restoring & adding a modern touch to a 86 vf500

99-01 i had to cut the plugs off of it but no biggie just used the stock plug off of the OEM fan thats the only wiring you have to do.. hey dude is that your bike in your avatar?

 

Just messing about guy.

Having a piss as the Brits would say.

 

Christ, be honest. The forks were great? You couldn't get an inch of sag out of them if you weighed 300lbs. You were able to follow Susie's lines? Was she dropping bread crumbs for you? Keep your britches rolled up boys cause the shit's getting deeeeep.

 

You got a video of these forks Matt?

Maybe set up the video camera on a stool and then try pushing down on the bars while on the bike?

 

Thank you for the post.

Using a CBR900RR (99-01) fan is an interesting upgrade. From what you've posted it is a fairly straightforward installation:

• modify the mounting points (re-weld the tabs to the VF500F spacing)
• rewire the fan using the stock connector

Looking forward to seeing the radiator design. Please keep us posted on the progress.

 

I'm going to see if I can squeeze a 9" puller from THESE guys once my motor is ready to put back in...

 

Congratulations on your upgrade!!

 

no i did get them adjusted and they do work great as far as shit your the only one here thats full of it!

 

Yeah Matt that is my bike in my avatar. It is a work in progress. So far it is going good. All I have to do is do some fiberglass order some new lights make a seat pan and then paint it and the body should be finished. By the way Matt your bike looks awesome

 

thank you like yours mines been a work in progress, the tail on your bike looks friggin killer man well the whole bike looks awesome keep up the good work!

 

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/30890-vfr-streetfighter.html#post266974

 

You cam see the rest of the photos of my bike in the gallery First & Second Generation 1983-1989 - VFRworld Photo Gallery

 

OK, what did you end up doing with them? And when did you do it? You certainly didn't mention anything while we were there.

 

Hey Jamie what all is different between the stock f4i rear shock and the one that you put together and do you have to machine it to fit the vf mounting holes

 

Matt, I am interested to know more about these Forks. They look just like stock forks.

Where are the adjustments made?
How many settings are there?

Maybe a video of you setting them to the lowest and pushing down on the front of the bike and then setting them to the highest and pushing down again?

The mounting for the external shock fluid reservoir
A different fitting (90degree) to allow for hose dexterity
Different mounts and spacers

I'm sure someone else can fill in the rest

 

the adjustment are made from the top there is preload & damping i also have a video talkign about the forks on youtube

 

#3 of your Video? Or is there another one where you go into more detail with the forks?

Your VF500 Part 3 video you just mention what's in them, you don't show in the video what is different, and/or where the adjustments can be made.

Is the TRAC system still there?

Is there the same amount of travel as there was with the stock forks?

With the stiffer internals, is the front of the bike still sitting at the same height as before?

 

Hey matt if you ever get the chance could you do me a favor, can your give me the measurements of your hindle exhaust meaning from each exhaust port to the input on each collector and then from the output from each collector to the final collector. I am going to try and make my own since you can't buy them anymore. Aslo if you can tell me if there is any change in tubing size from one collector to the next. Thanks

 

I setup Matt with a typical shock conversion that I do for the VF's. He chose a CBR600F4 shocks but several others will work as well. As standard I included a spring matched to his weight. He opted to go with the valving upgrade which is really where the performance is gained. This conversion requires machining of the shock itself to allow the CNC extension to be installed. For this reason the shock must me sent to me.

Matt's shock does not have this, he is using the standard F4 reservoir and hose setup.

I put a ton of work into Matt's forks. From the outside they look stock but the entire inside workings have been replaced. I took a set of CBR900RR cartridges and modified them to work. The travel is hortened slightly to 120mm. This modification requires custom fork springs. As with the rear shock, I revalved the cartridges fully (both compression and rebound) to give him the maximum performance. In order to make this modidifcation happen there are several parts that have to be machined, modified, or custom made - it's certainly not for the faint of heart by any means. The results are worth it. In fact, Matt's forks are better than the ones on my own 500!

Keep in mind that stiffer is not better. Matt's forks are now more compliant than stock over most road conditions.