RETRO's VF500 based Haslam NS500 Replica

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by R3TROwings, Nov 18, 2022.

  1. R3TROwings

    R3TROwings New Member

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    Hi Folks,
    I'm creating this thread for the replica I'm slowly amassing parts together for.

    I've always been a fan of Ron Haslam, and when I happened upon a handful of project VF500's to me to restore one good one for my good friend (see here - placeholder), I was given the opportunity to use all of the unused parts for my own benefit.

    One of the bikes had a sticker on the fairing from back in the day, the Ron Haslam race sticker, and my mind was made up.

    I've done lots of research, and there'll be a lot of test fitting of parts to see what works, I'm trying to make this as close to race bike as I can on the road, it'll be a 'Daylight MOT' bike (I'm in UK), no headlight, indicators etc, only brake light, horn and speedo. I hope it'll be bloody loud too, so that'll please the local Police!

    I know it won't be fast, my days of going nuts on the road are done, I sold my Ducati when my daughter was born, she's 5 now, and I feel guilty risking myself on the road. I grew up without my father around in teen years as we lost him, and that was bad enough.

    Anyway, plans afoot...

    Frame : 1985 VF500 (Reg Cxxx KEV) - Kev is my real name and I found the frame for sale with that reg, grabbed it quick!

    Swingarm : likely stock VF500, but may try VF750F

    Wheels : I've got NS400R Rims, whill check the widest tyres I can get on them.

    Forks : likely stock VF500 with NS400 yokes (got them, NS are Ali and much lighter than steel VF ones) running emulators, stiffer springs, but I'm trying to work out VF750 if I can keep the VF500 calipers.

    Shock : YSS (still to buy)

    Front Calipers : Stock VF500 (look very similar to the NS500 with the 'cross' pattern on the caliper body)

    Rear Caliper : Got VF1000R rear and hanger, trying to figure out mounting - same spindle size.
    Switchgear : VFR400R NC30

    Clocks : Got NSR250, trying to figure out

    Controls : VTR1000F Firestorm Brake/Clutch Cylinders/Levers - planning to convert to cable operated clutch eventually

    Bodywork : This is where it gets interesting! I have an original 1984 NS500/RS500 tail unit, very damaged and in need of repair, but is awesome! Also, have replica 1985 RS500 front fairing and screen in fibreglass from SHOP97 in Finland.

    Fuel Tank : Got VFR400 NC24, closest I could get to shape of NS500 and has relief/overflow outlet on top.

    Rearsets : I have some VFR400 NC30 rearset, will have to fab/weld mounts

    Exhausts : stock headers, aftermarket stubby cans - smallest I can find.

    Obviously the engine will need a full go over, I'll do that once I've dry fitted everything and proven it all fits. The fairing mounting will take a lot of head scratching.

    Anyway, that's the rough idea, I only get a few hours a week on this, and I've spent most of the last year just trying to get parts at a a reasonable cost (wheels and fairings we're the largest cost so far).

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I've never seen a Haslam NS500 rep about before, well, done well anyway, I've even commissioned a guy to sort me out with a replica helmet like the Pharoah racing scheme Haslam wore in that era.

    I'd appreciate all comments, constructive or otherwise, it's how we all learn.

    I am also working on a VF500 replica for my friend, I'll have that in another thread.

    Thanks, Kev - RETROwings
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2022
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  2. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Nice list.

    The only thing that made nose wrinkle is the possible VF750F forks. No real benefit there. 39mm, bleh. Odd caliper TRAC mounting compared to VF500F. Might as well try and adapt some tricker looking VF1000R forks. But the 41mm tubes might run afoul with your clamp situation.

    The VF500F forks are WAY easier to properly adapt the Emulators too, as they don't have the stock compression in one and the rebound in the other. And then you can run some external pre-load caps too.

    I'd suggest some 1986 VFR fork lowers for some bigger discs. Def racier looking too, but I don't think any of the VF calipers with the right cross pattern casting are gonna be bolt on. But I also have never tried to fit up VF500 caliper brackets to the VFR lowers either.

    Just spittin' out a couple thoughts I had.
     
  3. R3TROwings

    R3TROwings New Member

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    Yeah, I've given it a lot of thought, the VF750 forks aren't that far away from working, some head scratching to be done, but I'm happy to use the 500's anyway.

    I'll then run emulators and preload adjusters as Matt / @Colddevil has just done on his (top work Bro!), and they work perfectly with the NS wheels from what I've seen.

    I'd like to have thicker fork legs, but it's more important to me to have the correct style calipers, on the front at least. I plan to run carbon fibre 'fork fairings' as in the picture below, which will hide some of the anti-dive levers and gubbins so it doesn't look as pants.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks for the quick comments!
     
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  4. R3TROwings

    R3TROwings New Member

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    So things have got complicated...
    I have NS400 wheels and was planning to run with VF500 suspension, but it just doesn't look trick enough.
    I've been hunting around for VF1000R wheels/Suspension and it all seems quite expensive.
    Anyway, I found a VF1000R in UK for a VERY good price, it needs a full rebuild to be a nice bike, so I can either...
    1) use the VF1000R suspension/wheels/brakes on the 500 as planned
    2) swap the rep to be based on the 1000R engine/chassis (would make bodywork easier!) Giving roughly twice the power.
    3) keep original parts as planned and rebuild the VF1000R separately.

    Why is nothing easy!
     
  5. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    With just a 1000R swingarm, the rest can be made to look plenty racy. At least period correct racy.

    Prob with a 1000R rebuild (I've done 2), they are expensive. And then they still weigh 600 lbs. But I still absolutely love them, especially with suspension mods. They lose a lot weight once under way.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2022
  6. R3TROwings

    R3TROwings New Member

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    Yep, it's a dilemma.

    I grew up oggling over the 1000R, when I was about 7yr old, my dad would take me to the local Honda dealer (2 miles away!) every weekend, and they had one in the showroom for years, they couldn't sell it as it was too expensive.

    I never figured I'd end up owning one, even though I've had many jap bikes and a Ducati, I just thought a 1000R wouldn't every happen, but hey, it arrives on Tuesday!

    I think I'll compression test the 1000R when it arrives and take it from there....
     
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  7. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Same for me. Would go the the dealer in high school and just stare and dream. Then get back on my VF500F. It's why I now own 3 1000R plus a VF1000F, among others.

    Years ago, before being diagnosed with Multiple Bike Disorder, I was apparently tossing and turning and mumbling, "1000R 1000R 1000R". My wife woke me up and said, "just buy the damn thing".

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2022
  8. sixdog

    sixdog Member

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    I think our wifes are related Mike...MBD I know there is no cure for it and I love it!
     
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