mrmatt

The front fork swap is fairly straight foward if you have any mechanical know-how. I believe that if you do a search for "Frankenviffer" you will get alot of results. I have also done the swap, so between the two of us (MrMatt) I'm sure we can get you squared away! Agree, it was a fairly simple bolt on, just put the VFR controls on the complete 929 or 954 front end (I believe they are the same) and you'll be good. The even use the same size steering head bearings. The three things that you'll have to figure out on the VFR side will be the clip ons clearance with the dashboard, the oil radiator mount, and the inner shroud for the bodywork. If you get some taller clip ons they should be able to clear the gauges (sorry I don't know about this one), the oil radiator can be mounted on the last hole of the fairing stay (I haven't had any wheel clearance issues), and for the inner shroud I trimmed the top of it when it starts to curve in enough to get under the oil hoses. Good luck, don't hesitate to ask any questions, and post some pics when you get it :blush:

Well, I can't really say that I have, but that doesn't mean much coming from me. I've only ever (in my life) ridden probably 3500 miles, 3k of which is on the 700, so I'm still trying to figure out how to ride these things. I really did notice the front 954 swap though, totally different bike. Maybe sometime down the road I could give a better ride review... Glad you finally got that axle modified, waiting for the pictures

Yikes, that's more than I paid for my whole bike (before mods). They should at least throw in a tire for free...

Nice, I hate waiting for parts. Which axle/wheel combo are you going with? I suspect the VFR400 might be an easier swap, plus without the cush drive it should be lighter. How mine looks all together with stock bodywork. The 5 spoke looks a lot (almost exactly) like the 5th-6th gen VFR, I think it looks good with the design of the bike. If I want something more radical and lighter there's always more options now (with a price) DSC01775.JPG

Thanks, I matched the temp sensor with the year of gauges I got, so its from a 98 CBR900 (about $30). From riding today, I'm getting a warm bike temp of 165-175 F, is this the normal operating temperature? It looks very reasonable to me so I believe its accurate. Thanks for the offer, the tire is just what came with the wheel and it seems to hold air have have some tread left. Tire types represent a large hole in my mind where there should be information, I was planning to wear it out and replace with a Pilot Road 2 or Pilot Power since I've heard a lot of people around here like them both.

Ok, thanks, that makes sense. I'll have to think about that one, but it will be super easy to do once I figure out the caliper bracket/torque arm link again.

I'm not quite sure what you're talking about here, I ended up putting the rear caliper back at the 12 oclock position again since that is how long the brake line is. Also, anywhere between 1 and 9 the caliper bolt heads would hit the swingarm, I didn't want to try to make a whole new caliper bracket and just used the Triumph one. (and now its too late, I just put everything back... getting to know every screw very well...)

Thanks, it was really Jim (sa1713) that got me going on this, offered me the Speed Triple hub that he had and told me it would fit in the 4th gen. All you need is a really good machinist and some precision spacers and it is a bolt on conversion

All day in the garage but I finally have it back together, with the Ducati rear wheel installed DSC01773.JPG DSC01774.JPG I used a few washers to space the rear caliper the same 5mm DSC01771.JPG And made my own torque arm (with my dremel and hand-held drill) DSC01772.JPG Its pretty rough, just used two 1/8 inch aluminum bar stock because I couldn't find anyone with the 1/4 inch stuff. I'll be making a better one later, but it'll do for now. I didn't get much of a chance to ride tonight, but what I did felt great, I'm really happy on how it's turned out. Also, I only swapped brake calipers out and it seems to work with the VFR rear master cylinder. And I fixed the temperature sensor, ordered a CBR900 one and it is the same size as the VFR, just screwed it in and I get the right temp.

Pre-update I found an awesome mechinist in town and he rethreaded, cut, and drilled everyting I needed on the Speed Triple axle for $60, really helped me out and I will highly recommend him to anyone. He's got several bikes sitting in the shop (mostly Yamaha's, couple FJ's, and rides a CB550). I'm hoping tomorrow I can get it all back together and ride with the new rear end. RC45 bodywork may have to wait for a little while longer... (sorry to anyone waiting to see this part)

Thanks for putting this up, great job on the write up and pics :blink:

Update DSC01756.JPG I took the entire rear subframe and wheel off and started matching up the new stuff I'll be putting in. My spacers came in so I was able to bolt on the rear axle to see how it looked DSC01761.JPG DSC01762.JPG DSC01763.JPG DSC01764.JPG DSC01766.JPG DSC01768.JPG I still need to check with a local machine shop if they can modify the axle and spacer for me, then I can put it together for real. The CBR900 subframe will take a lot of work, but first I'm trying to fit the tailpiece in place so I can see where the subframe will need to be. The tail needs some material taken out of the middle to match the tank, and on the sides to fit over the frame, but it's pretty close. I tried to fit up the upper and lower fairing as well, but I think the exhaust is getting in the way where the 4 headers join into 1, also the center stand will have to go. I really hope this doesn't drive me to a full exhaust system change, which would be a nice but unanticipated expense. Edit: One thing I forgot to mention, the first spacer that is on the axle that fits inside the eccentric hub is 5mm (for the wheel alignment), and the one that fits inside of the cush drive/sprocket carrier is 2.5mm (for chain alignment).