Search the Community

Hey, I've started converting my VFR to a naked bike and saw a front end from a 97' CBR900RR on the norwegian craigslist. I've ordered a top triple tree to convert to handlebars for a VFR800 (Moto-CNC) and so I wonder if those forks will fit the VFR triple tree or if there are minor differences? Any one had any experience with such a front end swap? Also need to relocate my oil cooler to another spot if anyone has done that before and know a neat way to do it. Thanks in advance!

I decided it was time to share my work in progress, a '92 VFR build - codename: "Vianca". This is my first foray into modifying/building a motorcycle and it has been quite the learning experience thus far. Without the help of communities like this one, DIY'ers like myself would surely be lost. Background I bought the bike from a guy off Craigslist for $1000 along with another project bike - a Honda Magna VF500c (my next project after this one). Two running bikes for under $2k - I was pumped!!! The VFR was done up as a streetfigher with some CBR parts (subframe, 929rr front-end) and overall ran pretty well, but needed some work. It was involved in slow low-side and it was suffering from the results of that lay down. It would have some trouble starting every now and then (starter clutch) and had a really loud knocking sound (heres a Youtube video of the sound), so those would have to be addressed. In addition to that, I wasn't a huge of the styling, color choice and especially the exhaust sound - way too ratty for my taste. After viewing some Youtube videos of what these bikes can really sound like, I knew immediately I wanted a deeper tone, but more on that later. Here is how she sat when I bought her: Planning & Inspiration Before setting off into the build I wanted to have some semblance of plan so I wouldn't spend a fortune trying to decide on a design direction. My overall goal for the bike was to simply swap out a few things here and there to have a roadworthy machine that looked decent and was reliable for the next season. That plan lasted maybe a whole two days - thanks internet. After seeing what some of you guys have done here on these forums and finding inspiration builds like @SEBSPEED and @apexandy I knew I wasn't going to be happy with a little tweaking - I needed...the full monty...within reason, of course. Ultimately, I found myself gravitating towards the speed triple and ducati monster look, so I decided that my best bet was to mock something up in Photoshop. I am familiar with the application (web designer by trade) so it was going to be the easiest way to see what I really liked. About 20 minutes later I had a rough idea thrown together: I am 100% sure this will change as the project evolves and if I can achieve even 50% of what is pictured above I will be beyond happy for my first build. Juggling work and a young family eats up the majority of my time, so the build gets my attention only after the kiddos are down and obligations are met. With a basic idea and mock up it was time to begin tearing her down. The Teardown (WARNING: Lots of Pics) With a Honda manual in one hand and wrench in the other, the teardown began! Seat off and checking things out Bye bye CBR subframe Poor frame was hacked up to bits Feeling naked now! Mmmmm...Carbs Carbs removed The source of that sound we all love! Crankcase cover removed...hmmm whats that? Upon closer inspection, you can see the cracks on the outer rim of the starter clutch. Additionally, those gold bolts were so loose when I took the cover off that they were about ready to fall out. Glad I caught this before something really bad happened. Houston we have a problem. Remember that "clackity-clack-clack" noise? Yeah, I found it. Blowing out lighters all day long. Also, check out that other bolt...WTF!? Hahaha Front cylinder head removed. Gonna need a bigger bench! Score! Picked up a Harbor Freight lift for super cheap and threw on a beefier wheel chock. Much easier to work on the bike this way. Removing the shock and Two Bros left-exit exhaust system. These pipes have seen better days. Trying to clean them up a bit. Its no sand or vapor blaster, but its helping. Hey, not too bad! Nice to have some helpers around the shop! Scored a Ducati Monster 696 seat on the cheap. Thanks Ebay! Was so excited I had to mock it up real quick. I like the way this is looking. Time to tackle the swingarm Current State That pretty much brings us up to speed on where the project is at this point. I am waiting the specialized tool to remove the castellated swingarm nut (another Ebay special), but I may get tired of waiting and just fab one up from an old socket and use the special tool tighten everything up properly. After that its on to cleaning things up and addressing the front end. Lots to do! I will try to update this thread as often as I can for those that may be interested, but feel free to follow along on via my Instagram account here - its easier to post quick updates with my phone then to rummage back through photos. Happy building!

Hello, So this is a big thank you and shout out to all members here that I have borrowed, copied and ripped off to complete my naked, streetfighting, cafe racer, black VFR800. In particular, paladinread, vfrAustin, sebspeed, apexandy, keef and zefarton44, whose bike was the inspiration for mine. I bought a new VFR800 in 1999, I was once a very early member of this site to, which I still have with 120k on it. My old bike on the left, unwashed after riding it home from Darwin to Sydney, looks more tired than the tired new bike prior to streefighterification. After seeing some of the naked streetfighters here and over at Custom Fighters, I decided I wanted one, and so picked up a tired Euro import 1999 VFR 800, which needed some love and in red to match my original bike and also as a bonus score some spare parts, quite a nice price point too when you wait eighteen years. It has a complete CBR 929 front end, even has the repsol front guard and red rim sticker, CBR 929 rear shock, apexandy's Ducati Monster seat, I tried to make the sub frame as small as I could with the standard battery squeezed in and ECU, made a chain guard, paladinread's SV 650 front radiator, sebspeeds oil cooler, rear motorcross master and brake line in swingarm, wrapped the headers, got a bit carried away with immitation carbon vinyl wrap, looks good at the moment, lowered the gearing, ebay chinese LED indicators, tail light, headlight, which is junk and starting to melt, a koso copy guage, cheap but pain to get working and some of keef's custom red knee cut outs, it's a plasti dip thing. There is still a couple of things I'd like to tidy up, wiring loom, paint, rear disc is shot, suspension sorted, would like the sound of my staintune but like the look of the shorty, it's uncomfortable, impractical, unreliable, too loud, obnoxious and I love it, the opposite to my old bike which is exactly what I was hoping to achieve. Once again many thanks to those that have gone before me, I couldn't of done it without you.

Looking for some info/advice - For a while I've been looking for a second bike - something older (70s-80s), unfaired, attractive, interesting, and somewhat reliable (I know 30-40 year old bikes will require some hands-on but I don't want to spend all my time wrenching on it). There's an 86 CB700sc (NightHawk S) for sale locally and it appears to meet the requirements. The current owner has done some recent maintenance - brakes, forks, head bearings. What concerns me is the shaft drive - I believe those parts are NLA. Is the drive longterm reliable? Anyone have any experience to share?

Time to put our collective heads together, boys and girls. As some of you may have heard, thanks to some unintentional body work, my right side now looks like: No bueno. Now while I'm not eager to shell out serious greenbacks to get here looking nice again, I am eager to go riding and not have the fairings ziptied on. So I stripped off her fairings, left, right, and chin. Now I'm left with the center cowl (which isn't pretty) and the tail. This is where you come in. What ideas do you have to make the bike look decent until I can restore her to her former glory? Figure a budget of $100. Ideas like painting the coolant overflow tank black with an indicator strip on the back is right down my alley. I've already bought some bar end mirrors (that I can always put on something else if I don't like 'em), and some bullet blinkers. I'm planning on replacing the front cowl with a steel subframe to hold the headlight in place, unless you have a better idea. I know you may be tempted, but this is not an opportunity for a front end swap, custom exhaust, or new tail build (although I have been contemplating nixing the cannards in the back). I will not be buying a custom digital instrument panel or aftermarket headlights for a SF. I am moving forward with the idea that when I find the fairings, the bike will be back to stock-ish. One last thing. I'll try and find the pic, but these is a huge black canister toward the front right of the motor. Almost looks like an oil filter for a diesel truck. Is that some kinda smog breather filter I can get rid of?

I have this 95 that I am putting back together and want some opinions on radiator options. I don't like how wide the stock cooler is as it extends past the frame on either side. The options that I have considered are a swap from another bike or a custom built radiator. If at all possible I would like to have an integrated oil cooler. Im open to anything so give it your best. P.S. Going for a minimalist look with no front fairings.