Dangeruss

Nice vfrcapn, that looks great. Do you have a PC or Rapid Bike installed? Mine are being delivered tomorrow and I can't decide whether to give them a try or if I'll regret it without doing some tuning at the same time.

Also, what type of hugger is that? It looks good with the wheel fully exposed.

Awesome news, thanks for all the effort put into this by both of you!

1 hour ago, vfrcapn said:

Can't you just bolt up an entire VTR front end? Uses same bearings I think?

 

Oh look....

 

 

:) Yeah, I looked at that and was wondering if you still have it. I will PM you shortly.

I wasn't aware of the wider fork spacing, so thanks for that one. I've got a brand new CBR1000 (not sure year) rear MC that I bought for another project and never used but I think it's ⅝" (16mm) so it might be a bit touchy.

I have been contemplating a front end swap on my 5th gen. I have previously swapped late model R6 inverted forks onto my RZ350 and love it but don't fancy getting in that deep on the VFR this year as I have enough projects on my slate. As it overlaps with other aspects I would like to change I am considering just swapping out the lowers for VTR1000 parts and CBR calipers. I would replace all seals and bushings at the same time. This would save me removing the triples, as I just did the steering bearings last year, and also save dicking about with steering stops, bars, wiring etc. I can get a VTR1000 fender in the same colour code as my VFR and use VTR brake lines, and would probably look at changing the front master cylinder if necessary.

The rear caliper would be a Brembo P32 on an adapter bracket I already have from VFRD member eyrwbvfr.

Unknowns;

-Need a VTR front axle?

-Need to make wheel spacers?

-Need caliper spacers?

-Can you use the VTR cartridges?

-Okay with VFR springs, realizing VTR's are too soft?

Any comments or clarifications on the above points are appreciated.

Thanks!

Good info! Interesting comparison, I just ordered one of these on Ebay the other day for the same reason. I would have bought Sebs 5th gen mounts but he's not making them at the moment so I gave this a look. In your middle pic you have the 5th gen flipped compared to the 8th, the suspension link mounting width should be the same because the same part number is used across all generations. The 6th and 8th gen also share the same part number for the cushion bracket itself. The broken bolt in yours is likely the notorious right side left hand threaded centerstand bolt (versus right hand thread on the 5th gen), this is one of the extra parts needed for the swap. The cross bolts that fasten this through the engine case have different part numbers as well, although the lengths are the same between 5th and 6/8th. Possibly the head is different on the later one since it is clamped in the bracket. You also need to replace the centerstand pivot bolt and nut as it is more like a front axle and clamped on both ends in the late model bracket.

Centerstands and sidestands have different numbers but apparently centerstands interchange, side stands likely do as well.

Installing this will be a fun since the swingarm needs to come off and so does the centerstand, part of the job if you are changing engines. A good time to replace seals and lube swingarm and link bearings.

Also resets 6th to 8th gen look similar except for a plugged hole on the left side but have different part #s. They should interchange since the bracket itself is the same part. The extra hole on the 8th gen looks like it might be for a footrest mounted shift lever, but these don't cross reference to any other bikes, so who knows?

I would hazard a wild ass guess that the scribed number on the heads relate to a height tolerance on the cam journals. Perhaps the cam gears are toleranced as sets and selected based on those numbers to get optimum total backlash. Or it could be the employee number of the person who checked them...

The circular numbers are die codes, usually they give the die number and date/shift the casting was made. I've seen marks like the 'cracks' in the cover in parts that are high pressure die cast and are more like flow marks, maybe due to a die not fully warmed up. If you sanded them smooth I doubt there would be any depth to them, although it does look shabby.

Just a couple of questions while planning for the odds and ends to install these when they show up;

-What is the assembled length between the spring hooks on the rear primaries? (or what length springs are suitable).

-I assume the current batch have O2 sensor bungs (can't see any in the pic above) and will need M18 plugs until I install a PC or RapidBike. Are there 2 or 3?

-Is it worth installing the headers before fitting a PC or RB, or are the trade offs not worth the gains?

Thanks!

Hi Dangeruss,

Thank you for your donation of 50.00 USD. We look forward to improving the forums with your donation.

Thanks VFRDiscussion

Woohoo! Haven't been on here at all in the past few months, problems with gimpy hip so riding much was literally a big pain in the butt, and riding season ended around the same time. Someone at work was looking at a nice used 6th Gen and got me thinking about these again and I see it's all come good. Happy thoughts to pass the winter! Thanks to those who pulled us over the goal line.

@Duc2V4, how do you like that Denali, I was thinking of getting one. I'd like a horn that sounds like a mid 70's Cadillac, my reference for a horn that gets peoples attention in primal fear kind of way.

I for one don't mind waiting and appreciate the update and continued efforts. 👍

I just put a set of Pazzo 'shorty' levers on my 5th Gen as I have them on my other bike and like them. They arrived fast and work perfectly with a nice range of adjustment. The levers attach to an adapter that duplicates the stock lever geometry so you can move them to a different bike or change MC's and just replace that part. I can add pictures if you like.

http://www.pazzoracing.com/products.html

I love your VFR500, I grew up in the '80s and that was one of my favourite bikes. That is definitely the best colour scheme as well, and your SP-2 🤩, just brilliant. 

I just joined the forum after picking up a nice 5th Gen earlier this week. It has a Kerker can on it but it's otherwise stock. I am interested in getting in on this group buy if it is still open, pending shipping costs to Canada.