VFR750 gearboxes
Campbell Robertson
clunky too. I had a Honda Revere before and it would jump out of second
under hard acceleration so at least it doesn't do that.
Its generally OK when cold but gives a definite clunk in the lower gears.
Should Honda do some work to bring their gearchange up to the standard of
the rst of the bike.
Can anyone recommend good hard panniers by the way?
Campbell Robertson
camp...@nationwideisp.net
Richard Sterry
<URL:mailto:Camp...@nationwideisp.net> wrote:
> I have a '97 VFR750. Its a nice bike but is everyone elses gearbox a bit
> clunky too. I had a Honda Revere before and it would jump out of second
> under hard acceleration so at least it doesn't do that.
>
> Its generally OK when cold but gives a definite clunk in the lower gears.
>
> Should Honda do some work to bring their gearchange up to the standard of
> the rst of the bike.
My '93 VFR gearbox was the same; I used to get false neutrals or else it
wouldn't always change up at the first attempt. I know Honda boxes are
often criticised for being a bit clunky, but this seemed pretty bad.
This was almost entirely cured by an oil change at the next service,
the first one since I bought the bike secondhand. I can't recall what
oil the dealer told me he had used but I think it was a fully synthetic
type; I can ask if you are keen to know. (No idea what oil was in
before.) The difference was amazing; I could just snick into the next
gear up or down instead of kicking the shite out of the lever!
I'm not saying I never get a false neutral, but it's pretty rare. There
is always a very distinct clunk (both heard and felt) when changing down
into first gear, and I find this quite useful actually.
> Can anyone recommend good hard panniers by the way?
Sorry, pass.
Rick
NB: Please reply to <mailto:ric...@sandalmagna.demon.co.uk>
--
Richard Sterry <http://www.sandalmagna.demon.co.uk/motor.htm>
Honda VFR750FP
Trevor Dennis
>I have a '97 VFR750. Its a nice bike but is everyone elses gearbox a bit
>clunky too. I had a Honda Revere before and it would jump out of second
>under hard acceleration so at least it doesn't do that.
Put Mobil 1 in it. Sorts it completely.
--
Trevor Dennis /`\ .(o~)-(o~). /`\ tre...@tdennnis.demon.co.uk
The Polite Brit / , \( _______ )/ , \ tden...@ford.com
OGH #1 ___/ /_\ /`"-------"`\ /_\ \___ Southern England
BS #1 jgs`~//^\~_`\ <__ __> /`_~/^\\~`
`~//^\\~`~//^\\~`
Little Big Man
Clive Stokes
Trevor Dennis wrote in message ...
Mike Fisher
>Campbell Robertson writes
>
>>I have a '97 VFR750. Its a nice bike but is everyone elses gearbox a bit
>>clunky too. I had a Honda Revere before and it would jump out of second
>>under hard acceleration so at least it doesn't do that.
>
>Put Mobil 1 in it. Sorts it completely.
>
<thinks: "Dare I disagree with Trev again ? He'll probably launch an attack
of sarcastic, sometimes offensive humour - and then call me a prat.
Hmmmm.... bollocks to it. He's wrong....">
Sorry Trev, I disagree. I've had two VFRs now, both of which suffered from a
slightly "crashy" gearbox. At the time I owned my first one, I had something
of a Mobil 1 fetish, from my car driving. At the first service, I took a can
of the stuff to the dealership, and asked them to fill it with that, rather
than their usual stuff.
Result, one *very* clattery top end, and no improvement in the gearbox. I
got very worried about the noisy top end, and asked the dealer about it.
FWIW, he told me that the additive package in a "car oil", may not be
compatible with the needs of a bike engine / gearbox.
So, I changed the oil for Silkolene Pro IV. Result - ? Gone was the
clattering from the top end, and the gearbox improved slightly. Nowhere near
Suzuki territory you understand, but better none the less.
The only theory I can come up with as to why the Mobil 1 made the thing
rattly, was to do with the cam gear drive. Apparently, there are two discs,
either side of the top two cam gears in both heads. Each of these is damped
with a rubber bush, much like the springs in a car clutch plate. The dealer
thought that this oil may have interfered with the operation of the damping
system, either by making the bushes swell, or by making the discs "stick".
I don't pretend to know how or why, but changing the oil for the Silkolene
*did* make a big difference.
Again, FWIW, I'm running Silkolene in my current VFR, and have no problems.
The clutch is sometimes a little sticky on cold mornings - leading to a
"BANG" when you select first gear - but other than that, all is well.
I've not put Mobil 1 in a bike since, so it's possible that the results
would be different this time. It's just that after that first experience,
I've shunned the stuff since.
Just my 0.02ukp.
--
***********************************************************
Mike Fisher - VFR750 Owner & Confirmed Anorak
Synonymous perhaps ?
Visit me at http://mario.belmin.com/
***********************************************************
Trevor Dennis
>Trevor Dennis wrote in message ...
>>Put Mobil 1 in it. Sorts it completely.
><sigh>
No need to be so sad Mike.
><thinks: "Dare I disagree with Trev again ? He'll probably launch an attack
>of sarcastic, sometimes offensive humour - and then call me a prat.
Read on.
>Sorry Trev, I disagree. I've had two VFRs now, both of which suffered from a
>slightly "crashy" gearbox. At the time I owned my first one, I had something
>of a Mobil 1 fetish, from my car driving. At the first service, I took a can
>of the stuff to the dealership, and asked them to fill it with that, rather
>than their usual stuff.
>
>Result, one *very* clattery top end, and no improvement in the gearbox. I
>got very worried about the noisy top end, and asked the dealer about it.
>FWIW, he told me that the additive package in a "car oil", may not be
>compatible with the needs of a bike engine / gearbox.
But the Dealer's top end magically became *very* unclattery on that very
day. He kept the Mobil 1 and put liquid shite in your bike.
QED You are a pratt.
>So, I changed the oil for Silkolene Pro IV. Result - ? Gone was the
>clattering from the top end, and the gearbox improved slightly. Nowhere near
>Suzuki territory you understand, but better none the less.
Liquid shite is easily improved upon.
>The only theory I can come up with as to why the Mobil 1 made the thing
>rattly, was to do with the cam gear drive. Apparently, there are two discs,
>either side of the top two cam gears in both heads. Each of these is damped
>with a rubber bush, much like the springs in a car clutch plate. The dealer
>thought that this oil may have interfered with the operation of the damping
>system, either by making the bushes swell, or by making the discs "stick".
Join the VFR Owners Club. Get all the back issue magazines.
Mobil 1 is the preferred lubrication for the VFR.
BTW You say you've had two VFRs and that a dealer put Mobil 1
in one of them? And that you've never tried Mobile 1 again?
What, exactly, is the relevance of the second VFR?
Mike Fisher
Told you he'd do that.
>>So, I changed the oil for Silkolene Pro IV. Result - ? Gone was the
>>clattering from the top end, and the gearbox improved slightly. Nowhere
near
>>Suzuki territory you understand, but better none the less.
>
>Liquid shite is easily improved upon.
>
>>The only theory I can come up with as to why the Mobil 1 made the thing
>>rattly, was to do with the cam gear drive. Apparently, there are two
discs,
>>either side of the top two cam gears in both heads. Each of these is
damped
>>with a rubber bush, much like the springs in a car clutch plate. The
dealer
>>thought that this oil may have interfered with the operation of the
damping
>>system, either by making the bushes swell, or by making the discs "stick".
>
>Join the VFR Owners Club. Get all the back issue magazines.
>Mobil 1 is the preferred lubrication for the VFR.
That may be so. I was just saying it didn't work for my '89 F-K.
>
>BTW You say you've had two VFRs and that a dealer put Mobil 1
> in one of them? And that you've never tried Mobile 1 again?
>
> What, exactly, is the relevance of the second VFR?
>
In the immortal words of dealers around the planet, "They all do that sir".
The fact that my later model one also does it kind of confirms it. Dontcha
think ?
The sun is shining. I'm off for a ride.
Cya.
Trevor Dennis
>Trevor Dennis wrote in message ...
>>QED You are a pratt.
>Told you he'd do that.
But your every post of late says, "Trev, please beat me about
the head with a big stick", and I *am* the Polite Brit.
Have you heard the fable of the proud fish?
Mike Hibbert
>Mike Fisher writes
>>Trevor Dennis wrote in message ...
>
>>>QED You are a pratt.
>
>>Told you he'd do that.
>
>But your every post of late says, "Trev, please beat me about
>the head with a big stick", and I *am* the Polite Brit.
>
>Have you heard the fable of the proud fish?
>
Oooh good a story, please go on....
--
Mike Hibbert
GSX600F
Gloucester
Mike Fisher
Trevor Dennis wrote in message ...
>Mike Fisher writes
>>Trevor Dennis wrote in message ...
>
>>>QED You are a pratt.
>
>>Told you he'd do that.
>
>But your every post of late says, "Trev, please beat me about
>the head with a big stick", and I *am* the Polite Brit.
>
Well, I guess it would seem that way to one such as you Trev. Remember what
I asked Mr "Gillard" about "those who constantly criticise others" ?
>Have you heard the fable of the proud fish?
No, *do* tell.
Cya.
Mike.
Mike Gleavy
>Should Honda do some work to bring their gearchange up to the standard of
>the rst of the bike.
I too have a VFR750 and the gearbox is definitely clunky. If the chain
tension is wrong it seems to be worse.
Still, Honda have been making crap gearboxes for as long as I can
remember (25 years) - why should they change now?
--
Mike Gleavy
You must look out in Britain that you are not cheated by the charioteers
-- Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 - 43 BC)
Bastard Bear
>
> In article <6td807$f39$1...@larch.nationwideisp.net>, Campbell Robertson
> <Camp...@nationwideisp.net> writes
> >Should Honda do some work to bring their gearchange up to the standard of
> >the rst of the bike.
>
> I too have a VFR750 and the gearbox is definitely clunky. If the chain
> tension is wrong it seems to be worse.
>
> Still, Honda have been making crap gearboxes for as long as I can
> remember (25 years) - why should they change now?
Is it just me that finds it weird that certain manufacturers
can't make certain things?
Like;
Honda Gearboxes, Camchains & tensioners
Suzuki Electrical, particularly rectifiers & such
Yamaha Seizing brakes, fork seals
Kawasaki Er ... nothing much springs to mind
BMW Bings, bearings, bores
Guzzi Brakes?
Harley Er ... the whole f*cking thing!
Strange, ain't it? You'd think that, having had a disaster
with a certain item once, they'd make it double strong next
time, but no.
And it can't just be one bloke designing them wrong, 'cause
Honda have had shite gearboxes for donkey's years. Same
with Suzuki and rectifers/electricals.
Ducati, of course, have neatly circumvented this problem by
having the bike not start in the first place, or having it
blow up so fast and so variably that you can't pin it on any
one item.
(Sorry all Ducatisti - I still love 'em!)
--
Regards,
Bastard Bear
Remove "loadsabeers" for reply.
These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all
Bears
Edward McClements
>
big red throbbing snip
> Ducati, of course, have neatly circumvented this problem by
> having the bike not start in the first place, or having it
> blow up so fast and so variably that you can't pin it on any
> one item.
> (Sorry all Ducatisti - I still love 'em!)
Dammit, I tried hard to let it lie but I just couldn't.
They don't blow up, but the clutches and regulator/rectifiers are beyond
a joke. Battery charging is marginal, and the starter clutch gives out
if you continually try and start them on a low battery. As a result,
buying used is a cinch 'coz they all have such low mileages!
Eddy McClements
1996 Ducati 916
1993 Husaberg FC600
1997 Suzuki GSXR750WT (for sale, 4800gbp....or offer)
Bastard Bear
Sorry, but they do.
My poor, long suffering Ducatisti mate has had a con rod let
go twice; once on a (original, old style) 900SS, once on a
modern 916!
Front cylinder both times. The old 900SS blowup was
spectacular, by all accounts. The piston cried "Freedom!"
and leapt for the open road, fetching the front forks a
fearful whack on the way out.
He was not a happy bunny, I can tell you, but was rather
grateful to still be alive since the front end was all but
destroyed - the headstock practically fell apart under the
stress.
The 916 went bang in a slightly quieter (but no less
expensive) way.
He did ride as if he's trying to keep up with Foggy, though,
which might have had something to do with it.
Still think they're worth having, though, if only for the
sound.
So long as you can afford to run a second bike as well.
Paul Wakefield
<joh...@globalnet.loadsabeers.co.uk> writes
>Is it just me that finds it weird that certain manufacturers
>can't make certain things?
>Like;
>Honda Gearboxes, Camchains & tensioners
nature of the beast. My old Z550 certainly did. Let's hear it for the
VFR's wonderful whiny gear-driven cams!
>Suzuki Electrical, particularly rectifiers & such
My VFR's gearbox varies from day-to-day, some days nice & smooth, some
days a bit snappish. Doesn't seem to have much to do with chain tension,
or oil changes; for me it seems to depend on the weather. Maybe it
affects the clutch or summat.
--
Paul Wakefield
Trevor Dennis
>VFR rectifiers have a bit of a bad rep too.
I blamed mine on the pair of 80/110 headlight bulbs.
Either way it cost 150ukp to replace it.
Dave Emerson
>
> Paul Wakefield writes
>
> >VFR rectifiers have a bit of a bad rep too.
>
> I blamed mine on the pair of 80/110 headlight bulbs.
> Either way it cost 150ukp to replace it.
>
The problem with the VFR regulator/rectifier is that it overheats trying
to sink excess power from the alternator. Fitting hi-power lights, and
running with them on, may actually make the unit last longer!
--
Dave Emerson
Motorcycle Maintenance Workshop - UK
http://freespace.virgin.net/david.emerson/faq.htm
remove X to reply
Simon Batey
writes
>The problem with the VFR regulator/rectifier is that it overheats trying
>to sink excess power from the alternator. Fitting hi-power lights, and
>running with them on, may actually make the unit last longer!
>
I've never had a problem with Suzuki GS reg/rect for the same reason....
--
Simon - South Wales UK
GSXR1100 Z1R GS550 (for Sale) MAG#0790 Z10C#999
Paul Wakefield
writes
>>
>> Paul Wakefield writes
>>
>> >VFR rectifiers have a bit of a bad rep too.
>>
>> I blamed mine on the pair of 80/110 headlight bulbs.
>> Either way it cost 150ukp to replace it.
>>
>
>to sink excess power from the alternator. Fitting hi-power lights, and
>running with them on, may actually make the unit last longer!
>
So this is a case where over-specification is actually a bad thing?
The yanks on the VFR list seem to have a lot of problems with the VFR's
regulator, and they run 40W headlamps.
It's also a good excuse to always ride with lights on, but I'll leave
that topic alone!
--
Paul Wakefield
Neil Murray
> Mike Gleavy wrote:
> >
> > In article <6td807$f39$1...@larch.nationwideisp.net>, Campbell Robertson
> > <Camp...@nationwideisp.net> writes
> > >Should Honda do some work to bring their gearchange up to the standard of
> > >the rst of the bike.
> >
> > I too have a VFR750 and the gearbox is definitely clunky. If the chain
> > tension is wrong it seems to be worse.
> >
> > Still, Honda have been making crap gearboxes for as long as I can
> > remember (25 years) - why should they change now?
>
> Is it just me that finds it weird that certain manufacturers
> can't make certain things?
> Like;
> Honda Gearboxes, Camchains & tensioners
> Suzuki Electrical, particularly rectifiers & such
> Yamaha Seizing brakes, fork seals
> Kawasaki Er ... nothing much springs to mind
> BMW Bings, bearings, bores
> Guzzi Brakes?
> Harley Er ... the whole f*cking thing!
>
> Strange, ain't it? You'd think that, having had a disaster
> with a certain item once, they'd make it double strong next
> time, but no.
> And it can't just be one bloke designing them wrong, 'cause
> Honda have had shite gearboxes for donkey's years. Same
> with Suzuki and rectifers/electricals.
>
> Ducati, of course, have neatly circumvented this problem by
> having the bike not start in the first place, or having it
> blow up so fast and so variably that you can't pin it on any
> one item.
> (Sorry all Ducatisti - I still love 'em!)
All right, I'll bite.
Mine hasn't gone wrong.
Yet.
(But I *know* it's only a matter of time. Why I bought the effing thing
I'll never know.....)
--
Neil 750S S GT750 CB400F CD175
The Older Gentleman
BOF #30 GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1
Rambling free
Neil Murray
<snip>
> Sorry, but they do.
> My poor, long suffering Ducatisti mate has had a con rod let
> go twice; once on a (original, old style) 900SS, once on a
> modern 916!
> Front cylinder both times. The old 900SS blowup was
> spectacular, by all accounts. The piston cried "Freedom!"
> and leapt for the open road, fetching the front forks a
> fearful whack on the way out.
> He was not a happy bunny, I can tell you, but was rather
> grateful to still be alive since the front end was all but
> destroyed - the headstock practically fell apart under the
> stress.
> The 916 went bang in a slightly quieter (but no less
> expensive) way.
> He did ride as if he's trying to keep up with Foggy, though,
> which might have had something to do with it.
> Still think they're worth having, though, if only for the
> sound.
> So long as you can afford to run a second bike as well.
Or a second, third, and fourth....
Still, BB - four Ducatis set out for the Bol. And four came back. Under
their own steam, too.
Mike Gleavy
<pa...@phred.demon.co.uk> writes
>The yanks on the VFR list seem to have a lot of problems with the VFR's
>regulator, and they run 40W headlamps.
Is there a VFR list and how do you subscribe to it, please? Also
someone else has mentioned a VFR club - anyone have any info on that?
Paul Wakefield
<Mi...@sidecars.demon.co.uk> writes
>In article <9fJJFDAU02$1E...@phred.demon.co.uk>, Paul Wakefield
><pa...@phred.demon.co.uk> writes
>>The yanks on the VFR list seem to have a lot of problems with the VFR's
>>regulator, and they run 40W headlamps.
>
>Is there a VFR list and how do you subscribe to it, please? Also
>someone else has mentioned a VFR club - anyone have any info on that?
>
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr-list/
for VFR resources (including product reviews, etc.). Quite a busy list
(70 messages/day or so), so if bandwidth is limited then use the digest.
Quite US-orientated, with a sprinkling of people from other countries,
but there's still plenty of advice to be had, with a lot less off-topic
stuff (most of the time).
--
Paul Wakefield