5th Gen VFR FRONT END SWAP! Yes again ;}

OKay Possible bonehead award after reading more on the zx10 it appears that the lower leg of the fork is 43mm not the upper

SOOOOOOOOOO Im looking at diffrent forks to make the swap and I noticed that the ZX10 uses a 43mm fork tube it also has a 20mm axle(same as vfr) which made me wonder if you could machine out the vfr clamps safely and drop in the zx10 forks? Now I dont' know the lenght of the vfr forks but the zx10 is supposed to be 28 inches from bottom adjuster according a a ebay seller. Anyone know the lenght of the vfr forks 5th gen. Yes I know will there are still issues to work: calipers, brake line, speedo but you would retain the stock clamps, rake and stem

John

 

ur better off throwing a complete set of 01 929 forks on complete with wheel, brakes, and fender

 

check my thread on loye my new forks not much work at all from start to finish just over hour half

 

I wouldn't machine the 5th gen triples, swap in the 6th gen 43mm triples if you want to use 43mm tubes.

Or swap in the RC51 front end, much less to deal with as fas as machining parts.

 

I must be chasing you because I'm the slowest rider I know. :biggrin:

 

Hey Is that your VFR with the RC51 Swap, if so looks great. would love to ask some questions.

 

Thats Safe-T bike, Murphy.

Complete build listed over at VFRD.

Larry

 

I recall that in my parts pile, I have an almost complete 900RR front end. Forks, calipers, wheel and I think there is a spare axle in there too. It WAS going to go onto a 1983 CB750F, but that project has gone by the way side.

Send me a PM if interested.

Jose

 

Why don't you just buy an RC51 and be done with it. Either that or send your forks to Traxxon for their $1000.00 cartridge kit and put a penske on the rear.

 

1k is lot of money for lot of people for reconditioned stock item.

 

This is true for the vast majority of us but also I believe the motivation behind an inverted front end swap isn't always performance. The more modern appearance of the inverted forks, which are sometimes anodized in various shades of gold (Ohlins ish) and the larger brakes with mono block calipers are quite attractive. I still find it odd that the PO of my bike went with R1 forks instead of RC51 or 929 Honda parts. Must have been the colour or he got them cheap. Something about keeping it all Honda is attractive to me.

 

Is there any advantage to go with RC51 over 929 or vice versa?
My forks are due for a rebuild and swapping front ends would probably be a better option for me in the long run.

 

rc51 forks are longer. sp1 is the longest and sp2 is a little shorter. this allows easy mounting of clip ons above the triple trees.
using cbr929 and 954 forks you are going to want to mount clip ons below the triples or use superbike bars etc...

 

The offset of the RC/929 triples is much less than the VFR, increasing the trail significantly. You can counteract this by raising the rear and lowering the front to decrease the effective steering head angle. I went with the SP2 forks and had to lower the front enough for good trail figures to easily fit clipons above the 929/954 gullwing triple. Note you must use the SP1 lower triple.

The sprinkler valve is optional although I couldn't have finished the project without the hatchet.

Post some pics when the project gets going!

 

Captain!!! I want an Altoid!!! Nice pictures and write up! :wink:

 

btw, I have the stock set up with Race-Tech Gold Valves and fork springs on my 91, that I Have been running for 18 years...

 

Unfortunately I sought out the help I needed and have been Altoid sober for 5 years now.