VFR400RR NC30 Bodywork fitted to the VF500F

I'm betting the Kaw tank is way too wide. the v4 is quite thin by comparison and it probably wont fit between frame rails.

 

I was thinking that originally too, but if you look at the VF500F tank, it actually hangs out past the frame and even covers it by quite a bit towards the front.

I looked at many photos of the '91-92 Kawi tank from many angles and it looks like it will work for me. The key is the narrow width at the rear, and the long straight edge where the VFR400R seat meets it.

We'll see! If it doesn't fit, it won't be the first piece I bought for a project that was a dud! I can always resell it, especially if I spiff it up a bit. They only made this particular tank for 2 yrs I'm told.

See ya,
BLIGHT

 

I think the 7x tank will be a bit big as well. I did something along these lines with my 500. here is a pic and link to the build here, some of the wheel info may be helpfull. as far as the 1000 wheels, it was easier to swap to the 1000 swing arm then to do all the machining for the rear, also for the front I had to go to 600 huricane forks because of the disc size. If you could find a ns400 front wheel it will bolt on with no mods to the 500. Good luck will be watchinng for sure!
my bike and link

DSC_6016 by bradwsm, on Flickr

DSC_6034 by bradwsm, on Flickr
http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-...ew-member-gen-1-build-needind-some-parts.html

 

Very cool bike! I couldn't find a build archive... please point me there or provide all the details, particularly on the VF1000R wheel swap. Yours looks excellent! A few questions...
1) So, from what I gather, a VF1000R rear swingarm will bolt up to the VF500F?
2) To put the VF1000R 16" Comstar wheel on the front will require a CBR600 Hurricane front end? Wider triple trees to allow the wider rotor spacing? Can I use the VF500 fork legs & sliders with TRAC?

Wow... this could be a great source of info! Which gas tank did you use?

Cheers,
BLIGHT

 

it was kind of hard to see, but the link is the gen 1 ........ under the pics it should be a clickable link. 1. No the 1000 will not direct bolt but it is wayyyy eaisier than fabing all the wheel parts parts to fit the 500. you need the 1000 wheel, cush drive, rear caliper and carier, axle and all that stuff. I used a modified 500 sprocket (just needed to make the holes 1mm larger). but you just have to grind off enough aluminum from each side of the swing till it fits, and have a bushing made for one side of the swing arm pivot then use the pivot bolts to center. 2.No, I used 600 hurricane forks and calipers in the 500 interceptor tripples (hurricane stem is longer I think) then I had the wheel machined down 5mm I think from each side of the disc mounts ( the same as a f2 mod) and used hurricane axle and f2 bearings. f1 are still old school anti dive. The problem with the 500 front end is the disc demensions, I couldnt find any thing, and I mean anything that could work with the 1000r wheel. LIke I said the ns400 front wheel would bolt up because the discs are the same diamete ( and i think interchangable), they are just hard to find. I made the tank from the bottom half of the 500 and fiber glass made from a modified fzr 400 tank cover. good luck

 

Thanks for the information... I did find the build link after all (4 pages) and I must say I admire your work and craftsmanship! I hope my mod goes a lot little easier, and I probably won't do the VF1000r wheels until much later. I have a nice pair that came as 'spare parts' with my 1986 VF1000R. They look EXCELLENT on your bike.

I rode the ratty little bike pretty hard today and I'm impressed with this little jewel. I ditched an RC51 on a really nice twisty road that I know really well, and he (or she) apparently didn't! I keep looking down at my speedometer and can't believe I'm moving that fast on this bike... it's so effortless and neutral.

What a great little bike, and I must say... after 27 years, it deserves a nicer suit and shoes to wear!!

Cheers,
BLIGHT

 

Just my 2 cents but I would go with the F2 wheels. If you ride hard in the twisty bits, the F2's will give you a much better choice of tires than the R's. Plus, if you're dedicated to the NC30 scheme, white F2 wheels fit the bill. If money is tight, you can always do the wheel swap later and just paint the stock one's white for an NC21 look...

 

+1 Hop, though I would add CBR600F wheels are also a good choice for the 500.

 

I agree, the F1 wheels look really nice as well. Taking the stock design and giving it a more sculpted look.

 

What about a whole F3 front end? The fork tubes are 41mm (VF500 is 37mm) and offer damping adjustment. I put these legs and cartridge dampers in my Triumph Thruxton's sliders and WOW what a world of difference! Easily the best fork setup out in my garage. Supple ride (Honda springs are progressively wound) and excellent damping on compression & rebound.

IF the upper & lower trees swap into the VF500F steering head then it would be a cinch to use the CBR wheels, rotors and calipers. The 41mm fork would be a bonus too in rigidity, feel, and superior damping.

Just a thought... I'll have my hands busy on the bodywork & tank swap so wheels/fork work will be off in the future sometime.

See ya,
BLIGHT

 

YZF600R forks are a very close match to the stock length. The CBRs are much shorter.

 

Hey guys, I was wondering if anybody here has put a VFR750 SSS on their VF500F (see other thread) and had some spare time this AM waiting for the Daytona 500 to start. I PhotoShopped the NC30 SSS 17" rear and front wheels (in white!) onto my conceptual photo of the VF500F with the NC30 bodywork.

Whoa, it looks so good I just have to find a way (and throw enough $$$ into it) to make it happen:

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I'll get the bodywork and tank situation sorted out first. It's still is in transit, and when I receive it I'll post some pics and impressions of the overall quality.

See ya,
BLIGHT

 

Hate to speak ill, but no way that's fitting. Took an act of congress for toecutter to get a sss on his '86 750. Just do up bodywork and wheels, then ride the hell out of it.

 

Well, we'll see about that... I refuse to give up on something just because some naysayer says 'it can't be done'.
Believe me, the VTR1000 SSS conversion was no cake-walk either... but then, nothing good ever is.
If it doesn't work, then I'll admit it... but at least I will have tried!!

Good day,
BLIGHT

 

Sorry, but you're just wrong there. The VF500 frame is rectangular steel, and has immense strength and rigidity. When you look at the aluminum framed bikes (like my 91 VFR750) you're right, they are massive visually! Aluminum castings and extrusions must be massive to have the same equivalent strength as a much smaller (and heavier) steel frame. Aluminum is just not as strong as steel by volume, period.

Contrary to rumor, the SSS does NOT place any unbalanced forces on the frame, since the wheel rides in the centerline of the bike. Just because it's held on one side makes little to no difference on frame inputs, because the arm is designed to balance the load between the two pivot bearings. This is a common misconception on SSS bikes.

It's not rocket science... it just works because Honda figured it all out decades ago.

I'll post pics of the bike when it's all finished, but it might take a while to do 'the impossible'.

Cheers,
BLIGHT

 

Go hard Blight - love the attitude - if this is possible you sound like the man for the job!!!

Looking forward to the updates

 

Very interesting project. Good on ya..

 

Rather than a VFR arm,it might be easier to mod one from a Hawk GT. Its pretty easy to fit an NC30 wheel to the NT hub-slot the drive pins out to 100mm from 85mm and use the NC axle,retainer and nut.

 

Hi guys, just joined the forum and am very excited. Wondering if you guys can help me out with modifying my nc30. What process should i take to modify it? Where is the best place to start, ie, bodywork or engine? Still very new to the bike world, if any of you guys have suggestions or tips that would be great!!