Rc51 Sp2 Forks 5g Install

Just a few pictures on my 5G RC51 fork installation. This has been covered before so I'll include a few notes I haven't seen mentioned.

This is always the point where you wonder if this bike will ever be on the road again. unsure.gif

[image: teardown.jpg]

I ended up with two sets of forks, SP1 and SP2, which were not the same height. Don't know if this was from some earlier mod or if they came this way from Honda. After measuring and some reading I went with the SP2, reviews indicated they were redesigned for the better compared to the SP1 plus are somewhat lighter.

[image: forks2.jpg]

[image: forks1.jpg]

Pic of the SP1 vs. SP2 triples. SP2 steering stem (left) is steel vs. aluminum on SP1. (Only SP1 will fit VFR)

[image: triples.jpg]

I used two large c-clips on the steering stem, under the lower bearing, as spacers. This lowered the triple about 3.5 mm, to be sure the top of the lower triple wouldn't rub the bottom of the frame. Otherwise, no problem using the standard RC51 SP1 roller bearing set.

I had the same triple tree interference as others, hitting the radiator hose. Home made steering stops:

[image: steering.jpg]

[image: steering-1.jpg]


Ultimately I had slight interference between the small inner fairings below the dash and the forks. I just ended up removing the inner fairing on both sides.
I used the 954/929 upper triple and stock clip ons from the same bike, mounted above the triple. Height feels about the same as my previous set up with Superhawk clipons but these are more swept back and closer together. Although lock to lock feels about the same as original. Brake master is RC51.

[image: HPIM1898Large.jpg]

Rear brake is the F4i master cyclinder mod Veefer800canuck documented. LBS is gone!

Just about done, few details to work out for this…

[image: HPIM1895Large.jpg]

[image: HPIM1885Large.jpg]

..and on the Wolf.

[image: HPIM1891Large.jpg]

Temps have been barely above freezing the past few days so I haven't had much of a chance to ride but hopefully in the next week or so. Next up, those dumbo ears have got to go! biggrin.gif

Aye Aye Cap'n! Looking good! fing02.gif

Love the steering stops. Maybe I'll have to look at something similar for mine.

Didn't realize that the SP1 forks were longer. Hmmmm.


The only thing that's distracting is perhaps the sweep angle of the stock 9xx handlebars.

They look like they're pulled back into the centre too much, causing some wrist/hand angling to the outside when you hold the bars.
Likely that was required to avoid contact with the fairing/windscreen, correct?

I'm surmising that might get uncomfortable after a long while in the saddle.


I preferred mine to be "flatter" for lack of a better term, so I cut and rotated the Ducati 900SS Helibars such that the handlebar uprights were down at approximately 4:30 and 7:30 when viewed from above.

[image: handlebarsrx8.png]
Yours look more like they're at 1:00 or 1:30 and 10:30 to 11:00 approximately.

Setup the way they are, mine don't hit the windscreen nor the fairing on either side.
The top of the switchgear housings are close, but don't hit at all.

Also, being closer to the rider, the reach to the bars is less and comfort is UP!

Does your ignition steering lock function correctly?
I had to space mine downwards with a couple of washers so the deadbolt would engage the holes on the frame neck.

And how is the RC51 master cylinder reservoir? Does it block the view of the LCD meter panel?
That's one of the reasons I went with the F4i master. That and it perfectly matching the VFR clutch unit.

[image: covers1.jpg]

VFRCAPN, what kind of clip-ons did you use? And did mounting them above the triple tree negatively affect handling at all? I have a set of 954 forks that I'm going to fit, but was going to mount the clip-ons below the triple tree. From what I understand, if you lower the shorter forks too much it'll make for really twitchy steering. I could be totally wrong, it hapens alot according to my wife anyway. Also what kind of rise do your clip-ons have. I'm looking at getting the Cycle Cat clip-ons with a 2.5 inch rise. Thanks for the write up, and pics. Looks good!!!

Join the club Capn! I sure do like the Wolf pipes.

Maybe each of our bikes are slightly different? I didn't see the need to fit steering stops, and my ign lock engages just before the fork contacts the inner faring, so those have been left there too... curious...

veefer800canuck, Jan 15 2007, 01:19 AMAye Aye Cap'n! Looking good! fing02.gif

Love the steering stops. Maybe I'll have to look at something similar for mine.

Didn't realize that the SP1 forks were longer. Hmmmm.


The only thing that's distracting is perhaps the sweep angle of the stock 9xx handlebars.

They look like they're pulled back into the centre too much, causing some wrist/hand angling to the outside when you hold the bars.
Likely that was required to avoid contact with the fairing/windscreen, correct?

I'm surmising that might get uncomfortable after a long while in the saddle.


I preferred mine to be "flatter" for lack of a better term, so I cut and rotated the Ducati 900SS Helibars such that the handlebar uprights were down at approximately 4:30 and 7:30 when viewed from above.

[image: handlebarsrx8.png]
Yours look more like they're at 1:00 or 1:30 and 10:30 to 11:00 approximately.

Setup the way they are, mine don't hit the windscreen nor the fairing on either side.
The top of the switchgear housings are close, but don't hit at all.

Also, being closer to the rider, the reach to the bars is less and comfort is UP!

Does your ignition steering lock function correctly?
I had to space mine downwards with a couple of washers so the deadbolt would engage the holes on the frame neck.

And how is the RC51 master cylinder reservoir? Does it block the view of the LCD meter panel?
That's one of the reasons I went with the F4i master. That and it perfectly matching the VFR clutch unit.

[image: covers1.jpg]

The angle of the clipons was the 'sweet spot' where they wouldn't hit the tank or dash. My previous clipons were from the Superhawk, about 1/2 the height of the original VFR clipons. I'm over 6" tall and just prefer the lower bars. The angle on these is actually better for my wrists, more comfortable, but they do feel narrow. Would be perfect for me if the bar was just a little longer.

Ignition lock works with one washer as a spacer. It's still a little difficult to engage, I may need to add another small washer to space it down a bit more. Master cyclinder does block the LCD. The seller included it with the forks at no charge so I'll try it for now. If it gets too annoying I may switch out to the F4i master.

douglasthecook, Jan 15 2007, 03:21 AMVFRCAPN, what kind of clip-ons did you use? And did mounting them above the triple tree negatively affect handling at all? I have a set of 954 forks that I'm going to fit, but was going to mount the clip-ons below the triple tree. From what I understand, if you lower the shorter forks too much it'll make for really twitchy steering. I could be totally wrong, it hapens alot according to my wife anyway. Also what kind of rise do your clip-ons have. I'm looking at getting the Cycle Cat clip-ons with a 2.5 inch rise. Thanks for the write up, and pics. Looks good!!!

I haven't had much of a chance to dial in the settings yet but geometry feels similar to stock. What feels much better is feedback and compliance. I can actually feel the road now without it being harsh.

I used stock clipons from the 929/954, I think all years are the same. Here's their dimensions:[image: clipon.jpg]

AB-Oz, Jan 15 2007, 04:23 AMJoin the club Capn! I sure do like the Wolf pipes.

Maybe each of our bikes are slightly different? I didn't see the need to fit steering stops, and my ign lock engages just before the fork contacts the inner faring, so those have been left there too... curious...

Thanks, we'll see how much I like the Wolf pipes this summer when it's hitting 110 F, 45 C, outside. blink.gif

Mine engaged the ignition lock just before the fairing also but during normal turning it was able to continue until it hit the fairing. What really stopped it was the coil just behind the fairing, and actually the electrical connectors on the front of the coil. This was with my steering stops on, so I just removed the fairing. I was worried over time of banging those electrical connectors. It stops just a few mm short of the coil now, why Honda put them right there and not a few cm further down the frame I dont' know... rolleyes.gif

Impressive. fing02.gif

Looks really nice, thanks for the info on the clip-ons. I'm still not too sure what I'm going to get. If you mounted them below the top triple tree, what would you clearance be like, as far the clip-ons hitting the tank and fairing? Also did you have to get longer throttle and choke cables, as well as longer hoses for the clutch, and front brake? I'm going to install stainless steel hoses, as I'll have the system open for the swap, I figure why not, can't hurt. Thanks again for the info!!!

Under the triple tree would be too low, even if using a flat tree like the stock RC51 rather than gull wing triple of 954.

I got braided brake lines for mine to suit a 94-97 VFR750, HEL lines with black connectors, off ebay.

AB-Oz, Jan 16 2007, 09:24 AMUnder the triple tree would be too low, even if using a flat tree like the stock RC51 rather than gull wing triple of 954.

You can only go below the top triple if you are using Helis, to recover some of the lost bar height.

Douglas, as Rob pointed out when he saw my R1 mock-up pics - if you sit the 954 forks as low as they will go in the triples your trail will be a bit long (slow steering). You can only get it back to a more neutral position by dropping the front end down the forks, but then you lose ground clearance. Six of one... but at least then you can put the clip-ons above the top triple, and you'd probably be fine using stock 929 clip-ons that way.

Great work vfrcapn - Wolf, Ohlins, USD, Corbin, 8-spoke... nice combo!

The Phantom, Jan 15 2007, 03:24 PM

AB-Oz, Jan 16 2007, 09:24 AMUnder the triple tree would be too low, even if using a flat tree like the stock RC51 rather than gull wing triple of 954.

You can only go below the top triple if you are using Helis, to recover some of the lost bar height.

Douglas, as Rob pointed out when he saw my R1 mock-up pics - if you sit the 954 forks as low as they will go in the triples your trail will be a bit long (slow steering). You can only get it back to a more neutral position by dropping the front end down the forks, but then you lose ground clearance. Six of one... but at least then you can put the clip-ons above the top triple, and you'd probably be fine using stock 929 clip-ons that way.

Great work vfrcapn - Wolf, Ohlins, USD, Corbin, 8-spoke... nice combo!

Thanks Phantom, I think it's all mod-ed out! biggrin.gif

Douglas, I'm not sure how the fairing is set up on the '96 but the main problem I saw on mine with clipons below the upper triple was interference with that inner fairing. Helibars may work but the stock Honda bars are too bulky. OTOH, I removed the inner fairings on mine so it might work, but you'll still need to deal with the tank and dash.

IIRC, someone listed the RC51 forks about 30mm longer than the 954's. I ended up, for now, with the SP2 forks 30mm above the triple, just enough for the clipons. The SP2 forks were 23mm shorter than the SP1 set I had, so the 954's may just be long enough for clipons on top of the triple. It seems that may have been covered somewhere here before..

douglasthecook, Jan 15 2007, 09:41 PMLooks really nice, thanks for the info on the clip-ons. I'm still not too sure what I'm going to get. If you mounted them below the top triple tree, what would you clearance be like, as far the clip-ons hitting the tank and fairing? Also did you have to get longer throttle and choke cables, as well as longer hoses for the clutch, and front brake? I'm going to install stainless steel hoses, as I'll have the system open for the swap, I figure why not, can't hurt. Thanks again for the info!!!

The RC36-I and II have the same lenght for the front forks.
Therefore I can tell you the fireblade SC44 and SC50 fornt forks are a direct fit. (SC44 front forks are fitted on my VFR750F)
You do not have to arrange new hoses, I use the standard SC44 clip-ons

Thanks for all the help, and pics!!! From the Master Frankenviffer thread , it appeared to me that the CBR 954 forks were about 50mm shorter than the forks for the VFR? I think that's around 2 inches, again, I could be wrong. I'm not too sure what type of clip-ons I'm going to get still. If I could get the stock ones off of ebay, that would be cool, although I already have the Cycle Cat clip ons in my budget, so we'll see what happens. The ones from Cycle Cat offer a 2.5 inch rise , or a 1.5 inch rise, depending on which set I decide on. I do have the gullwing top triple clamp from the 954 so if I need to mount them above, it looks like I can. Would it be to my advantage to get the flat RC-51 top triple clamp, to mount them below? I'm not really sure what would the best way to go on this. I pretty much have everything else sorted except for the whole clip-on thing. Thanks again!!!

douglasthecook, Jan 16 2007, 02:28 PMThanks for all the help, and pics!!! From the Master Frankenviffer thread , it appeared to me that the CBR 954 forks were about 50mm shorter than the forks for the VFR? I think that's around 2 inches, again, I could be wrong.

The 954 forks are indeed 50mm shorter when -not- fitted. Fitted the difference is much smaller. I think it is due to the softer springs in the RC36 front forks; the lenght decreases much more by the weight of the motor.

Ok, that makes sense. It's got to do with the weight of the bike, and the spring weight in the forks from what you're telling me. So should I get harder, or softer springs, or just leave them be. I'm attempting to take baby steps of suspension understanding. A little at a time, and with your guys help, I just might get it!!! Thanks!!!!!

schweeeeeeeeeet!!!!,nice job indeed!!