Its been a productive morning

I found about 10 days ago that the exhaust can had a big hole in the side of the pipe that links the can to the collector exit. There was a lot of rust so i didn't think it could be welded closed, so i ordered a replacement pipe from Simmi Performance Exhausts on ebay. I chose them because they had quick delivery times and a good feedback and the exhaust can looked kind of like the standard part, and they were cheap. The can arrived within 2 days of order and looks like its pretty well made, only time will tell i guess. Also i found that the offside oil cooler pipe had a leak and was dripping oil on the exhaust manifolds. I have already fitted a new nearside pipe so have learnt that the only place to get the replacement part is from Honda themselves as it has some special fittings that only Honda use. I ordered the new pipe with my local Honda dealer Essex Honda and that arrived in only a week which is pretty good as Honda themselves didn't have the part in stock. I collected the part yesterday evening and have fitted it and the exhaust can this morning, it took about an hour and a half. When i first started the engine to test for exhaust and oil leaks i realized i really should have check with Simmi about how load the can would be. Its not to bad but louder than the blowing standard can, but it does have a great note to it, and on my short test ride seems to have improved performance a tiny bit. Now if only the rain would go away and stay away maybe i can go for a proper ride today. My internal tyre choice debate was settled when i found these extra costs so i went for Avon Storm Ultra 2's, there almost as cheap as the Pilot Powers but last as long as the Pilot Road 3's i have used them before and was quite happy with them i seem to remember. Well until next time have fun and be safe.  Stuart

Well its been a while.

Viffer has been locked away since late Nov 13 awaiting the better weather, now that spring is here it was time to get her out the garage and give here a oil and filter change and get her ready for riding again. After months of not riding and driving a very slow car it was great to ride again and feel the blast of acceleration and adrenalin while leaving cars in the mirrors. I have to reel myself in and remember to take my time re-honing the riding skills so as not to do something stupid and hurt myself or the bike. I just cant decide what new tires to get, the pilot powers are really sticky and fell really well planted but the rear has worn out in less than 3k miles. Or get the pilot road 3's which are very good and last a lot longer but don't have the same planted feel. I have a few hundred miles left on the rear so i guess i don't have to worry to much just yet. Viffer starts this season with 102500 miles on the clock and shes is still a pleasure to ride, lots of people keep asking when im changing to a different bike, my answer to that is when Viffer cant be kept on the road anymore because shes to broke to fix i don't see that time coming soon though as shes a Honda after all. Also i haven't been as comfortable on any other machine as i am on Viffer. So guys and gals i hope you have a good season of riding and that your all safe while doing it. Bye for now Stuart.

I just need to vent!!

I ride about 20 miles each way to work when i use the Vfr on a mix of main roads and back roads. What has me vexed is the car drivers that are only able to drive at 45 mph in a National limit where there's far less to cause you trouble, that's not the problem though they can go as slow as they like that's fine, its when you get to a 30 mph limit where we all know there is far more dangers for drivers and riders and those same car drivers are such experts at the craft of driving that they seem to believe there safe going 45 mph. I have on a couple of occasions had cars that i passed in the National limit a few miles back catch me and over take me while im doing 30 in a 30.  Off cause there never far away when we hit the 60 limit where i catch them and pass them Again. If there in such a rush they should go fast where its deemed safer to do so. THE NATIONAL LIMIT areas.  Vent over. As i have written before i am running on the Michelin Pilot Power tyres at the moment and there great. They offer good feed back and grip really well and provide great confidence. There is a draw back though my rear tyre is near the wear limit and its only covered nearly 3K miles. I think though its worth the extra running cost as they are so good to ride on. Also i got a cheque from the Insurance company of the the Focus driver that hit me so that's all finished with now. Thanks for reading this and don't forget to use the follow link on the right to be informed of updates to my blog. Stuart

Poor Viffer has suffered a blow From a Focus

Yesterday evening i was on my way home from chelmsford, i got to the Sandon Park and ride roundabouts over the A12. There was a Ford Focus in the left lane and i used the right lane on entering the roundabout, just as i was about to leave the roundabout still in my lane i caught a flash of the Focus moving to the right to go around the roundabout from the left lane and then bang the car hit me on my left leg and caused a bit of a wobble but i stayed on. The car driver carried on around the roundabout until the checkered area on the left i  turned around and rode back to the car. When i had my helmet of i heard it for the first time, Sorry i didn't see you. We spoke, swapped details and we parted me with a Thumping lower leg and a bent and twisted foot hanger and damage to the end of the rear wheel spindle and the Focus with the front right of the bumper all broke and cracked. Gladly my leg feels fine this morning and im getting a quote to get the bike fixed so hopefully i will have my girl back on the road soon.

100,000 MIles

Its with great pleasure i inform you that Viffer has just rolled onto the 100K mile mark and is still going strong and performing as she should. I bought her in April 2007 with 34156 miles on the clock, all i have done to keep her going is regular oil and filter changes and replaced parts that were worn or broken. I have made a video of the mileage clicking over and then i went for a bit of a blat round the Burnham bends. Hope you enjoy.

My mum found a old picture of me

I thought i would share a old picture that my mum found of me riding a little Honda motocross bike while at Primrose Valley near Scarborough  when i was maybe 10 years old. I remember it was about 50p a ride for about 5 minutes and there were small quad bikes and trikes as well. As you can see the surface was just mud and you went around in a oval. It was great fun and i knew i loved bikes then, i just had to wait until my late 20's until i could get a road bike as Mum always said she was happy for me to have a motorbike but only if i didn't live at home at the time. Heres the pic.

Done some more miles now.

I can recommend Michelin Pilot Powers on a VFR750 to those that like the Michelin tyres in general they give me much more feedback in the bars to push on that bit harder and they really feel like there stuck to the road loving them so far. Haven't ridden in the cold or rain yet but I recon if your confident and ride properly they will be good.