F4i

[shp4man]

Welcome back to California, where the gas pumps have a vapor recovery system . That's why it clicks off too soon when you fill up your bike. Try pumping the gas real slow after it clicks off.

[Cookie Monster]

Welcome back to California, where the gas pumps have a vapor recovery system . That's why it clicks off too soon when you fill up your bike. Try pumping the gas real slow after it clicks off.

I was able to fill it partially by jamming the nozzle in at weird angles so the nozzle wouldn't touch the gas in the tank and shut off, but there was no way I was going to get it to the top.

I need to find a place that has the older style nozzles so I can actually get more gas in there.

[MX793]

Do the Cali pumps have that little collar thing on a bellows?  Try pulling that collar back.

[Cookie Monster]

So I'm thinking about doing a CBR600RR swingarm swap... they look cool and it'd be an easy way of getting spools.

I don't know if I could trust myself to do that, though. A local shop wants me to take the swingarm off the bike and bring it to the shop. I'm kinda scared to do it because any fuckups on the bike means I'm dead if shit comes apart.

Granted I've done a ton of work on my car and nothing has ever come apart (yet, knock on wood) but I'm way more scared on a bike since I'm at its mercy...

[giant_mtb]

Welcome back to California, where the gas pumps have a vapor recovery system . That's why it clicks off too soon when you fill up your bike. Try pumping the gas real slow after it clicks off.

Dunno why, but my Audi often triggered pumps' auto-off way too soon. I could be sittin at 1/4 tank and I'd have to baby the gas in by just barely squeezing the trigger otherwise it would click itself off. Incredibly annoying, especially in the winter. Never had that issue with other vehicles. Many times I just ended up putting $10-15 in because it was a PITA trying to actually fill it.

[MX793]

So I'm thinking about doing a CBR600RR swingarm swap... they look cool and it'd be an easy way of getting spools.

I don't know if I could trust myself to do that, though. A local shop wants me to take the swingarm off the bike and bring it to the shop. I'm kinda scared to do it because any fuckups on the bike means I'm dead if shit comes apart.

Granted I've done a ton of work on my car and nothing has ever come apart (yet, knock on wood) but I'm way more scared on a bike since I'm at its mercy...

Swingarms aren't that hard to remove.  I used to disassemble the entire rear suspension linkage, including removing the swingarm, on my MX bikes every to every other season to clean and re-grease all of the bearings.  First time I did it took me a little bit because I had to figure out what had to come off in what order (had to remove the brake pedal and master cylinder to get at the swingarm pivot bolt), but it really wasn't hard.   The  harder part is figuring out how to support the bike while removing and after the swingarm is off.  On a dirtbike it's easy to just lift the bike up on a wooden milk crate or pedestal stand right on the bottom of the frame (right under the motor).  The bike was designed to be supported like that.  Newer sport bikes with perimeter style frames and under-slung exhausts can't be held up that way.  On a bike with a built-in center stand, you actually could pull the swingarm with the bike supporting itself on the center stand.  I suppose you could cob up some kind of support using a jack that picks up on the F4's factory center stand mount. 

All told, I think it's a hell of a lot cheaper and easier to just try to find a built-in center stand and install it than to try welding spool mounts or swapping to a swingarm from a different model and then using a bike stand (which takes up more space in the garage).  Found a UK Honda dealer where you could order all of the center stand parts brand new for $300 + S&H.  My bike has spool mounts, but if it had a factory center stand mount, I sure as hell would be looking for a center stand vs using a bike stand.  I have a bike stand that I don't use and will be selling because it's a huge PITA and it's very difficult to use while trying to hold the bike up.  I nearly dropped my bike trying to use it by myself.  In fact, the leverage ratio on the stand is such that I actually need a second person to help put the bike on the stand because I can't both hold the bike up and put enough weight down on the stand to get the rear wheel up off the ground.  With a 100 lbs lighter bike (50 less pounds on the rear wheel), I would probably be able to do it by myself, but even then it could be hairy (bear in mind, I weigh about as much as you do).  Never had a problem with putting my heavier Bandit up on its factory center stand and I didn't have a piece of metal eating up 9 square feet of my limited garage space.

[Cookie Monster]

Swingarms aren't that hard to remove.  I used to disassemble the entire rear suspension linkage, including removing the swingarm, on my MX bikes every to every other season to clean and re-grease all of the bearings.  First time I did it took me a little bit because I had to figure out what had to come off in what order (had to remove the brake pedal and master cylinder to get at the swingarm pivot bolt), but it really wasn't hard.   The  harder part is figuring out how to support the bike while removing and after the swingarm is off.  On a dirtbike it's easy to just lift the bike up on a wooden milk crate or pedestal stand right on the bottom of the frame (right under the motor).  The bike was designed to be supported like that.  Newer sport bikes with perimeter style frames and under-slung exhausts can't be held up that way.  On a bike with a built-in center stand, you actually could pull the swingarm with the bike supporting itself on the center stand.  I suppose you could cob up some kind of support using a jack that picks up on the F4's factory center stand mount. 

All told, I think it's a hell of a lot cheaper and easier to just try to find a built-in center stand and install it than to try welding spool mounts or swapping to a swingarm from a different model and then using a bike stand (which takes up more space in the garage).  Found a UK Honda dealer where you could order all of the center stand parts brand new for $300 + S&H.  My bike has spool mounts, but if it had a factory center stand mount, I sure as hell would be looking for a center stand vs using a bike stand.  I have a bike stand that I don't use and will be selling because it's a huge PITA and it's very difficult to use while trying to hold the bike up.  I nearly dropped my bike trying to use it by myself.  In fact, the leverage ratio on the stand is such that I actually need a second person to help put the bike on the stand because I can't both hold the bike up and put enough weight down on the stand to get the rear wheel up off the ground.  With a 100 lbs lighter bike (50 less pounds on the rear wheel), I would probably be able to do it by myself, but even then it could be hairy (bear in mind, I weigh about as much as you do).  Never had a problem with putting my heavier Bandit up on its factory center stand and I didn't have a piece of metal eating up 9 square feet of my limited garage space.

Honestly, putting a center stand on a sport bike seems all wrong.

I'll have to look into it, though. I have the garage space at my parents' place so that's not an issue. The main issue is removing the swingarm and then leaving the rest of the bike upright.

Also, I changed the oil today and checked the chain tension. Holy shit the chain was so tight. Spec is 1-1.5" of slack. The chain had about .25" of slack. I ended up loosening it to about 1" of slack and re-lubing it. I tried to stay as even as possible on both tensioners, and measured the axle to swingarm pivot bolt many times, so I think the wheel is as straight as it's going to get. I think it's probably off by 1-2mm, but that could be errors in measuring or the tape not being precise enough. Either way, after I loosened the chain, pushing it around became so much easier. Before, I wouldn't be able to push it easily and I thought I was just a sad weak man, but now I can just roll it around without having to turn the engine on. Hopefully that translates to a smoother ride and better MPG.

I also sprayed the chain with a lot of WD40 and scrubbed it with a chain brush, then wiped it dry and sprayed some Motul chain lube on it. I'm letting it dry for now before I head out on a test ride. Hopefully my oil change and chain tinkering don't kill me or the bike.

[MX793]

A number of sportbikes have had them over the years, particularly Hondas.  Every generation of CBR600F had them either as standard or as an option (meaning the mounting provisions are there).  VFR/Interceptor has always had them.  GSX/Katana series had them.  Ninja 600 and ZZR600 (up until the '05 model).  Ninja 250 and 500 as well.  The reason they've gone away is weight, cost, and on some bikes they can limit maximum corner clearance.  Race bikes don't even have side stands.  None of these reasons matter for a bike that's being used on the street.  The 600F isn't a hardcore homologation bike.  There's nothing out of place about a center stand on that bike.

[12,000 RPM]

Yea just get the center stand dude. I wish I had one. Using the rear stand is a PITA. Have to balance the bike while getting the stand up and aligning the swingarm holders. Makes no sense.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Yea just get the center stand dude. I wish I had one. Using the rear stand is a PITA. Have to balance the bike while getting the stand up and aligning the swingarm holders. Makes no sense.

I marked my rear stand (on the hooks) with a sharpie so I can align the tabs up before I stand the up. That helps a little.

[280Z Turbo]

I reinstalled a center stand on my EX250. It's better to just take a dump before you go ride to make up for the extra weight.

[giant_mtb]

Moped has center stand and a standard side kickstand.

[Cookie Monster]

I reinstalled a center stand on my EX250. It's better to just take a dump before you go ride to make up for the extra weight.

Your dumps weigh 10-15 lb?

You might want to get that checked out.

[MX793]

Moped has center stand and a standard side kickstand.

Any motorcycle with a center stand has a side stand as well.

[Cookie Monster]

Yay! I figured out how to fill up the tank today! I just pressed the donut thing around the nozzle up with my hand and it allowed me to pump with the nozzle out of the tank. Got it nice and full, to the brim today.

Now I can see how far I can make it on one tank.

[Cookie Monster]

By my calculations, I got 41.8 mpg this last tank. I am pretty happy with that.

[280Z Turbo]

Your dumps weigh 10-15 lb?

You might want to get that checked out.

You can also shed your helmet and safety gear. I saw a guy the other day riding shirtless.

[SVT_Power]

Rag saw your photo on FB from tonight...


LOLOLOLOLOLREKT

[Cookie Monster]

Rag saw your photo on FB from tonight...


LOLOLOLOLOLREKT

STFU NOOB.

The tank lid was always a little sticky/finicky to open. One of the lock bars in the tank is bent so tomorrow I'm going to straighten it out after I fix the lock.

But yeah it was embarrassing. That was in a group of 50+ riders, too. FML.

[Cookie Monster]

Got a lot done to the bike yesterday. On Friday, for those of you who aren't friends with me on Facebook, I ended up breaking my key off in the tank when I went to fill up with gas during a giant group ride. The cap was always sticky because one of the bars in the tank was bent. I think when I went to open it on Friday it just failed. My dad and brother drove out the 25 miles to get me my spare key and I got back home. On Saturday morning, I was able to fish out the broken piece with two tiny flathead screwdrivers, and I got a few more keys made, and then I opened up the tank and straightened out the bent bar. The cap opens super smoothly now and self locks as well when the cap is pushed.

I also installed my Competition Werkes fender eliminator kit. It took forever and the instructions were bad and I had to hack off most of the tail plastic (not the tail fairing), but it looks good now.





I'm so tempted to ditch the turn signals and get an integrated tail light but I'm scared it won't be as bright and it's definitely not legal. For now I'll leave it as is, and probably order a Double Bubble windshield off of amazon.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Pick some smaller LED "Cat Eye" blinkers!

[Speed_Racer]

Pick some smaller LED "Cat Eye" blinkers!

I'm rocking these LEDs from Cycle Gear as my front blinkers: http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEEDMETAL-LED-Lighted-Tip-Turn-Signals. They are decently bright considering the cost, they look good too!

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'm rocking these LEDs from Cycle Gear as my front blinkers: http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEEDMETAL-LED-Lighted-Tip-Turn-Signals. They are decently bright considering the cost, they look good too!

Those are like the type I used on my 2003 Gixxer when I did the 954 tail light swap! 

[Cookie Monster]

I'm going to look for some newer OEM LED tail lights actually. Don't want to get integrated if it's not as safe and if I'm going to get ticketed all the time.


Also, after I rode to work today, I came to a stop in gear, and was about to reverse into my parking spot, except I couldn't shift gears at all. The shifter wouldn't change gears and I couldn't get into neutral. I had to roll the bike a couple inches and then when I tried again it worked normally and I could find neutral.

Is that normal? I read that it's normal for bikes to clunk into first gear, but I've never had this happen to me before.

[12,000 RPM]

My bike does that sometimes. I actually have to pull the clutch in, roll it and then change gears. Only a problem when the bike is off and in gear though.

[Cookie Monster]

My bike does that sometimes. I actually have to pull the clutch in, roll it and then change gears. Only a problem when the bike is off and in gear though.

This was with the bike running.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'm going to look for some newer OEM LED tail lights actually. Don't want to get integrated if it's not as safe and if I'm going to get ticketed all the time.


Also, after I rode to work today, I came to a stop in gear, and was about to reverse into my parking spot, except I couldn't shift gears at all. The shifter wouldn't change gears and I couldn't get into neutral. I had to roll the bike a couple inches and then when I tried again it worked normally and I could find neutral.

Is that normal? I read that it's normal for bikes to clunk into first gear, but I've never had this happen to me before.

That happens to me about once a week.

[shp4man]

Sometimes bike transmissions get stuck between gears, usually from too light a touch on the lever. This is a Harley thing, though.

[MX793]

I've had bikes stick in gear or between gear (or in neutral) every so often.

Sometimes bike transmissions get stuck between gears, usually from too light a touch on the lever. This is a Harley thing, though.

Engaging first gear on a Harley elicits a sound akin to a microwave oven striking pavement after being hurled out of a 3rd story window.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]