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Hello from S.F. Bay Area !!!


DannoXYZ

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I just realised I never posted an intro, how wude!

I started riding at 13-yrs old on dirt-bikes in my friends' backyards in Saratoga, CA where I grew up. When I got my driver's license, I wanted motorcycle, not car like all my friends.  VFR 1986 had just come out and I was in love!!  Unfortunately I couldn't afford it, so I bought its little brother VF500F.

 

Then I went off to university and acquired some other fun bikes: 1988 first-gen Ninja 600, then ZX-7R, and RZ-350. Being distracted kid with busy student life, it sat neglected for while on patio next to ocean. When I got back to it during break, unbeknownst to me, it had dried up petrol clogging one carb. Which lead to running lean on that cylinder, punching hole in piston and snapping con-rod.

uc?export=download&id=1I3Nfw4BzhEEqRn7lb

 

So I got used engine from breakers and mixed & matched to build one good engine. Took advantage of this disassembly time to paint frame and forks black.

uc?export=download&id=1Qj-F2sMs-lwKV4NQU

 

Over the decades, I've bought and sold about 30 different bikes, but one bike that's stayed with me from very beginning is VF500F.

uc?export=download&id=1yuO_akUvy0PprZGvJ

 

I got BS in Mechanical Engineering at university with minor in Electrical Engineering. I always liked to tinker with my bikes and cars, upgrading this and that. I learned that modern hot-rodding is done in software. So after university, I opened up my own performance tuning shoppe specialising in Porsche Turbo models. I was able to gain +100bhp from re-programming ECU chip alone with zero hardware upgrades.

 

Most of business was installing aftermarket standalone programmable EFI systems for even more power gains. I'll take ECU with un-terminated harness:

uc?export=download&id=1JRIJJQ36L1l-vwrT-

 

And customise it for car it's going into. Then install and dyno-tune. +200bhp over stock was common and about as far as can be taken without opening innards to replace pistons, rods & valves for more. Gee wonder how I figured that out...
uc?export=download&id=1E0lctLFwBFAq2_HRR


Developed eCode headlight upgrade ('80-90s Porsche H4 headlights were pathetic).  Also provided headlight and battery harness with 50-year warranty.

uc?export=download&id=1i-mAbAPs4hoVf1cfC

uc?export=download&id=1fI56yan7ATjNPM9Da
uc?export=download&id=1Q6C5kWKnt_01WFWFW
 
One fun project was handling EFI conversion on turbocharging carby Lamborghini!

uc?export=download&id=1qt66wD3prayKvwxiX

 

used Electromotive TEC-II ECU to control it

uc?export=download&id=1bIGkISgwCU_RRVO0C


all installed

uc?export=download&id=1mETeHWp2IxA_acR_0

 

Lamborghini SpA, was impressed enough to send their famous top test-driver Valentino Balboni to try it!
uc?export=download&id=1B1yQUxmupn2oIzDgV

uc?export=download&id=1D8r-PsFteXJqtfYohuc?export=download&id=1aM3a7QPg0jfK-gOo0
 

I've since sold shop and moved back to Bay Area to be close to my dad. Got hooked on racing with AFMracing.org. Did 42 track-days and 4 race-weekends my 1st season couple years ago. To tune my race-bike, I even built wideband O2-sensor from parts.
uc?export=download&id=1ZlsO9Wh3CgOi0W_Cx

 

 

Finally found my RC24 dream-bike far, far away. Getting it shipped soon, have to deal with tonnes of paperwork to import and register in CA.

uc?export=download&id=1MfzVyiO-iJ42h9iIV

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Impressive story welcome to the forum... the VF500F holds a special place in my heart too... I tried like hell to persuade the employees at Honda R&D to produce a 600 race bred V4...

 

Paul Venture and Matt Cardenas who are employed at Honda R&D
research analyst motorcycle research product planning...

 

MrRC45MattCardenasHondaR&D.JPG

MrRC45PaulVentureHondaR&D.JPG

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Welcome Danno. You've provided more tech help prior to introducing yourself than I have, well, ever. Always appreciated.

 

Had to decide, on a tight budget, on my first VFR. The tariff-beating VF700 won out over the VF500 simply because I decided I couldn't live with the dayglo red seat. Yours looks just right.

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How lucky we are to have such technical excellence on the board.  :beer:

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Welcome to VFRD from across the pond! :beer:

 

 

 

Where the F2 lives

vf.JPG.92ae5538acf7384eb4d8d6445df7d2d0.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

And seized VF400F's get taken apart too!

IMG_20190801_132130.thumb.jpg.c9f8602b1210f6e85ebfad7e1ad5ce43.jpg

 

IMG_20190727_123110.thumb.jpg.62421dd9d4c2636116fc9bb0b62d522a.jpg

 

 

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Welcome DannoXYZ:

 

That is an impressive resume, and you have already used it to help out on the Board, so many Thanks for that.

 

I know what you mean about the 86VFR750, I so wanted one also at the time, but they were very expensive because of the tarrif's and I was shipping out anyway. 

 

Later on I got into first Gens, VFR's and a couple of VF1000R's, so I wasn't looking for one anymore, until this summer when one fell into my lap. I was helping a widow clear out a storage container full of motorcycles and scooters her husband had. I got them all up and running so they were saleable, and they did all sell except the VFR. It needed tires a carb clean, some small bits. But it was all there. Well we had people come and look, but it was just to exotic for the average northern Maine rider as there are no shops in the area or dealers farther afield who would touch it. In the end I bought it as the lease was up on the storage unit. I don't really need another project, but I'll have fun with it once I start.

 

Good luck with yours, Is it a Canadian model? Hope it arrives before Spring.

 

Best.................Michael

rsz_1rsz_0530201940[1].jpg

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On 1/24/2021 at 12:20 PM, BusyLittleShop said:

Impressive story welcome to the forum... the VF500F holds a special place in my heart too... I tried like hell to persuade the employees at Honda R&D to produce a 600 race bred V4...

 

Ahh..., that would be so awesome! A supersport 600 V4... 

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On 1/24/2021 at 2:33 PM, Cogswell said:

Nice story.  Amazing that a con rod could be snapped like that. 

 

Thanks for sharing

You're welcome! Hole melted in piston was slightly off-centre and it got into edge that held pin. Piston rocked on pin slightly and rod jammed piston into side of cylinder.

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On 1/24/2021 at 4:59 PM, St. Stephen said:

Welcome Danno. You've provided more tech help prior to introducing yourself than I have, well, ever. Always appreciated.

 

Had to decide, on a tight budget, on my first VFR. The tariff-beating VF700 won out over the VF500 simply because I decided I couldn't live with the dayglo red seat. Yours looks just right.

Yeah, original colour-scheme was perfect for neon-'80s. But after while, it looks too much like toy from Lego or Fisher-Price.

 

uc?export=download&id=1rX3sv1YebMmTHUARP

 

I tried doing Photoshop mock-up with just black seat, but that made it look too disconnected like mish-mash of parts. Most obvious to me was silver frame didn't match anything. Too complicated and messy looking like this one:

 

uc?export=download&id=1cuPHTFeMtKi9SNA0S

 

So while I had it all apart, I painted frame & fork and it looks like much more serious bike! :)

 

uc?export=download&id=1yuO_akUvy0PprZGvJ

 

Sharp eyes will notice front-end is lowered about 20mm (should steepen head-angle about 1-degree). I increased preload and spring-rate by replacing 100mm of spring with PVC spacer (not many spring-options in '80s). Rear shock is working OK, adjustments don't really seem to change anything. I may replace it with this shock, but it might go into RC24, depending upon how that shock is working

 

uc?export=download&id=1zscOQn7AC9fOdO_mV

 

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On 1/26/2021 at 12:29 AM, Dutchy said:

Welcome to VFRD from across the pond! :beer:

 

Where the F2 lives

And seized VF400F's get taken apart too!

Hi Dutchy!!! Your bike and photos have been an inspiration to me! I found your photos years ago and was trying to source F2 bodywork to put on mine. Bits and pieces here and there from UK sources. But no one will ship it to me!

So I'm going with cheapo Chinese fairings and put some NC30 clothes on it since my brother has genuine one. This will allow me to lower bars to seat-height which I prefer.
uc?export=download&id=0B2u9SQWpJMCTczhDc

 

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RC24 shocks are very short.  One of the shortest Honda made.  Its hard to adapt other shocks without major surgery.

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Would longer shock-length cancel out shorter F2 wheels on RC24?

Shock-length is independent adjustment so I'll play with that if needed.

Although it appears RC24 I'm getting has DMR shock already.

So I'll put Ohlins into VF500F then! :)

 

uc?export=download&id=1ad5qo6JTKoM_h2Ro7

 

 

 

 

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On 1/26/2021 at 5:23 AM, FromMaine said:

Welcome DannoXYZ:

 

That is an impressive resume, and you have already used it to help out on the Board, so many Thanks for that.

 

I know what you mean about the 86VFR750, I so wanted one also at the time, but they were very expensive because of the tarrif's and I was shipping out anyway. 

 

Later on I got into first Gens, VFR's and a couple of VF1000R's, so I wasn't looking for one anymore, until this summer when one fell into my lap. I was helping a widow clear out a storage container full of motorcycles and scooters her husband had. I got them all up and running so they were saleable, and they did all sell except the VFR. It needed tires a carb clean, some small bits. But it was all there. Well we had people come and look, but it was just to exotic for the average northern Maine rider as there are no shops in the area or dealers farther afield who would touch it. In the end I bought it as the lease was up on the storage unit. I don't really need another project, but I'll have fun with it once I start.

 

Good luck with yours, Is it a Canadian model? Hope it arrives before Spring.

 

Best.................Michael

Why yes it is coming from Canada! I think it's U.S. model as it has proper DOT and EPA stickers. CA won't allow non-U.S. models in, from what I can figure from DMV/CARB regulations. I had to submit photos of bike's DOT and EPA stickers before they'd even tell me if it can be registered here.

 

Transport company estimates anywhere from 4-weeks to 4-months.  I suppose part of wait is they want to fill up truck completely before crossing border. Then truck-driver has to be quarantined for 14-days upon entering U.S. And customs always want to inspect everything really carefully. 

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21 minutes ago, DannoXYZ said:

Would longer shock-length cancel out shorter F2 wheels on RC24?

Shock-length is independent adjustment so I'll play with that if needed.

Although it appears RC24 I'm getting has DMR shock already.

So I'll put Ohlins into VF500F then! 🙂

 

uc?export=download&id=1ad5qo6JTKoM_h2Ro7

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, looks like a modified CBR unit, sweet.  That should work good, I have a DMR one on a 1000R and had one on a 1000F that is now going to another 1000R.  I was able to get a Fox TC (not a VFR one) down to +20 for the RC26.  Using the 87 linkage to accommodate for about 10mm of it (87 shocks are 10mm longer than 86) and have the remaining 10mm for the wheel swap.  Worked perfectly, but much more I think you will be wearing on the top of the front chain slider pretty heavily due to the increased swingarm angle.   I can feel it slightly as I'm coming down to a stop sign.

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About 4-yrs ago, I had one of these.

&do=download

Rode it from S.F. up to Oregon to visit my brother when he bought his 1st bike, RC390. My wife took our dogs in her Scion xB.

 

Taking break under St. John's Bridge just across river from downtown Portland.

 

&do=download

 

 

Then I got into racing 250-class with AFM and just got too busy. Did 42-trackdays and 4 race-weekends that 1st season and didn't have that much time for leisure rides.

 

Mostly commuted on similar Ninja 250 as my racebike. And when I had free weekend, I'd take CBR600RR for canyon carving. Was so sad VFR didn't get used much. So I sold him to kid who would have fun with him.

 

But... I found my dream RC24, so I'll be back on VFR soon! 🙂

 

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1 hour ago, DannoXYZ said:

 

Taking break under St. John's Bridge just across river from downtown Portland.

 

&do=download

 

I purchased my 1st VFR at St Johns Honda (long time out of business).   I recall walking in seeing two VFR's and a Blackbird all sitting together.  That was magic.  These days I try not to go anywhere near urban Portland unless I just have to. 

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WooHOOO!!! My RC24 has been loaded up in Canada and on its way to California!!! :woohoo::cheerleader::beer:

 

uc?export=download&id=1lF6JZv8GLepXf2vSC

 

uc?export=download&id=1PmZ_s9b57a0PWWByA

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Nice!  Can't wait to see more of it.  And I've seen some odd K&N sticker placements, but that's a doozie.

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10 hours ago, Captain 80s said:

Nice!  Can't wait to see more of it.  And I've seen some odd K&N sticker placements, but that's a doozie.

I think that's HRC sticker

th?id=OIP.Pd6QUceHhAuBjiAN4bRIhgHaHa%26p

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12 hours ago, DannoXYZ said:

I think that's HRC sticker

th?id=OIP.Pd6QUceHhAuBjiAN4bRIhgHaHa%26p

 

Negative Ghostrider, 100% is a K&N sticker on the INSIDE of the windshield.  Open the back of truck pic in a photo viewer.

 

And that would STILL be a terrible place for a HRC sticker.

 

The actual HRC decal is in the correct spot.

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