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PAIR removal

The VFR800 like many other bikes has a secondary air supply system that helps deal with unburned exhaust gases. The drawback to this system is it increases exhaust gas temperature and for modified bikes can create backfiring. On my '01, I do get a bit of decel backfiring on colder days and this system could be the culprit. I also notice the extreme exhaust temps as my bike smells like it's burning up on light rain days and if any road debris gets on my rear pipes. A cosmetic and slight weight benefit once this is removed is less crap in an already crowded engine area...so let's get down to it.

Supplies and Parts Needed: JB Weld/plug of some kind/high temp silicon sealant, clear silicon sealant, acetone or paint thinner, paper towels, duct tape. You could also just unplug the solenoid and that should disable the system, I wanted to completely remove it if it wasn't being used.

OPTIONAL: an old rubber glove

I also used the Rogue site for RC51's as an online reference.

1) Remove the lower cowls, unbolt the radiators, unbolt the oil cooler, and pop the tank to remove the air cleaner cover (use a manual unless you've done it before).

2) Here's a shot of the airbox where the solenoid attaches to it, go ahead and remove the bolt holding it. Then unplug the solenoid connection to the harness as seen in the picture below.

[PAIR airbox gif] [PAIR plug gif]

3) Once the solenoid is detached go ahead and remove the hoses off each valve and the whole thing is ready to pull out. Watch the rear hose as you slowly remove it, it's bundled with the harness on the left side of the tank.

[PAIR front gif] [PAIR rear gif]

4) Here's the whole enchilada...less crap under the hood and trimmed a pound or two ;) There will be a hole in your airbox under the filter now that the hose is disconnected that provided fresh filtered air to the PAIR system. I used the clear silicon sealant and just filled the hole from end to end and topped it off with a zip tied fingertip of an old rubber glove for a little extra security ('cause I'm anal like that). It's probably not needed, but it's more of a CYA maneuver seeing it's my airbox and all.

[PAIR system jpg]

5)I pulled the valve caps off the cylinder heads and plugged the holes with JB weld (you could always use some other plug of some kind or high temp silicone sealant as a more temporary solution). I cleaned the inside of the cap nozzles with acetone before putting in the JB weld to make sure the surface was clean for the best adhesion. I also pushed a piece of paper towel into the nozzles to be used as a flat base for the JB weld to harden on, otherwise it would just run out on the inside. I then used the duct tape to cover the holes in the valve covers until the JB weld was fully cured (15 hours) to prevent any foreign material entering. Once the JB Weld is cured, pull out the paper, put it all back together and you're ready to go !!!!

[PAIR jbweld jpg]

Follow up: I had to increase the idle a bit and noticed an immediate difference in the operating temp. The bike is actually running cooler, it's getting fully warmed up to normal operating temp but it's not getting as hot as fast in stop and go traffic. SWEEETTT !!! I'll update this if there's any other noticeable differences.