RC51 brake swap

RT Hawk · Post by **RT Hawk** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 5:41 pm

Has anybody tried to swap the RC51 master cylinder and calipers on the Superhawk? I have purchased the whole setup for $120.00 on Ebay. I was just going to use the M/C but may use everything if it is feasable. I have read in numerous posts mags etc. that the RC51 brakes are good. The only other thing would be the rotors. Anybody out there done this conversion? Let me know. Thanks!

stormsmasher · Post by **stormsmasher** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:38 pm

I've fitted the master cylinder to my VTR, never looked at the disk/calliper side of things though since I have a 916 front end fitted with nice Brembo brakes.

Daz

RT Hawk · Post by **RT Hawk** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:21 am

Thanks for the reply! I will be putting on the M/C and Speigler braided lines at the very least. How was the 916 swap as far as the changes to the rake, trail and handling? I am considering doing the fork swap with the Fireblade/CBR 900/929/954 front end. I have also pondered the RC51 forks etc. also. I have not seen any posts in reference to it though. I could probably get RC51 forks and clamps for around $350-375.

thehazmatguy · Post by **thehazmatguy** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:10 am

I know the 954/929 brake calipers will not fit the standard vtr1000 fork legs. I have heard, however, that they will with some grinding. I really doubt that is worth the effort.

You will feel a big difference with the 954/929 master cylinder. The plunger is larger (by 3mm I think) so it makes lever movement much stronger feeling.

I have 954RR forks on my bike, 929 fender, 929 calipers and brake discs, and a 954 master cylinder. Totally changed the feel of the bike. If you do this change, go with the 954 forks if you can. The only difference from the 929 forks is the little blue cap, and a stronger spring.

Changing to the 954rr front suspension is a lot of work. I had to modify the turn stop on the lower triple, move both radiators back about 4 or 5 cm, change the wiring for the 954 ignition switch including re-keying the whole bike (the locks matched right up), ordered custom made 929 bar risers to make the bars clear the bodywork.... etc. I have mentioned this swap a couple of times on this forum, and nobody seemed to show any interest. It is awsome upgrade, totally changed the way the bike handles. A+++ and worth the effort, IMO.

thehazmatguy · Post by **thehazmatguy** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:19 am

http://www.abercon.co.uk/vtr1000/gallery/65.jpg

I have a matching yellow 929rr front fender now. Using all Honda parts gives the bike a real factory "it should have been like this" look.

I have Canadian Firestorm bodywork on my Superhawk. US dealers will not service Canadian paint codes, so... does anyone have a seat cowl in Honda Flash Yellow I could buy??? (I can't get one anywhere here in the US!)

RT Hawk · Post by **RT Hawk** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:37 am

I looked at the calipers and it looks like the area by the piston would need to be machined down as they are hitting the mounting point on the fork leg. I quess you could take a little off the mounting point instead. I used the M/C and Speigler S/S lines which made a hug eimprovement. I will keep the calipers in case I go with RC51 USD forks down the road.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:43 am

Hazmat, I have a spare cowl in the yellow for the 00 Storm, which is canary. It has a couple of nicks in it, but if it's the right one, drop me a line.

thehazmatguy · Post by **thehazmatguy** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:51 pm

VtwinVince wrote:Hazmat, I have a spare cowl in the yellow for the 00 Storm, which is canary. It has a couple of nicks in it, but if it's the right one, drop me a line.

That would be awsome! Does the yellow have a pearl look to it under sunlight? That has been my problem here. Some of the early US superhawks where yellow, but not the "right" yellow to match the firstorm bodywork.

Have any photos of the nicks?? thehazmatguy@yahoo.com

Thanks!