VF500 F2 Rear Wheel Impossible!

That is my main fear...that I will sell this kit to someone else and they'll have as much trouble as I.

 

Yes, it did work for me. It offends me that you think i might try to sell you something that did not work or was messed up. Also when it was installed on my bike the rotor did not rub the bracket. I believe that you stated earlier that you switched the spacers and the rotor was rubbing the bracket. Those are deep scratches and the bracket looks like it has been through hell. I absolutely did not sell you the bracket in that condition and if I had I'm sure you would have said something about it before now.

If nothing I sold you will fit on your bike and your handlebars have always had a "shake" then I would say something is wrong with your bike and not the parts.

 

Personally, even though your swing arm may be an "odd ball", functionally it is fine and you shouldn't have to replace it. I believe it's the engineer's job to engineer a solution in situations like this. Fortunately for you, your engineer is Jamie. However, I am in NO WAY suggesting that Jamie has to create a solution (or do anything for that matter). His time is time. But replacing a swing arm to make a wheel kit work does not seem like the most logical approach to me.

 

I sent an E-Mail to Jamie....still waiting to hear back from him.

Pat....look at the FIRST page of this thread....and look at the picture of the Bracket I have posted on there BEFORE I even got the kit installed.

The groves and damage to the bracket is present in that picture....so there can be no doubt that the rotor marks were there before I installed the kit.

I never mentioned anything before because it was inconsequential to the installation and function of the kit.

The only explanations I can see are that you are lying now, or you never noticed the damage.

 

This picture is quite telling. We know those gouges are not indicative of Jamie's work. I doubt it could have happened by spinning the wheel by hand. Seems this damage happened over time. Where? How? Who knows, but the pic does speak volumes. Clearly the bracket appears to have spent some time cockeyed on the axle. I can't imagine the noise of scraping metal went unnoticed but anything's possible.

Instead of taking down the tab on the swingarm, can you take out some material from the bracket grove? That way the arm stays somewhat intact if you want to go back to stock.

 

I agree completely.

That is a possibility....but only a last resort.

If Jamie looks over the kit and sees nothing wrong....and I find no buyers for it....that will be the last resort.

I'd hate to shave off .2 inches from somewhere on the bracket and weaken it.

 

Slo - Before you send it back, take your vernier and measure the thickness of all parts individually at the axle hole, including the new and old wheels. Make sure all bearings are seated properly. Record these thicknesses. Then take each piece along with the piece next to it, put them together and measure the thickness. Do this with all the parts two at a time. Remember, just like grammer school 2+2 = 4. When you find 2+2=6 this will be the location where your two parts are not mating properly.

I have never worked on this type of bike so this is just a guess, but it should show the location of the problem.

 

Slowbird - didn't you mention that you rode the bike a couple of times with the caliper bracket crooked? It was pushed off in exactly the same direction as these marks indicate.

I'm interested to get the parts back to double check them against the prints.

 

I rode the bike a couple times with the smallest spacer between the Sprocket carrier and Swingarm. There was clearance between the rotor and the bracket but I did not have any rear brakes as I mentioned in an earlier post on Page 8 (Post #218):

I had installed the kit with the smallest spacer between the carrier and Swingarm since those were my initial instructions. I rode the bike and i had no rubbing of the rotor.

Also in Posts 196, 197, and 198 (on Page 7) Jamie, you and I both discussed how I was not getting any rotor bind.

Once I was told to swap the spacers I noticed the rotor was now rubbing as per post 201 on Page 7:

I did not ride the bike like this.

I've been saying for a long time that I don't think the kit fit Pat's bike properly but everyone seemed so sure that it did, so I didn't argue. I figured the marks were just from Pat having the spacers mixed up as I read on Matt's post that he had a similar issue.

Also....I didn't want to take the focus off trying to get my kit installed by making accusations.

But bottom line is:
My pictures on the first page show the rotor scars on the bracket BEFORE I even managed to get the wheel into the swingarm

Irrefutable evidence.

 

I found out that my wobble is due to my front tire. It is not worn completely yet....but it's old and cupped.

Come winter I'll get a new one but what tire depends on the fitment of this kit or not.

 

There is a lot more damage to the bracket on the recent pic vs the one on the first page. I never got the spacers mixed up either. If you have anything more to say to me i just PM'd you my phone number

 

First there was no damage and now there is merely more damage then before.

I see no reason to discuss anything with you over a long distance phone call.

I never wanted to bring this up since it will serve no purpose but create an argument.

I only bring it up now because I'm trying to bring in the Hypothesis that the kit never properly fit your bike.

...and I only make that Hypothesis since the claim that you had no issues with your bike and this kit seems to be a prime topic in the fitment issues I am having.

 

The kit is on it's way to Jamie....I'm excited to see how everything is going to turn out.

 

I am too, should be interesting!

 

I am hoping that Jamie finds an issue with the kit. (I know that is not what Jamie is hoping for but it's the easiest explanation and solution)

I don't think it will in anyway make Jamie seem any less capable or taint his reputation in any way.

Infact....if he finds there's an issue with something and replaces it I would think that would be a tremendous showing of Jamies concern for quality and customer satisfaction.

But alas....I am getting ahead of myself.

 

dude i've spoken with jamie a bunch of time over the phone he is commited to customer service and stands by all his parts & designs you could'nt find a better person to hve on the case..

 

I agree.

I hope my last post didn't make it seem like I meant otherwise?

 

Anything come of this yet?

 

opcorn:

waiting as well...i think i have found a rear from an F2 for one of the boys bikes but will still need another and want to se how this is handled...

plus i may need some work on the front wheels and want to add an F3 or F4 rear shock to both bikes

 

I checked all of the parts and they are dimensionally correct. The next step is to try and fit them to my own bike. I've been down for the past few days with a nasty case of the flu (H1N1?) so once I get to feeling better I'll have more to report.