VFR owners' thread, for VFRPS members and prospective members

**HenryDorsetCase** · 25th March 2009, 21:41

Originally Posted by Coyote

I'm planning to implant an SP1 motor in mine.

I shit you not.

Not a V4, but it has cam gears.

Holy shit! That I want to see pictures of! You must be planning on using the RC51 rads as well, yes?

**GerryAttrick** · 26th March 2009, 08:18

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I reckon it would be minimal and the height wouldnt be too much of an issue because the frame goes around the motor. might have to faff about with the tank/cover/airbox/fuel cell but the bore and stroke of the 800 is 72 x 48 and the 400 is 55 x 42. things like motor mounts and countershaft sprocket position would be interesting.

just idle speculation.

Sure the bore and stroke might not seem like much of a difference but I'll bet the weight being up higher would stuff up what must be a sweet handling wee bike. One day maybe I'll get to try one for a decent ride and not just round the block. Might even manage to pick up a real cheapy to turn into a track bike - or even a road bike if it has all the bits

Would fill the space soon to be vacated by my VFR750 nicely

Oops - just remembered my brother is dropping off his 1973 MT125 Elsinore to me to sell so that HE has room for the 750. Anyone want a classic off road bike in real good nick?

**GerryAttrick** · 26th March 2009, 08:27

OK Folks winter is nigh.

Must be time to get another road ride in while we can still stay dry?

I thought maybe a ride up from Westgate through to Dairy Flat/Silverdale(or similar) and then on to maybe Matakana or Waipu might be worth a spin?

What do you reckon - suggestions for a route and destination welcome. Just don't plan it for Easter or 24 April weekend and I am a starter.

Oh and it would be nice if some of the "Baby VFRs" could make it out into the light of day (or are they only for polishing?)

If you prefer another route then maybe the Howick/Clevedon one to Miranda could be OK too.

**mark247** · 26th March 2009, 08:35

Originally Posted by GerryAttrick

Oh and it would be nice if some of the "Baby VFRs" could make it out into the light of day (or are they only for polishing?)

No no not just for polishing, my shiny beast managed to do 1300km last weekend without blowing up which was a bonus!

**HenryDorsetCase** · 26th March 2009, 08:38

Originally Posted by GerryAttrick

S Anyone want a classic off road bike in real good nick?

God yes. do I have any realistic prospect of owning one at this point? Sadly not....

**motorbyclist** · 26th March 2009, 23:21

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I reckon it would be minimal and the height wouldnt be too much of an issue because the frame goes around the motor. might have to faff about with the tank/cover/airbox/fuel cell but the bore an

the motor is WAY bigger, in all directions. the SP would be a better fit

it also weighs a fair bit more, so would really mess with the handling (and stress the frame a bit)

over the summer i saw that haldanes had a racing homologated, road legal, 2,100km, 1998 HONDA RVF750 in mint condition

and only wanted $34k for it

i had a sit and felt the weight of it. could feel it was heavy but the low centre of gravity meant it was still relatively easy to flick around - I WANT ONE

should've seen the looks i got when it was on display at a bbq thing after the ATNR and i rocked up on the little version of it

**GerryAttrick** · 27th March 2009, 06:20

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

God yes. do I have any realistic prospect of owning one at this point? Sadly not....

Maybe you do - this one will probably go for under a grand - probably $750(Have been asking him for pics but he has not come across yet) and if you are a haggler then chance your arm. I know he wants the space - and so do I.

I have even decided to sell my unused Minimoto. I really wanted to use that bike but sadly my old bones can't fold up enough to fit the thing. Now shove a VFR800 in THAT and it should move - in fact the VFR400 might even do the trick.
It goes up on TradeMe this weekend $160 no reserve so if anyone wants to make the same offer first its yours- and I'll' throw in another unused frame in case you are a big bastard and break the original.

.

Sorry for hijacking a VFR thread but it does have some VFR content

**koba** · 27th March 2009, 06:32

I had a giggle last night when I heard the exhaust not of the new R1.
Everyone around was commenting on how great it sounds.
Its almost the same as my NC21!

**motorbyclist** · 27th March 2009, 11:54

Originally Posted by koba

I had a giggle last night when I heard the exhaust not of the new R1.
Everyone around was commenting on how great it sounds.
Its almost the same as my NC21!

that would be because it is essentially a V4 motor now with their "crosswank technology"

**koba** · 27th March 2009, 20:03

Originally Posted by motorbyclist

that would be because it is essentially a V4 motor now with their "crosswank technology"

haha, yeah funny aye.

**GerryAttrick** · 30th March 2009, 07:23

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

Holy shit! That I want to see pictures of! You must be planning on using the RC51 rads as well, yes?

I passed this idea past a mate of mine who is into quite informed about the various interchangeability of Honda Bits. His reply is:
"I think 'JZH' in the UK has looked into this (he has 400, 750 and 800 VFRs), and IIRC the result was leaning towards being unfeasible... I'll see what I can dig up.

I agree that the 800 may end up being too tall, the 750 would allow you to ditch the airbox if required and just run air filters onto the carb bellmouths. Not so easy with FI I think.

Another issue with the 800 motor is the crankcase-mounted swingarm pivot (may also be an issue with the SP1 motor into a 400 frame - the VTR1000F had a crankcase mounted swingarm, can't remember whether the SP1 was the same?)"

FWIW the real go with the Big VFRs at the moment is swapping out front ends. The SP2 used to be all the go but there is one guy who has swapped out a late R1 front end with radial brakes. Reckons it makes the late VFRs into awesome bikes with one finger stoppers. Fully adjustable front end is just a part of the deal

**Swoop** · 30th March 2009, 11:37

Perhaps put the VFR ride up in the calendar, GerryAttrick? As is normal, all it takes is one person to get the ball rolling!

**HenryDorsetCase** · 30th March 2009, 13:14

Originally Posted by GerryAttrick

I passed this idea past a mate of mine who is into quite informed about the various interchangeability of Honda Bits. His reply is:
"I think 'JZH' in the UK has looked into this (he has 400, 750 and 800 VFRs), and IIRC the result was leaning towards being unfeasible... I'll see what I can dig up.

I agree that the 800 may end up being too tall, the 750 would allow you to ditch the airbox if required and just run air filters onto the carb bellmouths. Not so easy with FI I think.

Another issue with the 800 motor is the crankcase-mounted swingarm pivot (may also be an issue with the SP1 motor into a 400 frame - the VTR1000F had a crankcase mounted swingarm, can't remember whether the SP1 was the same?)"

FWIW the real go with the Big VFRs at the moment is swapping out front ends. The SP2 used to be all the go but there is one guy who has swapped out a late R1 front end with radial brakes. Reckons it makes the late VFRs into awesome bikes with one finger stoppers. Fully adjustable front end is just a part of the deal

March's Performance Bikes mag has done me a huge disservice by naming the RC51 (SP1, SP2) as "the best value HRC toy for your money and most underrated". I mean you can pick them up for ~$11 to 14k and its a LOT of bike for the money....

allegedly there is an NR750 for sale in NZ at the moment: $85k. WANT

My retirement plan (AKA "when I win Lotto") has, however, been a conspicuous failure recently.

**Coyote** · 30th March 2009, 20:09

I've been offered $1500 for my VFR. The person wanting to buy it is a motorcycle mechanic looking for a project so I believe she'd take very good care of it. Plus she looks better than me on it, it'd be boosting the VFR's profile.

Reckon I should sell it?

**koba** · 30th March 2009, 20:23

Originally Posted by Coyote

I've been offered $1500 for my VFR. The person wanting to buy it is a motorcycle mechanic looking for a project so I believe she'd take very good care of it. Plus she looks better than me on it, it'd be boosting the VFR's profile.

Reckon I should sell it?

Not for that price.
Although it is probably not far off the real value at this moment its worth alot more in full working order!