2002 VFR800 ABS cafe racer build thread!

Greetings! New member from AZ, but casual stalker for a while. I bring to you a build that I have been wanting to do. Please feel free to comment, give advice, judge, make fun of, disregard, etc. I would really appreciate anyones input/thoughts from a different perspective on how I can make this better or more efficient. Any and all comments are welcome!

Objective: Build a unique cafe racer style bicycle for the twisties/track days with this amazing V4 engine by dropping as much weight as possible yet retaining appealing aesthetics. I have a hard on for cafe racers and classic bikes, so I want to make the styling original and head turning.

Bike: 2002 VFR800 ABS with 50k miles. It has been in the family for a while and has taken me amazing places, but it is now time to start the fun (or obliteration). Why not just buy a faster, lighter, more suitable bike for this? Well, as you know, the handling is amazing and the sound of that V4...

Before the carnage:

South Mountain, AZ


Jerome, AZ


Payson, AZ


Prescott, AZ


Pine, AZ


After the carnage:





Things that need to be done:

1. Relocate oil cooler. Behind rear tire? Can I get rid of the oil cooler, or will it run too hot?


2. Hide all exposed wiring. I plan on reconfiguring my air box to fit wiring. Thinking about removing the air filter pictured, using the tray and new room to fit wiring, and attaching 4 small air filters on the throttle bodies. Will that be too much air and affect performance negatively?


3. Single old school headlight.

4. Gauge cluster: ideas? Any simple Acewell plug and plays to the 10 pin connector?

5. Tail section/subframe. Build/purchase a cafe racer style single seat tail section, maybe cut and modify the original subframe or build a simpler subframe to fit the new tail/seat.

6. Battery tray/relocation. Probably under seat.

7. ABS...it will be difficult to find a place to hide the front modulator, not much room to hide the hideous device protruding from the frame. I would like to remove the whole system for weight purposes (and sell of course) and run steel braided brake lines. Will removing both modulators, brake lines, wiring and the abs control module affect the computer? Will I have to reset/flash it?

8. Exhaust: right now it is running straight pipes with the cat, it sounds amazing. Performance wise, is it going to be breathing too much and loose backpressure, or will it pair well with the extra air coming in through the new air filter configuration? Power commander required for this?

9. Clip on bars.

10. Paint. (white, black center stripes)

Also, I will eventually list everything on eBay and post a link if anyone is interested in any parts (fairings, abs, seats, stain tune exhaust, etc.)

If you took the time to read all of this shenanigans, thanks and leave a comment. :tea:

 

Thanks. I know this project has probably been done many times before, but I figured I would update some pictures for you guys in case anyones curious about doing a similar project. Is the community more active on here or VFRD?

 

:welcome: to the zoo mate, nice bike and great job posting the pictures
Looking forward to your progress :rockon:

 

i can tell you the easiest and cheapest way to replace gauges is an 07 and up cbr600rr gauge cluster.