Member Contributer Kel Posted April 2, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted April 2, 2008 Starting an upgrade to my kF's front. I tried a set of 929 forks but they were too short so I got an RC51 set. These too were still a little short so I took a 51's lower triple clamp and machined it to act as an upper. Not only does it now allow me to drop the forks lower, it looks damn cool. Not sure if i'll go clip on's or dirt bars. I've got the RC45 tail all but glassed in to follow the tank and the single swingarm is now all lined up. It will get an R motor (freshly painted)which will go in with just a few mods. It's tight but it does fit. I just had to swap around some coolant piping. I'll keep you posted. Early mockup with 929 frontend, 929's didn't work kF with RC51 front end. kF with RC45 tail. DSC02516.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted April 2, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted April 2, 2008 Er, okay. But what are you doing about an ignition lock and key? Couldn't you have lengthened the RC51 forks? :fing02: Ciao, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEBSPEED Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Er, okay. But what are you doing about an ignition lock and key? Couldn't you have lengthened the RC51 forks? :blink:Ciao, Err, it's a custom. It can go anywhere!! Like maybe off a bracket bolted to one of the empty bosses... :fing02: Cool stuff man, where are you from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soichiro Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Er, okay. But what are you doing about an ignition lock and key? Couldn't you have lengthened the RC51 forks? :blink:Ciao, Err, it's a custom. It can go anywhere!! Like maybe off a bracket bolted to one of the empty bosses... :fing02: Cool stuff man, where are you from? You wont see any crappy ingnition lock. Looking good man. the engine looks new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileyrock Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Hi and welcome to VFRD! :fing02: They do make stock upper & lower trees of the same shape, don't remember if it's a 954 or SP2 but other frankenviffer dudes will share the info. Looks like a fun project! Keep us updated! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted April 2, 2008 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 2, 2008 I want the ignition mounted somewhere on the side of the bike like an old CB, under the frame rail below the tank. Like they say, it's a custom so even a finger print reader would be cool, keyless. I'm from NH and just got back from one of the windiest rides i've ever been on. It must be gusting 40-45mph. It's only about 42 degrees out and who knows how cold with the wind chill but we gotta start our season early here! The R loves the cold air. Still too much sand though! Thanks for the kind words. Er, okay. But what are you doing about an ignition lock and key? Couldn't you have lengthened the RC51 forks? :blink:Ciao, Err, it's a custom. It can go anywhere!! Like maybe off a bracket bolted to one of the empty bosses... :fing02: Cool stuff man, where are you from? You wont see any crappy ingnition lock. Looking good man. the engine looks new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted April 2, 2008 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 2, 2008 The Rc51 upper is flat. The 929/954 is only slightly angled, nothing like this one! Will do on the posts! Hi and welcome to VFRD! :fing02: They do make stock upper & lower trees of the same shape, don't remember if it's a 954 or SP2 but other frankenviffer dudes will share the info. Looks like a fun project! Keep us updated! :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted April 2, 2008 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 2, 2008 Er, okay. But what are you doing about an ignition lock and key? Couldn't you have lengthened the RC51 forks? :blink:Ciao, Err, it's a custom. It can go anywhere!! Like maybe off a bracket bolted to one of the empty bosses... :fing02: Cool stuff man, where are you from? I noticed you were going to use a headlight for an S10 on your 750. I found a projector from a car for my R. It was cheap. I've since switched to an '86 dual setup. Here's a pic. projector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Phantom Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Some serious modding here, will be looking forward to seeing the progression and outcome :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEBSPEED Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I noticed you were going to use a headlight for an S10 on your 750. I found a projector from a car for my R. It was cheap. I've since switched to an '86 dual setup. Here's a pic. projector Funny, I had found that pic on the internet months ago and saved it... now I know whose bike it is! LOL! I think it's the H6058 lamp that fits many cars and also our old bikes. I have a "diamond-cut clear lens" with blue LED city light. :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEBSPEED Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 ps - why does your rear wheel look cock-eyed in the pic with the frame? Looks like you have the s/a bolted in? And, if that's not an RC swingarm, you better give up how you converted to single nut... !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted April 3, 2008 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2008 (edited) ps - why does your rear wheel look cock-eyed in the pic with the frame? Looks like you have the s/a bolted in? And, if that's not an RC swingarm, you better give up how you converted to single nut... !! Must be an optical illusion, the wheel is straight. It's not an RC arm but I used a Hawk spindle. If you notice in the tail picture I have a 5.5 5 spoke on a 750 spindle. I have it set up now to use either. When using the larger wheel, I use a modded sprocket hub. Instead of machining material off the sprocket mounts, I removed material from inside the sprocket hub and cut down the cush rubbers. Now the sprocket gets moved back towards the tire to keep chain in line. I really hate seeing the 4 lugs and I really like the 8 spoke rims so that leaves a VFR400 or RC30 rim. I'm torn between the larger rim(not as cool) and the single nut(smaller tire). I know it will handle quicker with the smaller but it's an 18" and tire choices are slimming. I found a couple of solutions but not ready to say yet. One will be a modded VFR wheel, the other will be a 7" custom. We'll see. As far as that headlight, It wasn't as bright as my dualies but it did have Halo around the rim. I never hooked that up. It was fine for around town, just don't wear a tinted shield!! Edited April 3, 2008 by Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted April 3, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2008 Starting an upgrade to my kF's front. I tried a set of 929 forks but they were too short so I got an RC51 set. These too were still a little short so I took a 51's lower triple clamp and machined it to act as an upper. Not only does it now allow me to drop the forks lower, it looks damn cool. Not sure if i'll go clip on's or dirt bars. I've got the RC45 tail all but glassed in to follow the tank and the single swingarm is now all lined up. It will get an R motor (freshly painted)which will go in with just a few mods. It's tight but it does fit. I just had to swap around some coolant piping. I'll keep you posted. Kel, it looks like you used the 929 lower. Did it fit the frame or did you swap out the steering stems? Looks great, I'm going through a similar RC swap on to my '85 R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted April 3, 2008 Author Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2008 (edited) Starting an upgrade to my kF's front. I tried a set of 929 forks but they were too short so I got an RC51 set. These too were still a little short so I took a 51's lower triple clamp and machined it to act as an upper. Not only does it now allow me to drop the forks lower, it looks damn cool. Not sure if i'll go clip on's or dirt bars. I've got the RC45 tail all but glassed in to follow the tank and the single swingarm is now all lined up. It will get an R motor (freshly painted)which will go in with just a few mods. It's tight but it does fit. I just had to swap around some coolant piping. I'll keep you posted. Kel, it looks like you used the 929 lower. Did it fit the frame or did you swap out the steering stems? Looks great, I'm going through a similar RC swap on to my '85 R. Yep, it's a 929 lower and yes, I had to swap stems. The R stem comes out easier than the 929's. I had to heat up the 929 lower just a bit. I then cut the 9's stem a few inches above the lower so I had a shorter piece to "wack". Wish I had a press but you do what ya gotta do. The R's stem is smaller in diameter. I welded on some material then turned it down to the correct size then reverse "wack". I think Tom cut his 51 stem flush to the lower then bored out what was left inside to the R's dimension. I haven't ridden it yet but I think it will great. really for looks but if it handles then woohoo! I've seen some fork swaps that really squat the frontend down. A little more weight on the front is fine but visually, it's a bit much for me. With my modded upper, I'm sure I can get REAL close to stock stance. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Edited April 3, 2008 by Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted April 3, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2008 Yep, it's a 929 lower and yes, I had to swap stems. The R stem comes out easier than the 929's. I had to heat up the 929 lower just a bit. I then cut the 9's stem a few inches above the lower so I had a shorter piece to "wack". Wish I had a press but you do what ya gotta do. The R's stem is smaller in diameter. I welded on some material then turned it down to the correct size then reverse "wack". I think Tom cut his 51 stem flush to the lower then bored out what was left inside to the R's dimension. I haven't ridden it yet but I think it will great. really for looks but if it handles then woohoo! I've seen some fork swaps that really squat the frontend down. A little more weight on the front is fine but visually, it's a bit much for me. With my modded upper, I'm sure I can get REAL close to stock stance. Good luck and let us know how it goes. :rolleyes: I asked about this but Tom didn't mention the different stem sizes just that they swapped over and I hadn't taken a very close look at it until now.....now I see the R is 30mm dia and the RC is 35mm. Great.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEBSPEED Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I asked about this but Tom didn't mention the different stem sizes just that they swapped over and I hadn't taken a very close look at it until now.....now I see the R is 30mm dia and the RC is 35mm. Great.. If it was easy, everyone would do it!! Dig in man! :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted April 3, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted April 3, 2008 Dig in man! :rolleyes: Dig in to my wallet!! :unsure: Thanks for the tip Kel, welding sounds like a little better approach than boring out the original stem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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