Honda Interceptor / VFR: Discussion of the Honda Interceptor and Honda VFR Motorcycles.
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My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end
11-29-2005, 5:48 AM
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#1 |
Join Date: 11-29-2005 Location: canada
Bike(s): '99 VFR800 W/RC51 usd forks, brakes Posts: 111
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 3
| My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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. |
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11-29-2005, 8:06 AM
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#2 |
Join Date: 02-10-2002 Location: Hoosierland, USA
Bike(s): CBR929 - VFR800 - VFR800 Posts: 11,098
Rep Power: 31
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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... 
__________________
Sith Apprentice
CBR929 - VFR800 - VFR800 "There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one..." - Joey Dunlop |
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11-29-2005, 8:21 AM
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#3 |
Join Date: 07-23-2001 Location: Motor City, Michigan
Bike(s): '01 CBR929 Age: 49 Posts: 7,992
Rep Power: 23
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end  Looks nice. The forks must make a huge difference...hopefully you upgraded the shock, too.
Welcome to Fireblades from another VFR Lister!
__________________ "It is better to post and risk reposting than to have never posted at all." |
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11-29-2005, 10:11 AM
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#4 | | Blow me.
Join Date: 05-23-2004 Location: Omnipresent
Bike(s): 998RR4 Age: 26 Posts: 11,500
Rep Power: 32
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Nice mods.  How do you like the throttle wrist-pad thingy and what is the gadget on the left clip-on? |
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11-29-2005, 10:32 AM
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#5 |
Join Date: 06-10-2004 Location: MI
Bike(s): Enough for now Posts: 1,279
Rep Power: 8
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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. |
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11-29-2005, 10:52 AM
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#6 |
Join Date: 08-01-2001 Location: Lost
Bike(s): Puch Posts: 14,391
Rep Power: 34
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Of course, this means a whole 929 front end will work too. |
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11-29-2005, 10:57 AM
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#7 |
Join Date: 02-10-2002 Location: Hoosierland, USA
Bike(s): CBR929 - VFR800 - VFR800 Posts: 11,098
Rep Power: 31
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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... 
__________________
Sith Apprentice
CBR929 - VFR800 - VFR800 "There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one..." - Joey Dunlop |
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11-29-2005, 10:59 AM
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#8 |
Join Date: 08-01-2001 Location: Lost
Bike(s): Puch Posts: 14,391
Rep Power: 34
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Interesting.
These are my favorite kinds of bike projects, far more interesting than the latest 2 bros can or whatever. |
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11-29-2005, 11:02 AM
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#9 |
Join Date: 02-10-2002 Location: Hoosierland, USA
Bike(s): CBR929 - VFR800 - VFR800 Posts: 11,098
Rep Power: 31
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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... 
__________________
Sith Apprentice
CBR929 - VFR800 - VFR800 "There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one..." - Joey Dunlop |
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11-29-2005, 11:09 AM
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#10 |
Join Date: 04-17-2002 Location: Cool, CA
Bike(s): 929, EX250rrr Age: 44 Posts: 1,666
Rep:   (107) Rep Power: 9
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Scha-wing!
Very nice bike.  |
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11-29-2005, 12:07 PM
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#11 |
Join Date: 10-06-2001 Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Bike(s): 01 929 Age: 28 Posts: 3,191
Rep Power: 14
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Phobe, I believe the gizmo you are refering to is an electronic cruise control system. |
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11-29-2005, 12:24 PM
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#12 | | Blow me.
Join Date: 05-23-2004 Location: Omnipresent
Bike(s): 998RR4 Age: 26 Posts: 11,500
Rep Power: 32
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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. |
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11-29-2005, 12:40 PM
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#13 |
Join Date: 07-23-2001 Location: Motor City, Michigan
Bike(s): '01 CBR929 Age: 49 Posts: 7,992
Rep Power: 23
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Quote: |
Originally Posted by phobiaphobe Damn I want another VFR now. | +1
__________________ "It is better to post and risk reposting than to have never posted at all." |
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11-29-2005, 12:51 PM
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#14 |
Join Date: 06-10-2004 Location: MI
Bike(s): Enough for now Posts: 1,279
Rep Power: 8
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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. 
Last edited by NinerPilot : 11-29-2005 at 1:26 PM.
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11-29-2005, 12:58 PM
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#15 | | Blow me.
Join Date: 05-23-2004 Location: Omnipresent
Bike(s): 998RR4 Age: 26 Posts: 11,500
Rep Power: 32
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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. |
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11-29-2005, 1:05 PM
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#16 |
Join Date: 11-14-2001 Location: Here
Bike(s): SV650S Posts: 5,710
Rep Power: 21
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end That is a sweet looking bike. Well done! 
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11-29-2005, 1:10 PM
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#17 |
Join Date: 03-31-2002 Location: Vista, CA
Bike(s): '01RC51, '05 Triumph America, '96 F3 Posts: 1,303
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 8
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end Sweet bike dude |
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11-29-2005, 4:28 PM
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#18 |
Join Date: 05-09-2003 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bike(s): '92 VFR750F, SV650 track tool. 954 no more! Posts: 4,806
Rep Power: 24
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end What, No VTEC?
Kidding, kidding.. I admire what you've done to the bike.. looks fantastic. |
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11-29-2005, 8:47 PM
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#19 | | Meatarian
Join Date: 05-06-2004 Location: Randolph, MA
Bike(s): 01 R/B 929 Age: 28 Posts: 12,285
Rep Power: 26
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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?
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11-29-2005, 10:00 PM
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#20 |
Join Date: 11-29-2005 Location: canada
Bike(s): '99 VFR800 W/RC51 usd forks, brakes Posts: 111
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 3
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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 |
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11-29-2005, 10:02 PM
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#21 |
Join Date: 11-29-2005 Location: canada
Bike(s): '99 VFR800 W/RC51 usd forks, brakes Posts: 111
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 3
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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. |
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11-29-2005, 10:07 PM
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#22 |
Join Date: 11-29-2005 Location: canada
Bike(s): '99 VFR800 W/RC51 usd forks, brakes Posts: 111
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 3
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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!
Last edited by veefer800canuck : 11-29-2005 at 10:18 PM.
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11-29-2005, 10:10 PM
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#23 |
Join Date: 11-29-2005 Location: canada
Bike(s): '99 VFR800 W/RC51 usd forks, brakes Posts: 111
Rep:  (76) Rep Power: 3
| Re: My VFR800 W/RC51 USD front end 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! |
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