VF750F 17" Wheel Conversion

Greetings folks, I have a one-owner 1983 VF750F that I would like to convert to the 17" wheels, using the CBR600F2 selection. Referring to old threads on here, I've pretty much figured it all out except tires and gearing. There were a number of comments and suggestions back in 2008, but I'm sure things may have changed a bit with today's offerings. This is a normal rider, nothing exotic. Just want the advantages of modern radials and a wider variety of choices. Regards, Chase

 

If you've got everything figured except for those two things, then it's just a matter of picking your preferred brand of radials. 160/60-17 and 120/70-17. Everybody's making pretty good tires these days, but stick with the known quality brands like Michelin, Pirelli, Avon, Dunlop, Continental, etc. Sounds like a Sport Touring tire will fit your needs.

I'd just try it with the gearing you have and see if you like it. Then adjust as needed to get the RPMs where you want after some test riding.

 

Bridgestone fo life! Sorry, I forgot I wasn't sponsored anymore....

 

Many thanks. Right after I hit "send" on the first message, I realized that I left out "sizes", after "tires". You've taken care of that! As I have to get an F2 type sprocket anyway, it looks like a 42 tooth item should put the overall gearing with the shorter tire close to the stock gearing. Does that seem about right?

 

I can check mine tonite and see what I'm running, but I'm pretty sure I have a 45 on my VF1000R and a 44 on my VF1000F, actually going UP one on each bike. But I don't do a lot of slab riding, more back roads. I think a 43 or 42 will be just fine.

The way I did those 2 wheel swaps was with hubs that use the original style sprocket. I have a F2 hub on the 1986 RC26.

 

In this area, we're the anti-Tail of the Dragon: 11 turns in 318 miles... Not many terrain changes, the highest elevations are landfills.

 

42. and def a Sport TOURING tire.

; - )

 

Will do. Thank you very much... Chase

 

You can get all the gearing, rpm's and sprocket data you need by using Gearing Commander. Use the options to select your bike (you'll have to use the VF 700 F model, but the details are OK for your 750), then hit load gearing (you can also choose mph/imperial or kph/metric units).

Once everything has loaded, go into the Current or Custom boxes and just change the details for wheel and tyre size, or sprocket changes you want to make (over-type the numbers) and then scroll down through all of the table, graph and chart options - just remembering where necessary to select Stock, Current, or Custom box to get the right info on screen.

https://www.gearingcommander.com/

The comparison tables are great for seeing the overall effect of changes. For my conversion, running a 160/60 17 or a 170/60 17 tyre, simply upping the gearbox sprocket by one tooth (up to a 17) and keeping the rear wheel sprocket at 44 teeth, keeps the overall gearing pretty much as standard with the 130/80 18 tyre.

The bigger question I have is - how are you going to go about raising the rear end to counter for the smaller outside diameter of the 17" rear wheel and tyre combination ?

Personally, I want to raise the rear slightly over stock anyway, so i'm going to go for a 7 mm longer shock absorber length. Not sure whether I'll buy a new Hagon made to length for the bike, or go with another Honda model shock of the right length with the right spring rate and "make" it fit as a starting point.

 

Yes, it's been a while. Ended up using Metzeler Z8 tires, 42 rear sprocket, YSS shock with plus 4mm extra length. Modern radial tires really help the ride. Thanks for the good advise.

 

Nice! Good job!!

What a difference, huh?

 

Nice looking bike!

 

Very pleased. Also, kept all of the stock pieces. The wheels are powder-coated Escalade White. A slight amount of pearl, wanting to avoid the appliance white.

 

Great choice to go with the white on that bike. Tasty.