14 replies to this topic

[seansparkle]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and although I've been looking round this site for months getting lots of useful info I've just started posting!

I'm starting a 1996 VFR750FT to RC30 replica project (I will be starting a thread when I have everything ready to go with lots of photos), I need answers to a few questions which I will post in separate threads.

First of all, forks.

I want my handlebars to look similar to the RC30, the clip ons sit under the yoke, the VFR has clip ons which sit above the yoke.
Looking at the service manual the 4th gen forks sit 39mm above the top of the yoke (with the clip ons fitted to this part of the fork).

I can easily get hold of clip ons which would sit under the yoke, but would be left with 39mm protruding, I was thinking of simply lowering the forks so the tops were virtually flush with the yoke top, but pretty sure this would make handling radically different (sharper from what i can work out) and also raise the height of the front of the bike.

Has anyone got a solution to this, or could comment on what lowering the forks by this much would do?

I'm thinking a different set of forks (F4i, VTR etc) may help, but to be honest I'm quite happy with the forks as they are.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sean

[Veefer800Canuck]

Lowering the forks through the yokes 39mm so that they are sitting flush with the top of the upper yoke will actually raise the front of the chassis and make the bike steer far slower than standard.

This would be a very bad thing.



Are you planning on staying with conventional forks, same type as the RC30?

If so, try CBR900 FireBlade forks. Measure them for overall length and go from there.

Of course, you will need both yokes and everything, as they have 45mm diameter tubes, whereas the VFR has 41mm.

[Veefer800Canuck]

Sebastian has a set of CBR900 forks on his CB project, he could probably measure them for you, hell he probably has the overall length committed to memory!

[seansparkle]

Thanks for the replies, I would like to go down the 929/954 route as I love the look of USD forks, it is an option but would like to look at any possibilities which don't require too much modification. I'd prefer to find something similar to the standard forks, I was looking at the F4i option, but I understand I'll have to replace calipers etc?

To be honest I like the VFR standard brakes as they match my style of riding (i.e. slow!) and look like RC30 ones.

So in summary, and to ask a daft question, becasue I can't seem to get my head around this rake and trail concept, I would be looking for some forks that are about 40mm shorter than standard VFR ones?
I've heard that changing the height of the forks (and I get it now raising them above the yoke!) by 10mm makes a massive improvement in steering, so by that basis I'm looking for ones 30mm shorter.

Edited by seansparkle, 22 February 2012 - 02:22 PM.

[seansparkle]

I think I've found a solution on how to effectively shorten the stock VFR forks, the stanchions need to be lowered 30mm in the yokes, so I thought, could I find shorter stanchions?

I've had a good search around the web, I found this company in the UK who specialise in fork Stanchions: http://www.bits4moto...fork-tubes.html
I found that the stock VFR750FT (4th gen) 41mm dia stanchions are 628mm long, so by my reckoning, 41mm forks 590-600mm would work out right.
I searched through their site looking for something that would work and came across CB600F (599 in the US) forks are 598mm, CBR400RR Triarm forks are 600mm.

So if I got a set of these stancions, would they swap straight over for the VFRs?
Would I use the VFR fork spring or the CB600f one?

Can anyone help?

[Veefer800Canuck]

You're going to lose suspension travel if that is the case.

I would seriously look for the 900 FireBlade forks and measure them up.

At 45mm, they are sturdier than the 41mm VFR forks, and the brake mounts mean you can use CBR600F4i calipers, RC51 calipers, etc, which are 4-pot fixed calipers as opposed to the VFR style 2-pot sliding calipers.

[kgsmotorcycles]

One of the best ever vfr rides i have had used the CBR 900 98/99 forks and yokes with a 17" wheel in front...

The rake/trail was spot on. Coupled with an aftermarket rear shock the handling was always inviting more.
The brakes - in silver are same as SP1 units am informed.

Should be the easiest option buying a complete front end and put it straight in.. no messing with tubes or anything....
The 98/99 front end was Hondas' pinnacle of right way round design and works very well. Better than a poorly set up upside down front end with yokes which are not always ideal in the rake/trail dept..

[seansparkle]

One of the best ever vfr rides i have had used the CBR 900 98/99 forks and yokes with a 17" wheel in front...

The rake/trail was spot on. Coupled with an aftermarket rear shock the handling was always inviting more.
The brakes - in silver are same as SP1 units am informed.

Should be the easiest option buying a complete front end and put it straight in.. no messing with tubes or anything....
The 98/99 front end was Hondas' pinnacle of right way round design and works very well. Better than a poorly set up upside down front end with yokes which are not always ideal in the rake/trail dept..

Thanks,

So could you clarify what i would need for the conversion?

As I see it, Top and bottom yokes, forks, would the existing 17inch VFR wheel, axle, spacers, discs etc work with it?
Also just for interest would the existing vfr brakes fit?

[kgsmotorcycles]

no, u need the CBR brakes also.. they are 4pots and very tasty.

If i remember correctly your VFR wheel is ideal for the conversion. You may have to make up some spacers for front wheel to suit.(may be able to alter existing ones?) You may also want to change the bearing sizes to match axle sizes i dont recall.
...altho i used a VTR/blackbird wheel(had to mill discs 1mm) when i did a 98/99cbr front end change.

Going to clip ons will cause you problems with your fairing clearance(unless you find bars that will fit) and your oil cooler may way moving/altering.

[SEBSPEED]

In order to do this swap & use the VFR wheel, you need to find a set of early model blade triples - that means the steel lower! Fork spacing was increased with the late model 98/99 forks and the rotor size was also different. I have firsthand experience with this.

I don't know the free length off the top of my head, but I could measure mine for you later today. I have multiple top yokes littered about my shop - oem, LSL/Spiegler billet, and my own custom billet versions. Unfortunately, no oem lowers, but let me know if you decide to go this route I can help you out with some of the parts.