mrmatt

The front forks are now officially installed DSC01680.JPG With a new front tire next week I'll be able to get it back on the ground. I'm also anticipating my spacer for the rear shock to come in on Monday, once I grind down the bolt head I can get that hooked up as well. Been doing a lot of thinking about the subframe, some have gone with the CBR 900 (flyguyeddie) or RC51 (douglasthecook), but I've been thinking about an NC30. The tailpiece is basically the same shape, but I'm not sure on the length or angle from the frame. They are easily bought from the UK, so I might give it a try unless someone has some knowledge they can give me here. Newest parts ordered: Galfer SS front brake lines ($90) (I'll probably get the rear sometime too, just not as important right now) EBC HH brake pads ($30ea) (thought I might as well replace them while its apart) 93-94 CBR900 headlights ($70)

Update Pics are back, sorry if I repeat myself... Front end bolted on (loosely) DSC01671.JPG DSC01677.JPG With the top of the forks flush with the top triple I figure it is about 1/2 inch short with my highly technical measurement system DSC01669.JPG DSC01668.JPG I think I'll settle on having the top of the fork tubes flush with the top triple so the blue cap will stick above the plate. I've done some searching on the CBR gauges, the 93-94 model will not work as it still uses a speedometer cable 93_94 cbr900 gauges f.jpg 93_94 cbr900 gauges b.jpg I am still not certain on the 95 CBR900 gauges, I have not been able to get a good picture, but I am fairly certain that the CBR600 F3 gauges will work, judging from these pics* *Correction: with my new found skill of counting, the CBR gauges have only 8 pins per connection 95-98 cbr f3 F.jpg 95-98 cbr f3 B.jpg I'm only worried that the F3 gauges will be as big as my VFR so they wouldn't help me much, I think I'll be fighting for space anyway as the clipons are fairly low I got the inner race off the steering stem by grinding a notch in it with my dremmel and knocking it loose with a cold chisel, shop charged me $10 to press the new one on. I suppose it's worth since I didn't destroy anything trying to hammer it on. I special ordered some washers that are 1mm diameter smaller than the outer races, so I will be able to press these on myself. Ordered an NC30 taillight, shipping from England was more than the part, oh well Still many more things to buy

Hmm, is that the VFR400 (NC30) or RVF400 (NC35) ? And could I use an NC30 or 35 rear wheel as well? Project may have gotten a little more expensive... Been a little slower lately, ordered new steering head bearings and still trying to get the old ones off the steering stem. The new Dremmel may see some action tonight Still saving up for all the fairings, lights, mounts, and dashboard I have yet to buy... I'm keeping track of the cost for future members' reference

I've run into a problem, the bearings on the triple I have are roller bearings instead of ball like the VFR (no pics right now). I've been trying to get them off of the steering stem but have not been able to, any tips on this? Also, I put the whole thing together and from my highly technical measurement system it looks like the axle is 1/2 inch shorter than stock when the top of the forks are flush with the top triple. I am not very experienced with the concept of rake and trail, what would this do to my handling of the bike? Pictures pending on the server switch (big thanks to HS for making all this work)

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, the more the better A good night's work DSC01666.JPG I set the rear shock in place to see how much modification I would need to do on the rear fender, but it looked more like an inch out of place. I deemed it not worth the trouble and ordered a 929 shock today ($42 shipped) DSC01660.JPG On a side note, would the 954 shock be a good upgrade to an NT650? I know of one that might make it into my garage for some wrenching... The forks side by side DSC01663.JPG Had a little trouble measuring how long the forks should be, I ended up taking a measurement from the frame behind the lower triple to the axle. Hopefully it will be very close. I actually did see the 4th gen/RC45 conversion, I've contacted him and it was he that told me about using CBR900 lights and gauges :lurk: When I took the dashboard off I kept looking for a speedometer cable, still haven't found it yet. There are only two electrical connectors near the middle of the instruments, was it common in '95 to have an electronically controlled speedometer? Better question is whether the same year 900 had the same setup. DSC01667.JPG I'm not determined to use 900 gauges, if anyone knows of a small aftermarket setup I could use I'd like to look at it. Good question about the subframe, I hadn't thought about it, is there a better that would fit the single piece RC45 tail? I'm not a machinist, but can dremmel and bend brackets if needed. Enough for now

Rear shock install My work has officially started this week, first a little background. This will be my second motorcycle project, the first being my restoration of an '86 700. I really like the styling of the RC30 and think it still looks better than the newest bikes, so I wanted to make a VFR take on the round headlights and smooth lines. But after looking at pictures, the shape of the tank of the RC30 appeared significantly different than any VFR models (that I could find for sale), so I have settled on the RC45 which appeared close to the 4th gen VFR. I found the bike with 13,300 on it for $2600, it had been dumped on the left side which bent the clutch lever and gear switch, and scratched the middle fairing, other than that it is in great condition. DSC01604.JPG The goal of this project is not so much to make an RC45 replica, but to make a bike that has the looks that I think are the best of any bike on the road today, plus add any mechanical upgrades that will help performance. The list of the major work I have planned: 929/954 rear shock 954 complete front end RC45 bodywork -CBR900 headlights -CBR900 dashboard Items I have not yet committed to (but think would be a great addition) are a single nut rear wheel and left side exhaust. I have yet to order the bodywork so I still have no idea if I can make it work, but have started on the rear shock already and will do the front end next. Thanks to the threads here, the rear has been mostly a breeze, minus getting the battery heat shield out. I bought the 954 shock before I knew there was a difference from the 929, but I am going to see if it will work for me before I order another. This will probably drag out into the summer, especially since it's not a heated garage. Good news is that it will give me lots of time to get feedback, even if you're trying to convince me not to change the body (which won't work) or paint it anything but red (which won't work either). I'll be posting lots of pictures as I go for your viewing pleasure