VF500 F2 Rear Wheel Impossible!

i want to say these bike are all made in japan and shipped over here

 

Hahahaha....you win. Very true. :thumbsup:

 

VF500F VIN Table

here's a link to the VF500F VIN Table:

http://images.cmsnl.com/img/partsli...500-interceptor-1986-us_bighu0197vin_3289.gif

 

Yup....Made in japan. :wink: Matt was right :tongue:

Well....there is something obviously odd ball about my bike.

 

The carrier would seat on the center but would be wobbly without the rubber bits to hold everything.[/QUOTE]

Maybe just maybe, the center bearings are not properly seated. Just a thought as something has to be interfering with the travel.:crazy:

 

Slowbird,
After reading this WHOLE thing I do not blame you at all and completely understand and support your decision. Taking a grinder to your swing is going too far. If the kit cannot be modified to fit the bike then, there you go. FWIW, I have a kit that fits, and I have tons of respect for Jamie.

For those of you suggesting a swing arm removal, I'd suggest you fly to Ontario and do it for him. Talk about PITA. Not major, but not worth it.

On this subject, how much longer do you make the shock to compensate for difference in wheel diameter? A few years back I went though a whole lot of mess trying to figure that exact thing out. I just don't have the engineering back ground to pull it off. Jamie didn't seem to think it was that big a deal at the time. Apparently your opinion has evolved? I'm a ricky race wanna be type, so to me rear ride height is everything.

BTW way Matt, raising the rear ride height doesn't "improve" the handling per se, it slightly increases front angles, slightly shortens the wheel base and trail. This all results in quicker handling. It is better if you are looking to carve corners. It's not good if you like super slabing it all the time.

Rich

 

The difference in ride height between the stock VF500 tire and the F2 160/17 tire is about 12-15mm. Normally when I make shocks for this application I increase the ride height by around 20mm, so there would be a net gain.

I've found that the VF's need as much rear ride height as you can get. I run my bikes so high that it pushes the limits of the linkage (and other things) and they still could use more. Even a little adjustment makes a difference!

 

Maybe just maybe, the center bearings are not properly seated. Just a thought as something has to be interfering with the travel.:crazy:[/QUOTE]

Wha??

THANK YOU!!!!

The only person who understands!

I actually have a bunch of local bike guys wanting to make the kit fit....but they are suggesting machining the bracket.

 

Jamie, what would be the result of a Vf500 with stock rear wheel and tire plus a modified rear F2 shock?

 

well then please show use pictures of yours mybe you can help him more than any of us

 

The amount that needs to be removed from the bracket or the Swingarm tab is .2 inches.

 

I just spent a good 15-20 minutes trying to file down the swingarm tab.

I maybe got about .05 inches off.

Another .15 inches ain't gonna happen

 

I would if that was in anyway helpful or possible, as far as the kit fitting. And I don't have a camera and my kit isn't installed right at the moment. Besides, Jamie knows what he's doing. He doesn't need me chipping in.

A better benefit would have been if I hadn't just now found this hread and my VFR was working I'd just ride to his house with my Rear wheel and kit and help him. But it is too cold up here for a day and a half ride to Ontario, and I have no way of getting there at the moment.

As far as suspension, the changes are small enough that a camera would really show it. The proof is in the pudding.

Rich

 

Matt - Even though I want to buy your kit if it doesn't work out for you still, do you have a dremel to try and grind away the rest of the metal?

 

That doesn't sound right at all. Matt, what I would really like is for you to send me all of the parts for the wheel kit so that I can check them out for you. I still can't explain why it worked ok for Pat, but at least I could verify that all of the parts are within spec.

Shoot me an e-mail to let me know if you are interested in doing this.

 

slow i would do that to finally get to the bottom of this

 

You are still in line to buy it....for sure. I don't have a dremel...but maybe I should send this kit to Jamie so he can check it.

A guy here locally asked me to measure the distance it is off so he could think about doing some machining for me.

How I measured it was I installed the Axle in the swingarm with all the spacers but minus the Wheel.
I put the Caliper bracket on the tab and made sure it was straight.

I then measured the space between the Caliper bracket and the largest spacer with a Vernier.

Around .2 inches of space.

Maybe it didn't work ok for him....look at the rotor marks on the bracket:

 

Slowbird

Check on shipping from US zip code 30269 to your location. I have a couple of spare swing arms available if you want to purchase one and try to complete the mod. I can understand your frustration as well.

If you want to sell the modded parts that you have purchased shoot me a price for them as I have two or three VF500s that I need to convert to radial tires in the near future.

Keith

 

Thank you very much....but in the hope that no one will have to go through what I have, I will send this kit to Jamie and have him check it out.

If it's fine and it still doesn't fit I will see to selling it or getting another swingarm.

 

slow thats a wise dissecion let jamie look it through for you before passing on or trying to move forward