CBR600F2 Forks - 91 to 93 versus 94

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by invisible cities, Aug 1, 2011.

  1. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    I've been thinking about upgrading the forks on my '84 VF500F using CBR600F2 forks.

    This will allow for a much easier install of modern four piston calipers using custom brackets (something I also have on the clipboard) and also give the benefit of having larger 41mm diameter forks vs the stock 37mm diameter.

    With this in mind, I was wondering if anyone knows if the '94 CBR600F2 forks are different (i.e. longer) than the 91-93 CBR600F2 forks.

    From what I have been able to find out, via web searches, there is a change in the design but I don't know if this has to do with the overall length or with something else.

    For reference, Race Tech notes a stock oil level of 120mm for the 91-93 and 140mm for the 94.

    http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/2/Honda/CBR600F2/1991-93

    http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/2/Honda/CBR600F2/1994

    Any help on this topic would be most appreciated.

    Many thanks!
     
  2. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I think, (and don't quote me) that the '94 front forks had rebound damping adjustment.
     
  3. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Thanks slowbird.

    After reading your post I did a bit more research and found this article:

    First, a little bit of histort on the model. 1994 was the last year of the F2 but the first year it came with some decent suspension. Away went the sloppy/harsh feel of dampening rod forks and in came rebound/preload adjustabe cartridge forks. This really improved rider confidence as the steering was more controlable through rough corners. Those with earlier years can run RaceTech emulators to obtain the same feel but they are not externally adjustable.

    Source: Musclecross • View topic - 1994 CBR 600 F2 Super Sport

    From this it looks like the '94s, though dimensionally the same in length (to be confirmed), are the way to go.
     
  4. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Ah! So 94's are Cartridge forks?
     
  5. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    From what I have read, yes.

    Good to know when sourcing these!
     
  6. fatso1277

    fatso1277 New Member

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    u could use the 91-93 forks just put the GOLD VAVLE EMULATORS in them from Racetech.
     
  7. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Not sure I follow. Why wouldn't you go for the '94s straight away?

    This is a much improved design. Emulators while effective aren't the real thing, or so I've read.
     
  8. Thunderceptor F3

    Thunderceptor F3 New Member

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    The forks are the same length from 91-94, which is 780mm.
    The 91-93 are damping rod forks, and the 94 are cartidge forks, with pre-load and rebound adjustments.

    If possible get the 94 forks. Gold vale emulatos only work in compression, but are way better then damping rod forks.
     
  9. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Thank you for the post.

    I appreciate the intel on the fork length @ 780mm. This is very helpful.

    Would you happen to know if the F3s are the same?
     
  10. Hrdryder

    Hrdryder New Member

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    I don't think the F3 forks changed substantially internally, as I used a set to fix and upgrade my '94 forks. I'd hoped to simply swap them out intact, but the fender mounts were different so I had to keep my sliders and rebuild them with the F3 internals and tubes. BTW the rebuild was due to running over a deer on I-90 while riding to work on 3rd shift. The pickup in front of me hit it and knocked it down. I rolled over it at 70mph and fortunately kept it upright. After making it to work (and removing the seat from my clenched sphincter) I looked for damage, but couldnt see anything until the next morning when I found the tubes were bent, the front wheel was touching the tip of the lower fairing. 2 lessons to be taken from this: always wear your gear (I had just enough time to appreciate my RF-900 and Aerostitch Roadcrafter) and never hit anything bigger than you can eat in a single meal!
     
  11. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    From the CBR forums:

    94 F2 forks are a direct swap on all 91-93 F2 models, and appears to be a popular mod....and both the F2 and the F3 have 41mm forks.

    Having said this, they say that the 1994 F2 forks are slightly inferior to the F3 forks.
     
  12. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Thanks for the post.

    Are both the F2 and F3 forks 780mm in length?
     
  13. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I couldn't find that info.
     
  14. Thunderceptor F3

    Thunderceptor F3 New Member

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    Yes they are...

    Fork lengths (measured from top of upper fork tube to center of axle)
    F2/F3 = 780 mm (30 3/4")
    F4/F4i = 750 mm (29 1/2")
    600RR = 730 mm (28 3/4")
    86 VFR 835mm
    YZF600R 805mm

    I did this research when I was trying to figure out which front end to put on my 86 VFR.
     
  15. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Thanks again for the intel TF3. This is very helpful.

    Do you know if the YZF600Rs are cartridge forks? Also, are these 41 mm?

    I have noted that the VF500F forks are 800mm.

    My thinking is to purchase a set of Telefix adjustable clip-ons and to mount these below the top clamp using F3 forks. This should be plenty long enough.

    Thoughts?
     
  16. Thunderceptor F3

    Thunderceptor F3 New Member

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    The YZF600R forks are:
    cartridge forks
    41mm (just like the F2/F3 forks)
    Adjustale for pre-load, compression and rebound

    The clipons below the tripple may look good, but will put a lot of weight on your wrists and shoulders. When I first put on the YZF front end, I used the Yamaha clip-ons. It looked great, but was too low and after 30 minutes of riding my shoulders were sore.

    I picked up some 92 VFR clip-ons which raised the grips by about 3" and I can ride all day. Something to think about...

    What triple clamp are you planning on using?
     
  17. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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    Good points. Thank you for the post.

    The YZFs seem like the way to go here as mounting the clip-ons below the top clamp is not my first choice. This is in part based on comfort and in part a concern about clearing the fairing.

    As these are 41mm I would like to use an F2/F3 triple clamp.

    Is this what you have installed on your bike?
     
  18. Thunderceptor F3

    Thunderceptor F3 New Member

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    Correct, I have the entire front end (wheel, forks and triples) from a 98 YZF600R.
    This also give you fantastic brakes due to the 298mm rotors and 4 piston mono block calipers. If it stops my 500+ lb VFR, think about how well it will stop your VF500.

    I don't think the F2/F3 triple will work with the YZF forks and wheels. The YZF forks are 200mm wide (center to center) and the F2/F3 are 192mm. This will move the calipers in and they won't line up with the rotors.

    The VF500, VF700/750 and 86-09 VFRs all use the same steering head bearings:
    Upper: 26x47x15mm
    Lower: 30x55x17mm

    The YZFs bearings are:
    Upper: 25x47x15mm
    Lower: 30x55x17mm

    This means you use the YZFs bearings on the VF500 and you can use the YZFs steering stem. (assuming your stem length is similar to the 86 VFR, but I have no idea.)

    You will need to fabricate a bracket for the ignition switch and may need to do some work on the steering stops. (simply drill, tap and screw in a small allen screw to prevent the clips-ons from hitting anything)

    If I were you, I would get an entire front end that meets your needs and budget.
    By the way, the F2 also has very good brakes even though they are only 276mm.
     
  19. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    Why is your 2nd gen so heavy?
     
  20. Thunderceptor F3

    Thunderceptor F3 New Member

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    They all are...
    Cycle July 86: 505lbs wet & full tank
    Cycle March 87: 504 lbs wet & full tank
    My bike on weigh scale by 401: 230KG or 507 lbs.

    The manual states dry weight as 436lbs and curb weight as 487lbs.
    I don't think the 487lbs is with at full tank. A full tank is 40+ lbs.

    Did you ever weigh yours before you sold it?
     
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