), one note to keep an eye on the rear brake pads as they're 2/3rds through, so no worries, there. Ashley checked the battery, sure enough it was knackered. The good news is that the regulator/rectifier's ok. Phew.
In to Norwich, P&P in Roundtree Way to buy a replacement battery: A moment's concern when it appeared that they may not have a suitable battery, but a search through the catalogues revealed that there was a suitable alternative. Phew II.
Now I can't wait to get out and use the bike instead of spending money on it! Next week: Classic racing at Cadwell!
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Friday, 23 May 2008
That flat feeling
The VFR is known as a reliable bike with only one major weakness. The Regulator Rectifier. This result in a flat battery or for the battery to boil, depending on what's actually wrong with the RR. Replacement RR's are, allegedly, more reliable than the original fitment on the 1998 bike (there's a definitive article on the Bikers oracle VFR website) and, having had my original replaced a couple of years' ago, I thought I should be ok for a while, yet. So, yesterday morning, I pulled the bike out of the garage and hit the starter. The starter barely turned the bike over. It was fine when I put the bike in the garage a couple of weeks ago. Is this a symptom of the dreaded RR problem? The battery has been flat on a couple of occasions recently - I assumed it was because i'd left the heated grips on or it was causing some sort of drain on the battery but I've removed the fuse so it can't be that. Looks like the battery's given up the host. My multimeter isn't accurate enough to indicate whether the RR's bust, although the reading looks about right (just under 15volts - or amps, I forget which - charge). So, tomorrow, into the workshop for MOT and battery / RR check. The MOT should be no problem as the bike's only done a couple of hundred miles since the major work earlier in the year. I'm just glad this happened now, and not en-route to Germany in three weeks time (more on that later).
Monday, 5 May 2008
Cadders Hill - Lyng - Motocross
My first time watching Motocross since I was a boy, and it was called "Scrambling" in those days. A lovely way to spend a day, especially since the weather was so kind.
To give an idea, this is a long, tight left bend which seemed to have a preferred line that the rider in front is taking. However, as the following rider, and subsequent picture shows, it wasn't the only line.
And following this ...
To give an idea, this is a long, tight left bend which seemed to have a preferred line that the rider in front is taking. However, as the following rider, and subsequent picture shows, it wasn't the only line.
And following this ...
They have to ride off the edge of the earth (well, that's what it looks like from where I was standing).
It was all go - and, yes, I really was that close to the action.
Close racing. And some spills, though surprisingly few.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
What a difference
I've had new tyres fitted to the bike. Same sort as before, Pirelli Diablo's. Oh, what a difference. Now the bike handles properly (was a bag of nails with the old, worn tyres), where it would fall in to a bend and needed countersteer to hold the line, a gentle nudge now turns it and it holds a neutral line with no effort.
Incidentally, the puncture repair I had done in France appears to have been illegal. It was 6mm plug, maximum is a 3mm plug on motorbikes. To think, I've done two track-days with that in! Ooops
Incidentally, the puncture repair I had done in France appears to have been illegal. It was 6mm plug, maximum is a 3mm plug on motorbikes. To think, I've done two track-days with that in! Ooops
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Friday, 21 December 2007
Reassembly
The VFR's starting to go back together.
The head bearings have been replaced, and fork oil refreshed, front forks and wheel refitted.
The crankcase cover is off, the plastic envelope where the pillion should sit contains the gasket ready to fit the eBay bought replacements cover. The valve clearances are being checked while the bike's in pieces (part of the 32k service).
You can't see it but rear shock in place. The linkages have all been regreased and one of the linkage bolts replaced due to wear.
It's starting to look a little like a bike from this angle. The brakes aren't on thee yet - they're being cleaned up.
By the end of this, and with new tyres, the bike should handle like new.
The head bearings have been replaced, and fork oil refreshed, front forks and wheel refitted.
The crankcase cover is off, the plastic envelope where the pillion should sit contains the gasket ready to fit the eBay bought replacements cover. The valve clearances are being checked while the bike's in pieces (part of the 32k service).
You can't see it but rear shock in place. The linkages have all been regreased and one of the linkage bolts replaced due to wear.
It's starting to look a little like a bike from this angle. The brakes aren't on thee yet - they're being cleaned up.
By the end of this, and with new tyres, the bike should handle like new.
Monday, 3 December 2007
A box of bits
The bike's pretty well stripped now. The rear shock is missing - you can't see that from here, just take my word for it.
This where the front wheel should be ... forks have gone, too
But there are new head bearings in here (I hope)
This where the front wheel should be ... forks have gone, too
But there are new head bearings in here (I hope)
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