Bike runs fine, so what next?

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

Where could I be throwing my time and money into a bike once all the standard service parts have been sorted out (tyres, oil and filters, brake fluid etc)

I know some of you will probably suggest I leave it there. I can fully appreciate that, but go and find another thread!

I want to tart up my 400 VRX, and I wouldn't mind a few suggestions.

Things like Hagon or Progressive shocks, are they much of an improvement? I've seen some lovely looking Supertrapp exhausts that Wrenchmonkees seem to use on a few of their bikes, but would I need to be changing air filters and re-jetting after fitting something like that?

What about getting the engine (v-twin) running as efficent as possible as it is? I can handle cleaning the carbs but thats about my limit so far.

Anyway you can probably tell I'm new to this kinda thing so be gentle Very Happy

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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

_Iain_ · Banned Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

Brakes.

Pull em off, replace seals, clean the pistons, fit EBC HH sintered pads, and a goodridge line. Replace all old fluid.

Worry about stopping before going faster Laughing

Fit some sticky as fook tyres. I've recently been running dunlop GP209's which actually get sticky when they heat up. To the extent whereby you stop on loose gravel after a good fast ride and find bits of stone melting into the tyre.

Then if you've got some ££ left over, cut the factory cans off and replace em with a pair of theese;

https://www.britcycle.com/products/712/712_05a_b_001.jpg

Not the ghey ones mind. The full on, straight pipe, no baffles, packing or anything in em.

https://www.britcycle.com/products/712/712_05a_b_002.jpg

Then throw the rear mudguard, the stock bars and the stock seat in the bin, pop a nice cafe racer seat on it w/hump, some clip ons or clubman bars and hoon it around.

Something like this;

https://thekneeslider.com/images/2012/03/docs-chops-virago-4.jpg

Should totally ruin your bank balance, and your relationship with the other half. Would be awesome however. Laughing

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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

Thanks Iain thats exactly what I need to hear! The last pic wasn't showing???
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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

Don't worry there'll be plenty of that going on. I ride to work everyday and on my days off... I ride it.

If I have time off work to visit family down south I ride it there, sometimes I don't even stop on the way I just ride through the night until I get there. It's only 400 odd miles. I say a few quick hellos and drink some tea with my mates and family in Norfolk, then make my excuses and ride about the country side.

If I run out of money for petrol I find a not so old receipt and take something back to a shop so I have a spare £12 to fill the tank up.

I ride it like fuck.

I just thought I'd treat the bike a little since it means everything to me and then some.
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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well. Most bikes (especially older ones) have shit brakes.

Most riders don't realise how shit they are until they ride one with good brakes.

So spend time and money on the brakes. It's more rewarding than spending it on the engine.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

Thanks it seems like the next thing I should concentrate on then.

Iain was saying much the same, and one Stinkwheel post equates to about three other user posts Wink

so thats about four people in favour of brakes.

'Roger that'
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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

_Iain_ · Banned Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

Have a search on google for the doc chop's white virago cafe racer. Was based on a virago cruiser, imo looks the bollocks.

Pads seem to make you stop quicker, the brake line makes them feel more responsive.

Realy do rate the HH sintered pads from EBC. Red ones. Initial "Bite" is a lot better than the standard ones i had.

Not sure if the goodridge line is any better than any other brand of braided line, but as there was about £2 difference i opted for a brand i knew. What i do know however, is that setting 4 on the brake lever felt sharper than setting 1 had done before fitting. A lot more responsive.

Get up your vets before you fuck with the brakes though. You want a 60ml syringe (cost me £5.60 something), the ones they use for feeding animals and stuff. Put a bit of pipe on the end. I used half of my excessively long battery breather;

https://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o574/_Iain_/420E4B5F-F7C9-49AA-9DB2-AE31A3ED76A3-4864-00000765B08E9140.jpg

Any fluid goes on the pads they're ruined. The disc is a case of clean well. Petrol works, brake cleaner is better. I used asda brake fluid as it was on offer. Carplan or something. You dont need anything flash unless you're on track, just boggo dot4.

Open bleed nipple, pump old fluid out. Unbolt brake line, bolt on new brake line (using new copper washers & banjo bolts supplied in goodridge kit). Fill syringe with brake fluid. put hose over the bleed nipple, Inject fluid in very slowly till you see it in the sight glass on the master cylinder. When the MC is full hold the syringe with one hand, and tighten the bleed nipple. Squeeze brakes and they should be rock solid instantly. Takes 30seconds, not 30mins that way Thumbs Up

Although the bird behind the counter at the vets will look at you a bit mental when you walk in asking for a syringe to fix your motorcyle brakes. Neutral

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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

I've got all the usual stuff for the brakes but haven't tried to back bleed them before. Everyone tells me its quicker!

Good shout on the hose though, I had a look on the Goodridge site. They should be a little less flexible than what's already on the bike as standard im guessing?

Those cafe racers look mental I really like caffed v-twins but the Docs are somethin else. It's pretty amazing what can be done with a 535 I've seen some really good examples on the Pipeburn website too. I came so close to getting a Virago for a good price a few weeks ago. Someone beat me to it and had it back on Gumtree a day later, nothing done to it, except about £250 added to the asking price Rolling Eyes

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'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

And I've just realised, that's probably not the 535 is it. Oops.

It's late
____________________
'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

AlexW · Spanner Monkey Joined: 11 Sep 2011 Karma :

I mostly agree with Iain, I'd just use dot 5.1 fluid, It won't need changing as offen as 4 and its silicone based, plus should have a higher boiling point depending on what you go for.

Fluid will be the biggest change to your brakes, It is so easy to boil old fluid due to it taking in some water.

Pads are personal choice, I like organic pads due to the feel and the fact they wear away faster than my discs (Hard pads will wear away discs, and since I plan to keep my vehicles for a while, I like soft pads that I can change more offen, saving expensive discs)

Don't forget the back brake too!

StevRS · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Karma :

The usual fancy tat like fenda extenders, tail tidys, etc might sharpen the looks up.

After brakes suspension is next. A decent shock and fork springs as a minimum will transform the way it rides.
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Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

How about a custom seat? Idea

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Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Hmmmm....
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Honda%20VRX400%20%202.jpg
I'm er.... it's err.... yeah! err.....
OK, I had to google it to find out what it is.... and now I have, its err.... OK, I'll be blunt.... it IS a 'Cruiser' innit?
If we want to split hairs, its a 'traditional' street-bike, with Piglet tendancies, I suppose, and possibly a tad of retro Bonny chucked in...
And I have to admit, my reaction to it was not, "Oh Gawd!" but, "Hmmm... (pleasantly surprised) with follow on (nodding) HhhMMMMMMM! of that has potential!
Styling wise its cruiery, but looking at the geometry apart from reletively long wheel-base, its doesn't look too raked..... that could be quite a pleasant 'ride' I imagine...
So my imediete reaction to the question, "What can I do to tweek a V-Twin" is some-what blunted.
Because trying to improve the handling & perfomance of a criuser, GENERALLY is rowing against the tide, performance & handling originally sacrificed in such measure for style, that you'd never get anything particularly 'wonderful' for the effort.
In this case though? Yeah, I see a bit of pottential.
Hagons are god and do make big difference, and with sticky rubber, would probably make that thing very 'entertaining' and possibly even more comfy!
Motorwise, I'm more sanguine.
Biggest way to big power is big motor. That thing is only 400cc so with small displacement you will never get big gains.
But, I suspect, its a sleeved down version of the veritable VT500 lump, and related to the 400 Bros, and the smaller Shaddows, et al all the way to 650cc.
Hunting for pics, its chain drive, isn't it? So I would be investigating Chain Drive variants for possible swapsies, I think. Trans-alp lump?
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

It clearly needs a maltese cross tail-light.

https://xchoppers.com/images/Maltese%20Tail%20Light.jpg

And some pike nuts. Pike nuts everywhere.
https://www.richpresley.co.uk/ekmps/shops/richpresley/resources/Design/pike-nuts-front-page-small-.jpg
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Personally I would't bother with progressive springs. Hagon are fairly cheap because they are more of a factory they don't set the bike up or even sell different weight front springs just one standard progressive type. If you are looking to spend money the best thing you can do IMO is get the suspension set up properly. The difference it made to my TDM was awesome. The bike felt so much better and is unflappable over bumpy roads.

Getting the front on my TDM set up cost £200, that was for springs to suit my weight a full rebuild and the dampers 'modified' to suit me, then it was set up. I got a new rear shock as mine needed a rebuild, new spring and the piston rod was pitted so that needed to be re-chromed which in the end would cost about £300 a new Better shock built to my spec was £500. Expensive yes but it would have needed the rebuild and re-chrome anyway as part of a service which was £200.

I can't recommend the guys that did mine enough, I would take my other bikes there if it weren't for the fact they don't open weekends which makes getting there a with work a pig.

https://www.mctsuspension.com/
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Also less expensive, if you haven't got them already, Braided lines!
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

Zero · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

Chris I'm going to be down that way at the end of the month I might pop in to the suspension place and have a chat with them at least. Seems like you've been getting on really well with your bike from the bits and pieces I remember reading, I think it's a good direction to go in i.e improving what's already there.

Thanks for the tip on the organic pads Alex, might save me a lot of hassle later on as the front disc for the VRX looks like it might be hard to find as a replacement.

Also, thanks to *Tef I now have a reply to all those people who ask 'what's that? is that a 750?' - 'naa, its a traditional street bike with piglet tendancies'

*I always enjoy your replies, its like reading the Beano and I mean that in the nicest possible way!

Looks like I'll be sorting out the breaks then before any other fancy ideas...
____________________
'01 Suzuki GZ125 - scrapped
'91 Kawasaki GT550 - given away
'95 Honda VRX400 / '08 Yamaha XT660R - current bikes

AlexW · Spanner Monkey Joined: 11 Sep 2011 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

IMO using Organic Pads to make your discs last longer is stupid, I have always had Sintered pads on my bike. I am very heavy on the brakes, I'm a big bloke and it is a big bike. I mostly do commuting miles through the city and it has the same brakes as an R1. All these things should indicate I munch through discs at a rate of knots. Well after 56,000 miles I am still on the original discs. I'd much rather have better braking than squeeze a few extra miles out of a set of discs I'm only likely to change once in my bikes life.

I think the reason discs where out prematurely is poor maintenance on the calliper causing the brakes to bind and wear/overheat/warp.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.