Black 1998 VTR1000FWU (Updated: 2006.7.11)
Purchased: May 1998
Usage: 172,000 kilometers, Street/Sport, Touring.
Tires: BT014 front, BT020 rear
Owner: Phil
Email to Phil
Location: Australia (Western) -- Fremantle
Experience: Started Jan 97
Bikes Owned: 2
Accessories:
Carbon Fibre Tank Protector. UPDATE December '98. Fitted "NEP Cruise Control" and "Ventura Bike-Pack System" - both easily fitted without modifications. UPDATE July99: no additions. UPDATE Nov2000: Hustler tank bag fits shape of tank quite well. ScottOiler at 63k, seems to be working well. UPDATE Nov 02: cruise control broken in ride-day crash, ScottOiler dispensing tip fell off on tour removed from bike. UPDATE July 2006: no additions
Modifications:
Bafflectomy @ 9,000km! Mufflers seriously gutted. Bit loud, but sounds great out touring with plugs in. UPDATE July99: no additions. UPDATE Nov 02: 0.90kg/mm RaceTech fork springs (naked weight 91kg) with new spacers and 155mm air space, 10W fork oil. Raised forks 10mm. UPDATE July 2006: 160mm air space in forks since October 2002 (still 0.90kg/mm springs).
Problems:
1. The usual coolant leak, but only after harder riding. 2. Occasional random back-fire through carbies when idling at lights (more like a coughing sound). 3. Tends to back-fire (cough really) when using throttle to raise revs for down-change at lowish revs. Tend not to use throttle this way now. 4. A few times have found false neutrals - but not recently. UPDATE December 98. No more coolant leakage. Now only "coughs" when using throttle to raise revs for down-change when throttled-off for several seconds using engine breaking. Haven't found a false neutral for months. Seems to be running better as the kilometres increase! UPDATE July 99: Running great. Checked value clearances @ 24,000 - no adjustment required. Was a b8stard to measure front clearances. Probably best to first detach radiators from frame. Fairing getting somewhat sandblasted from group riding. UPDATE Nov 00: 66k still no valve adjustment required. Only "problems": one headlight globe, one taillight globe, and globe for speedometre. UPDATE Nov 02: Ride-day crash April 01, new hand and foot brake levers, throttle sleeve, bar weight, front indicator, fairing scratched but not need replacing. Two valves re-shimmed at 87,000ks, all within spec at 134,000ks. Lugs on shock for holding preload setting wearing away with the many changes of setting. New steering bearings at 86,000ks. Shock not as compliant to road as forks replacement is next modification advice welcome. UPDATE July 2006: First significant problem!: June 2006 at 171,781ks the bike would not start. Research on this website and my diagnostic efforts strongly indicated the regulator/rectifier was the problem. I installed the new upgraded Honda part and problem seems to be solved. Valve clearances within specifications for the last 80,000ks! I'm still on the original battery.
Comments:
Awesome! I love this bike! Great handling on the road, sexy throbby feel, power everywhere, and it's real pretty. Loud clunk changing from neutral to first, first to second. Hard on wrists in slow continuous riding, especially down steep hills. But, hey! Find those big fast sweepers on quiet country roads and ...... is heaven this good? UPDATE December '98. Gearbox seems less clunky. Great bike. UPDATE July99: Small fuel tank! More range would be good for these long roads in the west. Found altering suspension settings gave more confidence at higher speeds. Rear: preload "softest" setting, rebound quarter turn from standard towards "hard". Front: preload to top ring, rebound third turn from standard towards "hard". My weight without riding gear = 95kg. Much more stable on fast sweepers with bumps. Could do with stiffer springs in forks - front sag still over 40%! UPDATE Nov2000: Fork preload to top ring, fork oil 15, raised forks 10mm, rebound standard setting - seems to work well. Shock preload up one from standard, rebound quarter turn to hard from standard. These settings give a firm suspension and best I've found so far. UPDATE Nov 02: Above settings too hard on road and too little of the suspension travel used. Current settings with 0.90kg/mm fork springs and 10W fork oil: Forks: preload standard settings, rebound half turn from highest settings, forks raised 10mm. Shock: preload lowest setting, rebound half turn from lowest setting. The motor seems to be running better than ever carb balancing important, follow workshop manual. Have not had a cough through carbies for a very long time. Gearbox still a bit clunky in lowest gears. This seems to be a very well bolted together motorcycle! UPDATE July 2006: The bike is running beautifully after the recent very major service and regulator/rectifier replacement.
