Shobert race bike

Who if anyone has detailed information about the bike , I'm trying hard ( appearance wise ) to copy , I've been noticing for a long time now that something is different withe rear, I know with putting the 17's on the the rake needs to be adjusted , but recently noticed the swing arm is different or modified , take a look , any info would be great , Larry

 

I only have this to contribute........and the swinger does not appear stock.

 

I'm getting there but the rear end doesn't quite look the same, almost like the rear tire is out away from the bike

 

Non-stock wheels 4 sure, and i suspect a few proto-RC30 bits and bobs.

 

I've done almost everything , can't get a spec on rear shock or swing arm , I'm just glad someone else noticed

 

If you want something that looks like that swing arm, you might want to look at moding a cbr 600 f4, has the same look. Would it work???? I know the shock linkage is different

 

This is the only one I have

 

Wheels on Shobert/AHM bikes were 17's and bike had HRC kit shock (Showa) which was longer and adjustable for ride hight. Swingarm was also an HRC item.
Rear ride hight was higher on factory/works bikes to improve ground clearance and improve steering with supposedly "stock" steering head angle of stock frame.

Raced a VFR back in the day and we ran Fox Twin Clickers with anywhere from 1-2 inches of additional ride hight for the same above reasons. (GC and steering)

HTH,

DH

 

I took that pic at the AMA National at Laguna Seca in 1989. Thanks for keeping it alive!

 

Thanks for taking it originally. It's in my stash of pictures of old race bikes.

 

That is such a great shot , I would love to be that close to that bike )

 

The bike might be in the AMA museum. They rotate the exhibits just like most other museums.

There is a clip on Utube of the tragic accident that ceased Shobert's racing career.

Lets hope that our buddy Dork doesn't watch it too many times and get all sticky over it.

 

If I get a few spare moments I'll dig through my stash of 1980s motorcycle magazines and old Road Racing World stuff, pretty sure I've got a few good articles, pictures, and such included in there.

Anyone else remember the super trick ex-HRC VFR-750 that ran around Grattan, IRP, and a few other midwest tracks back in the late '80s & early 90s? Forget the guys name, ran mostly WERA stuff. Might have some pics of that bike stashed somewhere too.

 

Do a Google image search for "Rainey VFR race bike". It's basically the same thing. A CBR arm is the ticket. Contact the seller on this ebay auction of a Shobert replica and find out which model CBR he used.
Honda VFR 750 - Bubba shobert replica | eBay

I had the chance to chat with Bubba at the '91 Daytona 200. He looked completely recovered from his encounter with Magee and was a really nice guy.

 

Hi Shober's bike now owned Brian O'Shea. Here is URL.
Vintage Superbike ~ Home

 

Same era, Fast Freddy Spencer on a similar bike, with an incredible, beautiful, hand-built exhaust system. Some factory race bikes from '80s had pipes made from over 100 pieces, 1" and 2" lengths of precisely cut and perfectly welded tube on their hand-built racing exhausts, VF/VFR, and belong in Museums of Metalcraft. Look at the setup on any factory racebike to see some really amazing, hand-crafted exhaust work by artists, all probably done with computers and robots now.


:welcome: Hiro !! Thanks for joining up.

Why don't more Japanese riders join this form, do you guess ??

 

Realize the thread is ancient, but the related subject has gnawed at me forever....finally figured out the racer I couldn't remember all these years, thanks to the wormhole the interweb can be.

That racer's name was Phil Pummell (sadly since deceased) and to say his VFR was "long in the tooth" by 1990 was an understatement. However he managed to make that bike more than successful against some of the most current factory and satellite hardware there was, especially at Grattan. Was a pleasure to watch him race back then, only met him in passing a few times in the paddocks- very focused individual. According to the story, the family still has the VFR in their possession, would be awesome to see it on display again.

https://www.cyclenews.com/2019/04/article/archives-one-kids-hero/

https://riderfiles.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/pummell-leads-michigan-grand-prix/

Cheers to the golden age!

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I have the 86 honda VFR superbike parts list book. Spent hours dreaming (drooling) over it.

I'll take a look at it tonight to see if it says anything that helps.

I've even got a few bits I got off a Canadian Superbike racer that Honda Canada introduced me to. They are slated for my 1986 VFR project bike. No superbike engine or suspension though

I also have the following pics I have collected.

 

how many pages is that book? if not too big, maybe you'd consider scanning it to PDF and sharing?