86 VFR 750 F2/F3 Rim Conversion Info Confirmation

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by vfrMatt86, Feb 26, 2012.

  1. ElectricRider

    ElectricRider New Member

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    So here is the skinny on this conversion stuff from what I've found out.
    The f2 wheel will allow you to run a speedo but the box needs to be modified. So you want the f2 94' front end. You can put any version of the f3 cartridges in any of the pre 94' f2 front ends to make them cartridged....

    You can not run a speedo in the f3 wheel unless it's heavily modified or you use a bicycle computer or gps.

    You can switch the vfr rotors over to the f2 wheel and use stock brakes and rotors on a stock vfr fork and also have the cartridges added to the stock forks.

    The rear wheel can accept either a f2 or f3 rear. The f2 is a more solidly built wheel yet slightly narrower. You can run a 160 on the rear of an f2 and a 170 on the rear of an f3. you can swap out the cush drive and sprocket from a stock rear vfr wheel and put them in the f2 rear. This also allows you to run stock rotor and brake for the rear but will cost 275.00 to have it all machined out, brackets made, etc. via jamie...

    The f2 front wheel is another 100 bucks to have it machined out to accept the stock speedo if you stay with stock forks. You can also run an f2 wheel on an f3 front end but you will need to find bigger rotors that are custom made for the f2 wheel. I don't know sizes.

    so the upside is you can make your stock vfr forks modern with the f3 cartridges (check with jamie for pricing) he can sell you the cartridges no need to buy a set of forks. You can add an f2 wheel and keep your stock brakes, rotors, etc. You need to have it modified (jamie for 100 bucks).

    Upside of rear wheel is still up in the air but I know i need a wider rear so this is where it's at. Gunna need to swap out the back. I've heard this can eaisly be done with just a f3/f2 caliper bracket. I'd like to hear a little more input from people that have done this conversion going the f3/f2 caliper bracket way......Cheers:crazy:
     
  2. aaron74

    aaron74 New Member

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    This thread is getting old so I don't know if anyone is watching it or not. I modified the F2 wheels originally to go in the VFR forks. I cut and re-welded the rear calliper bracket and used washers to get the spacing right (then I made proper spacers later so I didn't have to line up 50 parts to get the wheel on). I machined the rotor disc surfaces down on the front to put the F2 wheel on the front and repeated with washers (and spacers later).

    Oh yeah, there was a hurricane shock in there - don't do this. They weren't a great shock in the first place and they are just way too old now, they are invariably too soft, etc. You want the extra length but get a better shock.

    So, this was an improvement bar nothing. However, hard (I mean hard!) braking was terrifying. You couldn't really raise the rear tire on hard braking because the front end would start to chatter - the original VFR forks are simply overwhelmed by that much grabbing power. Let's face it, those are exceptionally long and skinny forks in terms of modern sport bikes and the VFR is no skinny, underfed ride.

    So, my bike now has F3 forks (read cartridge internals and thus real damping), F3 front wheel, 6 pot Tokico front calipers from a Hayabusa (yes, I really do like brakes on a 500+ pound bike). The calipers needed custom brackets that I made from solid aluminum stock and for the speedo I went with a later model VFR 750 sprocket cover that has a speedo pickup in it. I'm pretty sure I used a spacer and a longer front sprocket bolt to reach the pickup in the cover. I picked up a CBR600RR clock set for $40 to replace the original clocks. I should also point out that you need to put much heavier springs in whatever forks you put on the VFR - with rare exception, your donor comes from a lighter bike (and I am clearly much fatter than the ideal rider the industry seems to set up suspension for at 200 lbs without gear).
    The rear tire is a CBR 900 that needed very little other than shave to move the cush drive closer to the tire (same amount removed from the outer surface of the rim as from the internal cush spacer IIRC)

    To keep things simple I would recommend most stick with F2 setups with complete forks as these are almost bolt and go once you have pressed the VFR stem into the F2/F3 triples, beefed your fork springs, and sorted one of several rear caliper solutions - and swapped a different shock in so you don't mess up the overall geometry.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2013
  3. 577nitroexpress

    577nitroexpress New Member

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    If I were to do it again (wheel conversion) this is how i would do it. Much cheaper and easier. Used parts can be had for $40.00.

    577nitro
     
  4. 577nitroexpress

    577nitroexpress New Member

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    Do this, much cheaper.
     
  5. 577nitroexpress

    577nitroexpress New Member

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    You gotter' done, me too, but I went a different route.

    I kept it as simple and as stock as I could. I'm not racing the bike, just wanted better tires, and better street handling. I kept the stock forks, installed emulators, put on a fork brace and it is 100% better. By doing this I didn't have to monkey with anything on the front end. It will handle 99% of what I want to throw at it, and 100% of what can be done on the street. I might upgrade the rotors and pads for greater friction, but it's not necessary. I lowered the front down 5mm, to preserve geometry until I get my Fox Twin Clicker modified. I might invest into a New Ohlins RC30 shock, that I found on Ebay. Stupid expensive but the biggest improvement next to tires I've found on these old girls is suspension upgrades. I have a stock size Ohlins now, which works great, but does not have ride height adjustment. My twin clicker is way too long at 13", stock is 10.5" to 11.5". If it cost $500.00 to modify an old fox, why not just spend the extra 300.00 and get a new fully supported race shock, IMHO. Sometimes I think why not just get a later version Viffer, but its easier to get a cheap older bike by the wife and modify than an expensive new one. :)
     
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