Eleven years and 66 thousand miles old suspension is gone, as well as the linked braking system I never decided I liked! First day of tear-down, bodywork, tank, rear wheel, and brake hoses/pipes/valves/calipers off:
[image: Posted Image] Prep.jpg
[image: Posted Image] Prep 2.jpg
Jamie D built me a 929 shock, sprung for my weight and re-valved:
[image: Posted Image] Shocks.jpg
I needed a bit more off the tail to get the new one in there. Original came out with the under tray in place, and the top mount on the shock. To get the 929 unit in I had to pull the tray out, take off the chain guard, and un-bolt the top mount:
[image: Posted Image] Rear, Gutted.jpg
I was originally thinking about USD forks and Radial Calipers. I found some CBR Thou forks and brakes on ebay, but the forks disappeared en route. Got the runaround for a few weeks, but ebay finally got my money back. Just for ease of swap out, I went with F4i forks to utilize my current wheel and EBC rotors. No radial calipers, but at least they are 4 piston not slide pin calipers!
Forks came in:
[image: Posted Image] F4i Forks.jpg
Fit with Vtec triples:
[image: Posted Image] New Forks.jpg
Raise the front on my specialized frame hoist!
[image: Posted Image] Old Forks.jpg
New triples fit right in, but I need some new bearings before it is done:
[image: Posted Image] New Forks On.jpg
Looking good so far. EBC "Wave" rotors:
[image: Posted Image] New Forks, Calipers.jpg
I did pick up a CBR Radial Master. The original VFR switch pod is too big to fit it on the bar, so I'm trying the CBR/RC51 style of throttle housing and separate start/kill switch. Overall should take up less room, and an older CBR switch should plug into my VFR harness.
[image: Posted Image] Brake Throttle Test Fit 2.jpg
[image: Posted Image] Brake Throttle test fit.jpg
The newer throttle housing has the locking pin on the opposite side from the VFR, so it has the cables coming from the top. I'm not sure if the newer CBR's have cables coming from the top, but I did notice the MotoGP Yamaha M1 has the throttle set up in this manner. So, two options there. Re-drill the hole so the cable come from the bottom, or leave as it for cables out the top.
Check the throttle in the down position, you might find that the brake lever will foul the cable locknut at full pull. I had to notch my brake lever on one of my setups to remedy that.
Switch will be on it's way to you tonight or tomorrow, didn't have a chance before the weekend to get it out. The plug will fit, you might have ot rearrange a few of the wires in the plug but it's easy and I can walk you through it w/ pics if needed. :fing02:
Despite the contents of my garage, I've never been a fan of Red Hondas! :laughing6-hehe:
(The RC51, ironically, has a mostly red tail not found on US spec bikes!)
So I'm thinking of an entirely new aesthetic for the VFR after the mechanical is done. Something decidedly not red! :fing02:
Hey Kev,
What axle spacers did you end up using with what axle?
I couldn't remember, but think it was F4i axle and VFR spacers when I did mine, but don't think it's F4i axle & spacers! :blush:
Looking good! :fing02:
On the 6th gen that high mount radial reservoir would be in the way so I mounted it right on the clip-on somehow!
[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 08 November 2010 - 11:52 AM, said:
Hey Kev,
What axle spacers did you end up using with what axle?
I couldn't remember, but think it was F4i axle and VFR spacers when I did mine, but don't think it's F4i axle & spacers! :blush:
Looking good! :fing02:
On the 6th gen that high mount radial reservoir would be in the way so I mounted it right on the clip-on somehow!
I'm using the '99 VFR wheel, axle, and spacers. They look right... :huh: Haven't tried with the pads in yet, but the calipers look like they are in the right place and the rotors are centered.
[image: View Post]KPerham, on 08 November 2010 - 12:07 PM, said:
[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 08 November 2010 - 11:52 AM, said:
Hey Kev,
What axle spacers did you end up using with what axle?
I couldn't remember, but think it was F4i axle and VFR spacers when I did mine, but don't think it's F4i axle & spacers! :blush:
Looking good! :fing02:
On the 6th gen that high mount radial reservoir would be in the way so I mounted it right on the clip-on somehow!
I'm using the '99 VFR wheel, axle, and spacers. They look right... :huh: Haven't tried with the pads in yet, but the calipers look like they are in the right place and the rotors are centered.
Be sure to check rotor alignement, I'm pretty sure you will need at least the F4i axle to get things lined up! :huh:
First, let me say that I'm impressed & jealous! :cheerleader:
But I am curious about something, so I'll ask.
These DO look like F4/F4i forks:
[image: View Post]KPerham, on 08 November 2010 - 10:06 AM, said:
[image: Posted Image] F4i Forks.jpg
However, I thought that those forks should have had adjusters for both spring preload AND rebound damping at the top of the fork tubes. And from the other pix, it looks to me as though these have VFR-type preload-only adjusters:
[image: View Post]KPerham, on 08 November 2010 - 10:06 AM, said:
[image: Posted Image] Brake Throttle test fit.jpg
Is that brake/throttle test picture from before the fork conversion (with the VFR forks in place)? Or did you revert to the VFR fork caps on the F4i forks? Or is that the way the F4i forks come? (That's a possibility - I am more familiar with the older F4 model.)
[image: View Post]ron_al, on 10 November 2010 - 08:59 AM, said:
Is that brake/throttle test picture from before the fork conversion (with the VFR forks in place)? Or did you revert to the VFR fork caps on the F4i forks? Or is that the way the F4i forks come? (That's a possibility - I am more familiar with the older F4 model.)
Just thought I'd ask about that.
Ron
I'd say it was just a test fit. If you look at the first picture you quoted, it has the adjustments on them. The F4 forks are 43 mm and the 5th gen forks are 41mm, so the caps wouldn't interchange. I think he was just trying out the M/C before he started the change-out.
[image: View Post]wera803, on 10 November 2010 - 10:15 AM, said:
[image: View Post]ron_al, on 10 November 2010 - 08:59 AM, said:
Is that brake/throttle test picture from before the fork conversion (with the VFR forks in place)? Or did you revert to the VFR fork caps on the F4i forks? Or is that the way the F4i forks come? (That's a possibility - I am more familiar with the older F4 model.)
Just thought I'd ask about that.
Ron
I'd say it was just a test fit. If you look at the first picture you quoted, it has the adjustments on them. The F4 forks are 43 mm and the 5th gen forks are 41mm, so the caps wouldn't interchange. I think he was just trying out the M/C before he started the change-out.
Ding!
Thank you Kenneth.
(I still don't have any 43mm clip ons...)
But my new bearings came in yesterday! Got to pay some bills before I get any more parts.
[image: View Post]KPerham, on 11 December 2010 - 03:52 PM, said:
I bumped into the bike today and all this stuff fell out. Any ideas what it could be, or if I should keep it? :491: [image: Posted Image]
I'm not exactly a mechanical motorcycle guru, and never will be. I don't yet understand the benefit(s) of removing all this stuff. Could someone please take the time to list the specific benefits (e.g., HP gain, torque increase, improved throttle response, increased gas mileage, weight savings, or whatever)? Also, if it's removed, will it throw a code and make the FI light remain on? I've got my 5th Gen torn apart for some work Ill be doing on it, and if it makes sense to remove this stuff while I have easy access, I'll do it. Thanks!
[image: View Post]Knife, on 11 December 2010 - 04:44 PM, said:
[image: View Post]KPerham, on 11 December 2010 - 03:52 PM, said:
I'm not exactly a mechanical motorcycle guru, and never will be. I don't yet understand the benefit(s) of removing all this stuff. Could someone please take the time to list the specific benefits (e.g., HP gain, torque increase, improved throttle response, increased gas mileage, weight savings, or whatever)? Also, if it's removed, will it throw a code and make the FI light remain on? I've got my 5th Gen torn apart for some work Ill be doing on it, and if it makes sense to remove this stuff while I have easy access, I'll do it. Thanks!
I'm going to check my valve clearance, among the rest of the stuff I'm doing, and already had the airbox off. This stuff is all in the way, and a big PITA to get the flapper vacuum lines and PAIR solenoid back on the box when re-assembling.
My RC51 came to me with these mods done, and I don't miss them!
Plenty of threads of people removing them and the supposed benefits. Just a cleaner under tank area, and easier to re-assemble, in my opinion. Plus several ounces of weight loss!
Oh and for the FI codes, a tip I got from KWR is to check the service manual for the listed codes. No code for the flapper or pair. Same for my RC51. As I said it came to me with them removed, and I get no FI codes.
[image: View Post]Knife, on 12 December 2010 - 10:28 AM, said:
OK, then. This stuff is soon to be retired. Thanks for the incentive.
The bike can live without the PAIR hardware because it doesn't affect engine running (and the hardware is very difficult to reinstall once you've had the fuel injection rail out), but I always advocate leaving the snorkel and flapper intact. A very smart guy designed all of that hardware to produce a fuel velocity signal that works with the ECU to properly fuel the motor at various engine loads. The factory shop manual devotes a whole chapter to its virtues. Air boxes are designed as integral parts of the intake process, not just a place to put the air cleaner. If it's hard to reinstall the vacuum line, simply put a longer one - the vacuum line is available at any auto parts store. Lots of folks have removed the snorkel, etc., noticed no difference, and replaced them.
I may be in the minority but I usually buy "used" and won't buy a bike that's been "modified" beyond PAIR removal. I also don't buy "down 1 in front" or "520 chain conversion" or other indicia of a bike abused by its owner. That said, it's your bike! Good luck
End of thread · 27 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 23 Dec 2010
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