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Owner - Jerry Ferguson, Gilbert AZ
I bought this bike with 450 miles on it in May of 1998! I wanted a yellow MAX so one look at this pristine example of a bone-stock '94 and I was in love. I've owned more than 22 different bikes and ridden many more since my first one - a Suzuki TC185 in 1976. The VMAX is definitely the most exciting street bike I've owned.
DragonMax detail images
Click on any image for enlargement.
Rear view Custom seat
The dragon's tail
The dragon The dragon's claws (note polished Exactrep fork brace) Close-up of dragon & girl
Another rear view
Close up of muffler, sterling silver muffler can plate, billet brake arm
Instrument area (note chrome pod cover, bar-end turn signals, billet grips, drag bars)
Close-up of engine - clutch side
DragonMax enhancements thus far:
Yamaha instrument cowl (flyscreen), case savers, brake/clutch reservoir covers
Overall Yamaha accessories tend to be quality. I am very pleased with the instrument cowl and case savers, however the brake reservoir covers are cheesy and I don't recommend them.
Instrument cowl directs air flow to helmet area (with addition of lowered seat). Also allows you to tuck in behind it for high speeds.
Sargent Cycle (Florida) custom purple/black seat re-upholstery job. High density foam inserted in front/rear sections and front sculptured to 3" lower ride height. The difference between Sargent and some other places that do seat re-upholstery is that Sargents will do whatever you want them to - sculpture the seat the way you want it, change to a different foam density, use any seat fabric you choose (even 'exotic leathers like alligator or ostrich). Check the customers pictures pages on their page for my seat!
Very happy with final result. When I first got the seat back the front section was not low enough and didn't meet the flipper section correctly. Bill at Sargent was very helpful and they corrected all to my satisfaction. The results were excellent with no gaps anywhere and near perfect seams. If your picky this place will do you right.
Firm closed-cell foam stops bottoming on the lower front section. Have ridden 600 mile days (so far) with positive results (no numb-butt).
Progressive 11.5" 418 series shocks and 1" fork lowering kit (w/Progressive springs) from PCW
This modification gave the bike that low mean look I wanted. The shocks are great quality although the ride is not as plush since the travel is less on these 1.5" shorter shocks.
The forks were a bit stiff with the addition of the new Progressive springs. But after a few thousand miles of spring break-in the ride is what I expect, firm and controllable.
Mark's Performance (Los Angeles, CA 760-948-1346) custom stainless 4 into 2 exhaust system (w/crossover)
I like the idea of a custom one-off exhaust system. Overall quality is very good. Centerstand is retained with this exhaust (although I removed it). Seams on these fatter-than-stock stainless header pipes are top-notch. Sound is throaty rumble, lower than Hindle or Kerker, sets off alarms in parking garages and scares pedestrians & small children (desired effects!). Weight savings were significant. Only thing I didn't like were Mark's muffler can emblem plates, they were too big and detracted from the high quality of the product.
Stage 1 carb kit (K & N filter, 1-over main jets - Mikuni 155, .026" needle spacing washers)
Modifications to your air filter and or exhaust system may require different carburetor jetting. So far I'm happy with this kit. Check out the dyno results of the jet kit/pipe combo below.
Chrome bar-end turn signals (Mek)
I don't know about you, but think those big stock units on most of the Japanese bikes look goofy. Fitting these bar-end units on permitted me to remove ALL the stock turn signals for a clean look (I used polished big head bumper bolts to cover up the holes). This is due to the bar-ends having both front and rear lenses. The lamps used in them are halogen, so they're plenty bright enough.
K & N drag bars
With the lowered seat and suspension, I found myself in an awkward riding position with the stock handlebars. A set of slightly bent back drag bars solved that problem. No riser necessary - just angle them up very slightly until all bar controls clear top cover. Now I wonder how I ever managed without them!
Custom graphics by Rollin' Art custom motorcycle paint in Mesa, AZ (480-835-7675) transforming ordinary Max into DragonMax
Tom Stephenson (480-968-8920), the artist (or 'creator with line and color' as he calls himself) that did these graphics is really talented. It's hard to believe this much detail could be done with an air brush. The pictures above can't do it justice. Sound impressed? I am. This modification turned my Max into a work of art.
Solid sterling silver Vmax logo muffler can plates for Mark's pipe
Much thanks to my son Jake for creating these plates. They are made of 2 sheets of 20ga. sterling silver, silver soldered together and polished to a mirror finish. I had to do something about those plates Mark installed on my muffler cans, and Jake volunteered his jewelry skills.
Polished stock wheels
I like the look of the stock wheels, especially polished to a mirror finish, even if they are heavier than the after-market variety (Dymags, etc). Just for reference, I paid $160.00 for the polishing job (both wheels) at Southwest Polishing in Mesa Arizona in 1998.
Metzler ME880 170/80-15 rear and ME33 Laser Comp-K 110/70-18 front
I would recommend this tire combination to anyone for fitment on stock Vmax rims. The ride is confidence inspiring in the turns, up to and including dragging the pegs, and eliminated the high speed wobbles on both my 94 and 85 model Maxes. Please note: as of March 2001 I have not been able to find the Metzler ME33 Laser Comp-K 110/70-18 tire. All the ME33 Laser tires are excellent choices.
Exactrep fork brace
Looks like the stock unit, but really beefy.
Yamaha back rest (only installed for long trips with a passenger)
I don't like the looks of the Max with the back rest on it, but when going on long trips it's the least I can do for my passenger. I install this for longer trips (300 miles or so).
Barnett heavy duty clutch spring conversion kit
Easy installation, great positive engagement. Highly recommended!
Polish, polish, polish... or chrome, chrome, chrome!
Chrome scoops, side covers, back rest, passenger footpeg mounts, carb diaphragm covers, outer engine case covers, engine water outlet covers, valve covers. Choose your chrome shop wisely, I've yet to find a suitable one.
Polish what's left!
Lightened flywheel.
I ordered this from RMS and got it a few months later. Since I had the bike apart so long waiting, it was hard to tell if there was a noticeable difference.
Cooling system modifications.
I replaced my stock radiator fan switch with a Wells SW-537. This switch lowers the fan turn-on point to about 190degrees F. The addition of this and Redline Water Wetter keeps my temperature reasonable for hot AZ summer rides in traffic.
Billet brake arm and billet handlebar grips - made by a local AZ machinist.
Chromed billet license plate frame.
Chrome instrument cover.
This item was stock on Canadian models for a year or two. Only available in Canada.
Exactrep chrome tail light lens cover.
Mobil 1 oil
I use Mobil 1 10w30 full synthetic automotive type oil, and the 15w50 weight for the hot summers here in Arizona. I've put about 12k miles on the bike with this oil and it's performed great. I noticed smoother shifting immediately after I started using it.
Future plans...
More chrome...
My plans are to chrome more engine components, the front end components (fork tubes, triple clamps, handlebar riser), shaft drive pumpkin, stock grab rail, levers and controls, & more!
Metzler 240/40-18 rear tire on 8.5" rim, keeping shaft drive
Blower? Turbo?
This photo taken in Oct 1998. Only modifications were seat, instrument cowling, and case savers.
Testing done 4/24/99 on Dynojet model 150 dynamometer (Rolling Thunder) in Bullhead City, AZ during 17th annual Laughlin River Run Rally.
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Run in 5th gear showing 116.7HP (9000rpm) and 78.8 ft-lbs of torque (6200rpm) |
All gear run indicating carb jetting accuracy which was excellent. |
Calculate your horsepower and tire/gear ratios here!
"Outlaw"
Pics of my 1985 model
All original (except for the flames someone added to the stock 'Dark Amethyst' color), 17k miles, purchased 10/99. This one will stay stock!
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Friends, rides, etc...
Click on image above
Paper
Craft Model
Need something to keep you busy on
those cold winter nights when Max is up on stands? Try this Vmax paper craft model. It
comes in two versions; a colored version and a white version that leaves the fun of
coloring up to you.
Color
Version
White version
Assembly
instructions
Vmax 360 degree viewable video
Check out this 1999 model video that rotates when you click!
Click to start, click to stop!
(756kb AVI format file, takes 4-5 minutes to download with a 33.6 modem)
The Ford F250 Powerstroke Diesel Vmax hauler!
DragonMax page guest log
I'd appreciate it if you would take the time to leave any comments or suggestions you may have on my Vmax page.
Click here to leave comments! - leave your email address if you want a response!
Click here to view my guest book!
Click here to email me, jerry@jerrysrealm.com!
MORE COOL Vmax STUFF!
Vmax Owners manual on-line (Thanks to Jean Aker)
Vmax service manual on-line (Thanks to Matt McCabe)
Vmax true-type font - the same font used on the Vmax side covers!
LINKS
Ingo's VMAX World - THE definitive VMAX collection of info.
VMAX Tech list - Sign up for the Vmax tech list here
Some of my other toys
Member of the Yamaha V-Max Ring!
This Yamaha V-Max Ring site is owned by Jerry Ferguson.
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This page has been accessed
times since 01/21/99!
