1998-2001
VFRness installation instructions
Overview:
Installing the VFRness is as
easy as it could be. You will need the following tools:
- Allen wrench for
body panels
- Small 8mm socket
on extension(or a nutdriver) for the R/R bolt(just one)
- 10 mm socket or
wrench for the battery
The following items must be
removed:
- Seat
- 4 Allen Head bolts
securing the rear body panel
- 2 bolts on the battery
(always start and end with the ground wire)
Prepping the bike:
1. Remove the seat and set
aside
2. Remove the battery cover
by pulling on the 2 black plastic nubs and set aside
3. Remove the ground cable
bolt(right side) from the battery using the 10mm socket. Watch to be
sure the nut in the battery terminal doesn’t fall somewhere. Flex
the negative cable aside, so it is out of the way.
4. Remove the positive cable
bolt(watch the nut again)
5. Remove the battery from
the tray and set aside
6. Remove the 30 amp fuse from
the main holder in front of the battery and the 20 amp fuse from the
VFRness.
7. Remove the 4 allen screws
securing the rear fairing, and slide the fairing back far enough to
expose the R/R on the left side of the bike.
8. Locate the R/R. It has fins,
and is bolted to the outside of the rear subframe. Remove the
8mm bolt at the front of the R/R…we will be putting a wire under here.
9. Follow the wires from the
R/R to the plastic connector. This is usually located inside a clear
rubber boot.
10. Push the rubber boot away
from the connector, and disconnect the connector by push down on the
locking tab while pulling them apart.
Installing the VFRness:
1. Lay out the VFRness. Note
the end with the connectors that look like the R/R connector. Check
to be sure they match the connections on the bike. There is a male and
a female connector, they only fit one way.
2. Starting with the fuse end
of the VFRness, feed it through the frame and locate it next to the
existing main fuse holder.
3. Curve the VFRness to follow
the contour along the outside bottom of the battery tray.
4. From the left side of the
bike, route the + battery connection to the general vicinity of the
main battery cable.
5. Reinstall the battery in
its tray, and test that the positive cables both reach the battery terminal.
Go ahead and bolt it down now, main cable on the bottom, VFRness cable
on top. Do not install the negative cable at this time.
6. On the R/R side of the bike,
connect the R/R connectors to the VFRness connectors.
7. Reinstall the R/R bolt,
with the ground loop (green wires) under it and tighten.
8. Carefully tuck the Relay
and wires against the frame. There isn’t a particular place they need
to be, just close enough that they won’t interfere with the body panel.
9. Reinstall the negative cable(but
not the battery cover yet)
10. Install the supplied
20 amp fuse in VFRness and in the OEM fuseholder as well.
Testing:
1. First test the battery voltage
with the bike off. It should be 12.5-13.2. If it is lower, charge your
battery before testing.
2. With the key on, test the
voltage at the accessory wire(2000-2001 only). It should match battery
voltage.
3. Start the bike, and retest
the voltage, you should have around 13.5-14.5 at idle.
4. Increase the RPM to 5,000
RPM, and test at 5,000 RPM. You should have 14.1-14.7 volts.
5. Retest the voltage at the
accessory wire(2000-2001 only). It should match charging voltage now.
6. Try different RPMs and various
lights on/off….make sure the voltage doesn’t vary widely from 1500-5,000
RPM
Reinstall the battery cover,
seat, and fairing.
Assuming you made it this far,
congratulation on the installation of your VFRness. You can now rest
easier knowing that you have removed the kinks and false readings that
have caused so many owners incredible grief and problems. If charging
system problems remain please contact me for help.
Joshua Tilton
aka Tightwad
tilton@gmail.com
