I sold my RC51 and bought an amazingly modified 99 VFR. I am hoping to learn about the build and need help identifying the builder. The seller was not the builder but a friend of his in Laguna Hills CA
More pictures to follow. I plan on keeping the bike as it has 18k miles and every mod I could ever want to do. Here are the list of mods which are said to have removed 70lbs from the stock weight.
Full Brembo brake system front and rear
Attack adjustable triple clamps.
Converti bars
Marchesinni wheels said to be HRC issue
HRC single nut spindle/axel
Penski rear shock
Traxion Dynamic cartridges in forks reb adjustable
Two bros full exhaust system or at least aftermarket SS headers with hi mount SS 2 bros slipon.
Dynojet PCV
PC quick shifter.
Speedohealer and Kriss head and brake light strobe.
Clear double bubble wind screen.
Ignition key switch replaced by 2 toggle switches to start.
The fuel tank is mounted high in the front which may indicate an airbox modification. I see temperature foil tape on the airbox. (Have not opened it up yet)
Not bragging yet as i have a lot to learn about this bike a d am hoping one of you can help me find the build thread for it. Oh and I am so STOKED to be on a VFR again.
Congrats on the score. Like the others here, gota see some photos, no teasing us like that. ;) I'm very curious about the Brembos, must of done the de link, so that also kinda tells me the forks aren't stock. is there a brembo on the rear? if so I'd like to see that. If you can get a shot of the rear of the header, I have the 2bro, so should be able to tell you if it's the real deal. again Nice score, Hell yes I'd be celebrating too. Welcome back Capt.
Turns out airbox is stock with heat wrap. Even has snorkel in place. Ak-20 Axxion cartridges in forks. Penski is 8987 and steering damper is not yet identified. Wverything is ultra plush right now. I need to set up suspension more to my liking.
Well well, interesting set up, I was sure it was going to have a USD front end, didn't know Brembo had a kit like this. Yep that's a different rear caliper, as it doesn't look like the stock one. Which in this case it would need to be swap as the stock caliper wouldn't work with that sweet rear wheel. In the one photo that shows the collector, it does look like you have a real 2bro header. Again, Nice score.
Still would like to know how it's 70lbs lighter? Wheels and header might shave off 15, center stand gone and de link another 15. If it has a lithium battery, another 3-4, Ti sub frame? ;) it's all good, thats a sweet find, some folks know how to be in the right place for sure , love that rear wheel :goofy:
Wow - that bike had a serious relationship with the previous owner and had some major lovin' lavished on it. It looks spotlessly clean - like it's hardly been ridden. Looking forward to seeing some pics of it in action. Congrats on one helluva find.
Welcome back Cap'n - it's like you were never gone [Little would I know]. Those Attack triples have more layers than a Taco Bell layered burrito. Make sure you have the triples on your research-the-build list. Attack can and does make anything their customer is willing to pay for and what the PO did or did not have them do with the triples is mighty interesting. It appears that the Traction cartridges reside in new-from-the-factory VTR lowers...luckily, it also appears that Brembo makes an adapter plate and caliper that fit the VTR lowers perfectly. Can't wait to hear about the ride feel once you get the suspension set to your liking.
**Remember - correct spring selection for your weight and riding style is absolutely required in order to take advantage of sweet suspension bits like the ones on your motorcycle.
I had a Two Brothers high mount on my first VFR [5th gen] and I do not recall it being set as far to the rear as yours. Hmmm.
Quick shifter is plug and play with the PCV. Not sure about PC3. Fairly sure the fork tubes and lowers are stock with new internals. I could be wrong. Custom bracket for brake calipers. Rear caliper is a twin pot Nissan like cbr f2.
The weight loss figure was from sellers recollection of builders claim. Another reason why i was hoping someone might remember a thread here or on another forum.
A lot of little things seem to be replaced with track stuff like the gas cap and switches and throttles. I am sure emmissions and pair valves, linked brake plumbing and brackets. Single axel nut spindle and cush drive hub looks smaller and lighter than stock. My guess is it all ads up to something approaching 70 lbs maybe.
Turns out airbox is stock with heat wrap. Even has snorkel in place. Ak-20 Axxion cartridges in forks. Penski is 8987 and steering damper is not yet identified. Wverything is ultra plush right now. I need to set up suspension more to my liking.
What is that seat? I've never seen one like that before?
It's funny that it has modifications that suit performance/handling, but has bars that are higher and further back, and a seat that looks like an old mans lounge.
Sorry mate, but that seat looks like it belongs in an old peoples home for hemorrhoids sufferers.
It will be interesting to hear what it feels like. the whole bike not the seat.
It's funny that it has modifications that suit performance/handling, but has bars that are higher and further back, and a seat that looks like an old mans lounge.
Sorry mate, but that seat looks like it belongs in an old peoples home for hemorrhoids sufferers.
It will be interesting to hear what it feels like. the whole bike not the seat.
And that is definitely not a 5th gen fork lower.
My exact thoughts !!
I'm a not a big fan of this seat, nor the handle bars ... but I think my wife would love them ! :happy:
In any case, this bike surely was cherished by its previous owner, nice catch!!
Love the Dymags, thats the second 5th gen I have seen them on in a week. There was one for sale on ebay that had gold Dymags and looked amazing.
Never seen Attack triple clamps on a VFR before, 5th gen or not. But as someone said in an earlier post, back in the day if you wanted to pay, you could play.
Those Brembos combined with the Dymag wheels have to really improve the handling.
Still not sure about the 70 lbs but it should at least be around 50 with the centerstand removed, wheel swap and de-link.
Looks like it could be a Toby steering damper. There was a Hyperpro on mine when I bought it, not sure why you would ever need one on a VFR. But it looks interesting especially the way the PO cut out the fairing.
Now- sell off that Russell seat to someone that needs it here on the forum and put on a Sargent or Saddlemen (custom seat- it deserves it).
As curious minds like mine work, and add in keeping how a bike with these up grades fare in the market, if it's not to personal, what did you have to give for this rare gem?
Price included spare parts. Stock clip ons too some will be happy to know. The Russel seat and BMS modified stock seat. Rear stand, honda bike cover and 2 shop manuals. Yes i have a spare for sale now. All together $3500. Owner was motivated. Had a garage full of modern track bikes including a supermoto and a grom. Had it listed for $3900 but said I was the right owner for it.
I will keep the Russell for real life touring but for everyday the stock modified one will be on it. Seriously considering the stock bars and a center stand. Converti bars have a tone of adjustment. Will likely play around with them some but it is a daily driver so don't mind them for now. They and the sponge grips are a little much.
I had to try that seat out. LMAO. Rode it to work that way and quickly covered it not wanting to be seen with the Goldwing seat on my Interceptor.
OML, you got a super deal of the century, double points. Way To Go! Yea well, I didn't want to say anything about the seat as I don't know you, but yea I'd hide it too. ;) Now I read it has a PC5? was it dialed in on a dyno? Curious as all get out as there are not many 5th gens with full 2 bros out there. I'm working it to get a handle on the performance side of what gains may have been had. But boy did you score a home run.. Nice, thanks for letting us know.
Dyno tune is in the future for sure. I have no information on that yet. Power is smooth and seamless. Has a rough idle on cold start ups. I will run a few tank fulls of gas through it before i worry too much about it. My biggest concern is the odometer and trip meter are way off. It has a "yellow box" generic speedo healer. Has paperwork saying it is for an RC51. Going to check wire splices and compatibility. I may just delete it and see if it works without it.
Still would like to know how it's 70lbs lighter? Wheels and header might shave off 15, center stand gone and de link another 15. If it has a lithium battery, another 3-4, Ti sub frame? ;) it's all good, thats a sweet find, some folks know how to be in the right place for sure , love that rear wheel :goofy:
Put the front wheel on a scale (bathroom gently--put a board on it first and use a stand or buddy)--weigh it. Put rear wheel on said scale, weigh it...add both together and you have the total weight of your bike...
Put the front wheel on a scale (bathroom gently--put a board on it first and use a stand or buddy)--weigh it. Put rear wheel on said scale, weigh it...add both together and you have the total weight of your bike...
38 minutes ago, soichiro
20lbs from exhaust alone. Scales don't work that way.
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I'd say close enough, given the accuracy of typical bathroom scales. If you really wanted to correct for the angle of the bike, you could make a small wooden platform of the same height as the scale for the wheel not being measured.
However, given the accuracy of most bathroom scales, I wouldn't say this is really comparable. In this range, I'd say a truck scale probably isn't that great either. I'm also curious where the 70 lbs comes from.
VFR Capt.BobI had to try that seat out. LMAO. Rode it to work that way and quickly covered it not wanting to be seen with the Goldwing seat on my Interceptor.
"Goldwing" is being nice. I thought that maybe Always had tried their hand at making motorcycle seats. I'll bet it's super nice after hour 6, though.
20lbs from exhaust alone. Scales don't work that way.
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Actually truth be known you'd be more disappointed if you thought that, in reality there's only 3 lbs diff. in the header swap. that's comparing the 98-99 header, way more on the 00-01 due to the cat. I was surprised it wasn't more, stock 98 header is 11 lbs, the 2bros is almost 8lbs That can that's on there will more than make up that difference. 11lbs of de link plumping. One would save some swapping out to a lithium battery. Biggest items here in weight savings are the wheels. It's still one hell of a bike for the money.
The forks do go great with the build. Terry, I've never run across 919 forks as 43mm upgrades - thanks for pointing that out. How can you tell they are 43mm and not 41mm?
I also realized that the features I thought were layered triple clamps are the bar risers.
20lbs from exhaust alone. Scales don't work that way.
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I have a degree in physics...scales work EXACTLY that way...the weight of the vehicle (be it 4 tires for an auto or two for a motorcycle or one for a unicycle) is supported at each point of contact with the ground. Example pickup trucks tend to have more weight on the front wheel, Volkswagon Bugs to the rear wheels. You can put a scale under each tire simultaneously or separately and add the values up--it is a scalar measurement (pardon the pun). They WILL equal the total weight of the vehicle. If the measurements are not equal there is a bias...
If you have learned physics differently...please share how you were taught.
The forks do go great with the build. Terry, I've never run across 919 forks as 43mm upgrades - thanks for pointing that out. How can you tell they are 43mm and not 41mm?
I also realized that the features I thought were layered triple clamps are the bar risers.
Very cool machine, Capn'.
That is a total guess on my part, but I know if I was putting custom triples on, I'd get a 43mm fork at the same time due to the significant increase in rigidity. I might be wrong about the origin of these, the brake mounts do look right but the fender mounts are not correct, so who knows. Could be off another bike entirely.
I will do the bathroom scale with a 2×6 under the wheel that is not on the scale. Maybe compare on our trucking scale at work later. Setting Sag on the suspension has made a world of difference. Set both to roughly 30mm.
I am concearned about a racket coming from the front forks. Sound like something has come loose inside. Anyone else with AK-20 forks experience this? Picture of his notes. Sounds like parts left out and bottom fork bolts cut down.
I don't remember doing that stuff. I wish people would understand how forks work before doing a job like that. I need to take the forks apart on Kris' new SV because the PO screwed the spacers. There's an inch of slack in the travel when you back the preload off!
Zupatun, you obviously know a lot more than me. I was always under the impression, each wheel should be weighed at the same time. A scale on each "corner". Interesting, thx.
Zupatun, you obviously know a lot more than me. I was always under the impression, each wheel should be weighed at the same time. A scale on each "corner". Interesting, thx.
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Dont sweat it. I'n not trying to be a dick about it. People teach me stuff here every day either I thought I knew or I was ignorant regarding it...plenty to learn here, that's for sure.
Took the bike for a real ride in Angeles Crest with no expectation i would be as impressed as I am with it. My last 98 vfr had an Elka rear shock and fully built Race tech forks. But no serious attempt at weight loss or braking upgrades.
The performance of the suspension and the brakes really build confidence. The harder you test them the more they impress. The ride up was very conservative. Setting sag correctly and stiffening rebound in the rear shock eliminated the wallow and wash out feel i had experienced earlier. It felt great on the freeway and in the twisties.
I ended up riding a stranded rider down the mountain on the pillion. Ofcourse i took a mellow pace for most of the 30miles of down hill twisties. The bike gave no complaint. Factory shift kit and quick shift made seamless shifts, braking was so easy to modulate and no suspension drama. Hard to explain but my confidence really soared after dropping Max off at the gas station where i fueled up and headed back up the mountain for a more aggressive test ride.
I may not like the steering dampers aesthetics but in the faster sweepers it is nice to have especially if you run through a patch of damaged asphalt. No drama. Lots of fun.
Haven't checked the front sprocket but gearing feels tall which makes me think it is stock. Or i have just been riding my street triple so long i am riding the VFR in 3rd and 4th gear on the freeway at times by accident. LOL. Power is sneaky and smooth and i believe the PCV is set to eliminate a good deal of engine braking which i like.
End of thread · 59 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Aug 2017
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