VFR750, 1996, New to me- what to look out for?

[steadysteve]

I've just bought a '96 vfr and just wondered if anyone can offer advice on common problems/issues etc to look out for with this vintage?
Been wanting one of these for a while now and this came up with less than 40k miles on the clock but no history with it- a bit of a gamble I know, one of those click happy ebay moments, put in a max bid and forgot about it until the email to say I'd won it...
Any advice and pointers appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Timolgra]

Rotten exhaust?

 

[Schtum]

Regulator / Rectifier is a weak point. It'll be worth going through the charging system and making sure everything is ok. As above, check the exhaust headers. They're mild steel and the collector box rots out through time. At 40K miles, if it hasn't had at least one, if not two replacement rear shocks, budget for that. Front fork / brake upgrades are a good idea - Firestorm front end is the usual route to that or RC51 if you want to be more radical.

 

[AustinW]

My son had one. A few problems he had: Slipping clutch caused by a corroded push rod. Seat catch and lock corrodes or gets sticky. Umm, that was about it. Good bike until he stuffed it into the scenery.


Sent from my iPhone with a smile

 

[Giles]

I had two back in the day, a common up grade was to put a heavier grade oil in the, slightly soft as standard, forks .....

 

[Timolgra]

Mine was a '97 and boringly faultless

Sold it and kept riding my baby

 

[Giles]

Nice hat ...

(squeel like a pig boy ..... )

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I bloody love mine!

All of the above.
Check the eccentric rear hub is lubricated. They can attract gravel and shite.

I did a light refresh on mine through last winter. It's worth a look to show you what's involved. - http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/358159-VFR-Refresh?highlight=vfr+refresh

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/29879887@N02/11484068684" title="IMG_4885 by tunneruk, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/11484068684_96ec85e2fb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_4885"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/29879887@N02/15200251992" title="IMG_6912 by tunneruk, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/15200251992_4b10ea171d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_6912"></a>

 

[rjsmith26]

+1 reg rec
+1 perfect apart from that

 

[doyle]

Check the front sprocket,the one I had was totally clogged with lube and grit.But I suppose its an area not regularly cleaned on a lot of bikes.

 

[Bendy toy]

Japanese brakes of that age are likely to have corrosion under the piston seals. Caught in time with a full strip you might save the cost of new seals.

 

[Bumpkin]

As mentioned above; exhaust headers, though at that age/mileage I would expect that they've been replaced. If with Motad stainless then they're sorted for life. Reg/rec. Starter clutch is a known weakness and difficult to source parts for these days. The symptom of this is a 'clacking' noise when thumbing the button. Rear wheel bearings went on my 94 FR. Otherwise a solid and reliable bike, enjoy

 

[steadysteve]

Thanks for the replies chaps.
I had it in to the local dealer for a check up before I took it out- nothing major apart from some corrosion in the fuel tank which needs sorting out sooner rather than later. Charging system okay.

One thing that did crop up yesterday was a problem with the speedo-- Whenever the brakes are applied, front or rear, the speedo drops to zero and then goes back to wherever it needs to be after the brakes are released. Speedo also went to zero on one occasion when the indicators were on.
I am assuming it is an earthing issue but haven't had time to investigate further but if anybody has any ideas in the meantime..... Thanks