My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end

veefer800canuck · 11-29-2005, 5:48 AM

Well, since I've posted it on every other damn forum, why the heck not here?

CBR content: 929 upper triple clamp, 954 front fender, F4i front brake master cylinder and 954 calipers, F4i rear brake master cylinder.

Baketech · 11-29-2005, 8:06 AM

Not sure why you'd want to mess up a perfectly good VFR like that, but it looks great...

Just kidding of course, it looks great...

Red Rider · 11-29-2005, 8:21 AM

Looks nice. The forks must make a huge difference...hopefully you upgraded the shock, too.

Welcome to Fireblades from another VFR Lister!

phobiaphobe · 11-29-2005, 10:11 AM

Nice mods.

How do you like the throttle wrist-pad thingy and what is the gadget on the left clip-on?

gt702 · 11-29-2005, 10:32 AM

Very nice, and brakes like they are mean to be ... independent.

Now watch out for Baketech, he just might find your bike a better alternative than building up that pile of parts he has at home. So if you walk in the garage and wonder why someone disassembled your baby, check the VIN.

Now one of these days, the RC51 forks will make their way onto my 94 VFR project. Good work.

luvtolean · 11-29-2005, 10:52 AM

Of course, this means a whole 929 front end will work too.

Baketech · 11-29-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Of course, this means a whole 929 front end will work too.

Yes, but there are some different issues. The tubes aren't long enough to allow the clip-ons to mount above the clamp, which is what some of the SPORT/Tour guys are looking for with the RC51 conversion.

Fortunately, there is a small sub-culture of "FrankenViffer" builders out there that have worked out most of these issues, so you can go bin-shopping with an eye toward sport or tour...

luvtolean · 11-29-2005, 10:59 AM

Interesting.

These are my favorite kinds of bike projects, far more interesting than the latest 2 bros can or whatever.

Baketech · 11-29-2005, 11:02 AM

Totally...and VeeferCanuck's bike is a great example of this...it's the old-time hotrod groove with a modern twist...very cool imho...

dB · 11-29-2005, 11:09 AM

Scha-wing!

Very nice bike.

NinerPilot · 11-29-2005, 12:07 PM

Phobe, I believe the gizmo you are refering to is an electronic cruise control system.

phobiaphobe · 11-29-2005, 12:24 PM

Is that a '94-'95 back wheel? I thought the '99's had the 5-spoke.

Anybody here ever a member of the SabMag mailing list? My dad used to bring his blue '01 VFR down to a lot of rides in the NW USA and all the Americans would make him offers on his rare grey wheels, which I guess you couldn't get down there. Damn I want another VFR now.

Red Rider · 11-29-2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Damn I want another VFR now.

+1

gt702 · 11-29-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Is that a '94-'95 back wheel? I thought the '99's had the 5-spoke.

I think it is a 90-93 rear wheel, being an 8-spoker. From 94 on they were 5 spoke (94-97 with rounded spokes, then squared off from 98 on)

VFR's are great bikes, I just wish we had the same color choices as other parts of the world. The UK blue on the 96(?) vintage was just phenominal ... 3-part pearlized paint.

phobiaphobe · 11-29-2005, 12:58 PM

98-01ish we had the choice of red, yellow, pearl blue, dark green (rare) and I'm sure I've seen a couple black ones.

tigerblade · 11-29-2005, 1:05 PM

That is a sweet looking bike. Well done!

Mattress · 11-29-2005, 1:10 PM

Sweet bike dude

CBRVFR · 11-29-2005, 4:28 PM

What, No VTEC?

Kidding, kidding.. I admire what you've done to the bike.. looks fantastic.

CBR929RE · 11-29-2005, 8:47 PM

seems like a very nice mod.

Does mounting the clip ons above the top clamp (thereby lowering the forks in the clamps) make it turn really easily? basically I guess I'm asking if it turns like a full on sportbike, or faster than that or is it close to what stock is?

veefer800canuck · 11-29-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinerPilot

Phobe, I believe the gizmo you are refering to is an electronic cruise control system.

Bingo. McCruise electronic cruise control. Just like your car. Set, Accel, Decel, Resume, the whole deal. Disengages with front or rear brakes or even if the revs rise rapidly, like if you inadvertently pull in the clutch with the cruise engaged.

Great gizmo if you're stuck slabbing it.

http://www.mccruise.com

veefer800canuck · 11-29-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt702

I think it is a 90-93 rear wheel, being an 8-spoker.

Yes, direct bolt-on. 17x5.5" same as the OE '99 wheel.

But it looks so much sweeter.

Oh, and it's just been powdercoated silver last week to match the rear wheel.

veefer800canuck · 11-29-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

seems like a very nice mod.

Does mounting the clip ons above the top clamp (thereby lowering the forks in the clamps) make it turn really easily? basically I guess I'm asking if it turns like a full on sportbike, or faster than that or is it close to what stock is?

The stock RC51/929 triples impart more trail to the front end, due to having less offset then the 800's triples.

Since the RC51 forks are longer than 929/954 legs, it is possible to slide them up as you have noted and mount the handlebars higher for clearance and comfort.

The entire front end of the bike winds up being lowered by 11mm (in my case) as compared to stock. With the increased trail, lowering the front that much in conjunction with raising the rear makes the bike steer about the same as stock. Oh, the lighter SP2 front wheel helps some as well, but in the end, it's nearly a wash as far as steering quickness is concerned. Stability is not an issue either. I've had it up to 220-230 Km/hr around some long sweepers and it just railed.

It's a tad slower steering at really low speeds, mostly first gear stuff.

The big carrot is the braking and the suspension action of course. Ride quality is 100% better and the brakes are like tossing a tethered Steinway out of your pocket!

veefer800canuck · 11-29-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

Looks nice. The forks must make a huge difference...hopefully you upgraded the shock, too.

Welcome to Fireblades from another VFR Lister!

Shock upgrade is planned for this winter. I'm all over it like a fat kid on a smartie!

And yes, I noticed a number of Big List refugees here. Howdy!

veefer800canuck · 11-29-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Nice mods.

How do you like the throttle wrist-pad thingy

It's a throttle rocker and it works great for 10 bucks. Helps me out when I can't use the cruise, like in traffic.

http://www.throttlerocker.com

I had CTS in my right wrist, did the surgery thing and didn't get 100% relief, so the gadgets are still useful to me. I sure as hell ain't quitting riding, F-that, so if I need a 'crutch' to support my habit, so be it.

phobiaphobe · 11-30-2005, 12:43 AM

I'll definitely have to pick one up. My throttle hand was numb for a week after coming home from SBW this summer.

veefer800canuck · 11-30-2005, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt702

Very nice, and brakes like they are mean to be ... independent.

Initially, I approached the LBS with some reservations, but in the ensuing 5 years, once I got used to them, I never had any complaints. After upgrading the stock LBS system with EBS HH pads, they were even better.

I certainly would buy another Honda with LBS, no problems there.

There just wasn't any simple way to keep the LBS with the new front brake setup. Simpler for me to divorce them than to try and re-engineer them.

That's how I wound up using the F4i rear master cylinder.

phobiaphobe · 11-30-2005, 12:55 AM

Where in Canada?

luvtolean · 11-30-2005, 12:56 AM

Veefer, phobia was just posting pics of his very large bolt cutters the other day. I wouldn't tell him.

veefer800canuck · 11-30-2005, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Where in Canada?

About 5 blocks from the Tim Horton's, eh?

phobiaphobe · 11-30-2005, 12:58 AM

I'm thinking northern Sask / Ab or possible Algonquin region?