What did you do to your Vmax today? Part 2

[Fire-medic]

Can you elaborate on that? I've never seen anything like it. What is that big canister for?

Fisheye equivalent lens focal distance.

About those shocks:
https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/...x2mcjmeob_d4MvgqYrRn2rSmTQVke2xBoCHD0QAvD_BwE
A 330 mm o.c. eye-to-eye measurement will give you the same shock length as a OEM Yamaha VMax rear shock. These rfy shocks probably have a very-light set of springs, not something set-up for a 600 lbs VMax, before sticking a rider on there. At the very-least, you'd need to get the springs in the proper range, before worrying about the damping. Choose the wrong length (too-short) and stick with the 'scooter' spring rates they're apparently set-up for, and you could end-up with a near rigid rear-end, a 'hardtail.' Not something I'd want for a bike I'm riding through potholes, and broken uneven pavement.

Perhaps a dragstrip-only bike can put-up with struts, but my spine cartilage vertebral discs need some suspension. "Get-up on yer footpegs" cries should have ended with the 1958 Duo-Glide.

I've seen a guy on youtube who rebuilds the rfy shocks to work-better, he's been written-up in some internet sites about inexpensive alternatives for expensive better-quality shocks.

 

[Denci]

Can you elaborate on that? I've never seen anything like it. What is that big canister for?

The canisters are to adjust the ride they are filled with nitrogen. If you buy these shocks they are only rated for 440 lbs so i had a local suspension place beef them up to handle the weight of the vmax. You have to be careful if you buy these because there are a ton of knockoffs. the price is usually the give a way. a set of these runs about 160 so if you see some on amazon for 60-80 bucks skip it.
I got these from a friend brand new for free so i spent 100 bucks getting them beefed up. I like the black and it keeps the color lines instead of breaking it with chrome shocks.

 

[Denci]

Fisheye equivalent lens focal distance.

About those shocks:
https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/...x2mcjmeob_d4MvgqYrRn2rSmTQVke2xBoCHD0QAvD_BwE
A 330 mm o.c. eye-to-eye measurement will give you the same shock length as a OEM Yamaha VMax rear shock. These rfy shocks probably have a very-light set of springs, not something set-up for a 600 lbs VMax, before sticking a rider on there. At the very-least, you'd need to get the springs in the proper range, before worrying about the damping. Choose the wrong length (too-short) and stick with the 'scooter' spring rates they're apparently set-up for, and you could end-up with a near rigid rear-end, a 'hardtail.' Not something I'd want for a bike I'm riding through potholes, and broken uneven pavement.

Perhaps a dragstrip-only bike can put-up with struts, but my spine cartilage vertebral discs need some suspension. "Get-up on yer footpegs" cries should have ended with the 1958 Duo-Glide.

I've seen a guy on youtube who rebuilds the rfy shocks to work-better, he's been written-up in some internet sites about inexpensive alternatives for expensive better-quality shocks.

Fire-Medic
you are correct , I would not recommend these shocks as they come, you would definitely need to have them modified. Many suspension shops can do it and usually at a reasonably price. they replace the springs and valves.

 

[gentsvmax]

Probably my favorite v-max, and possibly my favorite bike period, besides a Vincent Black Shadow.

WOW! Now the honor of all honor's is to know your taste's include the VINCENT!!!!
Thank you

 

[gentsvmax]

Wow love the way it looks, are those body panels and rear end custom made? It looks like that was how it was supposed to be from day one!

Thank you brother, those panel's are custom in idea only and as common as any old Rubbermaid trash can! Trash can shown yielding one belly pan and shots of the "Roadster" pillion mock-up.

 

[Vaughn]

In the last couple weeks I added saddle bags for wife when she rides and now we can take it grocery shopping. Last night I added led light strips. I was asked to product test them. I have had them a few weeks but just got the time to install. Yes that's 2 of the 4 jeeps that live here also.

 

[Craig Huckeby]

I built a backrest yesterday. Gen 2. Stock one is ridiculous priced!!

 

[Fire-medic]

Good job on the backrest, now give it to a cutting service for a VMax logo, so the exotic cars can see who passed 'em, riding two-up! Less weight, more power! A sticker just wouldn't look as-good.

 

[02GF74]

Replaced the headlamp bracket with one that is in better condition, pure vanity I know. I marked the top of the light beam on the wall with tape to ensure the headlight gets fitted in the same place, seems that was unnecessary.

I'm not sure if the bracket is anodised as polishing the old one would have rejuvenated it, but I wouldn't want it too shiny as it would no longer look original.

 

[1badmax]

Just installed Tim's re-flash on my 16 and OH MY GOSH!!! Is this thing quick or WHAT...

 

[Fire-medic]

Replaced the headlamp bracket with one that is in better condition, pure vanity I know. I marked the top of the light beam on the wall with tape to ensure the headlight gets fitted in the same place, seems that was unnecessary.

I'm not sure if the bracket is anodised as polishing the old one would have rejuvenated it, but I wouldn't want it too shiny as it would no longer look original.
View attachment 73624

Get it grey powder-coated, that's close in appearance to OEM, and there are different shades and hues of grey. You should be able to match it pretty-well. Getting the triple trees done, and the instrument/turn signal/handlebar brackets done at the same time will match everything so it's a uniform appearance.

You could polish the stock bracket, and shoot it with a matte-clear coat, that would cost next-to nothing.

 

[SDB]

Had bike one week today FIRST SERVICE on my new to me 1998... Rode it almost 600 miles in the past week...
18,421 miles
Rotella T4 oil, cleaned oil filter
Lucas 75w-90 synthetic diff fluid (cleaned out with MMO)
Prestone DOT 4 synthetic fluid in front/rear brake and clutch master cylinders (cleaned out master cylinders thoroughly )
Flushed Coolant with distilled water (couple times) refilled with Prestone long life 50/50
Removed and cleaned Coolant resevoir
New NGK spark plugs gapped to. 035
New fuel filter

Waiting on new fork seal kit and fork oil to tear into front end and repack/regrease/re-tighten the steering head bearings, freshen up the forks

 

[Fire-medic]

Sean Morley has a great video on doing your forks (so-easy, even a young girl can do it!) which features his daughter. Are you going to change the fork springs for Race Tech or Progressive Suspensions springs, or RICOR or Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators?

 

[SDB]

Sean Morley has a great video on doing your forks (so-easy, even a young girl can do it!) which features his daughter. Are you going to change the fork springs for Race Tech or Progressive Suspensions springs, or RICOR or Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators?

I saw the video... Pretty much like any other yanaha fork not too bad. I think I'm keeping stock springs and I ordered 15w Lucas synthetic fork oil (have used this in 10w on Road Stars and Royal Star's with good success). Have one Road Star with progressive springs and it's nice and another Road Star with stock springs and heavier 10w oil and its a good ride.

 

[Fire-medic]

You should add your year of your bike (1998) as a signature, to help others see what you have if they were going to contribute.

Consider the Race Tech Cartridge Emulators as an addition, they make your forks much-more tuneable.
https://www.racetech.com/ProductSearch/12/Yamaha/VMX1200 V-Max/1998
They also have two choices for downtubes (type of finish).
Chrome: $191 ea.
Gold titanium nitride: $338 ea.

I have RICOR damper cartridges, and Race Tech springs for the forks, it makes a big difference in how the forks work, and in how they can be tuned.

 

[cdgawatersports]

I noticed Fire -medic mentioned Sean Morley's video doing fork seals, i knew i seen a video from him, his daughter did all the work lol. i just wanted to say if anyone see's the video the pvc pipe is not normal pipe with a coupler it is commercial water pipe so it comes with a flared end instead needing couplers and it does work great for the forks. Everyone should watch Sean's videos ! Big shout out THANKS Sean!

 

[desert_max]

OK, mock me if you care to, but I am secure in my masculinity. I sent the miserable carburetor body with the air blockage that I couldn’t clear over to our buddy Kyle. I trust he will have better luck with it than I did.

 

[CaptainKyle]

OK, mock me if you care to, but I am secure in my masculinity. I sent the miserable carburetor body with the air blockage that I couldn’t clear over to our buddy Kyle. I trust he will have better luck with it than I did.

It made it here today ! Hopefully will have some luck with it tomorrow

 

[desert_max]

Replaced the headlamp bracket with one that is in better condition, pure vanity I know. I marked the top of the light beam on the wall with tape to ensure the headlight gets fitted in the same place, seems that was unnecessary.

I'm not sure if the bracket is anodised as polishing the old one would have rejuvenated it, but I wouldn't want it too shiny as it would no longer look original.
View attachment 73624

I’m a big fan of shiny. I polished mine.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I will say that my motorcycles each usually get a deep clean once a year. The rest of the year, depending on how much they are ridden, they accumulate a fair amount of grime between superficial after ride wipe downs. But at least it’s shiny underneath the grime!

 

[desert_max]

It made it here today ! Hopefully will have some luck with it tomorrow

Wow a day early! That was pretty quick from Arizona to Tennessee.