CornerCarver

Good points Rice, and that is one reason it has taken me three years to pull the trigger on the USD conversion. But these forks are as I'm running now only have the tubes and brakes as they came from the factory. Part of it is being committed to a Duc or Tiumph single-nut rear wheel and the requirement to de-link the brakes to pull that off and the other part is to see if I can make the bike handle as well as it is maxed out right now. I wish Honda would hurry up and call back with the job offer, I bet them a years wages that I could make a VFR from their parts bin that would sell well enough to return a profit. :goofy: Kevin, you busy Saturday...you are welcome to come over and pick up the Staintune... :fing02:

Yes, I know I am over-analyzing it but my bike finally handles like I had hoped it would from the factory, and I definately don't to slow it down or lose much ground clearance...the fork tube diameters match up with Honda standard 50/54... since I took my center stand off for track days I can't quite get consistent measurements of angles and dimensions I am going to pop for a rear stand or front chock and start taking better measurements this weekend. These forks were measured (by the guy selling them so take that with a grain of salt) at 755mm in length so they are a bit shorter than my 5th gen forks but right in line with the RC-51 (sp-1) forks that I passed on so that I could have radial brakes... Kevin, I may take you up on the offer to test fit with your triples before I splash to have some made or see what other options are out there...

Your "Suspension Tube" line is moving SouthWest which moves the "vertical Axle" line back (to the left) but your "neck line" is remaining contant. If you increase your suspension height in the rear, drop your forks further in the stem you will increase the angle of the "neck line" which shortens the "Trail" AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, that makes sense now..kinda. Thanks

OK, Fedex says they arrive this Friday...I am just trying to get some triple clamps on the way as soon as possible.

Ok, just when I thought I was getting a grasp...I agree that the forks will move SW as you stated but in reducing the distance from axle centerline (and tire contact patch) to the point where a straight line down the steering stem would put the axle, I though you were reducing trail and making the bike less stable (lower trail-sometimes less stable at high speeds but easier to turn). what am i missing? (besides the obvious- timmys Charm, Bailyrocks good looks, Sebs fabrications skills, etc...)

OK, the rear shock was purchased on the Elka group buy about 4 years ago and was built with 15mm increased ride height. I have also rebuilt my 5th gen forks with Race tech gold valves and F3 internals and lowered the triples on the forks to drop them 18mm below stock height. the bike currently handles amazingly well for it's heft (and my heft). Canuck, you are stating that the trail will be increase with the triple clamps that I mentioned. Is this because the offset between fork and steering stem is greater, thereby pushing the front wheel farther out in front of the axle centerline?

Ok. I have read every thread on this board related to USD fork conversions and the myriad ways to correct the steering geometry. These ZX14.jpg are on the way and questions remain. If i go with 929 lower and 954 upper triples, how has the geometry changed? Is my rake increased? Is my trail lengthened? If I stay with the 929 lower, can a custom upper return the geometry to stock rake and trail? For reference, as we discuss what needs to be corrected, I have included another image... Rake and Trail.gif

Kevin, It's yours. I have it on the shelf, will trade you for your highmount or you can buy it back. I know I will regret it when I am looking for panniers but you did me right before. come see it or let me when you can meet.

Dang...that is chunk of change for the top triple...I can't wait to see it in Franklin in 108 days or so... :fing02:

Aaaahhhh, so Seb is planning on running his bars below the top clamp...that Tyga top triple is indeed flat. He is young and flexible, I must have the bars above so i prolly just buy whatever crappy 954 top clamp I find. :biggrin: thanks for the tip on making mine smaller.

Yea...kinda guessed it was a Tyga, :biggrin: from being able to read and all but...I don't Sebastian as well as some of you but he doesn't strike me as a guy who threow down $250 for a top clamp...maybe there is a secret handshake at a secret Northeastern warehouse that gets you one of those for what they are asking for one of these... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CBR-929-954RR-UPPER-TRIPLE-TREE-RED-TC12AR-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a2e72348QQitemZ230366323528QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories but it was interesting to see that Tyga no longer makes top triples for CBR 954's.... now a question for you, Kevin....how do you make your links small and change the name to Here or whatever? :fing02:

Ok, well I guess I am diving in to the deep end here. I just "won" these on fleaBay....it has begun. ZX14.jpg ZX14 top view.jpg ZX14 Brakes.jpg Soon I will have measuremements and data on another fork for the chart. Hopefully a wheel situation I am working on will come to fruition this weekend...stay tuned. Seb, where did you find that sweet top triple?

ok, opionions from the gallery are welcome right now... Kawasaki ZX10R forks with radial brakes or RC51 SP1 forks with axial brakes (probably Suzuki TL1000 six piston axials)? What say ye?

I have been hesitant to post up because I am still researching what will work and what I need to fit it up....but here goes: 1. USD forks - probably KYB from a ZX10R or ZX14R (want Ohlins but who doesn't?) 2. De-link the brakes, radial mounted binders up front 3. CBR or Duc rear brake caliper and master 4. Marchesini or Brembo rear wheel, Ducati single nut 5. Matching front wheel, not sure about the wheels yet Maybe I'll replace the windscreen that Baily duct taped together 3 years ago :biggrin: if I don't change out the stock plastic for something less bulbous So to do all of this I have to get rid of some stuff...hopefully I'll be able to post some pix after this weekend.

Hi, welcome aboard and I think you have one of the best generation VFR's ever made. I actually like the way it looks now but of course as you get more comfortable with the bikes needs and your capabilities you can improve the appearance and performance. Do you have anyone close by who can help you set the sag on your suspension? I think you first need to set the stock suspension preperly and make sure that the steering bearings are in good condition and greased and that the tires are properly inflated before you start spending money on other rear shocks that may or may not play well with your front suspension settings. At 5'8' and a buck 45 you are almost a protypical japanese test rider and the stock suspension, if not worn too badly, should be able to be adjusted to provide you with a decent ride as you continue to improve. My fat arse needed stiffer front and rear springs and I took the opportunity to revalve the front and upgrade the rear at the same time. I suspect that with fresh oil up front and proper sag that you will enjoy the bike.

Great looking project Shane, welcome aboard. Just a little advice, the site is not age restricted so the language could tone down a bit in your previous post. Now to the important stuff....are you sure you ahve to cut up the rare left exit exhaust to realize your vision for the Duc tail? your stuff so yoru call but that is all that hurts me when I see you bringing a great V4 back from salvage. Have you ridden a similar VFR before? if so, does the GSXR front end rake the forks out a bit and slow the steering? It may just appear that way to me wothout the front fairing to compare for looks. good job and keep posting up the pix! carver

Great work, a tremendous amount of effort is clearly visible for people who know what they are looking at and it fools the other 98% into asking what it is... Maybe the raised front end is making the kick stand looke even more wonky...